Bye For Now!

I started my project management class (Contract and Procurement Management) for this semester about six weeks ago. Even though it's an online class, it requires more essay writing and online participation than my previous class so I haven't had much computer time for fun. I'm taking a hiatus from blogging until about mid-May when my class ends and my garden starts showing some signs of life. 

My parting recipe for you is "red beans and rice." I made this a few weeks ago for a Mardi Gras party. Red beans and rice is traditionally served on Mondays in New Orleans because that's when women did their washing. The beans could be started in the morning before tending to the wash and would be ready for dinner. 

Mardi Gras Party

Crock Pot Red Beans and Rice

16 oz dried kidney beans

2 lbs smoked sausage – cut in rounds

1 ½ onions chopped

3 celery stalks finely chopped

1 bell pepper chopped 

½ tsp sage

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp cayenne pepper

3 to 4 cloves of garlic finely minced

Salt to taste

baking soda for soaking beans

cooked rice

Soak beans in water with some baking soda for a few hours and rinse.

Sauté smoked sausage for a few minutes until brown and drain fat. You can substitute turkey sausage, but I've told it's not as good when I do that. Add all ingredients except for rice to crock pot (slow cooker) and add water about 1 ½ inches above all the ingredients and cook on high for 10 to 12 hours until beans thicken. Serve over rice. Serves 8.

 

There was also yummy gumbo, bread pudding, and king cake served at the party, but my camera phone wasn't cooperating with me and the photos were blurry. 

I'll try to pop by everyone's blog when I have time. See you in a couple of months. Cheers! 

Nursery Hopping

I went nursery hopping with a friend of mine on Saturday. Sort of like bar hopping, but for the middle age crowd and you don't wake up with a hangover.

Sedum and such

There is something ineffable about seeing orderly rows of plants that makes me happy. If I were a painter, I guess I would be Piet Mondrian. Even when I think I'm arranging things randomly they don't look haphazard. I love the chartreuse color of the sedum and might have to go back for some when it's planting time.

Sempervivums as far as the eye can see

Seeing lots of pots of California poppies inspired me to plant some poppy and cosmos seeds. It's my first attempt at starting seeds inside. I have a few cosmos seedlings after a few days.

Pretty in pink, orange and yellow

 I think these are ranunculus. I'm not sure. They look so cute in their pots.

Geraniums and peony

It's too early to plant geraniums and peonies outside. It's hard to get your gardening groove on when the unofficial last frost date in Santa Fe is May 15th. But I did buy a geranium to keep me going until then.