Snow in Louisiana

It's true! It's snowing just north of us on the other side of lake Pontchartrain, and the reports are that it could snow here! The last time we had snow was four years ago. Which was very brief and only stayed for about a day. Everyone ran outside and made general fools of themselves.

I'll never forget 2004 Christmas day pulling onto the ferry ramp to get across the Mississippi River to the east bank to visit my parents. It was so creepy driving across the ramp onto the slick slippery snowy surface of the boat all the while eyeing up the small chain covering the opening on the opposite side of the boat that was supposed to keep me from going into the river if I began to slide. I was on the last load of just a few cars before they closed the ferry. Then the next summer we had Katrina. Everyone blamed the freaky Christmas snow of '04 for Katrina. "Oh no, We don't want no snow! Remember what happened last time we had snow?"

Of course it's the talk of all the news stations (this picture is from WRNO). The usual is happening when we get a bit of snow. People are giddy, excited, sliding off the road, wrecking their cars and cancelling school! That's all for this sprinkle of snow. Oh, I hope it snows here!!!!

Today is Tera's Christmas band concert. She plays trumpet and violin. So I have to go bake some cupcakes for the bake sale. Everyone demands that Tera bring cupcakes because they love the icing I put on them. Tera said all the girls lick the icing off and throw the cupcake away. Maybe I need to improve my cake recipe? But how do you improve a mix? Seleste is singing with the school choir at the Omni Royal in the French Quarter tomorrow. Then at breakfast with Santa at the school Saturday. Then at the Intercontinental Hotel Monday....yikes.

I still need to alter their Christmas dresses....wrap presents....I haven't even decorated yet....Maybe it's to late....I did decorate the church....drat...I can't go to the ladies party tonight....there's a concert.....but there is the Garden Club Party Saturday.....(smile smile smile)

Musical introduction...ta da da da.....It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!......

Are you ready?

Don't Worry! The Bad News Is True!

In my recent issue of Mother Earth News there is an article on page 23 titled "What Happened to Global Warming?". It starts off, "Brrr, it's cold outside! Last winter, we had frigid temperatures and record snowfall in many areas, and similar scenarios this year may leave some people wondering what happened to global warming. Is the Earth really still heating up? For insight, we turned to Brenda Ekwurzel, a climate science expert with the Union of Concerned Scientists, who has studied climate change for 17 years."

Then they go on to ask her a plethora of questions concerning global warming including:

"Could colder temperatures and more snow be signs that global warming is not happening?"

Her answer, "No singular weather event or even a colder year represents a change in global warming. Weather is the temperature or precipitation over a couple of days. Climate refers to the average temperature or weather patterns over a decade or more. Global warming occurs over a long period of time, therefore gradual shifts to a warmer climate represent global warming. One event, such as increased snowfall or a heat wave, will not significantly change the climate pattern from the last decade."

You can almost hear the sigh of relief from the editors. "Whew, the bad new is true!"

I believe we should be good stewards of what God has given us. We should not rape and pillage the beautiful resources God has given us to sustain our lives, but we should treat them with respect and dignity. What I do resent is individuals using fear and manipulation of facts to sway the thoughts and votes of others to their own means. Manipulation of the innocent or ignorant for selfish gains weather they be for money, power or fame makes me angry.

Certain things do not make sense to me and in my opinion do not add up even to standards set by scientists themselves. To the best of my knowledge some scientists put the age of the Earth at 4.6 billion years, yet weather has only been accurately recorded for about112 years. Weather has been recorded in some places longer, but there are factors that skew the information. Changes to the location such as paved roads and buildings being built, forests being removed, or such like would effect the accurate recording of weather trends in that spot.

I'm certainly no mathematician and do not even enjoy math, but to the best of my hit or miss calculations 112 years is less than .000005 percent of the Earth's estimated 4.6 billion year life. If anyone did a poll with this type of representation they would be laughed at or disregarded.

Also there is evidence that in many areas glaciers are growing not receding. This isn't reported widely because it could hurt the political or aggressive socialization and secularization agenda of the powerful in government and the media.

There's also evidence that prehistoric animals and plants have been found in perma frost once it has melted. Could this be evidence that the Earth was once warmer? And, if man died out due to their own actions wouldn't it be poetic justice and wouldn't the Earth be better off? Wouldn't it just be following the theory of natural selection? The strong survive the weak die? Could it be possible this is a natural trend? And while I'm at it...Why do people for population control have children? Why don't they euthanize themselves? sorry I digress I know it's because they think they are the only smart ones in the world ahem Al Gore.

