This nest is again improbably right next to my porch door in an abandoned planter that is against the brick wall. Every time we go in and out the door now, we have to be careful not to scare the mother away for too long. I got this picture while the mother was out.
Purple Oxalis, originally uploaded by trekr.
Each petal brings a wish your way
I wish you have what you need today
This verse was inspired by my father. When I would worry about the future, he would ask,
“Do you have what you need today?”
Oh! now I’m going to find her, for my heart is full of woe,
And we’ll sing the song together, that we sung so long ago;
We’ll play the banjo gaily, and we’ll sing the songs of yore,
And the yellow rose of Texas shall be mine for evermore.
Happy Easter. The Empress blooms are stunning this year.
The cooling continues …
Another snow day in North Texas!
Aromatic salts are popular condiments and smoked salt is one of the easiest to make. Start with pure salt and filtered water. I recommend Morton’s Canning and Pickling Salt because it does not contain additives. Kosher salt could be used but some brands contain Yellow Prussiate of Soda as an anti caking agent.
Dissolve salt using warm water until no more salt dissolves.
It’s OK if some salt is on the bottom of the container, that tells you that no more will dissolve. Pour the salt water in a glass Pyrex dish to a depth of about 3/4 inch and place in smoker. I use aged oak wood in my smoker.
The water depth is critical to achieving good salt crystals. If it is too deep, the crystals will be dense and not well formed. Less salt solution is better at first.
Do not shake or stir the salt after placing the container in the smoker. An hour later, here is the the result.
Break the salt cake using a flat kitchen tool.
Crumble the salt crystals to the desired size.
Sift the crystals to remove salt dust.
Finally, pour the sifted crystals into a jar.
Use the salt as a condiment. I don’t recommend using it in recipes where the salt will dissolve. Best of luck with your smoked salt!
A Yellow Rose of Texas!
A surprising bloom in mid October now that it is cooler. I don’t know the name of this cactus or succulent; if you do, please let me know.
Pair of Pears, originally uploaded by trekr.
Two pairs, apples and pears. (One in twenty is the odds for two pairs in poker)
This apple tree borders the garden. In the background are the broad leaves of Zucchini.
A drop of rain
In desert sand
A garden grows
Without a hand
A daffodil beneath a tree
Swaying in the breeze
She lifts her face
Toward the sun
And so can we
Just a few gourds this year. I’m afraid the volunteers have run their course.
“Hitch your wagon to a star” – Emerson
“There is a path which no fowl knows, and which the vulture’s eye has not seen”
And Malcolm Little was wrong about Capitalism amongst other things …
“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” – Shakespeare
Empty rhetoric echoes in a hollow.
