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Stepping Into May

Rhododendron 'Klondyke' and Geranium maculatum May is already here and the garden suddenly explodes with growth. We spent the weekend watering (already?) because there hasn't been significant rainfall in a while. We don't have a sprinkler system so it is all manpower, dragging hoses and sprinklers. It takes two days - one for the back and one for the front - to water everything. It is possible to get it all in one day if we start really early. The rhododendrons are beginning now - 'Mandarin Lights' 'Jean Marie De Montague' 'Percy Wiseman' - beautiful but suffers from lacebug. I'm considering replacing it or maybe I will try and treat it. A favorite right now is the Chilean Potato Vine ( Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'). This plant is hardier than you might imagine. Some sources list it as a "9", others an "8".  It is going on its third year in our garden, having been moved once. It is sheltered somewhat by a fence but ...
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My birthday cake

Michael always makes me a Boston Cream Pie for my birthday. It is my favorite cake (I have no idea why they call it a pie). He usually buys a boxed mix but he went all out this year and made it from scratch, using a recipe from Maida Heatter (with a little help from me). I'm going to post the recipe and photos of him making it on my baking blog. It was delicious! I also gained about 5 pounds.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. FairegardenJanuary 27, 2012 at 12:53 PM

    Oh, be still my beating heart! I love that mix of pudding, cake and chocolate, too Phillip. Hope your birthday was grand!

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 27, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    What a wonderful birthday gift. My mouth is watering. Happy belated birthday.

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  3. DarlaJanuary 27, 2012 at 1:18 PM

    Looks delish!! Happy Belated Birthday.

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  4. UnknownJanuary 27, 2012 at 2:37 PM

    Boston Cream Pie is a favorite, as is Maida Heatter, so I can't wait to see the recipe! I'm from there, and don't know why they call it a "pie," either! Whatever it's called, it's a beautiful thing! Happy Birthday!

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  5. Randy EmmittJanuary 27, 2012 at 2:54 PM

    Phillip,
    Never had this before. Congrads on our 29th birthday! Meg's b day is Monday. Now get out there and work off those pounds you gained!

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  6. Peggy HillJanuary 27, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    Damn! Now I have to make a trip to the bakery.

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  7. sweetbayJanuary 27, 2012 at 4:43 PM

    Man, that looks good.

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  8. Anne BoykinJanuary 27, 2012 at 5:34 PM

    Happy Birthday! Hope you had a great day. Cake from scratch - that's love!

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  9. aquablueroseJanuary 27, 2012 at 5:56 PM

    Happy Birthday, Phillip!!

    Oh that is so Wonderful of Michael and it looks Amazing!!

    Yum!! Looking forward to seeing the photos!!

    Hope you have a Wonderful & Healthy Birthday Year!!

    gerri XXXOOO

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  10. GailJanuary 27, 2012 at 7:46 PM

    I do hope your birthday was filled with celebration and laughter. The cake looks so delicious and Phillip, I never eat cake! gail

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  11. meemsnycJanuary 27, 2012 at 7:57 PM

    Ooooooh, wow!

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  12. UnknownJanuary 27, 2012 at 10:19 PM

    Yum!

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  13. JanJanuary 28, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    Hope you had a great birthday. Boston Creme Pie is one of my favorites, too.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  14. Ann StumpeJanuary 28, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    I knew I shouldn't have looked at your baking blog...

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  15. Dee/reddirtramblingsJanuary 28, 2012 at 3:18 PM

    Gosh, that looks good. My daughter the other day had a piece of Boston Cream Pie, and she said, "Mom, they're silly. It's a cake." She thought they made it wrong. :) ~~Dee

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  16. CarolJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:02 PM

    HBD, friend. Love Boston Creme Pie, too and since I'm always looking for something to have on Sunday afternoons after our bible study, I think I'll make one. I'll go over to your blog and snag the reciepe. Carol

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  17. LilyJanuary 29, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    Happy Birthday!! :)))

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  18. JessJanuary 29, 2012 at 9:46 AM

    Happy Bday! That cake looks awesome I must say.

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  19. RobinLJanuary 30, 2012 at 12:18 PM

    Hope you had a lovely birthday! How sweet of Michael to make it for you, especially because I get the impression that you are the one who most likes to bake! I'm sure it was delish. Will you do me a favor and make note of my new blog address? My old one was deleted due to someone else's fraud. Grrrrr!
    http://lifeinrobinsnest.blogspot.com/

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  20. MaryJanuary 31, 2012 at 7:14 PM

    Boston cream pie is my favorite. Mom usually makes one for me on my birthday. She made the hummingbird cake recipe that's in this months Southern Living for our lab. It didn't last past breakfast. Where did the name for hummingbird cake come from?

    On the gardening front, my heirloom daffodils are in bloom. Spring is close!!!

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