Blog of Cris Koonce

Small Things - Simple Pleasures

Criseyda Koonce
Aug 22 |21:40

grasshopper, basil and bruschetta

"What is success? To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived;
That is to have succeeded."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The eyes indicate the antiquity of the soul."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

We took a vegetable gardening class at Clark Gardens this spring.  That inspired us and gave us a good starting point to plant a small garden here at home.  I understand mother nature has been growing things for a very long time, yet I am always in awe and amazement when a seed we plant actually arises from the ground. I suppose that is the way with all living things. It's a marvel to watch them grow and change. I hope to never tire of the wonderment.  It's a humbling experience and a study in vulnerability (and persistence) to look at the garden and think of it as a major food source.

Interestingly, the critters that visit the garden are just as small in stature as the young plants - fortunately. The tiny grasshopper in the top picture is a testament to that. So small he was hard to see. He was hanging out on the southern peas.  We've even had a baby toad hanging out in the garden. Nice. The bugs are just his size.

The sweet basil is a beautiful plant. We probably planted the seeds way to close together, and way too many of them. Call it a beginners mistake. It sure has made a beautiful bunch of plants though, and tasty ones too. We made a bruschetta knock-off. Got some Italian bread and put a thin spread of butter on it, then topped it with grated mozzarella, chopped roma tomatoes and fresh basil. Then toasted it ever so slightly in the oven. My oh my, the basil sure smells wonderful, and is flavorful too. 

We were so excited to get to use some of the basil to cook with that the leaves were probably a bit on the small side. Laura (my step daughter) was even apologizing to the little plants as she gently removed each leaf. Not to worry!  The basil is still growing strong, as you can see in the progression pictures of it above. It will only be in its starter container for a short while longer - hopefully.  It will be transplanted to its proper home in the garden . We are waiting until the high temperatures for the day are below 100 degrees.  Fingers crossed.  Hope that is very soon.

We've been wonderfully busy building websites.  One new one I'm particularly fond of is www.theretreatatclarkgardens.com. It's a beautiful location.

Take care.
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Attracted to Red Heads

Criseyda Koonce
Jun 04 |20:42

white checkered butterfly on Indian paintbrush flower

"I embrace emerging experience. I participate in discovery. I am a butterfly. I am not a butterfly collector.
I want the experience of the butterfly."
- William Stafford

""How does one become a butterfly?" she asked pensively.
"You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.""
- Trina Paulus

"CHOKING WARNING - For children under 6, cut hot dogs lengthwise and crosswise into small bite-sized pieces. Children should always be seated and supervised when eating."
- From the Oscar Mayer hot dogs packaging; in fine print.

Every so often I actually read the entire packaging verbage of a grocery item.  On rare occasion they have really fun and entertaining commentary on them.  The kind of stuff that let's you know a person who enjoys their job, and a company that doesn't take itself too seriously, took the time to write and publish words their consumers could enjoy.  The labels on Paul Newman's salad dressing bottles are great examples.

Today I read the Oscar Mayer hot dog package.  Even though in very, very small print, the words, "CHOKING WARNING" in yellow letters on a red background were sort of designed to catch one's eye.  Then if I squinted just right, I could read the even smaller print just below that title - the third quote above.  Makes me wonder about the chances of our survival as a species.  Have you ever thought of hot dogs as being so dangerous that they require a warning label? 

I found it quite ironic. Maybe we should wrap a really big red ribbon around the earth that reads, "Danger! Your life on this planet could end in death."   Absolutely anything that one can put in one's mouth is a choking hazard.  Sometimes the simple act of swallowing even in the absence of food can be a choking hazard if your ever so human as me. 

Don't get me wrong.  Tragic and unexpected things happen every day - in spite of printed labels.  The labels don't make those happenings any less tragic and if they help prevent even one mishap, they are worth every drop of ink.  Though I still think it's ironic to put a choking warning on a food label.  Marbles - yes.  Hot dogs - ?

Pictured:  White checkered butterfly on Indian blanket flower.  The Indian blankets were simply AMAZING this spring.  Truly a beautiful and captivating blanket.
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Vine Ripened Texas Red

Criseyda Koonce
May 14 |22:22

Tomato

"You know, when you get your first asparagus, or your first acorn squash, or your first really good tomato of the season, those are the moments that define the cook's year.
I get more excited by that than anything else."
- Mario Batali

"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato."
- Lewis Grizzard

"A world without tomatoes is like a string quartet without violins."
- Laurie Colwin


Interestingly, the title could be for another photogenic subject - the wine grape.  But alas, not this time. 

When I was little, I didn't like tomatoes - AT ALL.  Dear Mom did not understand how that could be.  After all, she loved everything that came from the garden and well, I'm her kid.  She would be happy to know, I've finally achieved a fondness for the beautiful red globes.  I came to my senses.

Each trip to the grocery store I found myself drawn to these beautiful tomatoes with their vines holding them together.  I must admit, I was more interested in taking their picture than eating them.  Sorry Mom.  Not to worry though.  They are being eaten too.  Mmmm.  Tasty.

The passion of the chef in the first quote is inspiring.  A reminder how nice it is to appreciate all good things, regardless of "size."

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Slowly I Turn

Criseyda Koonce
Apr 27 |22:24

Peacock in full strut.

"You must learn to be still in the midst of activity, and to be vibrantly alive in repose."
- Indira Gandhi

Peacock in full strut.  Photo taken at Clark Gardens Botanical Park.  He put on quite the show - turning ever so slowly with those incredibly long tail feathers and all their "eyes" in perfect display.

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