Things are very curious around here. It snowed Sunday, and now it is summer weather, which has me wondering if it really did snow? But more importantly, because of the warm weather, I am working feverishly on the garden, and as usual - am obsessed with floral everything...
The garden is a challenge. There are so many gophers living in it that my job to grow a garden is always quite huge. Wish me luck?
I was almost, but not totally, discouraged at the site of hundreds of gopher holes, and how many fur balls must be living in them (and at all the trenches I would have to dig and fill with mesh to plant my seeds in, as usual).
Alas, those thoughts were wiped away quickly at the thought of fresh flowers...
My camellia is urging me to plant.
If you saw how many seeds I have gathered to plant, you would faint. Or think me insane ;)
The rose bushes are sprouting new leaves, and the Vermilion Flycatcher was here today.
A sign that time goes on, and a new season is skipping its way down the bend towards us...
I am feeling very peaceful and quiet these days...
Painting, watching bread rise.
Picking flowers.
Watching the pups play.
Kissing Mister Lovee's cookie scented cheeks.
I have been falling asleep early. Reading in bed...
Doing all the things my body is asking of me.
Walking early in the morning.
Listening to music.
Letting my brain rest whilst on my walks.
Enjoying the brisk morning air...
Setting a table for no reason at all.
Fancy a cup?
Oh oh, I must run, the second rising of the Challah is near done, and I must get to baking. I added raisins this time... (and, I made braided rounds instead of long braids, for a slight change)
We were oddly out of bread, but I personally would rather bake a couple loaves, than get properly dressed and go deal with a grocery store. What about you?
(This is a great Challah recipe if you need one?)
Okay, time for an egg wash, see you sooooon!
ps: Hello 2 Enormous Loaves of Challah!
;)
(finished product)
pss: Using the recipe for Challah that I posted above (I have made it several times), I have some changes I made.
I used two packages of rapid rise yeast, an extra 2 tablespoons of honey, and I needed almost two more cups of flour for kneading.
Then, let each rising (there are 2) last 1.5 hours. As for baking, I baked mine at 350' F for 35 mins. and covered the tops with foil halfway through the baking. My gas oven gets very very hot, and things cook up really fast.
Much luck sent your way for perfect bread baking!!
I really love the peacock painting in the background of some of your photos. What a lovely place to sit and eat fresh bread!
Posted by: Nicole Gendy | March 03, 2011 at 06:33 PM
What beautiful pictures! And fresh bread???? YUM!! I love your table setting.....and is that a day bed there? It is so enchanting.....I want to spend some time there reading a book and sipping some tea....and your snow pictures???? Beautiful!
Posted by: Celia | March 03, 2011 at 06:42 PM
Love the floral beauty seen in these pics! Gorgeous blend. So glad you are feeling peaceful these days. Don't let those wicked gophers steal that from you! You show them varmints who's da boss! I remember all that flourished in your garden last year. It was truly amazing! Looking forward to this year. : )
Posted by: Linda Diane | March 03, 2011 at 07:10 PM
Lovely, lovely, lovely! As always. I love the photo of your table set up with the little bed-nook in the background. I am trying to make my nook look as inviting as that, but it isn't quite their yet.
I love the weather now, some friends from my classes and I are going on a picnic in the park on Sunday, yay! I just love picnics, don't you?
ps. I found a puppy I want to adopt! But I don't think it is the right time since Mister B has to want it too, because he will have to help take care of it. Oh well, maybe in the future. I can just look at the pictures of your adorable boys to hold me over!
Posted by: Alia | March 03, 2011 at 07:21 PM
Oh, I had to add a comment now that your bread picture has been added!! Will a lucky neighbor be the recipient of some of that goodness? Oh, it's also OK to gobble it all up yourselves! Tuck yourself into bed, grab a book, and chew on some Challah!
I looked over your post again, and are you serious that there are HUNDREDS of gopher holes??? Literally??? I would faint on the spot.
Posted by: Linda Diane | March 03, 2011 at 08:16 PM
Oh how I have missed your beautiful blog and you my dear girl! Lovely, lovely, lovely! It's time for me to do what my body & soul need me to do, with Hubbs back at work as of this week, I think I can begin. And I wouldn't think you crazy for all of the seeds you have; if you saw how many I have each year & how little space I have to garden out front and in back you might think Me mad! :-)
Posted by: Jo | March 03, 2011 at 08:58 PM
well I have a hint, but remember I have never even seen a gopher so this is complete hear say. but when you find a gopher hole put a bottle in it with the top up and the wind blows over it and makes it howl like a ghost and it send spooky sounds into tunnels and they leave!
maybe!!!!
otherwise your bread looks super yummy and scrummy
xxx
sheree
Posted by: ravenmoonmagic | March 03, 2011 at 09:17 PM
Yum!
