Cinnamon Flakes Birch

Cinnamon Flakes Birch

(Betula chinensis)

WINTER UPDATE
The little birch has been a trooper through this winter. If you look closely, the branches are drawn in closer together, as if it's huddling together. Protection against wind? Reduce water loss??? Compare to the photo of the leafless tree last fall and tell me what you think. 

Look!! It's a Brrrrrrrrrr-ch!!  

I hope the branches spread out again once it warms up...

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Our little birch has really grown this season! Here's what it looked like when we brought it home in May: 

And now here in the fall, with just a few leaves left: 

Admittedly, the second photo is from a slightly different angle, but comparing the height of the tree against the window in October vs. May, and keeping in mind that the tree in May gets some height from still being in the nursery pot, I think it's doubled in size. To me that says we picked the right spot for it. 

It's growing so sturdy we were able to take away the bamboo support stake. The bark is living up to its name as well. Love it love it!

You are not imagining it if you think you've seen some of this before...  Part of this post was originally featured on my "In the Garden" page.

Magnet Monday: Keepin' It Simple

Cheesy Refrigerator Magnet for Monday, March 30, 2015
"cheese", magnet-backed vinyl, circa 2005?

A number of years ago, sets of words on magnets became all the rage. They were like the mature version of the magnet letters we all played with as kids. Themed sets were common; I think this one came in a food oriented set.  

In those pre-iPod/iPad days, keeping the kids occupied on long drives was more of a challenge. We picked up a magnetic "book" for playing with word magnets in the car, and found us adults playing with them when the kids were sleeping. Simpler times. 


Magnet Monday features a selection from our semi-vast and ever growing collection of cheesy refrigerator magnets. Without doubt the perfect souvenir. Only slightly less cheesy than collecting snow globes but maybe a lot easier to smuggle in your bra. If need be. Which I hope it never is. Unless it's really worth it.

Weekly Randomness for Friday, March 27, 2015

It snowed last night here next to the lake. Our foxy neighbor was out too. You can't tell from this photo that this is our back patio. This fox regularly trots right up to our back porch on its way into the backyard on its way into the ravine behind our house. Sure wish it did a better job of scarfing up the ground squirrels and the rabbits... (big prints are Nora, little prints are the fox)

News that made me stop what I was doing to look it up.

• George Washington Carver would be pleased. 
• Cool. But is it raccoon proof? I think not. Sigh... 
• Saving ancient art one way or another. 

Weekly Shits n' Giggles

• Because I've recently discovered that I love popcorn.  
• I'm intrigued... mixer? Maybe with champagne?? (that might defeat the whole non-alcoholic-healthy-for-you aspect though...). Love the recipe note: Because of the fermentation process, it is best to open the lid and release some of the gas that accumulates. (unless you want ginger beer splatter on the inside of your fridge... duh!).
• My Pinteresting Randomness

Weekend Aims

• Popcorn trials! 
• Home & Garden Show - they sell Bloody Mary's at the bar (what else do you need for checking out landscaping rock and new curtains?!). There's a garden metal artist out of Appleton, WI that always has neat stuff; we have several pieces and try to pick up something new each spring. 

Magnet Monday: It's finally SPRING!

Cheesy Refrigerator Magnet for Monday, March 23, 2015
"Untitled", Russian matryoshka doll, handpainted wood, circa 2011

It's no secret I'm desperate for some color in the gardens, and this seemed so spring-like*. This is the ugly time of year, when winter is worn out, any snow remaining is dirty, and nothing is greening up yet. We did find a few daffodil pips peeping through the leaves on the garden beds, but it's still way too early for any blooms... sigh... 

A gift from those globe-trotting family folks again. They spent a bit of time in Croatia and Turkey and thought this made a good addition to our collection. 


*I know that those are strawberries, and they won't actually be around until June, which is almost summer, but the colors are so cheerful... sigh...

And yes, I'm posting this entirely in defiance of the snow today... neener neener!!


Magnet Monday features a selection from our semi-vast and ever growing collection of cheesy refrigerator magnets. Without doubt the perfect souvenir. Only slightly less cheesy than collecting snow globes but maybe a lot easier to smuggle in your bra. If need be. Which I hope it never is. Unless it's really worth it.

Weekly Randomness for Saturday, March 21, 2015

Happy Spring!!

News that made me stop what I was doing to look it up.

• Science and art make good bedfellows.
• As if falconry wasn't cool enough (so, there are some great uses for them... although this is a limited use. Extremely cool. But limited.). 

