Technical challenges

While I am waiting for my computer to be repaired I decided to attempt using my IPad to post. Since I am a complete novice at both taking pictures and composing anything on my IPad the results have been interesting. It is soooo much easier with my camera and computer.

                                                                 

So, I am making this very short but including a picture of one of my first dahlias to bloom. Enjoy.

Fast, easy, and delicious ~

On some nights when I am not in the mood to do a lot of cooking or when I come in late from yoga I often turn to a one of my 'go to' recipes. This one is a favorite...Salmon en papillote. It's easy, quick, and very tasty.

~~~~~

I use parchment paper but you could just as easily use foil. 

The recipe is per serving 

Place the fish on a large piece of parchment paper or foil

 salt and pepper to taste 

 cover with two tablespoons+ of butter,

several slices of lemon and sprinkle with dill

The butter, lemon and dill will combine with the cooking juices from the fish to make a nice, light sauce.

Fold the edges  carefully and tightly seal the packet, leaving room for expansion during cooking, and place on a cookie sheet in a 375 degree oven.

Bake for 15-20 minutes

Take care when opening the packet it will be hot and steamy!

Save the liquid sauce to pour over the fish.

  

I usually serve this as above with fettuccine noodles. I like the brand below because the noodles cook to  al dente in just three minutes.  I sprinkle the cooked noodles with fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese and the coupe de grâce...some truffle oil.

Yummy, fast, and except for the butter, healthy, but you can't have it all and everything is better with a little butter!

~ Bon appétit  ~

Humble and lovely ~

When I went out walking this morning I happened to glance through one of the front gates and caught this view.

What I liked about it the best was the profusion of Ground Morning Glories, or Convulvulus mauritanicus scampering across the gravel path. I have grown to love this plant for several reasons...it's ease of care, low water needs, the way it creeps, softening edges, and of course the beauty of it's flowers.

I think of it as one of the 'humble plants', often overlooked because it is so easy, and for some reason gardeners seem to be drawn to plants that are difficult. Maybe it is the challenge. I know I used to be that way, but now I prefer my garden plants to be those that will have a better chance of flourishing. in our climate.

Quite, quite, lovely I think and so bounteous in its bloom, starting in early spring and continuing through the hot summer months.

What else can one ask for.

I hope your week is a happy one.

Update ~

An update on the guest bedroom.

I have the drapes finished and installed and I love them. Forgotten are all of the difficulties I had with hanging the rod and the hassle of working with yards and yards of fabric. The are fully lined and pleated.

Ah...success.

As this is a guest room and they won't be drawn very often I decided to puddle the drapes. Not to everyone's taste but I think it adds a little touch of elegance. I did what is called a trouser puddle. Until recently I didn't realize there were different styles for puddling drapes.

The ladies writing desk was one of the first antiques we ever purchased.

One of the reasons I picked this floral fabric for the room is because I thought it would work with this blue and white stripped chair, which I wanted to keep...it's so cute. 

And...this beautiful fringe, an extravagance that was well worth the cost.

But alas, I am not finished as now I must tackle the cover, pillows and bolsters for the daybed.

They will be made from a matelasse coverlet, with a bottom ruffle made of the floral fabric.

~ ~ ~

This painting which was done by my aunt many years ago as a gift for my grandfather will hang over the daybed...rather fitting, sheep for a bedroom. Although it might not appear so in this photo the colors in the painting tie the whole room together. I have had it for a while and I am pleased to finally find a place to put it.

So...I am almost finished, I will share the daybed when it is done.

Oh, I also have an idea for embellishing the ceiling, very experimental but it just might work.

Thank you for visiting