I need to make this Challah for my hubby. I am so glad you posted the recipe. Thanks!
Your camellias remind me of my Grandmas yard in CA. when was younger. My parents also had camellias growing in the yard and they had the most delicate light pink camellia bush that I just loved and I should have dug that bush up before we all moved. I have never seen that shade of pink again. Awe sweet memories!
Posted by: Kelly | March 03, 2011 at 09:36 PM
If your Challah is as delicious as the lemon cake was, I'm in trouble! I made 4 lemon cakes in 2 days & my friend made another one for a birthday party......scary good. I love your peacock painting also....
Posted by: Jill James | March 03, 2011 at 11:00 PM
That is a huge Challah! It looks divine...
You are making my mouth water just looking at the photos! I do love baking homemade bread.
There is just nothing like it. With lots of real butter on it. Scrumptious!!!
You are so brave to fight the gophers...or to prevent them...at any rate...from destroying your garden after you have planted it.
That is a huge labor of love...
I've had a few roses blooming already, a very light pink one and a very deep red one. The rose bushes were here when we moved here 28 years ago, so I have no clue what their names are. I guess I could call one 'Rose Red' and the other Rose Pink' ...that would work.
Oh, I still have that secret to tell you about a house...maybe next week!
Ta, Ta, for now
Miss Teresa
Posted by: Teresa in California | March 04, 2011 at 12:11 AM
I have never commented before but I just love reading your posts. Love, love, love them. They are so inspiring. As are your photo's. I You even got me going and now I am spring cleaning and organizing the whole house! And now I'm going to have to try the Challah! Looks delicious!
Posted by: Sugar | March 04, 2011 at 04:07 AM
I'm not sure about the bottle and the breezes, but I had hundreds of gopher holes/tunnels in my country garden (1-1/2 acres)and I read about this remedy eons ago in Mother Earth News. Take the fresh dog fecus and shovel it down the holes, wherever you see an opening. They can't stand "dirty" tunnels and will eventually leave as long as you continue to fill them up with excrement. Sounds "shitty" (pardon the pun), but it does work.
Posted by: Jackie Leonard | March 04, 2011 at 04:20 AM
What a wonderful table setting! It was very joyful to read your last post, you reminded me to enjoy the snow. Well there is a big difference to have snow once every other year and live in snow 6 months every year. I want spring now! It has started to drip from the roofs now and the birds are singing (they are very quiet during winter).
Warm wishes /Therese from a cold place
Posted by: linnea-maria | March 04, 2011 at 04:56 AM
HAHAH dear Vanessa..Im 22yrs old..and do all the things you have described..my normal bedtime is 10pm (I went to sleep at 9 yesterday), I wake up early, watch the sunrise..read books in bed..and just enjoy the small things in life..Im an old soul in a youngish body...;p but the best part of it..I found another old soul to share my life with...it makes for one happy girl..:D:D:D
Posted by: Kristin | March 04, 2011 at 05:37 AM
Sigh.....might I come to tea!?? pretty please with little sugar mice!?? I'm positively drooling over your lovely loaf of Challah!!!!!If I ever get a bit of a chance to try the recipe, I shall!!! Thanks ever so much for sharing it, Dearie!! ♥ Happy March to Youuuuu!!!
Posted by: marjorie | March 04, 2011 at 07:02 AM
pretty pretty Miss V!!
Sorry I have been working so much..slacking off my blogging visits! l
Love this post~~~well i love all your entries~~!
have a wonderful weekend:))
clicnk-clink our teacups!
xo
Kay Ellen
Posted by: kayellen | March 04, 2011 at 07:46 AM
Oh Delightment!! Pure delightment at the thought of your lovely Challah. Me thinks I may have to try and make some meself, but perhaps not today. I have a deadline due at 9 pm this eve and I'm all tangled up in tags,codes, and the such...YUCK!! But I'd rather be in my garden dreaming thoughts of what may pop up from the earth...no gophers of course...tee hee.
Your pictures are as always beautiful to behold. Oh! A cup of camellia tea, thank you sweet V.
Love me
Posted by: Cori G. | March 04, 2011 at 08:53 AM
Your site is so Pretty! Love It!
Posted by: Jamie-Lynn | March 04, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Delightful! You make my day every time.
