WHY ENDURE WINTER without the lovely Persian cyclamen by your side? From November through March this C. persicum blooms continually, its white, pink, rose or red-brushed white … [Read more...]
Archives for 2010
Caramelized Brussels Sprouts Are Divine
NOVEMBER'S FRESH BRUSSELS SPROUTS are so inherently delicious they seem to require little embellishment from the cook. I give them a sojourn in a hot oven, where they quickly … [Read more...]
Things My Brussels Sprouts Taught Me
I CELEBRATED yesterday's glorious sunshine and rare-for-November warmth by harvesting my winter's supply of Brussels sprouts. What a difference from last year's crop! Then, stalks, … [Read more...]
Win a $50 Shopping Spree
HERE AT A GARDEN FOR THE HOUSE, I rely on window gardens -- … [Read more...]
Amaryllis How-To
IN NOVEMBER, I usually succumb to the amaryllis (Hippeastrum) bulbs that florists offer. Who can resist these South African travelers with enormous, … [Read more...]
The Crust I Trust
TO ME, A PIE IS ONLY AS GOOD AS ITS CRUST. And the tenderest, flakiest, buttery-est crust in the world is surely Pate Brisee Fine - the traditional French pastry dough for pies, … [Read more...]
Potting Grape Hyacinths for Winter Bloom
I CAN STILL RECALL the excitement here last winter when true-blue grape hyacinths (Muscari) bloomed in my parlor window (above; click to enlarge). These filled the entire room with … [Read more...]
November Chores
"LEAVE THE GARDEN IN AUTUMN THE WAY YOU WANT TO FIND IT IN SPRING" is one of those quaint, homely slogans tossed around in old gardening books. It's also the best possible advice for November. For every weed pulled and every clean-up operation completed before snow … [Read more...]
Happy Halloween!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYONE! That's me up top, playing a 1,000-year-old vampire at last night's costume party. My fangs, pale skin and green veins were provided by Michael … [Read more...]
Decorating for Halloween
DO YOU DECORATE FOR HALLOWEEN? I don't, normally. But this weekend my partner and I are hosting a costume-party for about 30 guests. My job is to make the interior of our 1826 … [Read more...]