yes, it's true.
a carrot from the bunch of rainbow carrots
purchased at the market.
in particular the dark skinned purple carrot.
i believe if the carrot and the beet were to have a torrid affair
this would be their love child.
and it just keeps getting more beautiful as you peel away it's skin,
and slice for a lovely surprise.
These red prickly pods clustered on a stem caught my attention amongst the blossoms at the market.
Their sign read "lipstick plant".
I was intrigued,
not to mention part of me was waiting for them to open their "mouths" and start singing. It was all I could do to not add googly eyes and wait for this chorus to serenade me.
As it turns out this is the pod or fruit of the lipstick tree, a tropical tree or bush, also known as Bixa orellana, or Annatto.
The seeds are crushed and used as a natural coloring in many foods, like cheeses, butter, margarine, candy, as well as household products and of course cosmetics like lipstick.
The annatto paste has long been used by South American Indians as a decorative body paint, especially for the lips.
So much to be learned from one little stem.
Hello, globe of fiery red blossoms also known as scadoxus multiflorus. I knew from the moment I saw you at the nursery that you were coming home with me. Thank you, Portland, for being zone 8 so I can have this new perennial friend.
Hydrangea ages so gracefully.
Purple and blue blossoms turn shades of
mossy green and pinks
reminding me of a summer sunset,
making me want to grab a box of pastels and start sketching,
and for some reason I imagine
if you were to put a petal in your mouth
it would melt on your tongue,
leaving behind a taste
both sweet and tart.
I decided that I would have a more 'grown up' easter table this year considering I will most likely have very whimsical themes in the coming years for the little miss to enjoy. All week I had envisioned purples in all different shades from flower to garden vegetable, and of course including my lovely quail eggs; a spring sampling of sorts. I tend to go a little crazy when making a centerpiece most likely because it is one way for me to pretend I am a florist again and also because a big, over the top centerpiece makes our dinner table for two and half actually feel like a holiday and not just another day.
I took a trip to the farmer's market in the rain on Saturday where I was able to find purplely-pink radishes, a lovely head of red cabbage, ruffly kale, vibernum 'snowballs', fragrant lilacs, hyacinths in three shades and a little inspiration. Later I found the purple hydrangea, bright green yoko ono mums, freesia, and ranunculus.
The arrangement took on a life of its own, as flower arrangements often do, once I started putting it together. Although I originally imagined all purples with bright greens against the starkness of white linens, I ended up using a pale, cool blue burlap which had more of a rustic gardeny feel. The radishes and ranunculus were a nice pop of color. I am still amazed at those quail eggs. It's like a little robin found my nest.
Found: Vintage patterned bread pan.
Too rusty to use but pretty on the eyes.
My idea: to plant it with assorted thyme and sit it on my counter top.
I love the look and fragrance of thyme.
I chose three varieties: lime, lemon and oregano.
First I put down some small stones for drainage.
Then I planted the three plants and covered the soil with a little moss.
Perfect in my kitchen until the spring when I will transfer them to the herb pot on my porch.
