Moth Hawk, Helicopter and Butterfly

That's what I saw in the garden today. The Moth Hawk is back though I didn't get a good picture but at least I got one. They are the strangest looking creatures. This Dragonfly is huge. We have had some really large ones zooming around the yard lately and they look like mini helicopters to me :) and last is the butterfly. Not sure if it is a Viceroy or Monarch. If only I had shifted slightly to the right it would have been a perfect pic. :( They are very similar but I can't remember which has which markings. I should go look it up in my butterfly book but I'm to lazy plus this is supposed to be a quick post since I am supposed to be packing for our trip to the Adirondacks. Yep, leaving tomorrow. So I'd better get going. Oh yes, one more picture of the African Impatience. :-) Isn't it coming beautifully. ML, I thank you so much and I will give you back the pot at the end of the season if that is okay with you. It looks so very beautiful in that one I just couldn't bring myself to disturb it. Well, that's it for now. Everyone have a wonderful week! Don't forget you can enlarge pictures by clicking on them.

Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Sauce

Perfect Chocolate Cake
CAKE:
1 cup cocoa
2 cups boiling water
2 ¾ cups flour
2 teas. Baking soda
½ teas. Salt
¼ teas. Baking powder
1 cup butter
2 ½ cups sugar
4 eggs
1 ½ teas. Vanilla

FROSTING:
6 oz. chocolate chips
½ cup light cream
1 cup butter
2 ½ cups confectioners sugar

FILLING:
¼ cup butter
3 cups sugar
1/3 cup milk
½ teaspoon vanilla

Combine cocoa and boiling water, mix till smooth and cool completely. Mix flour, soda, salt, and baking powder. Beat at high speech, butter with sugar, eggs and vanilla until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes). At low speed, beat in flour mixture alternately with cocoa mixture in thirds. Beginning and ending with flour mixture. Divide evenly into 3 - 9” round greased and floured cake pans. Bake 25-30 minutes. Cool in pans about 10 minutes. Loosen sides and remove from pans.

FILLING: Mix butter, sugar, milk and vanilla until blended. Spread half over bottom layer of cake. Place second layer on top and spread remaining filling. Place third layer on top and spread frosting.

FROSTING: In medium saucepan combine chocolate chips, cream, and butter, stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from heat. With whisk (I just use my kitchen aide) blend 2 ½ cups sugar. Turn into bowl, place over ice and beat until frosting holds shape. Now…this is the original recipe. I blend the sugar and then refrigerate checking consistency occasionally to see how thick it is. When it is spreading consistency, frosting cake. Garnish with washed and dried Raspberry leaves and fresh Raspberries. Sorry this is not the best picture (clear plate on lace tablecloth). You can drizzle on the sauce or puddle it in the plate then place a wedge on top or do both :).

Raspberry sauce:

1 - 10 oz. pkg. frozen raspberries in syrup, thawed
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 Tbs. cornstarch

Place thawed raspberries in syrup in a blender or food processor. Blend until pureed. Strain with cheese cloth to remove seeds. In small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Gradually add raspberry puree; mix well. Bring to a boil; cook until mixture is clear stirring constantly. Cool.

News of my Stone Patio

Since I was out with my camera thought I'd get an updated picture of the patio. The area is a little messy but it needs to be since I need the stones spread out so I can see the shapes. I would say it is about 2/3's done. I was really out with the camera because this one calla lily is so unique I wanted to get a picture of it. I think I am going to make a trivet with it when it is on it's way out. I will paint it (as best I can) using the picture posted here, and hang it in my kitchen.



There is also another picture of the Apple Blossom Amaryllis.there were four buds. One has come and gone. The fourth one is just beginning to open. and the blessed mother with hosta's in full bloom. I'm thinking perhaps she needs a little more height. I will be working on back ground for her next year. I thought I had that all worked out but the Pink Cascade I have there doesn't seem to like it's place cuz it is doing absolutely nothing.

