Tag Archives: spring

Waters of March and April (food) Fools

Posted on April 2, 2012 by

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb…Once upon a time, this was how March came to me on the cusp of cold winter air, with hints of spring through patches of white and crystal icicle drips on top of leaves from last autumn.  But that was up north.  Here in the southeast, there is no real winter to speak of, and since moving to North Carolina, each year spring has come earlier than I ever imagined it could.  Early spring flowers bloomed at the end of January.  A second wave of native flower buds have already popped, with Bellwort … Continue reading →

Posted in Botany, Culture, History, Music, Restaurants | Tagged Águas de Março, Antonio Jobim, April Fool, bossa nova, Elis Regina, garden, Maple View Farm, native plants, Rio de Janeiro, spring | Leave a comment

Small Wonders on a Lovely Yellow Sunday

Posted on March 12, 2012 by

The seasons have such a profound effect on us all, from weather patterns and crop cycles to the ever-changing hours of light.  This morning’s effect was doubly profound for me: the clock on my cell phone had sprung ahead overnight, catching me totally at unawares.  I had missed the spring ahead to spring change for daylight saving time!  This has happened only twice before in my adult life, but I had nothing on the agenda other than recovering from a marathon day of mulching the front garden beds.  On such a beautiful day, the only regret I had for missing … Continue reading →

Posted in Botany, Culture, Literature, Restaurants | Tagged breakfast, Daylight Saving Time, duck eggs, dye, e.e. cummings, ethnobotanical, lemon ricotta hotcakes, local food, Robert Frost, Small B&B Cafe, spoon, spring, Tony Bennett, yellow | Leave a comment

Holi, The Festival of Colors

Posted on March 8, 2012 by

March 8 – Today begins the annual Hindu celebration of Holi, the Festival of Colors.  This bright and cheerful ancient rite falls on the full moon at the end of winter, ushering in the spring with reverie and fun.  As part of this traditional celebration, people throw colored powders and scented waters to mark the end of the old year and beginning of the new one.     One of the earliest written references to the Holi Festival is from the 7th century Sanskrit drama ‘Ratnavali’.  However, many older traditions come together in the Holi Festival.  Numerous annual rites relating … Continue reading →

Posted in Botany, Culture, History, Literature | Tagged a dash of culture, chick peas, Culture, culture dash, dye, ethnobotanical, Festival of Colors, flour, full moon, Hindu, Holi, India, Krishna, Radha, rose water, saffron, Sanskrit, spring, Tesu, turmeric | 1 Comment