California Native Plant Week

 An eight day week!

Coast Live Oak: photo by Cliff Hutson

Once again it is California Native Week. This year it runs from April 13 to April 20. That is eight days, perhaps inspired by the Beatles' song. Anyway, in 2010, the California legislature designated the third week of April to be California Native Plant week, so this is the perfect time to take a moment to appreciate the beauty and diversity of California’s native flora. 

Favorites

Monkey Flower: photo by Cliff Hutson

I was just recently asked what was my favorite native California plant. That is a very hard choice that I found hard to limit to just one. But, to narrow it down, my favorite tree would be the Coast Live Oak (see up top).

Tidy Tips: photo by Cliff Hutson

There is a draw for favorite wildflower between Monkey Flower (Mimulus) and Tidy Tips. The former because it was the plant that led to my 26 year stint as a "nature interpreter" at a botanic garden. [A long story best left for another time.] The latter  because a photograph I took of one was published as my first (and so far only) magazine cover. I consider that to be the high water mark of nearly a lifetime spent as a photographer. 

But, catch me during another week and I might have different answers.

Success or Failure

 DIY

Epic Fail: photo by Cliff Hutson

It has been said that whether you are good at a task or not is beside the point. If you try more things you go to bed smarter than when you got up that morning.

On the other hand, a Nobel laureate has told us -

" . . . there's no success like failure

And that failure's no success at all"

But, let us not forget the wisdom in:

"Do… or do not. There is no try."

Feeling the Rain

Gray skies are gonna clear up

Raindrops on Freesia: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Some people feel the rain; others just get wet.” - Bob Marley

While I attribute the above quote to late, great reggae singer, Bob Dylan and Roger Miller have also been given credit. I am going to stick with Marley.

I have griped about rainy days in the past. But, I understand that, in life, feeling the rain allows me to appreciate the sunshine. Which I feel is the point of the quote.

International Waffle Day

I don't make this stuff up . . .

Belgian Waffles: photo by Cliff Hutson

. . . and if I have a photo I am going to run. with it.

A fairly reputable source says that waffles are from Sweden and led to March 25th being International Waffle Day. I can't argue with that, but the only waffles I have ever encountered are "American" and "Belgian".

Something a Bit Different

 

BBQ Ribs and Waffles: photo by Cliff Hutson

Most people in America have heard of chicken and waffles, if not having actually eaten them. Riffing on that, one night I made barbecued ribs and waffles. I am probably not the first, so I am not going to trademark it or anything.

Irish Soda Bread

 Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day (and Any Other Day)

Yesterday was Saint Patrick's Day which gave me an excuse to dig into my Irish heritage and live it up a little. One manifestation of this was going to the local farmers market and buying an Irish Soda Bread.

Soda bread is an Irish tradition that can be eaten any day of the year. But, here in the USA it is mostly baked in droves in the lead up to Saint Patrick’s Day and seldom seen outside of that window of time.

While the traditional recipe calls for just four ingredients - soft wheat flour, salt, baking soda and sour milk (buttermilk is more commonly used today), Americanized Irish soda bread adds sugar and is filled with raisins or currants and caraway seeds. Sometimes, it is almost cake-like.

The loaf I picked up is clearly from the latter school. It is large enough that I will be eating it for several days. I like it heated and spread with butter - Kerrygold, of course.

There is one more Irish inspired indulgence that I did not exercise yesterday. That is having a Guinness Float. I intend to rectify that this afternoon. 

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.