Saturday, May 17, 2008

The extension of a verdant heart

Good lord it is fucking hot out! Way too hot to cook. I ordered pizza, and am tapping my foot impatiently while I wait. I did have energy to make a cocktail, though.

Bärenjager iced tea

2 oz Bärenjager honey liqueur
1 oz whiskey
1 oz. lemon juice
8 oz. iced tea

Combine in a glass of ice.

Here are just a few images of the garden that takes up my time and money these days.

My sweet (and eternally hot, I might add) mother-in-law Linda sent me these pretty Japanese bird bells as a "just cuz" gift. I hung them in the Russian olive tree in my front yard.
Thanks again, Linda - I absolutely love them!


My azalea kicks so much ass this time of year, although it almost got too hot today. This color is so luscious I could just eat it with a scoop of ice cream.

I love this Lewisia cotyledon. It's a native of southern Oregon and flourishes in the oppressive heat of the rock garden.

That rhododendron is completely garish this time of year, but the Anna's hummingbirds love it. This afternoon, after that fat old sun crept across the roof to the other side of the house, I carved out a path of hazelnut shells to the herb garden . The birds are going to have a heyday picking out the little nubs of nutmeat.

20 comments:

Peter G | Souvlaki For The Soul said...

I love these non foodie posts...great to get an insight into other's life without throwing another meme at them!

Firstly...mmmm, love the cocktail..sounds great. Secondly, your flower pics are beautiful! I envy you with all that space...says I, in my tiny one bedroom inner city apartment...enjoy your pizza Heather!

Anonymous said...

I'm fascinated by this Bärenjager you used. Is it anything like mead?

Emily said...

So pretty! I would love to sip that cocktail and take a stroll through the garden.

Pixie said...

My toes are cold. brrr

I'm going to start using words like Fudge, shyte, and bugger more often- I think it may just release some of the tension. ;)

Sorry, for not being around for a while but it's been a pretty shitty couple of weeks for me- hopefully, soon to all change.

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

Way to go with the cocktail... I thoroughly approve. Life's too short to be cooking when it's too hot. Love the pics of those vibrant flowers, too.

Alicia Foodycat said...

Nice cocktail! And gorgeous garden pics. I drove past an azalea that shade of orange yesterday and I was totally overwhelmed by the beauty.

Jen said...

I am the worst gardener in the universe, although my herbs are doing well this year!

Your azalea is my absolutely favorite color. They are SO gorgeous.

Beautiful garden!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

This sounds like a very refreshing summer drink Heather. I miss my gardens that's for sure:D

Peter M said...

Heather, your garden is very Alice in Wonderland...where did that rabbit go?

glamah16 said...

I almost picked up of bottle of theta honey liquer last week. I remebered you raved about it before.As for your garden , a paradise!

cookiecrumb said...

Hazelnut path!!! Too much.
Almost as good as the drinkie and the Creamsicle azaleas (must have).

Anonymous said...

that cocktail looks SO good and refreshing (can whiskey make you feel refreshed?). and your yard looks amazing and beautiful... i'm jealous of your space!

also, we have had an actual spring here in nyc this year. it's so weird - i've been used to having 85 degree days in may and we haven't had one yet!

Heather said...

Petah - I agree! It is nice to see something besides food. I have a whole life outside my kitchen! :D

Marc - Bärenjager is a little like mead, but it's 35% alcohol (here in Oregon you can only get it in liquor stores).

Emiline - Today is a much better day for cocktail-sipping and garden-strolling.

Pixie - I hope the shittiness comes to an abrupt end! I'm sending good vibes your way. :)

Sketti - Slaving away in a hot kitchen is not my idea of a fun Saturday. :)

Foodycat - Usually I don't really care for azaleas, but this orange one is the bee's knees.

Jen - At least herbs are useful! I used to only be able to grow flowers and couldn't grow veg, but that's starting to turn around...

Valli - You should give yourself some flowers to make up for not having a garden. It's only fair!

Peter the Greek - The rabbit ended up in my Dutch oven with some leeks and white wine. Silly wabbit!

Courtney - It is nice to have a little patch of dirt here in the city. I love the new avatar! Very Josephine Baker.

Cookie - We've gotta do something with all the shells from our hazelnut industry! Why not make mulch?

Amy - The yard has been a lot of work - I tore out the juniper and buried the lawn last year (right after we bought it), and it's been fun to start with a blank canvas.

Brittany said...

I just tasted barenjager for the first time last month and was floored by it's deliciousness. I took it home and dumped several glugs over vanilla ice cream. I must make this cocktail with the last of it and enjoy this weather (isn't it awesome?! It's almost 90! The pacific northwest on a sunny day is nothing short of paradise).

Judy@nofearentertaining said...

I love your yard!!! What a great idea with the shells! Now it is me who is jealous. I just might post a picture of what has happened to my grass!

That drink looks great as well...

peter said...

You have many pretty plants. Our azaleas and rhodys are just getting going, but I tend to spend all my effort on the edible plants for some reason.

Brittany said...

As someone who is knee deep in landscaping hell, i am eternally jealous of your garden beauty!

Núria said...

What a beautiful garden you have!!! I love plants and flowers too, but since I started with this blogging addiction, my plants are asking for some mercy... poor little ones: I will show you my rododendro too one of this days, it's purple.

Salud Guapa!

Thistlemoon said...

Beautiful garden Heather! I'll join you for a cocktail!

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness!! is that an owl!! i LOOOOOVEEEE owls...

love it.