spring garden {life}

Neel's garden is coming to life.

He's worked hard all winter; I don't think there was a weekend, or even a day that he didn't spend some time out there, toiling in the earth. Planning and planting.

It's exciting to see the fruits of his labor, quite literally, come to life.

Sometimes the results are subtle.

Like here.

As the Japanese Maple slowly comes to bud.

And sometimes they're quite vibrant. Like here with this anenome (I'm so glad he's planted more of these!).

And here, with this spreading carpet of Evening Primrose. We saw a house in Charleston called the Primrose House, and it was painted just that shade of yellow!

Dandelions are not allowed.

If you are in the yard for any time at all, a dog will accompany you.

Everywhere you look, spring is bumping up against winter. It seems more acute this year, since really, we had no winter. The camellias bloom in winter here, brightening our dark days of January and February right into March. The red bud, in bloom down the path, is early, coming into bud as the earth warms up more quickly this season. It's making for a spectacular display of color, no question.

Neel will fill you in on all of his doings at some point (more guest posts!). He has the seeds started in the sun room and all sorts of plans. But the surprises are already starting to pop up. Sweet strawberries on the way.

jamble {life}

Before I start with today's post, I just want to say thank you so much for your thoughtful concern about my migraines on yesterday's post. I feel the need to move forward (enough with your whining, already, Lauren!), but I did respond with a little more information about my migraines in the comments section of yesterday's post. If you care to go and read. Anyhoo...

When Callum was a babe (pre size 8.5 baseball cleats) my grandmother bought him a book called Jamberry. I think my mom helped out with that purchase, but no matter. Man, we read that book a lot.

Neel's favorite line in the story was "Billions of berries in blackberry jamble." Our particular jamble, to which he referred, was from a recipe by Jane Brody. My mom (again) originally turned us on to this super-simple cobbler, and in our extreme youth I made it often. Despite the fact that Neel often asks, I haven't made it in years.

Bad wife.

I'm trying to make up for my failures. I wish I could share the recipe with you because it's super easy and takes no time at all. I'm nowhere close to being a baker, and even I can't screw it up. But I did no modifications (It's baking people, I can't tweak that!), and I'm all skeeved out about copyright and stealing and stuff like that. Just trust me when I tell you that it's fast, easy, delicious, and for a dessert, pretty healthy. I know! Healthy! Healthy enough that I might even pop it into the breakfast rotation.

Although it is pretty awesome with ice cream.