Last days of snow !

Another lovely day with a bright sun and happily, luckily and fortunately the snow is melting. 

I actually could hint some snowdrops showing through the snow today.

Spring is started !

Dressed in Sunday Best

I just love this idea !

 I think my Volvo will be covered in flowers next year in the parking lot.

The seeds can be ordered from bbbseed if You like to copy my idea....

Amazing !

Gunn

Growing Happily

If You have a vegetable garden, the best food for it is the grass clippings from Your own garden. It is full of nitrogen and will make the plants happy.

Using cut grass for garden mulch is a convenient and efficient way to recycle.  

Collect it and make a 5 cm mulch around the plants. It will also prevent the unwelcome weeds to show up and it keeps the moisture in the ground.

Three good ways to use grass clippings:

1 -  as I explained above , just collect it and simply spread it around in the vegetable garden. Wherever there is an empty soil.

2 - mow the lawn often and let them remain on the ground to become good lawn food . 

 It is a source of free, nutrient-rich fertilizer. Grass clippings contain 80 % water and will decompose fast when left on the lawn. You might need to be patient for a couple of days as it might not have a perfect look.

3 - collect them and add them to the compost bin.

More on mulch see - www.nrcs.usda.gov 

I found this fantastic compost bin that would be dog safe , see Joraform from Sweden.

I just love the scent of grass....

Gunn

Red Beets

This is the perfect season for red beets. I love the sweet taste  and do not have any special knowledge on the beet so I decided to study it on the web for more information.

Wikipedia is always very informative. 

Hubpages was good for the nutritional information:

Red Beet is unique for its high levels of anti-carcinogens and its very high carotenoid content. Red beets are high in carbohydrates and low in fat and it is an excellent source of folic acid. It is loaded with antioxidant that helps the body against heart disease, certain cancer especially colon cancer and even birth defects. Betacyanin is the pigment that gives beets their red color; this pigment is absorbed into the blood corpuscles and can increase the oxygen-carrying ability of the blood by up to 400 per cent. Don't throw away the green leafy tops as they can be cooked like spinach and are also rich in beta-carotene, folic acid, chlorophyll, potassium, vitamin C, and iron.

Health Benefits of Red Beets:

• Beet root is a traditional treatment used for leukemia. Beet root contain an amino acid betaine which has an anti cancer properties. Red beet therapy, consisting of consumption of approximately two pounds of raw, mashed beets daily, has been favorably reported for cases of leukemia and tumors (includes cancer). Research also shows that beet juice can help inhibit the development of colon and stomach cancer.
• It is believed that red beets when used eaten regularly may help against certain oxidative stress-related disorders.

• The fiber in red beets help reduced serum cholesterol by 30 to 40%.
• Beets can help in normalizing blood pressure.
• Beets helps to keep the elasticity of arteries, when consumed regularly it can help prevent varicose veins.
• The iron content of red beets, though not high but is of the finest quality that makes it a powerful cleanser and builder of blood. This is the reason why beets is very effective in treating many ailments caused by toxic environment and surrounding.
• Beet root is recommended for pregnant women because it contain folic acid that can help lower the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects in newborn infants.
• Beet juice helps stimulate the function of liver cells and protect the liver and bile ducts.
• Beet juice is highly alkaline which makes it effective in the treatment of acidosis.
• Drinking beets regularly can help relieve constipation.
• Beet juice and carrot juice when combined is excellent in the healing gout, kidney and gall bladder problem.
• Red beets can also help in the following problems; Headaches, toothaches, dysentery, lumbago, skin problems, menstrual problems, etc.
• Important things to know when taking Red Beets:
  • Beetroot juice is very powerful, don't take too much of it if your body is not yet accustomed to it, it is advised to slowly increased the amount from ½ medium size beet root to 1 whole a week.
  • Beet juice is so powerful that it you may feel dizzy during cleansing, this discomfort is normal as toxins are being eliminated. It is advised to drink plenty of water to help in the elimination of toxin. 

 I found another post from Dr Kim that I like:


I'm constantly on the lookout for recipes that call for raw red beets, as these root vegetables contain a variety of nutrients that can help prevent heart disease and certain types of cancer, especially colon cancer. Red beets are also rich in B vitamins, including folate, which makes them useful for preventing birth defects.

This past weekend, I was pleasantly surprised to find a raw red beet salad recipe in a book called Jamie's Dinners: The Essential Family Cookbook, written by celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver. Jamie's recipe calls for horseradish, something that I am not a fan of, so I tweaked it a bit and came up with a mix of ingredients that worked for me.

Please note: The cancer-fighting pigment that gives beets their rich red color is called betacyanin. If you eat red beets on a regular basis and notice a red tinge to your urine or stools, there is no need to worry, as this simply indicates that your body is receiving plenty of a good thing.

Enjoy the many health benefits of the following raw red beet salad recipe:

Ingredients:

Small bunch of red beets, washed and peeled
Large handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley
Extra-virgin olive oil
Fresh lemon or lime juice
Sea salt and pepper

Directions:

Use a vegetable peeler or a mandolin vegetable slicer to transform the bulky beets into really thin slices.

