Skip to main content

Featured

A Closer Look at Winter Damage

But first, take a look at this gorgeous rainbow that we had on Friday! The five-day stretch of warm temperatures last week really jump-started the garden. Now that plants are putting out new growth, it is easier to see what kind of damage the winter left. Back in mid-January, we experienced five straight days of below-freezing temperatures. This caused much damage in Portland and areas where frigid winds were a factor. Here, we were fortunate to not get the wind and the cold temperatures were dampened by a blanket of snow. That said, it was a tough time for the garden and there are noticeable casualties but no outright deaths that I have seen. The bottlebrush ( Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red') did not like the cold at all. It was planted six years ago, in the north-facing garden no less, and I've not experienced die-back on it until now. A local expert said to cut it all the way back so that is what I did. If it doesn't make it, I won't be too distraught. It is

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

Comments

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks delish!! Happy Belated Birthday.

    ReplyDelete
  4. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  5. 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!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  8. 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

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

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

    Jan
    Always Growing

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

    ReplyDelete
  12. 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

    ReplyDelete
  13. 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

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy Bday! That cake looks awesome I must say.

    ReplyDelete
  15. 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/

    ReplyDelete
  16. 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!!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts