Didn’t get my normal day off on Earth Day, that’s been postponed until next week, when at least I can use it to plant or pot my GreenThumb Festival acquisitions. But I did sit outside for a bit this evening and watch the butterflies and the birds, including one inquisitive Blue Jay and a stunning Brown Thrasher. Also harvested some curry leaves for my coworkers, and a couple of papayas for me and for mom, and noticed that my neem tree is blooming. So not a complete waste!

Didn’t realize today was national gardening day, but managed to get out and plant a bunch of bulbs and a Frangipani vine for the pergola. Also, had to take time out to help my husband trap and release (to be fair, he’d trapped, I just helped with the escort) a monarch that had followed him in when he returned from putting scraps in the compost bin. Now we’re having to check each other’s backs when we enter from front yard, like we live in Butterfly World. They’re thick on the ground out there!

In addition to the eight monarchs, two Gulf Fritillaries, orange Sulphur, and the dozens of blues, and skippers, I spotted this rather handsome Red Admiral in the front garden this morning,

Male Cassius Blue on Panama flower. These guys are tiny, but super abundant in my front yard since I’ve got plumbago, which is their larval host plant.

One of my newly hatched butterflies. This little jerk was making it difficult to water the milkweeds, but is pretty enough to get away with it.

Today, my Boss sends me pictures of some small milkweed plants he’s acquired with several monarch caterpillars already chewing.
Boss: They are eating so fast, I think they will run out! What do I do?
Me: Acquire more milkweed
Him: What? These things are expensive! They cost more to feed than my dog!
Me: Yeah, why do you think I have family members dropping off milkweed plants in my yard and spend weekends sourcing more?
Dude is about to learn they are the caterpillar equivalent of tribbles.

As if I didn’t have enough butterfly activity already, this beautiful Orange Sulphur is laying her eggs on my Popcorn Cassia. Rest in peace, Popcorn Cassia, I hardly knew you, but will be needing to replace you soon, just like all the others.

Butterfly Season is upon us here in Florida. In addition to the milkweed I already had (which the caterpillars are eating down to the nubs), and the five plants I acquired yesterday, Mom and Dad dropped off five plants in my yard and my Aunt delivered another eight. Plus I just snagged five more and three giant milkweeds. Because it takes a village apparently. Had to fight my way through the cloud of them to get inside. My milkweed brings ALL the butterflies to the yard. 🤣

Brief break from Singapore pictures to show the latest flower arrangement. Took Mom and my Aunt Pat as an early Birthday present for my aunt last night. Arrangement has Iris, Tulips, Asiatic Lily, Hellebores, Gentiana, Gerber Daisies, Hydrangea, Fresias, and Alliums. She never stints on the flowers for sure.

More pictures of the Singapore Botanical Garden Including the 5’ Monitor lizard we spotted just hanging around.

First pictures from Singapore. These are from the National Orchid Garden, inside of the Singapore Botanical Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Been quiet lately mostly because I was recovering from COVID, then preparing for, and going on, a two week business trip to Singapore and Mumbai. Returned last weekend and spent the week unpacking, doing laundry, trying to figure out where I was and what day/time it was, given all the travel and the time change. But I’m off this coming week so I can fully recover and enjoy the start of spring. To that end, some pics of the garden in bloom. Thunbergia, macadamia, sunflower. Pics of Singapore soon

Hope you all enjoy your Super Bowl parties, regardless of who wins. As for me, I spent the morning at the botanical gardens with my aunt, and then came home to watch the final I cared about, Nigeria v Ivory Coast in the the African Cup of Nations Championship game, which my Elephants came from behind to win. Now I’m enjoying a devious vegan creole Mac that my sweetie and I made together, while we listen the local screech owl outside.

My first attempt at Rasam. I swear even while cooking it, it was clearing out my congestion. I expect the flavors will be even better melded tomorrow. Has half a bulb of garlic, cumin, fresh curry leaves, jaggery, hot green and red peppers (I used a jalapeño and some Thai super hots) hot mustard seeds, turmeric, asafoetida, fenugreek seeds, black pepper, tamarind paste, tomatoes, avocado oil, water, and salt. Sent a picture to my employee who says it looks right. Guaranteed to cure or kill!

Many of my co-workers are originally from south India, and when they learned I was still carrying some leftover congestion from my bout of the ‘Vid, they all agreed that I needed some Rasam, which is a thin, highly spiced soup. What they couldn’t agree on was what needed to be in there. Some emphasized the need Tamarind, others for Black Pepper. Curry Leaves, they agreed were essential. I now have multiple recipes, and offered to share some fresh curry leaves from my tree on Monday as thanks.

Today was a long and difficult day at work. On the plus side my favorite vegan restaurant is having a Chili’s type special this month. Sam and I tried their Southwestern egg rolls, chips and queso, fajitas, and ribs, all vegan. I washed it down with a frozen strawberry margarita and now we’re splitting a chocolate molten lava cake for dessert. I needed this!

My parents decided we need to go out to celebrate my no longer being COVID positive so off we went to the local Chinese restaurant where I could get my temple tofu and my St. Pete Sling, which is making my head feel a little woozy. But it was good to see them (and my aunt again) for dinner and a few laughs. And my fortune cookie actually had a good fortune for once: Soon you will be able to out down your heavy burdens. I hope so, little fortune cookie, I hope so.

Kitchen sink soup. Basically everything that’s been sitting around while I was sick and needed to be used up. Mayacopa beans, red onion, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, vegan sausage, Yukon gold potatoes, diced tomatoes, kale, and broth. It’ll do.

COVID cleared although I still have some congestion and a cough that I suspect will linger. Yesterday, I dragged myself (and my husband) on a three mile walk to try and regain some stamina. Was definitely a slog for me. Today it’s pouring so I just did a little bit of time in the exercise bike and now I’m just making soup with some of the Rosemary we pruned yesterday and doing a little laundry.

I had given my mom some Roasted Cacao to try out, in the hopes that it would help her make it through the Lent, when she gives up her desserts. Checked with her last night to see if she was ready for me to order her more, and she told me Dad had already ordered (and received) more for her. I was flabbergasted. This is the first act of self-preservation I’ve ever seen him perform. Usually, when he’s in a hole, he keeps digging! Maybe there’s hope for him yet!