Add parsley. Then add extra-virgin olive oil, lemon or lime juice, and sea salt and pepper to taste. Give this salad a good toss, and enjoy it as a nutritious side dish to a hearty bowl of soup.

Note: I also tried making this salad with a bed of crisp romaine lettuce and avocado slices. The greens and avocado added substantial volume, and actually combined really well with the beets. If you're a bit apprehensive about eating a salad that is mostly raw red beets, I encourage you to add some romaine lettuce and/or avocado to the mix.

Please note: As long as you don't use salt, this recipe is suitable for the Full Body Cleanse program.

This is my recipe , a simple one... 

I clean the fresh beets with the best vegetable brush from Iris Hantverk ( you can buy them on Un Momento Nordico E-shop ).

Place them in a pan , sprinkle some sea salt and add about 1 cm of water so they do not burn. I bake them until soft for about 45 minutes, depending on size.

They are great to eat simple with Olive oil. 

The most tender leaves are tossed into the salad and the larger goes into the Smoothie.

PS. I started the Dr Junger CLEAN cleansing again. And will do it by the book for 3 weeks.

 Love, Gunn

Flower market

Twice a year, we have an amazing flower market in the hills of the prealps in Piedmont. And I would not miss this appointment for anything in the world. Even if it is a wonderful spring rain, we gardeners appreciate a lot.

A view from the castle.  Biella is located, kind of the very center of the photo.

Castello Masino is dominating from the hill of Caravino and is a worthwhile visit. The foundation FAI has made a thorough restoration of the castle and the garden. It is aslo FAI , who has initiated this appointment together with garden architect Paolo Pejrone

For traveling, there is some information on piemonteitalia

I get so busy looking at plants for my garden that I forget to take photos.

My friend Elisabeth, who accompanied me, is also so much better at it. 

Click on each image to see them better.

There is not only flowers, but also a large selection of plants for the vegetable garden and aromatic herbs. This occasion brings a waste amount of Gardeners with their specialized products. There is a supplier for all kinds of exotic Begonias, there is antique fruit , water flowers and one is specialized in ferns. Endless of amazing ideas and presentations.

I have this idea ( might be crazy ) to start a small chicken garden. To have new friends, for some fresh eggs ( although I do not really eat eggs ) for gifts, but mostly for their poop. It is the best for the vegetable garden..... Found a supplier of charming chickens.

Peonies, what can I say. Just perfect. Did God create them ?

My concentration is mostly on perennial plants for my blue garden. Anyone with a sane mind would have given up long time ago. I started it 8 years ago and it looks like it was made yesterday. Living in the hills, the soil is impossible and I try to improve it every year. 

The best result I am getting is Iris, Peonies and Acquleia.

A bi-coloured Aquilegia caerulea "Heavenly Blue"

More friends...

A place to be ...

This is also a way to shop the market. 

It was great !

Gunn

My Latest Present

How lucky .... to be able to hang this amazing photograph on the wall. 

This my latest buy to myself. A beautiful image by Finish photographer Denise Grunstein, living and working out of Stockholm. This still life  was part of a show she had made in Sweden of her own garden flowers. See more at her agent Cameralink or at Artedition, where you can buy a beautiful flower arrangement as well.

I just can't stop looking at this beauty.

I am a strong believer that a nice image is increasing the mental well being. 

Bringing Joy and Happiness to every day.

Thank You , Denise.

The Earth Day

Today, the 22nd of April, do we have The Earth Day. Lucky Earth, that she has one day a year, at least. Hm...lucky or ridiculous ?

 April is the perfect time to dedicate all our energy to give back something to the earth. 

Plant a tree or two. Seed flowers. Plant roses. Compost as much as we can.

 Perhaps our pets are included in The Earth Day. I let them have a nice Spring shampoo yesterday and a thoroughly brush. Ear cleaning. New collars in pretty colours. 

And the yearly vaccine against Heartworm.  All four will be in my car in a couple of hours.

The two cats will be getting their treatments as well, but I guess I leave for next week.

To eat locally and seasonally will do a lot for the earth. 

Keep it in mind when you are attracted to those gorgeous strawberries next time. Just check where they are coming from.

What would we do if we could not have this ? 

So, separate waist and recycle.

Buy Vintage when it is suitable.

Do not waste water. It is too precious. 

Make a compost, even if you are in an apartment  for your flowerpots.

And so much more can be done.

Stay away from red meat and industrial chickens and eggs.

And the very last, make a positive prayer for our friends in Japan.

Love, Gunn

Every Minute Is Precious !

Take advantage of every minute ......

This season is so amazing. Flowers, light, perfumes and fresh air. Every minute is precious.

Meals outside. 

Long brisk walks. 

Playing outdoors ( with dogs ), 

Gardening and much more.

Have a nice Sunday !

Gunn

Spring or Summer ?

