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From My Window

Photographs taken with a compact camera journaling everyday life in Central Massachusetts and beyond.

Massachusetts

Meadow Lands

The juvenile eastern bluebird keeps watch over the Wachusett Meadow Audubon in Princeton, MA.

Work and Leisure

I wasn’t the only one working in my yard yesterday. Fortunately, we all managed to take breaks between our labors on this warm Spring day.

Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Blue Jay
Ruby Throated Hummingbird
  • House Wren
Northern Cardinal
Black Capped Chickadee
  • Eastern Chipmunk

Ground Level

Whether they spread out like cushions around my feet, or provide unexpected bursts of color in the semi-shade, early Spring perennials liven up my yard walks.

  • Lamium
  • Trillium
  • White Violet
  • Wild Strawberry
  • Euphorbia

Ever Changing

Less than three weeks ago, my Zen garden was snow-covered. Today, the white stone “river” is flowing down from the azalea, past the water irises. The bird has a perfect view from the bench.

A Zen garden is a perfect place to contemplate ever changing conditions.

Watch Where You Walk

Just three days after a fast-moving snowstorm, plants are popping up around my feet, thanks to the strengthening Spring sunshine. Walk lightly!

Solomon’s Seal
Grape Hyacinth
Fiddlehead Fern

Curbside Garden Pickup

Local businesses are finding creative ways to service customers during this time of social distancing. One of my favorite nurseries allows online ordering. Pay in advance, drive to the store and park at the curb. Look for your name prominently displayed on a filled wagon or basket. Pull your purchases to your trunk, load up, return the wagon, and drive home!

Wagon and baskets are pre-filled and named.
My herb choices for Summer flavor.
Bags of mulch for good measure.
Set to garden!

Homes for Hobbits and Their Friends

So many designs to choose from!

Circular constructed high rise.
Bio-diverse landscaping, helipad included.
Elegant wrap-around patio.
Ultra-private entry with geothermal energy.
Castle with crenellated rampart.
Shabby chic with roof garden.
Spacious duplex with central chimney.
Contemporary styling and bold modern coloring,

April Banquet

Forsythia and red maple buds appear at the same time in Massachusetts, lending a sorely needed explosion of color to the early Spring landscape.

Squirrels like to frolic among the decorative forsythia branches, but they are particularly attracted to the maples. They “tap” them by making single bites in the bark to get the sap flowing, so they can consume the concentrated “syrup” once some of the water has evaporated. Later, the squirrels enjoy a feast of buds and flowers.

Red Maple in Bloom
American Red Squirrel

Cupboard Cooking

Continuing my stay-at-home explorations in the kitchen, I now head to my cupboard to find ingredients, instead of going to the grocery store. Canned garbanzo beans, peanut butter and bottled lemon juice combined for a smooth, zesty hummus. I didn’t miss the tahini or fresh lemon.

I used egg replacer in my chocolate cake mix, and saved the real eggs for Easter. Replacing the oil with Greek yogurt led to a dense, moist batch of cupcakes.

ttps://www.inspiredtaste.net/15938/easy-and-smooth-hummus-recipe/
Hummus with beets, turnips, celery and Italian bread.
For the chocolate cake mix, I used Bob’s egg replacer, but you could also substitute 1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil mixed with 1-1/2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon baking powder, (NOT soda), per egg.
I frosted a few cupcakes, but left some plain for that total “chocolate” taste.

Hope is the Thing With Feathers

An excerpt from a poem by Massachusetts’ own Emily Dickinson.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –

-Emily Dickinson

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