June

This is a challah I baked yesterday.  I got bored with my basic bread and decided to delve into my collection of bread recipes.  This is a combo of various recipes. I switched out the sugar for brown rice syrup.  It's not a huge amount but it does give the bread a very nice flavor note.  I only used one egg; I think I should have used two or three.

I had so much dough that I made some burger buns and a tasty dried fruit twist.

One of the fun things about  bread is the way it can be twisted and braided.  This is a four strand plait.

I am thrilled to see my white (iris) flag blooming.  I planted it many years ago around the time of the caterpillar invasion.  Between bugs, drought, and a leaking pond I assumed it was dead and gone.

It's amazing what rain and the pond at its correct depth can do for a plant.

We have been enjoying a heat spell. Temps are supposed to drop a bit today, but it is still spring...soon to be officially summer!

As always, stay safe and healthy, and thanks for stopping by............*s* 

Sun! At Last!

Spring, or perhaps I should say early summer, has arrived.  At last we are having warm, sunny days.

Yellow flags, white flags, and poppies are in full bloom.  At last we are having a good year of poppies.  I covered them during the last week of rain because they are so fragile that one good shower reduces to soggy masses of tissue paper.

Due to the continued rain, chill, and most particularly the various caterpillars the gardens, pond and pool are in a sorry state.  Now to play catch up!

We had many praying mantis egg sacs last fall.  Two days ago we found babies had hatched from one of them.  I managed to get a shot of this little guy before it took off.  This is a much enlarged photo.  It was about one quarter the size shown and almost transparent.

As always, thanks for stopping by........*s*