We are having 26° today and it is probably even more in direct sun. A bit crazy but we are all in t-shirts and barefoot. And kind of cranky .... due to this sudden heat.

A walk in the garden is the only walk I had time for today. So, 10 minutes of photos.

The Cherry tree was pruned back in the last days and is now looking Japanese. and the photo was taken by Masato Koide, our Japanese staff. So here we go !

Lovely, I wish I could remember the names of the plants I plant in the garden.

The ornamental apple bush. Completely full of energy and pink flowers.

Studying something.....

The wild Cherry tree with a cloud of white flowers.

Dicentra Spectabilis - Cuor di Maria

We call them "fiori di prato" lawn flowers...

I guess this is another Apple tree

Magnolia Liliflora - traveled from China in 1790.

Daffodils - loyal in time for Easter

Dandelions - and is insisting with Easter yellow

Muscari - with it's amazing blue colour

What a lovely day, looking forward to tomorrow as well.

Gunn

Everlasting Love

One of my favorite flowers is this hardy annual called  Pot Marigold / Calendula Officinalis. 

I think it is a "must" in a country garden and is also one of the easiest to grow. Place a seed in the ground and up comes this gold..... I just love to have the bright colour in the garden and even mix them in with vegetables in the veggie-garden. 

If you have this flower and notice that it is not opening up in the morning, she is telling you that it is going to rain. Helpful for a gardener who always loves a few drops ones in a while. Therefor this flower is also called " flowers of the rain".

It is also a pleasure to sprinkle the happy coloured  petals on the salad or vegetable pasta in the summer. 

It is not very advisable to keep them for cut flowers as they create an unpleasant odor sitting in water. I dry the petals as well, for having them in homemade Bath Salt. 

For people who lived in Antiquity, Marigold flowers when given to a person, they symbolized everlasting love.

To read more go in the link of www.liveandfeel.com,

Gunn

The energy of flowers

 A good start of Spring is to keep fresh flowers in abundance around you.

They will help to increase your energy level and make you cheerful. And it is difficult not to be moved by their beauty and elegance. Flowers, green plants , herbs or cut some fresh branches of the trees. They will continue to grow in a warm house and pay attention to the energy leaves are growing. I love to take the same walk every day so I can compare the changes day by day, in the nature.

Try it !

Gunn

An Illusion of Spring

Soon and very soon...... Spring will be here. 

I think it is a great idea to go out and buy a couple of herbal plants, bring them home , place them in a goodlooking vase or container and leave it at a strategic place, where you walk by hundereds of time, during the day. 

Every time passing by, touch it with the hand and feel the scent it is giving off , breath in and you are moving into Spring immediately. 

Rosemary gives a good energy. 

When the Spring arrives, about 20 of March and when the temprature is suitable, bring it outside.

Just a peak of Spring, 

Gunn

Cherish these days !

What a beautiful day ! 

It was incredible warm and sunny today. I think we had 18° in the sun. It is amazing, but very incorrect. It is actually scary and it makes you wonder how we are going to cope with the  extreme future climates. 

I did enjoy the day in the garden, cleaning and cutting in the Herbal garden and could see a lot of green little sprouts coming up. 

Cutting dried herbs is a wonderful Aromatherapy experience. 

The perfume of Thyme, Rosemary, Lavender ,Spearmint...

A great tip: when you cut off old dried plants of lavender and thyme. It is useful to bundle them up with a string and save them for starters for the fireplace. It is bulky and requires space for storing them, I keep mine in a big IKEA bag. The scent coming from the fire is amazing.

After a day of hard physical labour it is nice to enjoy a relaxing bath... 

with Lavender and Geranium scented bath foam from nara heltnaturligt, of course.

mmmm, nice...

Follow up with  Body lotion in the same scent.

Gunn

Vegetable garden

The vegetable garden will be fantastic " this year ".... that is something I promised myself last Fall when it was actually an unplanned mess. I love to dig into the dirt and forget about time and any other important things, I should be bothered with. I am an amateur gardener and am trying to learn from studying beautiful, inspirational coffee table books , thinking that I can do it as well. Probably not. 

Dreaming and planning are big issues and sometimes more important than the actual happening. Like planning for a big party or a wedding or giving a special surprise to somebody.

I already told you how much I admire Monty Don and his inspirational writing about his garden.  There is no thriller that can give the thrills as M. Don's garden books.

It is only early February and very little can be done in the garden. 

Planning the vegetables position can be done, ordering seeds as well. I like when the garden is orderly organized and everything is in perfect rows....my helping hand, is sticking the plant where he finds an empty spot. It can be charming , but it limits the possibility to make second planting in the season. 

A good seed company I normally get my seeds from is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in The US.

The weather in Italy is so fantastic that certain vegetables can be growing twice. Rucola for example grows so fast that we never have time to eat it.

Pumpkins can take over the whole plot, so I am planting them in another end of the garden. Basel is a struggle, they are mostly eaten by the slugs. I thought of trying some high pots this year instead of having them in the herbal garden.

Dreaming, planning and fantasising,

G