Thought for the Day

The quieter you become, the more you can hear.

a zen master

Flying Flower Francis

Okay, this morning I had the notion I should pray over and bless my yard and garden :). SO, I set out with holy water in hand to do just that. I started out on the deck since that is where my entrance to paradise begins most of the time and I blessed all my plants then headed down the stairs only to find this flying flower in my path. It was like it was sitting there waiting for me. I picked it up and the surprising thing is....it let me :). I started talking to it as I headed to "Mom's Garden" (that's the new garden I've been working on for 3 years). It seemed to be content to stay there on the tip of my finger although it turned to face me when I was talking to it. Oh, by the way, it will now be referred to as Francis. I wondered how long Francis would stay with me and if I would be able to go in the house, get my camera and take a few pictures. No way was that going to work. The sprinkling of holy water to bless the grounds was brought to a stand still now that Francis was on the scene. So instead, I decided I could pray and proceed with the holy water blessing at the time of Francis' departure. I raised my hands up to pray and Francis turned away from me and toward the heavens, as if joining me in prayer . . . . . inconceivable!!! I love it!!! :) I could feel a sort of pulsing on my finger tip. This was so neat. When I was done praying I brought my hands down and Francis turned back toward me. I wished I had my glasses so I could see more clearly however I did see Francis' head turn back and forth on a few occasions. Francis did not stay on my finger tip but moved around on my finger, hand and wrist. We walked through the entire yard together checking out all the new flowers, snakes and whatever else we encountered on our excursion. Since Francis seemed still content to stay with me I dared to chance retrieving my camera. I walked up the deck stairs, slid the sliding glass screen open and then closed. Francis stayed put on my finger. I did not remove my shoes but proceeded into the den to get the camera, then back to the door and out onto the deck, all the while with Francis on my finger. At this point I was thinking Francis couldn't fly and that was the only reason Francis was being so cooperative. I decided since Francis was now on my sweater, I would take it off and make myself some coffee then rejoin Francis on the deck where I put my sweater. I went in and came out only seconds later to find Francis gone :(. At least I know there was nothing wrong with Francis. I took 19 pictures with only my left hand available. This was a little awkward but I am so glad I could get them. Some were too close but I'm posting a few of them anyway just so you can see Francis. Please be sure to click on pic's to see Francis close up.

What a great way to start the day. Now that the morning is almost over, I'd better get to the tasks at hand.

Around the Garden

I thought I posted the Dragon Arum after it's big bloom filled the air with a less than pleasant aroma. However, I don't see anything here so I guess I just imagined it. Anyway, this is a picture a day or two later. It didn't last very long and neither did the fragrance, thank God! The anticipation of its opening was rather exciting I do have to say. It certainly is not anything to rush out and purchase.

Here are a few pictures of the Amaryllis that are in bloom. The red lions came and went already. But here is the one I bought from Garden scape a few years ago. The flowers are huge and beautiful and I just love the color.

Then there is the red and white Prince Carnival I got from my cousin Dee for my birthday a few years ago.

This light pink one is the Apple Blossom.


The crocosmia is just forming its buds and I find watching the stages of its growth very interesting. I especially love the blooms, they have a slight droop to them, are bright and colorful and add so much to the garden since the colors of spring have faded. The last garden photo for today is the Contest Elephant Ears. Here is my most recent picture. The first leaf came out deformed (guess it had some trouble working its way through the soil), but the second is very nice and LARGE! That is it for today. Opps! I left out my calla lilies that are just beginning to bloom. Here is a pic of them too.

I am hoping to have an update on the stone patio soon. It is coming along very, very, slowly. I can not believe how long it takes to get a four foot square done. Guess I'm too fussy and it isn't even PERFECT :)!!!
Stay tuned for the best chocolate cake recipe ever . . . so I've been told.

Happy 4th

Hey everyone,

I have been slacking on my posting. I have so many updates to make, the progress of the Amaryllis growing in the garden and the one growing in the pot which is in bloom right now. The ever so nasty Dragon Arum and the progress on the stone patio. Oh yeah, and my latest creation . . . stay tuned for Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Sauce.

Lot's of things keeping me busy. The days just fly by without even noticing. I woke up Tuesday morning thinking I could sleep in because it was Thursday. HA! Yup, there I was all cozy in bed enjoying my free time only to figure out half an hour later that it was not Thursday. Good Grief Charlie Brown!!! Hi Ho . . Hi Ho . . it's off to work I go.

We have four picnics to attend this holiday weekend so I don't know how much time I'll have for working in the garden :( or posting but I will give you an update as soon as my free time becomes MY free time.

Everyone have a safe and enjoyable 4th!