Lets just be honest about it please. They don't know! They are giving it their best guess, and asking us to err on the side of caution.

I do what I do, because I believe it is right and good according to my moral foundation. Not because I have any fear of global warming or climate change. It isn't good or right to waste, be greedy, wanton, or destructive (Galations chapter 5).

I believe everyone needs a foundation. The human mind can justify anything including murder if given enough time to work it through any moral underpinnings that might still be slightly holding. Without moral foundation I believe mankind is capable of any horrific thing. Just read the news. Look at history. Some believe that religion makes people hard hearted and mean. To a point I do believe that. Man made religion can make people cruel. But man on his own is worse.

Who gave us the admonition to, "Turn the other cheek." Not always easy. Who said the "Love of money is the root of all evil"? My foundation is Christ Jesus and I stand firm upon that. To some it may seem simplistic, but living upon this foundation makes a lot more sense than the fear message our society spreads. It too is a journey of learning and battles, but Christ my foundation has never failed me.

Patti Cake Recipe

For those who are interested here is the recipe for "Patti Cake" that I posted a picture of below.

1 box yellow cake mix
1 stick melted butter
1 egg beaten
1 cup chopped nuts (I use pecans because I grow them and have a freezer full.)

Mix ingredients together and pat into a buttered pan (9 x 13).

1 box of confectioners sugar
2 eggs
8 oz package of cream cheese

Beat until smooth. Pour in pan over cake mixture and bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Variation: Stir chocolate chips into the topping.

This recipe is simple and quick. It's great when your child comes home and says, "I forgot! I need something for the party tomorrow!".

Sniffles

Everywhere! People hacking and coughing it seems all over me. The polite thing is to turn your head use a kleenex...try in some, even if futile way, to protect those around you. Or better yet, stay at home. But alas, common sense isn't common. Not exaggerating....A woman next to me (who looked like she should be in a hospital) at the design and horticulture show was wheezing, snoting and hacking the whole time she put up her design. Really, I feel for her. I've drug my half dead carcass into the doctor's office more than once, but somethings just aren't that important....like a design competition. I'm sure she didn't want to let her team down. Which is admirable but.....where do you draw the line? Stay home or go?

Anyway now.....
I'm sniffling and generally feeling miserable. That's why I'm having coffee and patti cake for breakfast instead of steel cut oats and grapefruit. I know the other is better for my body, but the patti cake is better for my psyche. I'll eat a broth veggie soup or salad for lunch and make up for it. Right now I can hear my neighbor's field hands whistling and my new baby rooster's pathetic attempt to crow even through my stopped up ears......ughhh.
I did go outside and pick the rest of the developed Lima beans and pull up the plants to make room for more greens. I'll probably plant turnips and collards and some more lettuce.

My broccoli is forming heads. They are so tall and majestic this year. My favorite garden is the winter garden. The plants seem to thrive so much better than in the heat.

One of my favorite winter crops is cabbage. I think they are lyrical and beautiful. The huge leaves are so mesmerizing with their veins radiating out. It's almost as if you can see white blood coursing through them nourishing the growing central heart.

Saf-Instant Yeast

After searching for the best source for cheaper yeast, I finally found it here at The Pennsylvania Macaroni Company. It was only $2.99 for 16 oz of instant yeast. If you've ever bought yeast in a grocery store it makes you wonder how can anyone save money baking bread at home, and if you do, the savings are so slim it's not worth the effort. Except maybe for the superior taste. One pack of this yeast makes 96 loaves. With shipping (I bought 8 packs. Some for my niece and sisters.) each pack costs $5.13. That comes out to .0534 cents per loaf. Now I have to get crackin' on the flour part. I'm looking for a suggestions on where to purchase organic flour in bulk for a good price.
Here is a glowing report on this brand of yeast from King Arthur Flour brand. They were more expensive.

This book Artisan Bread In Five Minutes A Day by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois was featured in my current issue of Mother Earth News. I can't wait to try out the method. I think I'll buy the book as well.

New Orleans Botanical Gardens

The horticulture and floral design show I recently competed in was located in the beautiful Pavilion of Two Sisters at the New Orleans Botanical Gardens at City Park. The marvel of this garden is the fact that it is still here and is still very beautiful after the flooding of Hurricane Katrina.

It turned into a test garden of sorts after Hurricane Katrina. Local Ag officials and horticulturalists took a tally of how each plant fared in the standing waters of the flood. Quite a bit died, but much of it took a beating and survived. Our garden club and many other garden clubs across the U.S. contributed with other donors to get it functioning in time for the yearly "Celebration in the Oaks" at Christmas time.

Here is the main path leading to the conservatory. Notice the large palms. Most palms survived. Not surprising!
Here is a sculpture by Enrique Alferez. All of the roses in the garden died. As well as numerous shrubs and plants.

But most of all, I'm so happy the old live oaks survived! It is estimated that one of City Parks oaks is 600 years old. They are truly gorgeous to behold. There's nothing better I liked to do in college, when things got overwhelming, than lie underneath the spread of an old live oak tree and soak in the shafts of sunlight that filtered through. I have taken many naps this way.

Pictures never do these trees the justice they deserve.

A pretty path of tropicals in the garden.

Just a few pics of the show. Here is one of the plants that won overall awards. None of mine won one of these (boo hoo). But......I did win....

Eight blues and two yellows! Not too bad for an organic gardener huh? No chemicals and no chemical fertilizers. Here is an example of how they judged. This is my variegated ginger that won. Each specimen is inspected for perfection. If it scores a 95 or above it receives a blue ribbon. My entries that won first: bok choy, lima beans, varigated ginger, lemon thyme, thyme, oregano, lavender, parsley. My floral design and my rosemary won third.

Keeping Warm and Louisiana Sweets

Last night it was 35 degrees. Practically an ice age here. When I woke up this morning and walked outside, it was so still and grey the air almost seemed frozen. I hurriedly crunched through the frost to peep at the garden. My tomatoes were unwilted and bright green under their cozy comforter of plastic. My homemade "greenhouse tent" worked perfectly. Already the sun is shining bright warming the day. Still, I'm all tucked inside cozied up to my crackling popping fire. It makes me feel all lazy, but I'll have to shake it off. There's just too much fun to be had and things to do today.

I'm going to a tea today. I entered a horticulture and design competition yesterday. At the tea we'll find out who won all the coveted awards. With the abundance of amazing talent around here, fat chance I'll win, but I wouldn't miss it. I'll take some pictures for tomorrow.

I picked my first homegrown oranges ever. They are a variety called "Louisiana Sweets" . The first few years of citrus tree's life it is recommended you remove the fruit. This allows the tree to put all of it's energy into growing. Well I couldn't resist leaving a couple.

Hmmmm...looks kinda dry. Yep they were. Not too good. Sorta on the tangy side. I guess the fruit removal advice is good. I have tasted the local navel oranges at my neighbor's stand. They are sooooooo delicious this year. Full of juice, sweet and dripping with flavor. The red grapefruits are very yummy this year as well. I think I'll go eat one!

This weekend Byron and I spent a lot of time with the girls. We took them to the new Cabela's in Gonzales and let them wander around looking at all the taxidermy animals while Byron bought ammunition for hunting this Christmas holidays.

I went hunting with him last week. I didn't carry a gun or shoot anything. I just sorta traipsed behind him looking at stuff and trying to stay out of the line of fire. We were just sorta ambling along and then whamo, Byron pulls the gun up and shoots. Then there's a rabbit kicking away in it's death throes. I didn't even see it. Byron says that's because I don't know what to look for. What he doesn't know is, it's because I was more interested in examining this really beautiful trailing fern that carpets the forest floor.

Byron cooked the rabbit and invited his Mother and Father over to eat. Byron's Dad loves rabbit. Byron hunts with his Father's old shotgun. He claims that gun has probably shot more rabbits than any other gun. I thought people shot rabbits. I don't know. Maybe it's a trained gun

Green Time Vs. Screen Time

To you this may look like a big pile of trash and logs....
and old rusty discarded things....

and really interesting finds and broken boards....

and nests made of Spanish moss and pecans.....

and a beautiful objet d' art with a verdigris patina found from a Katrina flooded dresser....

