Dual Flush Toilet

Recently George and I were watching one of those home improvement shows on TV and they had this show about dual flush toilets and how easy it is to convert your toilet into one.  Of course, we always see stuff like that and say that we want to do it, but in reality we never do.  But as fate would have it I was in Ace hardware a week later and what do I see, but a dual flush toilet converter!  I had to buy it... and it was only $25!

For those of you who are asking what is a dual flush toilet?  It is a way to save water every time you flush.  There is a button for solids and a button for liquids.  Hence, every time you just tinkle you don't use as much water.  If you have an old toilet and would like to convert it, it is really easy.  It took George about 15 minutes.  It is a win-win situation - you save water and money at the same time.

Last day of Daffodil Mania

Phew, I didn't realize how much effort it takes to post something every day.  I almost forgot today is the last day of Daffodil Mania week.  I liked these pale daffodil photos so much I am going to make note cards out of them.  Maybe if I get my act together I will sell them some day on Etsy.

Daffodil Bouquet

I made this little arrangement a couple weeks ago for my friend Mary.  This photo shows another one of my favorite kinds of daffodil.  I love the one right in the middle with the orange center and white petals.  The center has a dark orange ruffly edge and fades to yellow.  Gorgeous!

More Daffodils

So I was just reading about daffodils and apparently you should never eat them!  All parts of the plant contain alkaloid chemicals that are bitter and can be toxic.  That's why they are deer and rodent resistant.

Asparagales April!

When I was trying to decide what to draw for this month's calendar I started off trying to think of something that started with an A.  I thought about Arthropod or Arachnid April but then I gave up because I haven't done it every month and nothing was coming to me.

Then I realized I should draw a daffodil in honor of Daffodil Mania week.  And as luck would have it the Order for Daffodils is "Asparagales!"  I lucked out!  Incredibly, the family is Amaryllidaceae so I had my choice.  Some things were just meant to be.

Daffodil Poem

I would be remiss if I did not include this poem in Daffodil Mania week.

Daffodils by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Birthday Daffodils

I made this sweet little arrangement for my friend Jennifer's birthday Thursday.  I was telling her that I normally wouldn't think to combine purple and orange, but I ended up loving the combination.

Its so nice to be able use flowers from the yard.  Although I sometimes curse the previous owners of our house for planting such a huge garden that constantly needs tending, I owe them a big thank you because I love the flowers.

Daffodila Mania!

The day after the daffodils came up two weeks ago we had a big frost and they all fell over.  I was so sad and thought that might be the end.  But they recovered nicely and it has been a great daffodil season.  In honor of them I have decided to have a daffodil related post every day this week.

This photo shows one of my favorite kinds.  It has a double blooming head and I call it orange sherbert.  Every time I see one of these it reminds me of icing and I want to eat it up.  Yum!

Empanadas

Have you ever had a warm empanada on a cold day?  It is pure heaven.  Empanadas are like warm bundles of joy chock full of yummy goodness.  They are my favorite meal in the world! Luckily George has been cooking up a storm lately.

The other day he made them and added a new ingredient that is now my favorite - artichokes.  I happened to have my camera handy so here are the photos.

First he rolls out the dough.

Then he adds the filling.

Then he folds them up into little packages.

Then you cook them and they are ready to eat!

If you would like a copy of George's empanada recipe you can download a pdf here.