Not all . . . . . . .

. . . . . . is doom and gloom today.

Last post was a bit dark. Now we all need something cheery 

to end the day. The cold night will creep in and the garden will be 

camouflaged in cast off white shower curtain liners and a

 couple of old sheets in my fight against the deep freeze

harming the hydrangeas.

 I doubt even the deer will stop by tonight to nibble the pansies!

Yesterday on a vegetable run to the grocery - we are doing a no-carbs

week to kickstart our spring wellness effort to lose a few pounds - 

I also bought flowers. It's a mixed bunch to which I've added a few 

of my daffodils and sprigs of blossom.

They are pretty and brighten up the dining room where only a 

smattering of welcomed sunshine made it through the windows today.

Of course today is Shrove Tuesday. I would have loved a plateful of
traditional English pancakes.

These are from two years ago as last year I was really far from my

 kitchen - on an expedition ship rounding Cape Horn heading for

 Patagonia and Chile!

Today I refrained from mixing up the simple batter with all those carbs - it was

 really hard, especially as 'pancake day' brings back lovely childhood memories.

Mother made the best ones. . . . . . . and for some reason we had no idea as to
 what carbohydrates were back then. We just beat the batter, let it rest for a while,
then poured it into the frying pan, flipped, folded or rolled, squeezed,

those sunshiny lemons, sugared dusted, and gobbled them up while piping hot!

Of course back then running off to play in the garden afterward probably kept

 us trim and healthy. Remember those days?

More on the vegetables and what's cooking in my kitchen later.

Eat your greens!

"Thank you California" for providing the entire USA with so many 

special things to eat! Driving back from the north to the Bay Area we

 passed through amazing agricultural landscapes. 

Orchards of fruit trees, olives, and nuts ran for what looked like

miles toward the horizon.

Fields of cabbages, Brussels sprouts, artichokes and more. . . . . . . .

the endless swathes of green fields interspersed with rich brown soil held

 so many healthy foods.

The workers in the fields waved when we stopped to grab a few

photos - even beckoned to us, laughing, to come help pick! They work very hard,

 it must be back-breaking day after day bringing in the fresh produce in its prime.

 We need to think of them and thank them when we shop in comfort for our

 precious vegetables and fruits.

. . . . . . . and look at lucky me!  

A fabulous Birthday gift from my granddaughter who 

knows how much I love my veggies, both to eat and cook.

I am over the moon with this amazing cook book from the 

English chef and leading food authority, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

It contains everything I would ever want to prepare in my own 

little cottage - beautiful simple, colorful, full of vitality, vegetarian

dishes.

Bring on the greens. . . . . and let's eat healthy.

And thank you dear Jasmin for always picking the perfect presents.