But it's really..... A secret place....just for kids....under 13....this isn't a pile of old boards...it's a ...

palace...just for kids...built by kids...with secret corridors and rooms. There are many of these palaces scattered about the landscape. This kids town has a dictator and a president as well as a secretary of state. The currency is pecans which has been hotly debated at town meetings between the dictator and the town folks. "Pecans shouldn't be currency! You can find them on the ground!" I suspect the dictator is trying to tighten his control over the president and the town folk.

This is another of the magnificent specimens of architecture found in the town. Notice the "solar power" roof. Very bright and airy. The bright blue "tile" work on the outside adds just a touch of the exotic. The white pavers along the walkway to the door really brings the eye to the welcoming entrance. Should we knock?

Oh she's home!!! Why, how are you? There is much to do in this kid town. Meals of acorns and "salad greens" to cook, armaments to make with trash can lid shields and stick swords. Even a gourmet restaurant that serves grapefruit from Maw Maw's tree...and for a few pecans more you can be fanned with ginger leaves. Anything you could wish for is found in this town.

Well the town folks are busy. They must call another town hall meeting to discuss the latest threat to their haven. A Grandpa who stands on the porch and announces loudly, "I'm going to burn that town down." As long as the warm weather holds, I think their town is safe from the fireplace, but if it turns cold, drastic measures may have to be taken!!! Town meeting everyone! Town meeting at the old table.

Getting Rid Of Weeds

There was a surprising frost last night. It was very light, but there none the less! The tent I constructed around my tomatoes did the trick. They are just fine.

Here is a view of my garden. Byron asked me what I wanted for Christmas. "New beds for my garden!", I automatically replied. So today he promised to begin working on them....we'll see. I know he'll get around to it eventually.

It looks really untidy right now, but I'm working on suppressing the weeds. I've been saving cardboard boxes and the bags that the chicken feed comes in. My children are so used to it that they automatically place cereal boxes or any other cardboard box by the front door when they are finished with them instead of depositing them in the trash.

This is the box Byron made for me to use as a cold frame. So far, I haven't found much use for a cold frame. The extreme humidity we have here in New Orleans promptly rotted the old window frame I was using to top it and the glass panes fell out. It's now a small raised bed in the center of the main path of my garden. Every little square foot of space can be used to grow something useful.

I place all the cardboard and paper bags I have saved on the paths of the garden. Next pine straw mulch will be place on top. This works really well in killing the grass and weeds. It then breaks down and forms wonderful soil.

This is the same method I used in my front garden. Look how well it's doing. There are very little weeds penetrating the layers, and those that do are very easy to pull up. I recommend this layering method. This works so much better than the typical black landscaping plastic, which is a pain, expensive and doesn't work very well.

Check out La Gringa's Blogicita. She has a really interesting way of recycling plastic bags.

Around The House and Garden

Even though it was in the low 40's last night, there is still much blooming. The Cassia tree is covered with bright yellow blossoms. Very beautiful.
Remember these little scrawny helpless things two months ago? Here they are now doing just fine. There are four females and two males.

Even in the cold there are two African Irises blooming. The lantana is still putting out a few half hearted blooms.

My tomatoes are loaded with fruit. I'm hoping to ripen them on the vine. I concocted this homemade green house tent in hopes of raising the temperature around them a bit.

My tomatoes did so much better this fall than they did in the summer. I'm going to try and get them in the ground a few weeks earlier than I did these. After 15 years of gardening, although half heartedly at times (I was raising babies.), you would think I would have this all figured out.

It's still a work in progress. Although I admit I love each and every minute of it. With each success I am encouraged more and more. Don't give up, right?

Here is another view of my tomato tent. There shouldn't be any frosts until December. I'll have to get some additional bricks or stepping stones to hold the plastic tightly closed then.

My salad mixes are coming up nicely. I really feel like everyone should grow their own lettuce. It is one of the most simple things to grow. You just pinch off the baby leaves as you need them and leave the plant to keep producing.
Here is one of the broccoli plants. They are just huge. I'm looking forward to seeing how large a head it produces.
This is one of my cabbages. They also are very large. I planted two heirloom varieties. Drumhead and Dutch Wakefield Early (I think).
I harvested my first lavender blossoms and they are extremely fragrant. As you can see I'm still picking Lima's. Although I believe the purple hulls are ready to pulled up, I still got a couple of pods from them.
Just thought you might like to see a pic of my neighbor's citrus trees. They are sagging with fruit. That's with loosing quite a bit to Gustav. My neighbor has the most wonderful fruit stand. I'll have to do a post on it soon.