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
Hi Phillip, Yum! I read the book long before the movie came out, so, of course, I loved it more than the movie. Yes, the movie was completely different. There were also a series of books set in Provence where Peter Mayle renovated his house. The first, and I think the best one was A Year in Provence. He's written many others. Same trials and tribulations. I will make this cake very soon for my family and send you a photo. I love your new garden. Is it easier to garden in the Pacific Northwest?~~Dee
ReplyDeleteAnother one to put on the reading list. Thanks Dee! And yes, it is easier to garden here. :)
DeleteI read this book a long time ago and enjoyed it. I didn't see the movie. The cake looks good. You didn't say if you liked the cake. How did it taste? I am making a lemon poke cake for this Saturday's Eucher gathering. Your lemon cake looks prettier. Maybe I will bake mine in a bundt pan and see how it works.
ReplyDeleteIt is a dense cake, very much like a heavy pound cake. I liked it. It is a recipe I would use again.
DeleteYour cake looks delicious and I'm sure it would go really good with coffee in the morning!
ReplyDeleteI read Under The Tuscan Sun and saw the movie. The book is better, but the movie was fun too. If you enjoy the fantasy of a renovation adventure in Europe, I'd recommend a couple of fun/light books by Peter Mayle ( I read them years ago and remember them fondly": "A year in Provence and "Hotel Pastis". It's the next best thing to having the courage to do it.
I've added these books to my Goodreads list. Thank you so much for the suggestion. I bet I will like them.
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