Early morning walk around my neighborhood

From my brother David in northern Maine

About a week ago my brother David sent me these pictures of ice still on the lake taken from the deck of his cabin in northern Maine

I received this note and pictures from David this morning.

We have been trying so hard to catch the ice-out at the lake but we went yesterday and by all appearances we were about 2 hours late. It is such a terrific sight and sound treat with the ice rolling up onto the lawn and all sounding like breaking glass. We were there 2 years ago when it happened and it is a sight and experience I will never forget. You can't really tell from the pictures but the strength of it is awesome. It moved our metal stove and moved our big dock back about a foot from where I had it blocked.

Meanwhile, here are some random shots from my early walk in the garden this morning.

Yesterday the temperature reached 94 here in Winthrop. The forecast for today is 57 degrees.

Pollo En Salsa De Ajo

Tonight I decided to continue my self-education in Spanish cooking by trying to make chicken in garlic sauce.

I begin by cooking garlic cloves, unpeeled, in hot olive oil.

I remove the garlic from the pan.

Next I mix some Spanish paprika with salt and pepper and toss chicken thighs in the mixture.


I brown the thighs on both sides until they are nicely browned.

I add a quarter cup of sherry and bring it to a boil.

Next I add a half cup of chicken stock and a bay leaf to the pan.

I cover the pan and let the chicken cook for ten minutes.

Next I squeeze the garlic into a mortar with some flat leaf parsley and smash them into a paste.

I add the paste to the chicken, recover, and cook for ten more minutes.

Ole

I have cooked

Pollo en Salsa de Ajo

Breakfast in the Garden in April

My cap

The herb garden

Thus far I have basil, parsley, chives, mint, oregano, thyme, and winter savory.

The clematis is off to a good start.

Previously I have not had luck with ornamental grass surviving the winter but see how nice these look.

Bleeding hearts.

Tulips

Wow! These hostas are really growing fast.

Early Morning Visit to the Garden

Wow! Tulips in April in New England

Looks like we will have nice day lilies along side the house this summer.

These cranebill geraniums will soon be covered with delicate white blossoms.

Little purple flowers poking around the concrete.



This peony bush is growing fast.

Pretty daffodils and bright green grass

Bleeding hearts just starting to bloom.