Posted by: doroula | March 04, 2011 at 02:20 PM
It looks simply DELISH! LOVE Challah bread. When I was a child, my mother baked a loaf every sunday. I think I'll bake a loaf this sunday with my lovely daughter, Miss Miranda! :) Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Miss Lori | March 04, 2011 at 02:20 PM
Hello!
I am inspired, and I am hoping to make the challah bread this weekend.
Have a wonder-full weekend.
Posted by: sarah | March 04, 2011 at 04:12 PM
I love hearing how you are taking such good care of yourself. That is so wonderful.
Your photos are so very pretty, and your bread looks so delicious!
Hugs,
Terri
Posted by: Artful Affirmations | March 04, 2011 at 08:23 PM
hello sweet friend~
you know me....i'm a baking fanatic!!! love homemade bread.
it is increasingly difficult to buy bread from a store when homemade tastes so much nicer!
yes, did it snow? or were you dreaming?????
sending you love love love and more love.
xoxo
Posted by: gillian | March 04, 2011 at 09:03 PM
Oh Goody! thanks so much for the recipe! I will need to make this this weekend! Such pretty pictures!
Posted by: michelle | March 04, 2011 at 11:18 PM
Dear Vanessa,
We wish we were there with you today thinking of planting flowers. It is snowing again here!!!
Thank you for the lovely challah recipe! I have one that I love, but it lives in one of the cookbooks....in one of the boxes....in either the cellar...or the shed....hope to find it again one day *sigh*.
We may not have all of our books, but we will have challah soon!!
Hugs,
Betty
Posted by: Betty | March 05, 2011 at 08:00 AM
A really lovely post. Wish I could come to tea with you. May try that recipe when I have a chance.
Wanted to work in my garden this weekend but it's raining, so maybe next weekend. Really want to get my herb garden going.
Posted by: Kelly Jeanette | March 05, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Hi Vanessa! It is so wonderful to indulge in life's simple pleasures. Flowers and fresh bread and relaxing with a cup of tea. Watching pups play and planting a garden. Things to love and relish. :) It's cloudy and rainy here this weekend - perfect for quiet and simple enjoyments. Thanks for sharing xoxo Theresa
Posted by: Theresa | March 05, 2011 at 07:41 PM
It is such a long, long time since I've been here. What a joy though to come today to enjoy all your flowers and your pastry.
Have a nice Sunday.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | March 06, 2011 at 01:28 AM
Good Heavens!
I am amazed by the contrast of weather in such a short time!
Nice to see your Camelias, it brings back memories from a house in france I use to love...big sigh...
Posted by: Papillon Bleu UK | March 06, 2011 at 06:33 AM
It's so nice to catch up with your blog - your photos are so beautiful and inspiring - and oh how i wish the warmth would find us here. I hope things are good with you and your family of lovelies xxx
Posted by: louise/Artandghosts | March 06, 2011 at 09:00 AM
Oh your obsessions are always so lovely... the Springtime vignette is just beautiful and I LOVE your Peacock painting in the background!
Yes, we're having a huge gopher problem this Season as well, we have working Cats but the gophers have been particularly wiley and evaded capture! So they've been knoshing on my Garden *le sigh* and not giving us much left. Good luck with your Gardens!
Dawn... The Bohemian
Posted by: Bohemian Valhalla | March 06, 2011 at 03:02 PM
Ahhh... found peace. Thanks for that. Blessings to you dear one.
Posted by: amy sperry faldet | March 06, 2011 at 03:09 PM
Yes, yes! It did snow!...I just checked back on your last post before this one, and those gorgeous shots of the white stuff, undoubtedly WAS SNOW!! JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Now, am I right in reading something between your lines? Hmmm...time will tell.
Your photos are always quite delicious, Vanessa. And, I can never really have too many photos of Miles to look at :)
Posted by: Victoria Sayer | March 07, 2011 at 12:04 AM
Every time I read your post I get this jealous feeling! lol...the pups, the flowers, the beauty all around you. Everyone should be able to live such a life! Keep posting so I can live vicariously...lol
Posted by: Pixie | March 08, 2011 at 05:17 PM
flor flower fleur...my belgian great-grandfathers name was Florimond. isn't that lovely? xx
Posted by: deb jacobs | March 10, 2011 at 12:52 AM
vemillion flycatchers!! I LOVE them!!
I just baked yesterday for the first time in ages. It was so satisfying. I really love challah and want to make this.
xmooches.
Posted by: Chris | March 27, 2011 at 11:38 AM