Spring Blossoms

Braeburn Apple Blossoms

Even though today was cold and rainy here in the mountains, Spring has definitely sprung around here. Earlier this week we had high temperatures in the 80's. It was downright hot! I wore shorts & sandals (and had to shave my legs)!

Anyway, since I haven't posted anything here in awhile, I thought I'd get back into the blogging swing of things by showing you some pretty Spring blossoms.

The photo above is a close up shot of my Braeburn apple tree blossoms. The tree is covered in delicate pink blossoms this year. More than I have seen in years past. I love their pink color. This tree is now 10 years old. Some years it produces an abundance of crisp and tart apples. Other years, not so much.

This next photo is not actually of blossoms, but if you look closely you can see some tiny plums on this Santa Rosa plum tree. It blossomed a few weeks ago, and some of the blossoms and fruit survived the freakish late snow storm we had recently.


Santa Rosa Plum Tree ~ see the tiny green plums?

Next up is my newest Bartlett pear tree. It is so new that it has not produced any fruit yet. My old Bartlett pear died a few years ago. Probably due to gophers attacking its roots (even though I installed a wire gopher basket) or perhaps due to root rot. I am not sure. I purchased and planted this new little Bartlett 2 or 3 winters ago. I usually buy bare root fruit trees. They are easier to handle, cost less and seem to grow faster and stronger when transplanted.


Young Bartlett Pear Tree ~ lotsa blooms, no fruit yet


The photo below is not fruit tree blossoms or even native ornamental flowers. This is a pretty bouquet that graced our Greek Orthodox Easter dinner table last Sunday evening. Bob gave me this bright bouquet of flowers and it added just the right splash of color to go with our traditional bright red Greek Easter eggs.


Bright Spring Bouquet

I will post about both of our Easter celebrations another day. I am so behind on my posting!

Happy Spring everyone! Enjoy the warming weather.

© Copyright 2009 Mountain Harvest Basket

A Sweet Treat

My Favorite Rum Raisin Ice Cream

Last night I overdosed on my favorite rich rum raisin ice cream. I don't eat it very often, as I don't usually buy it for myself. This little pint of RR was a surprise gift to me from Bob. He knows that I enjoy it especially when I am in need of cheering up. He also knows that bringing me a pint of this special ice cream can effectively get him out of the "dog house" should he find himself in one at any time. It works pretty well.

So moments after he handed me the carton of RR, and while his attention was elsewhere for the moment, I opened it up and dug into its rich creamy goodness. I did share a spoonful or two with him while he was here, but I saved most of it for later after my dinner. Then I totally OD'ed on it before I fell asleep on the couch in a blissful rummy milky slumber.

Mmmmm....creamy rich goodness... and chewy rummy raisins

Thank you Bob! You are very sweet.

© Copyright 2009 Mountain Harvest Basket

Must Be the Weather

It must be something about Springtime.

It's been almost a year and this post I wrote back on April 10, 2008 still fits me today.

I finally planted the majority of my warm weather veggie seeds in little pots today. I am only about 6 weeks behind schedule! I took photos, but will post them another day. They aren't very exciting yet. Just little pots of moist dirt.

I felt good for awhile today. I felt close to my Mom while I was putting all the little seeds in the soil. I could actually feel her here with me. Smiling and laughing. Guiding me. I turned up the music I had playing on my stereo and even danced a bit around my own living room. I could feel her with me. I started to cry. Happy tears. And sad tears. Both kinds. Like I am crying right now.

I do miss her so much. But I felt her presence with me today. Spring always reminds me of my Mom.


© Copyright 2009 Mountain Harvest Basket