Vicki Lane's Blog, page 568

Pumpkin Soup Now?

Less than a week ago it was raining and rather chilly. Perfect weather to have soup for lunch!

I usually look for leftovers to turn into cream of whatever but there was nothing suitable.  There were, however, several cans of pumpkin on the pantry shelf and a big container of turkey broth in the refrigerator. 

I began, as I begin most dishes, by sauteeing some chopped onion and garlic in butter (olive oil would be better for you). When the onion was wilted, I removed it and the garlic to a...

4 Mamas -- 3 Babies

The days aren't long enough for all I want to do -- just a few quick pictures here: a bearded iris and a shy garter snake like a folded ribbon . . .
I wish I knew what this odd iris is -- a bearded iris? It has the right form -- the three upright standards and the three falls. But it's much smaller than other bearded irises and has, somehow, a more primitive look to it. Does anyone have a clue?  And here are the mommas and babies.  This should be a video but I won't know if it works till it...

Iris Viewing

When my Japanese iris begins to open, I remember a college friend of mine telling me how, when she was visiting her family one summer (her father was an admiral, stationed in Japan,) she was taken to view the iris. It has always sounded like a wonderful way to spend a day.



I went exploring via Google to see if this custom endures and found the following:  Within the heavily wooded grounds of the Meiji Jingu Shrine, you can indulge in the ancient pastime of iris viewing amid beautiful birdsong...

Elite Motors in Tooting -Sepia Saturday

It's Martin's (Square Sunshine) fault.  Back on May 1, he posted a picture of a motorcycle for Sepia Saturday and I responded by telling him of my Great Adventure that began at Elite Motors in Tooting (near London.) And he sent me a link to the first picture -- that's Elite Motors as I remember it. Not exactly sepia but about forty years ago.

It was mid-May and my husband  and I flew to London via Icelandic Air (the cheapest way to get there) and made our way to Tooting where we took...

Before and After

Weeding is such a satisfying activity!  My little box beds were full of the weed called devil-in-the-garden and it was crowding out the lettuce that was the rightful occupant.

I planted snow peas along that wire support weeks ago but not a single one did I see. There were, however, quite a few volunteer tomato plants -- I'll take what I can get!



There! That's better. the next step is to thin and spread the lettuce plants out . . . another day.




 It's always pleasant to stagger to the house...

Breaking News!!

Miss Susie Hutchins finally brought the car back. Neither she nor Maggie would say where they'd been.
With my book turned in and my writerly obligations over with for the moment, I'm taking time to smell the roses . . .
. . .  and work in the garden . . . where I met a charming young toad.



It's a pretty hectic schedule.
I actually watched TV last night for the first time in  . . . well, a very long time. Episode 1 of Foyle's War -- I loved it -- the settings, the clothes, the pace.
Ahhhh...

A Visit to Lake James and the Read Between the Wines Book Club

It's always a pleasure to talk about my books with people who enjoy reading. 

And when that pleasure is combined with a visit to a beautiful lake and wonderful hospitality . . .
As well as a chance to see a bald eagle guarding her nest . . . well, it makes for a rather special day!
Below is a web album with more pictures -- the pictures in the restaurant were by my hosts Steve and/or Janie.  As always, click on pictures to biggify.

Choose Your Utopia

People have always dreamed of utopias -- ideal places.  Shangri-La  (an artist's vision pictured above) is one such -- a remote valley in the Himalayas where people live for hundreds of years, surrounded by beauty and indulging in every artistic and philosophic pursuit.
The Garden of Eden is one of the earliest -- an earthly paradise where man need not work for his food (is that a fried egg floating in the sky?)  -- a place of innocence where sin is unknown.


The Land of Cockaigne  -- a...

Great Smokies Writing Program Celebration

The Great Smokies Writing Program, in which I've taught for almost four years now, is celebrating its tenth year of offering classes through the UNCA (University of North Carolina /Asheville) extension program. It's also celebrating the second year of its online literary magazine: The Great Smokies Review.


Yesterday, at Malaprop's Books in downtown Asheville, Tommy Hays, the director of the program, kicked off the celebration by reminding us of the many and diverse students who have been...

Celebration!

Well, pin a rose on my nose! I did it!
Under the Skin is finished, all 11o,823 words of it as of midnight my time and ready ( after a quick tidying up) to be sent to my editor sometime tomorrow.  

Call me happy! Call me relieved!

I wrote 2, 457 words today (not counting this blog post.) I'm off to have a cider, take a shower, and fall into bed.

Many thanks for the cheering which was in my head all day long!