Been a While Eh?

Ray's Garden has been on an unannounced hiatus for the past month. Those of you reading now, thanks for not abandoning me.

Life for this novice gardener has been a little hectic as of late. Some great changes have been happening in my life which has, unfortunately, kept me from devoting time to this lovely blog of mine. But, never fear for I return with great hope for the future...

The spring is fast approaching. Winter's benumbing weather has begun to break and I now wake to the warming sun. I've begun to see sprouts of grass growing in my yard and my garden is starting to fill with the perennial annoyance of weeds. So, I say to myself, "self, it's time to get back to it".

With that in mind, I've made a weekly goal checklist. My hope is that by the end of the month and beginning of April I will have a fully planted garden ready to start growing.

Twenty Below by Paul Engle

The temperatures have dropped below zero and the air has become like a wall of ice. The recent snow still covers the ground with more on its way. I, like so many others, stay indoors and only step out to peek at the world.

Poetry is not an unfamiliar sight here at Ray's Garden. This time, though, I have a poem that's not my own.
Twenty Below by Paul Engle : The Poetry Foundation [poem] : Find Poems and Poets. Discover Poetry.

Enjoy!

Winter Cooking Just Warms Up the House

This time of year old apples are turned to cider and curling up next to the fire becomes an evening staple. Walking outside means embracing the sharp cold and warm drinks make for the perfect nightcap. For me, this is the winter I discovered mulled wine...er I mean cider. Ok, maybe both. 

In keeping with the mulled theme I thought I'd take it to the next level. I couldn't think of a better way to get rid of that bag of apples hanging out in my crisper drawer than to make mulled applesauce.


This is an easy recipe that's perfect for a dinner side. I used this with Isa Chandra's Olive Lentil Burgers and it made a perfect pairing.


Ingredients: 
1 1/2 - 2 lbs apples cored and chopped (skinning is optional)
1/2 C. apple cider
1 cinnamon stick
4-6 cloves
4-6 allspice berries
zest from 1 orange
1/2 C. brown sugar (optional)

Core and chop your apples and put them in a medium sized sauce pot with the apple cider.

 Grind up the cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. You can do this in your spice grinder, small food processor, or mortar and pestle. 

Add spices to apple and cider blend. Simmer for 5-10min until apples are soft.

Using either an immersion blender or food processor blend apple mixture to desired consistency (making sure spices are well ground up). 

 Serve hot, or chill. Oh...and enjoy!

A Cool New Way to Recycle

I just love the New Year. Everyone is making resolutions (mostly to work off some of those holiday pounds) and the air starts to clear from the bustling holiday season.

I have always seen this as a great time to get rid of all the junk in my life. Both physical and mental. This is a time to embrace change and hope to start anew. But, getting rid of everything isn't always the best thing to do. Sometimes it's great to take the old and make it new.

Like that Christmas tree you've got lying around...

Baby it's cold outside...

I woke up this morning to 7 degree weather and a ground that crunched at my feet. Stepping outside I look around at the trees that look so dead. The last leaf fell weeks ago and has begun feed the earth. My garden has done the same.

I shiver at the cold and at the idea that there are no plants to tend. The frozen soil is beyond all hope of tilling and even if I could break the ground I know that nothing would grow. So, I turn to my memories of the time I spent planting, growing, tending, and harvesting my garden.

But, I have more than just memories of my garden. As I look back in nostalgic bliss at the garden that kept me warm, I realize that I am fortunate to have recorded the season and enjoy knowing that I can share this warmth with you too.