Louisiana Waterthrush Hatchling

May 24th, 2010


Baby Bird, originally uploaded by trekr.

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.

Clivia

May 3rd, 2010


Clivia, originally uploaded by trekr.

Clivia bloomed again this year! Thanks sister!

Purple Shamrock (Oxalis)

May 2nd, 2010

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?”

Clematis

May 1st, 2010

Clematis, originally uploaded by trekr.

Back again this year, undaunted by the hard freezes.

Yellow Rose

April 30th, 2010


Yellow Rose, originally uploaded by trekr.

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.

Peony

April 30th, 2010


Peony, originally uploaded by trekr.

The Peony is here and no other flowers can be seen — Issa

Empress Blooms

April 4th, 2010


Empress Blooms, originally uploaded by trekr.

Happy Easter. The Empress blooms are stunning this year.

Snow in March

March 23rd, 2010


Snow in March, originally uploaded by trekr.

The cooling continues …

Local Cooling

February 11th, 2010


Local Cooling, originally uploaded by trekr.

Another snow day in North Texas!

How to Make Smoked Salt

December 21st, 2009

Smoked Salt

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.

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Dissolve salt using warm water until no more salt dissolves.

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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.

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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.

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Do not shake or stir the salt after placing  the container in the smoker. An hour later, here is the the result.

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Break the salt cake using a flat kitchen tool.

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Crumble the salt crystals to the desired size.

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Sift the crystals to remove salt dust.

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Finally, pour the sifted crystals into a jar.

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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!

Frostweed

December 12th, 2009


Frostweed, originally uploaded by trekr.

It was 20 degrees the other night and the Frostweed “bloomed”. Frostweed (Verbesina virginica) is also called Indian tobacco.

Fractals

December 7th, 2009


IMG_1820, originally uploaded by trekr.

Fractal patterns on a birdhouse gourd. As the gourd hardens, the moisture escaping from the interior remains on the surface and encourages growth of molds that make beautiful patterns.

Persimmon and Pomegranate

December 7th, 2009


IMG_1819, originally uploaded by trekr.

…taste the fruit, and resign yourself…

Yellow Rose

November 8th, 2009


Yellow Rose, originally uploaded by trekr.

A Yellow Rose of Texas!

Mushroom

November 8th, 2009


Mushroom, originally uploaded by trekr.

This strange mushroom came up under the rabbit’s cage!

Cactus Flower

October 18th, 2009


Cactus Flower, originally uploaded by trekr.

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.

One in Twenty

July 10th, 2009

Pair of Pears, originally uploaded by trekr.

Two pairs, apples and pears.  (One in twenty is the odds for two pairs in poker)

Early Morning Sun on Clivia

July 10th, 2009


Clivia, originally uploaded by trekr.

The last blush of color before the century degree days.

Pair of Apples

July 2nd, 2009


Pair of Apples, originally uploaded by trekr.

This apple tree borders the garden. In the background are the broad leaves of Zucchini.

Desert Rose

June 29th, 2009


Desert Rose, originally uploaded by trekr.

A drop of rain
In desert sand
A garden grows
Without a hand

Now in Full Bloom

June 11th, 2009

Clivia, originally uploaded by trekr.

Clivia

June 3rd, 2009


Clivia, originally uploaded by trekr.

A gift from my sister, more than a year ago, at last, the first bloom of patience

Spring Rain

May 2nd, 2009


Verbena, originally uploaded by trekr.

Heavy rain this afternoon
Watered the flowers in bloom

Wisteria Trellis

March 23rd, 2009


IMG_0901, originally uploaded by trekr.

Here is an update on the trellis I built last fall from Crepe Myrtel limbs. The wisteria was trained on the ladders and now it is in bloom. Our hope is that over the years, the wisteria will take the form of the trellis and become its own structure.

Golden Daffodil

March 19th, 2009


Golden Daffodil, originally uploaded by trekr.

A daffodil beneath a tree
Swaying in the breeze
She lifts her face
Toward the sun
And so can we

Birdhouse Gourds

December 11th, 2008


Birdhouse Gourds, originally uploaded by trekr.

Just a few gourds this year. I’m afraid the volunteers have run their course.

Loquat

October 25th, 2008


Loquat, originally uploaded by trekr.

A contrarian amongst fuit trees, the loquat blooms in late autumn and bears her fruit in the spring.

Wagon Wheel

October 24th, 2008


Wagon Wheel, originally uploaded by trekr.

“Hitch your wagon to a star” – Emerson

The Vulture

October 16th, 2008


The Vulture, originally uploaded by trekr.

“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 …

Hollow Oak

October 8th, 2008


Hollow Oak, originally uploaded by trekr.

“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” – Shakespeare

Empty rhetoric echoes in a hollow.