flutterby

I guess its the metamorphosis from grub to winged beauty that draws us in. That and the way they look like a floating flower as they drift by. You just can't help but follow them til they are out of sight.

I didn't want to forget the moths. This is a peach blossom moth flitting around sweet peas and ground daisies.

Below is a photo of the migration of the monarch , the California state butterfly. They are the only living things besides birds to migrate in such great numbers.

butterfly handles too

Queen Alexandria's Butterfly, Wing span of twelve inches!

blooming on the kitchen shelf

butterfly books in the dining room

Now let my bed be hard,

no care take I

I'll make my joy like this

small butterfly

walter de la mere

Atlas moth. Don't worry, they don't bite.

Butterflies like milkweed, asters, wildflowers, hollyhock, zinnias and many more.

Good caterpillar host plants include clover, dill, Queen Anne's Lace and fruit tree blossom.
Of course pesticides are out of the question, but you already knew that.

xxx

juliewhitmorepottery.etsy.com

The Cup That Cheers

Is it spring yet? A cup of tea might just perk you up enough to realize it will be here soon.
The right way to make tea: Pour hot water from kettle into teapot. Very important. Tip out and add tea. One teaspoon per person and one for the pot. Pour onto the leaves boiling water to oxygenate. Leave to steep five minutes. Pour small amount of milk into cup and add sweetener last. This is from Barbara Rogerson, an Englishwoman who lives in Northeast London and if she doesn't know the proper way to brew tea , who would?
www.ramblingsfromanenglishgarden.blogspot.com


New cups without handles, made just to go with Lori's hand knit sleeves. They keep the tea or coffee warm, and look smashing at the same time.
www.loritimesfive.blogspot.com



All the seeds are stirring and the animals are waking

Here is the glaze for the tea bread. I ran out of lemon juice and used orange too.

All this tea talk got me to baking. Lemon tea bread with lemon balm.

three o clock repast.

In February? Yup, First the rains came, then the frogs sang all night for weeks, then yesterday this rose appeared dangling above my head on the porch steps. A promise of good things to come.

Lemon Herb Tea Bread

3/4 C milk

1 T. finely chopped lemon balm

1 T. finely chopped lemon thyme

2 C. all purpose flour

1 1/2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

6 T. butter, room temp

2 eggs beaten

1 C sugar

1 Heaping T lemon Zest

butter a 9x5 loaf pan.

Heat milk with chopped herbs and let steep til cool

Mix flour, salt and baking powder in bowl

In another bowl, cream butter, gradually add sugar til light and fluffy

add eggs beat

add milk and flour mixture a bit at a time til just blended

pour in pan, and bake til toothpick comes out dry, about 50 minutes

Mix juice from two lemons and confectioners sugar til thick, but loose enought to pour over bread. Pour over while still warm.

xx

julie

juliewhitmorepottery.etsy.com