The Short Days

We are winding down into that bottom of the gardening year I always think of a s The Short Days.  The sun seems to be on vacation and the sky seems to vary not so much between night and day as night and gray. Sometimes it takes on a more white gray look.  On other days a soft lavender blue gray.  Gray, however, is the prevailing color of the days.

I clean my house, paint trim and woodwork, maybe repaint a whole room, if I am so inclined.  I mend.  I think I am the last person who still mends clothing and reattached buttons.  I clean up after the messy plants I brought indoors.  I wait.  I wait for Spring.

An echeveria which broke off and inadvertently was stuck in the pot with the "Christmas" cactus, now blooming.

You've  gotta give up to geraniums with leaves like this!

I couldn't abandon this 4' cordyline to the winter weather, but he can't stay there..

This "Blackie" cutting might be happy in this coffee cup until spring.  

The other day I was standing in my entryway thinking I need a big, decorative sign.  One of those signs with "XX Days 'til Spring", with a changeable placard holder.  Should it have a two digit place holder, or three; a nasty thought certainly!

This year I vowed to not bring in quite so many plants to winter over and be more selective instead.  Still, I have quite a few, as you can see.  There are many more upstairs watching for the sun through the southern facing windows.

We all watch for it.  Winter seems to have come a month early this year.

When we are not making comfort food...

Impromptu Quiche

Stir fry:

1 cup of frozen peppers and onions mix
1 can of mushroom stems and pieces
12 frozen and chopped grape tomatoes (optional, and other chopped tomatoes can be substituted)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Use either an 8" glass pie pan or the Pyrex 6" by 8" glass baking dish.  Spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Place a layer of bread crumb about 1/8" thick on bottom of baking dish.  Add the stir fry mix.  Optionally add one chopped precooked sausage patty or two table spoons bacon bits.

Combine 6 eggs and 1/2 cup of milk in a separate bowl.  Mix well.  Add 1/2 cup shredded cheese of your choice.

Pour egg mixture into baking dish.  Season with 1 teaspoon of dried basil and black pepper to taste.

Bake for 30 minutes.  Serves four.  I estimate about 475 calories per serving.