morels

photograph by rinne allen

maple and magnolia

photograph by rinne allen

preserving petals

we have been photographing this viburnum and giving away cuttings all spring...it has been so full this year!

instead of showing an arrangement with it, i thought i would show you something fun you can do to preserve it...

years ago, i strung some hydrangea flowerheads on some string and hung them in my studio to dry. they are still beautiful all these years later. at the time, i threaded a needled with some alpaca yarn that i had from a friend...but, when i was getting this post ready, i had some waxed string on hand and noticed that its diameter almost matched that of the viburnum flower...no need for a needle, since the waxed thread has a good stiffness. just take the flowerhead gently in your hand and poke the waxed thread through the existing hole in the center of the flower...it is that easy!

and, people often confuse viburnmum for hydrangea as they look so similar...you may do this with hydrangea, or really any flower where the petals meet in the center like this...i love stringing whole marigolds like this in summer, as it reminds me of a trip to india long ago.

it is almost meditative sitting and threading these petals. and, once dry, you will be able to enjoy them for years.

project & photographs by rinne allen

tiny green

photograph by rinne allen

azalea beauty

it is azalea time around here. we have many different kinds in our garden...and they all are beautiful, and smell great too...

photographs by rinne allen

canola fields

the canola fields are starting to flower around here...over the next few weeks they will be in bloom...go explore!

farming this time of year

we have a lot of friends who are farmers. here are some photographs from some of the farms we have visited lately...showing tilled fields, seedlings, and little things pushing up through the soil...to help get you inspired for growing season!

photographs by rinne allen

seedlings

photograph by rinne allen

spring buds

photo by kristen bach

kohlrabi and kale cakes

i recently made these for supper and we devoured them outside on the back porch.....enjoying the lovely spring eve.  It was a great spring meal!

kholrabi and kale cakes

-pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees

-shred 1 large potato and 2 medium sized kholrabi (removing skin from both) with a cheese grater

-finely dice the whites of 5 spring onions and a small bunch of kale (roughly 3/4 cup when diced)

-in a mixing bowl, combine kohlrabi, potato, kale, and onions

-mix in 1/2 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground pepper

-mix in 2 beaten eggs and 1/2 cup flour until all ingredients are combined

-line a cooking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with olive oil

-using an ice cream scoop, carefully scoop out your mixture and flatten a bit

-bake for 30-40 minutes, flipping midway through

i served these up with a simple sauce that i made by adding cucumber, salt, and fresh herbs to some plain greek yogurt

photos and recipe by kristen bach

pruned peach tree

photograph by rinne allen

in the studio

i always get a little bit of spring fever...i try to be outside as much as i can and walk my garden daily and take photographs of different things as they come up in the garden or bloom...and, often, i bring these things into my studio. sometime i photograph them, or make flower arrangements or light drawings, but sometimes i like what is leftover from these tinkerings best...the petals, stamens, leaves...especially the colors of everything...

photographs by rinne allen

budded

photograph by rinne allen

looking up

photograph by rinne allen

akebia

photograph by rinne allen

green + purple

this time of year there are so many shades of green in the garden. we do not have alot of purple in our yard, but i always seem to notice the tiny bits this time of year: akebia, muscari, faded hellebores, redbud, and mahonia berries that are tinged with it....soon to come are one of my favorite purples, allium, but they are not quite here yet.

photographs by rinne allen

new growth

photograph by rinne allen