Weekly Shits n' Giggles

• Aaaaaand... it pretty much looks like that on the way out too.  
• Sparklemuffin!! Shake your booty for me Spiderman!
• Bit 3
• My Pinteresting Randomness

Weekend Aims

• Da dump (remember the toilet removal...)
• Fun with concrete (and finally the toilet will be a distant memory)
• State taxes. Ugh! 

Magnet Monday: Boston go Bragh

Cheesy Refrigerator Magnet for Monday, March 16, 2015
"Believe in Boston", green shamrock on white, rubberized plastic, circa 2013

Because tomorrow is St. Paddy's Day, and because Boston is much in the news these days. I prefer to focus on the perseverance and recovery of those affected by the events two years ago rather than trying to understand what motivates someone to do something so horrifying.   

This magnet was picked up at an airport on a lay-over during a trip out east. Simple as toast & beans. 


Magnet Monday features a selection from our semi-vast and ever growing collection of cheesy refrigerator magnets. Without doubt the perfect souvenir. Only slightly less cheesy than collecting snow globes but maybe a lot easier to smuggle in your bra. If need be. Which I hope it never is. Unless it's really worth it.

Weekly Randomness for Friday March 13, 2015

News that made me stop what I was doing to look it up.

• Too bad Neanderthals didn't have Etsy.
• Why sterilizing our homes makes for sick people.  
• Or give you memories you don't have. I wonder if this can partly explain false memories...

Weekly Shits n' Giggles

• Want.
• Upgraded apple pie - just in time for Pi Day!!
• My Pinteresting Randomness

Weekend Aims

• More plumbing... 
• A full backyard de-doodle. I think there may even be a few green things trying to pip out. 
• Catching up on my R programming course - first programming assignment is due!!

Magnet Monday: Dancing in the Sunshine

Cheesy Refrigerator Magnet for Monday, March 9, 2015
"Seville", flamenco dancing shoe, 3D resin, circa 2010

Finally some decent weather, something that looks like sunshine. And dance passionately to celebrate.  

Our globe-trotting family picked this up on their last trip through Spain. After a few weeks in Italy, they took a spin through Spain for a change of pace. Distance-wise, it would be like us driving through Minnesota. Not really the same... 

It's one of my faves in its wee shoe-ness... 

Magnet Monday features a selection from our semi-vast and ever growing collection of cheesy refrigerator magnets. Without doubt the perfect souvenir. Only slightly less cheesy than collecting snow globes but maybe a lot easier to smuggle in your bra. If need be. Which I hope it never is. Unless it's really worth it.

Weekly Randomness for Friday, March 6, 2015

News that made me stop what I was doing to look it up.

• First came communicators (i.e. flip-phones), and now food straight out the replicator. Gene Roddenberry is the new Nostradamus (without all the doom). 
• More proof of the coolness of this badass bug.

Weekly Shits n' Giggles

• It's BRAAAAAAAIINS!!!!
• Because, they're spicy... 
• Because, they're scary... and cool.
• My Pinteresting Randomness

Weekend Aims

• Sushi dinner: check! 
• Potluck game night: check!
• Tearing out the old toilet in the basement: gack... 

Polenta Cakes

Polenta Cakes

One of the things I enjoy so much about polenta is how the same concoction takes on different textures. Fresh polenta is rich, creamy comfort food at its best. But if you let it set awhile, it gels up in a very easy non-sticky kind of way. Totally lending itself to putting into shapes. 

It starts out looking a lot like bird food. Or something we would mix into the horse feed. Completely inedible. But liquid, fats, and time will make it better than merely edible. 

It takes shapes so well - I made little individual bundt-shaped servings - great for a dinner party. 

I have some Pampered Chef shaped bread loaf pans to try out next and make some slices of star-shaped or flower-shaped slabs of creamy corny goodness...

Stay tuned!!

Magnet Monday: This Sun Is Sunny and Possibly Funny

Cheesy Refrigerator Magnet for Monday, March 2, 2015
"Untitled", ceramic sun, Talavera-style paint, circa 2011

In honor of Dr. Seuss Day, a colorful sun. Today is his birthday; celebrate with reading a few of your favorite books, which you can do if they are Seuss books. Or a few pages of whatever your favorite book may be.

Magnet purchased in Arizona for us when we sent the kids out to see grandparents. Not a bad trade. 



Magnet Monday features a selection from our semi-vast and ever growing collection of cheesy refrigerator magnets. Without doubt the perfect souvenir. Only slightly less cheesy than collecting snow globes but maybe a lot easier to smuggle in your bra. If need be. Which I hope it never is. Unless it's really worth it.