Sunday, February 2, 2014

Pussy Willows, Primulas et Poulet

On the heels of the boggers Tea, my previous post, which I hope you have read...
I am dreaming of pussy willows.

Pussy Willows are blooming...
since I was a little girl I have always loved them.

I went to Thorn and Thistle in search of something to cheer up our Humble Bungalow.
One can always find something of great beauty in this wee flower shop.

Outside they have a stand with seasonal flowers and greenery...and lo and behold bunches of pussy willows.
I ventured inside and spied some cheery hyacinths, roses, and floral arrangements.
The decor has a Valentine's theme...red garlands, red roses, and candy hearts with messages of love.
Satisfied with my choice, they were wrapped up in brown paper and tied it with black twine.






The short willow branches were getting lost inside the tall vase so I popped them in this wee elephant vase.
I have two arrangements for the price of one.
One sits in the dining room and the other on the plate rail in the family room.


Primulas signal that Spring is on the way.
Our Humble Bungalow porch is not complete without a few of these plants.
Tradition dictates that we dress up winter in a bright manner.


Sunny Yellow and Brilliant Cobalt Blue.

Every year I find myself challenged to choose the plants.
So many colours...and they are all so lovely and bright.
It takes me many minutes and I group the plants together and stand back as I consider the options.

Our local garden shop had a one day special.
 Primulas were $1.00 each which was quite a saving as they are usually priced at $2.50!
Not bad for a $5.00 investment and when they finish blooming on the porch I plant them in the garden.


le Poulet

I am shocked at the price of a free range chicken.
This little roaster was almost $13.00 and it is so small that it fits on a dinner plate with room to spare.

It will be our dinner tonight.
Leftovers for lunch tomorrow and soup stock when there is nothing much left on the carcass.


I am serving it with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes and gravy.

What about that Super Bowl?
Did you see it?
The Seattle Sea Hawks were amazing!
I don't usually watch football but after all it is the biggest game of the season.

Did you hear that Philip Seymour Hoffman died in NY city from an apparent drug overdose?
he was only 46 years old...what a shame.
I thought that he gave so many brilliant performances in films.
I loved him in Capote.

I'm going to pour myself a glass of wine now and watch the post game highlights.
Seattle is abuzz with glee.
The chicken smells great and we will be dining in a few short minutes.
Cheers


9 comments:

Pondside said...

I've always loved pussy willows - they remind me of the springs of my childhood.
I've just come in from Book Club to find the post-game celebrations in Seattle on the TV. That was quite a win!

Anonymous said...

Roast chicken is delicious, we get 5 nights plus out of one, so I always have to be in the mood for it, otherwise day three feels like torture.
So lovely to colour outside your home, in maybe another month or so I'll start looking at the garden, it is such a mess.

Kristien62 said...

Oh, how lovely the primulas are! And you are able to put them outside on the porch. They would immediately freeze up here in frozen NYS. We are awaiting another winter storm which will dump at least another 4 inches. Spring will not peak through here until April. At that point, my neighborhood begins to resemble Oz with the Munchkins slowl ycoming out from their winter hibernation. The first warm day is almost like a block party with neighbors taking to their porches, catching up on conversations left off in November.

When the crocus plants begin to poke through, the worst is over. I can't wait.

La Vie Quotidienne said...

There is something about Pussy Willows that evoke childhood memories...I feel that way about them too. They grow quite well here but require lots of space so instead I have a little cascading Pussy Willow tree; it is just starting to bloom. Your Primroses are beautiful, so vibrant, they must love your cool damp weather, everything grows so wonderfully in the Pacific Northwest, how I wish for a bit of your rain.

Veronica Roth said...

Hello fellow BC blogger! I'm popping in via Pondside to visit. Aren't the primulas wonderful to have to chase the February gloom away? Although we've been pretty lucky this winter, haven't we? I found some pussy willows just starting to open on a walk the other day and also saw a humming bird. Spring is on the way. :)

Sheree said...

I have heard they can grow anything in Eugene, Oregon.

Jeannine said...

You picked just the primrose colors I would - love blue and yellow flowers! Even though we live in Wisconsin, my youngest son is a big Seahawks fan, so we were all rooting for them. What a game is right! We expected it to be a close contest - never dreamed it would be such a one-sided game.

Sheree said...

We are so happy about the Seahawks.

I am so glad you are buying a free range chicken. I know it seems expensive but when you consider it makes two or three meals it's not so bad.

KSL said...

Love pussy willows since childhood too, but prefer them in a clear glass vase so you can see the whole stem. That chicken makes me want to make some homemade chicken soup tomorrow. Congratulations on the Seahawks victory - I love Russell Wilson.