Monthly Archives: February 2016

And the Oscar Goes To …

Posted on February 28, 2016 by amanandhishoe

And the Oscar goes to … is it SalmonBerry in “Vermillion and Yellow”, Pepper in “Pepper Lays an Egg”, the Pear Buds in “Like Peas in a Pod”, the Daffodils in “Dancing Lemons”, the Plum Blossoms in “Fifty Shades of … Continue reading →

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Ten Days

Posted on February 27, 2016 by amanandhishoe

Ten days and the arugula seeds have sprouted and are sticking their first leaves above the soft earth. What do leaves feel when they first poke out of the earth, breathe the air, and feel the sun’s rays? Is it … Continue reading →

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In the Hunting Stream

Posted on February 25, 2016 by amanandhishoe

Special is being courted, but she’s far more interested in seeing what juicy morsels she can dig up in the stream than she is by the young rooster’s performance. Chickens enjoy hunting in streams. It’s not something you read about … Continue reading →

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Pushing It

Posted on February 24, 2016 by amanandhishoe

So many of the fruits we love to eat are so beautiful long before they become fruits. The plum branches we pruned bloomed when we brought them indoors. Soon they will be blooming outdoors too. I’m pushing it, planting vegetables … Continue reading →

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From the Core

Posted on February 23, 2016 by amanandhishoe

A frosty morning after a clear night. Even the daffodil leaves are dusted with frost, giving their green leaves a muted hue. Where do branches come from? Split a tree apart and it’s clear they come from the core. So … Continue reading →

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Special’s Voice

Posted on February 22, 2016 by amanandhishoe

Special, one of Hazel’s chicks, has a call all her own. There is no doubt who has laid an egg or who has something to say when she opens her mouth. “Special, what are you up to now?” I think … Continue reading →

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What to Do with Tree Bones

Posted on February 21, 2016 by amanandhishoe

A stack of tree bones lie on the ground, left overs from pruning a plum tree. What to do with tree bones? The thicker bones can be turned into coasters. Cut the coasters from the same bone, and you can … Continue reading →

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The Colors Are Back, so Is the Sting

Posted on February 20, 2016 by amanandhishoe

Spring should be called Colors. The drab hues of winter give way to the brilliance of cobalt skies, iridescent hue of flowers, and emerald green of new leaves. The crocus are out which means winter has gone for sure. Billy … Continue reading →

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Oem le ria era si form is – a Morning Chant

Posted on February 18, 2016 by amanandhishoe

With blue in the morning sky, a walk in the woods is called for. Deep in the woods, Indian Plum or Osoberry are in full bloom, dangling their white flowers under budding leaves. These dainty white delights are among the … Continue reading →

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沈丁花 – Chinchōge

Posted on February 17, 2016 by amanandhishoe

Few flowers smell as sweet as sweet daphne. It blooms in late winter and early spring, filling the air with sweetness. You can’t smell it and be sad. A native of southern China, it is popular in Japan. The Korean … Continue reading →

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Sunshine in the Pacific Northwest

Posted on February 17, 2016 by amanandhishoe

A sunny day in the Pacific Northwest. If there is a circular glow in the sky, it’s a sunny day. If you don’t get wet when you step outside, it’s a sunny day in the Pacific Northwest. Light gray is … Continue reading →

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There Is Hope

Posted on February 16, 2016 by amanandhishoe

A day’s break from the rain gave an opportunity to do some gardening, and the delight of finding a ladybug looking for something good to eat. Ladybugs eat a large variety of pests, not just aphids. There are some 6,000 … Continue reading →

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Before It’s Too Late

Posted on February 16, 2016 by amanandhishoe

Wow! The sun still exists! I know because I saw it this morning, glowing brightly behind the morning clouds. I took a picture in case I never see it before I die. This time of year, when clouds rule for … Continue reading →

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The First Salmonberry Flower

Posted on February 13, 2016 by amanandhishoe

I found a Salmonberry in bloom today. A sure sign that spring is well on its way. It’s a wet, wet, spring. The kale and ruby streaks are so washed with rain, that they can go straight from garden to … Continue reading →

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No Longer a Dream

Posted on February 11, 2016 by amanandhishoe

The salmonberry leaves are sprouting. Spring is no longer a dream. The great unfurling has begun. When leaves first unfurl and take their first breath, they don’t scream like newborn babies, or do they? Is the forest filled with the … Continue reading →

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Cherry Blossoms in February

Posted on February 9, 2016 by amanandhishoe

It’s time to prune the cherry, plum, and apple trees. Last week we brought some pruned cherry branches indoors, and today we have cherry blossoms in February.

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Time to Weed

Posted on February 8, 2016 by amanandhishoe

The hazelnut catkins are in full bloom. The ruby streaks which overwintered are sending up flower stalks too. It is from tiny blossoms like these that many of our foods come. BB has found something interesting in the ruby streaks. … Continue reading →

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Spring Clouds, Spring Flowers, Spring Everything

Posted on February 7, 2016 by amanandhishoe

Yesterday, the sky was filled with spring clouds. The sun coaxed the daffodils to spread their petals. Winter is shedding away. All I have to do is stand and close my eyes. I can feel winter’s footsteps becoming fainter and … Continue reading →

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立春 – Risshun – The Start of Spring

Posted on February 5, 2016 by amanandhishoe

Yesterday, February 4, was Risshun – 立春, the start of spring according to the seasonal calendar used in Japan. Yesterday’s sunrise, with clouds burning brightly, was fitting for the first day of spring A sure sign of spring are the … Continue reading →

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Helping Feet

Posted on February 3, 2016 by amanandhishoe

Just because it’s cold and the snow lies heavy on the hills doesn’t mean that I can stay indoors and not tend to the compost. All of January I’ve been collecting the bedding from under the roosts and setting it … Continue reading →

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