May 22nd, 2013

Mutt Musings...

Posted by Pia

Ahhh, the mindful musings of wise mutts...

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“They [dogs] never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation.” ― Jerome K. Jerome

1 “They [dogs] never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation.” ― Jerome K. Jerome

“A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.” ― Jack London

2 “A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.” ― Jack London

3 "One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why." ~Author Unknown

“After years of having a dog, you know him. You know the meaning of his snuffs and grunts and barks. Every twitch of the ears is a question or statement, every wag of the tail is an exclamation.” ― Robert R. McCammon.

4 “After years of having a dog, you know him. You know the meaning of his snuffs and grunts and barks. Every twitch of the ears is a question or statement, every wag of the tail is an exclamation.” ― Robert R. McCammon.

5 "If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater... suggest that he wear a tail." ~Fran Lebowitz

6 "Dogs are miracles with paws." ~Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

Woof!
In kinship,
Dr. Pia Salk

Posted on May 22nd, 2013 in Favorite Things | direct link to this entry |

May 22nd, 2013

Searching for Blooms at the Farm

Posted by F&S

We've had some chilly, rainy weather here at the farm and after the rain, the temperatures got quite hot.  These are not the most ideal conditions for spring flowers and many blossoms have faded away.  However, we persevered and found blooms in the blue family.

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Francesca, Martha's lovely purple and white iris are in full bloom. This type is called a bearded iris. We should look around and see what other flowers in the blue family are blooming.

1 Francesca, Martha's lovely purple and white iris are in full bloom. This type is called a bearded iris. We should look around and see what other flowers in the blue family are blooming.

Well, Sharkey, I see that the allium have opened up. These show-stopping globes are in the onion family.

2 Well, Sharkey, I see that the allium have opened up. These show-stopping globes are in the onion family.

This bluish flower is a herb called comfrey. Comfrey has been used by herbalists on the skin to treat wounds and reduce the inflammation from sprains and broken bones.

3 This bluish flower is a herb called comfrey. Comfrey has been used by herbalists on the skin to treat wounds and reduce the inflammation from sprains and broken bones.

These pretty blue flowers are Spanish Bluebells - Hyacinthoides. They are unfussy members of the lily family that reproduce rapidly, spreading every year.

4 These pretty blue flowers are Spanish Bluebells - Hyacinthoides. They are unfussy members of the lily family that reproduce rapidly, spreading every year.

Here are some Aquilegia, or Columbine. They are hardy perennials, despite their delicate appearance.

5 Here are some Aquilegia, or Columbine. They are hardy perennials, despite their delicate appearance.

Sharkey, the nepeta, or catmint is blooming away! Cats get kind of tipsy smelling this herb.

6 Sharkey, the nepeta, or catmint is blooming away! Cats get kind of tipsy smelling this herb.

Franny, I've seen Vivaldi tripping out on this stuff. Do you think it's affecting me now?

7 Franny, I've seen Vivaldi tripping out on this stuff. Do you think it's affecting me now?

Don't be ridiculous, Sharkey. Get a load of all these chive flowers! Allium schoenoprasum, is the smallest species of the edible onions. You can even eat the flowers!

8 Don't be ridiculous, Sharkey. Get a load of all these chive flowers! Allium schoenoprasum, is the smallest species of the edible onions. You can even eat the flowers!

And these tiny blue flowers are brunnera, whose common name is Siberian bugloss.

9 And these tiny blue flowers are brunnera, whose common name is Siberian bugloss.

Sprays of blue flowers, similar to forget-me-nots - a related species, are borne in Spring. They're so sweet!

10 Sprays of blue flowers, similar to forget-me-nots - a related species, are borne in Spring. They're so sweet!

Posted on May 22nd, 2013 in Favorite Things, Housemates, Martha, Out & About, Photo Galleries, Playing | direct link to this entry |

May 21st, 2013

Have You Had Your Share of Ramps?

Posted by F&S

We Frenchies found Ryan way out in the woodland planting a little spring wonder.  Here's a little lesson in ramps.

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Hi there, Ryan! Why are you deep in the woods planting? What is it that you have in the bushel basket?

1 Hi there, Ryan! Why are you deep in the woods planting? What is it that you have in the bushel basket?

Oh, I know what those are! They're ramps, sometimes called wild leeks. These wild onions are native to North America.

2 Oh, I know what those are! They're ramps, sometimes called wild leeks. These wild onions are native to North America.

Although the root end resembles that of a scallion, the beautiful flat, broad leaves set it apart.

3 Although the root end resembles that of a scallion, the beautiful flat, broad leaves set it apart.

Ryan, did you say that someone dropped off that bushel basket for Martha to enjoy? How nice of them!

4 Ryan, did you say that someone dropped off that bushel basket for Martha to enjoy? How nice of them!

Ramps, with their mild garlic‑onion flavor and can be enjoyed raw, cooked, or pickled. I've even heard of pizza topped with ramps and how people love drinking ramp brine martinis!

5 Ramps, with their mild garlic‑onion flavor and can be enjoyed raw, cooked, or pickled. I've even heard of pizza topped with ramps and how people love drinking ramp brine martinis!

They appear for only a short time in the spring and are considered a delicacy.

6 They appear for only a short time in the spring and are considered a delicacy.

Ramps like to grow in rich, moist, deciduous forests and it looks like you've found the perfect place.

7 Ramps like to grow in rich, moist, deciduous forests and it looks like you've found the perfect place.

Should you have access to a wild patch, use a soil knife to harvest no more than 15 percent of the plants in any given year, to ensure a generous crop will grow the following spring.

8 Should you have access to a wild patch, use a soil knife to harvest no more than 15 percent of the plants in any given year, to ensure a generous crop will grow the following spring.

Ryan, you even brought water for the ramps. You certainly are a good gardener.

9 Ryan, you even brought water for the ramps. You certainly are a good gardener.

Francesca, I can't wait until next spring to check on this secret ramp thicket.

10 Francesca, I can't wait until next spring to check on this secret ramp thicket.

Francesca, don't I look adorable sitting in this lush woodland?

11 Francesca, don't I look adorable sitting in this lush woodland?

Come to think of it, you do too!

12 Come to think of it, you do too!

Posted on May 21st, 2013 in Favorite Things, Friends, Housemates, Martha, Out & About, Photo Galleries, Playing, Working | direct link to this entry |