April Showers Bring: A Flurry of Flowers

 

A wee while ago, I had occasion to plant some violas in pots, and as April sneaks up on us with the advancing spring they greet me with the morning sunshine.

It’s a cheerful sight to see when you come downstairs, little flowers illuminated like sunlit jewels in lemon yellows and purples and creams — and it certainly encourages you to step out and greet the day.

Hard to believe that just a few weeks ago these were a collection of neglected plants that had gotten forgotten in their trays over the winter.

And now look at them, glowing with color:

And so April showers bring a little bit of something to do the heart good (granted they were there when March was marching out, but now they’re here in April, too) — and yesterday even a small flurry of snowflakes, which just goes to show, you never can tell.

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  1. Lois Lane Coolidge
    Lois Lane
    @LoisLane

    Very pretty! 

    • #1
  2. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    Lois Lane (View Comment):

    Very pretty!

    Thank you!

    • #2
  3. Gossamer Cat Coolidge
    Gossamer Cat
    @GossamerCat

    They certainly do encourage you to step out and greet the day!

     

    • #3
  4. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    Gossamer Cat (View Comment):

    They certainly do encourage you to step out and greet the day!

    Indeed they do! Even though it’s quite cold this morning, you still find yourself wanting to step out and enjoy the garden.

    • #4
  5. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    How do they go on a pizza?

    • #5
  6. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    Arahant (View Comment):

    How do they go on a pizza?

    Strange to tell, I’ve never thought to find out — I think the flowers are apparently supposed to be edible, but it’s never occurred to me to put it to the test.

    • #6
  7. She Member
    She
    @She

    Andrew Miller (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):

    How do they go on a pizza?

    Strange to tell, I’ve never thought to find out — I think the flowers are apparently supposed to be edible, but it’s never occurred to me to put it to the test.

    They are edible, as are nasturtiums and marigolds, honeysuckle, and rose petals, and many more.  Almost too pretty to eat, though.  You can freeze single small flowers in ice cubes and then float in your adult beverages (very pretty).  Jenny’s wedding cake was decorated with roses, and was beautiful.

    All of the above (well, with the exception of the actual cake itself) get the enthusiastic endorsement of Mup and Nest, the two rabbits here, who remind me not to forget about dandelions and their leaves.  Best salad ever!

    And, as we know, there’s no idea so daft brilliant that some fool genius on the Internet somewhere hasn’t tried it, so here you go:

    The text accompanying the photo suggests: “Top pizza bases with ricotta, smoked salmon, rocket, and edible flowers.”

     

    • #7
  8. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    She (View Comment):

    Andrew Miller (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):

    How do they go on a pizza?

    Strange to tell, I’ve never thought to find out — I think the flowers are apparently supposed to be edible, but it’s never occurred to me to put it to the test.

    They are edible, as are nasturtiums and marigolds, honeysuckle, and rose petals, and many more. Almost too pretty to eat, though. […]

    The text accompanying the photo suggests: “Top pizza bases with ricotta, smoked salmon, rocket, and edible flowers.”

     

    I surrender: Maestro Arahant, can I have spinach on mine instead? 

    • #8
  9. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Andrew Miller (View Comment):
    I surrender: Maestro Arahant, can I have spinach on mine instead? 

    Certainly, sir.

    • #9
  10. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    Arahant (View Comment):

    Andrew Miller (View Comment):
    I surrender: Maestro Arahant, can I have spinach on mine instead?

    Certainly, sir.

    Live and let leaf, that’s my motto. (And thank you, kind sir.)

    • #10
  11. Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw Member
    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw
    @MattBalzer

    I saw A Flurry of Flowers open for the Lumineers before the ‘rona.

    • #11
  12. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    I saw A Flurry of Flowers open for the Lumineers […].

    Electric lutes and violas? 

    • #12
  13. Caryn Thatcher
    Caryn
    @Caryn

    She (View Comment):

    Andrew Miller (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):

    How do they go on a pizza?

    Strange to tell, I’ve never thought to find out — I think the flowers are apparently supposed to be edible, but it’s never occurred to me to put it to the test.

    They are edible, as are nasturtiums and marigolds, honeysuckle, and rose petals, and many more. Almost too pretty to eat, though. You can freeze single small flowers in ice cubes and then float in your adult beverages (very pretty). Jenny’s wedding cake was decorated with roses, and was beautiful.

    All of the above (well, with the exception of the actual cake itself) get the enthusiastic endorsement of Mup and Nest, the two rabbits here, who remind me not to forget about dandelions and their leaves. Best salad ever!

    And, as we know, there’s no idea so daft brilliant that some fool genius on the Internet somewhere hasn’t tried it, so here you go:

    The text accompanying the photo suggests: “Top pizza bases with ricotta, smoked salmon, rocket, and edible flowers.”

     

    That looks like a lovely flatbread with interesting and, I’m sure, tasty toppings.  But it’s definitely NOT a pizza.  Just not.

    • #13
  14. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    Caryn (View Comment):

    She (View Comment):

    Andrew Miller (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):

    How do they go on a pizza?

    Strange to tell, I’ve never thought to find out — I think the flowers are apparently supposed to be edible, but it’s never occurred to me to put it to the test.

    They are edible, as are nasturtiums and marigolds, honeysuckle, and rose petals, and many more. Almost too pretty to eat, though. You can freeze single small flowers in ice cubes and then float in your adult beverages (very pretty). Jenny’s wedding cake was decorated with roses, and was beautiful.

    All of the above (well, with the exception of the actual cake itself) get the enthusiastic endorsement of Mup and Nest, the two rabbits here, who remind me not to forget about dandelions and their leaves. Best salad ever!

    And, as we know, there’s no idea so daft brilliant that some fool genius on the Internet somewhere hasn’t tried it, so here you go:

    The text accompanying the photo suggests: “Top pizza bases with ricotta, smoked salmon, rocket, and edible flowers.”

    That looks like a lovely flatbread with interesting and, I’m sure, tasty toppings. But it’s definitely NOT a pizza. Just not.

    Individually, perhaps — well, with the possible exception of the salmon — but if it’s pizza people want, the sort of pizza that Puck (alias Robin Goodfellow, alias sundry others), for example, would have tucked into with relish (and not the pansy, nasturtian, or cilantro kind — well, maybe the pansies) …

    • #14
  15. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    Actually, some of those flowers look suspiciously like tagetes, which had a lovely lemony smell when I grew it, but I wouldn’t have thrown it on a pizza or flatbread of any kind. 

    • #15
  16. She Member
    She
    @She

    Andrew Miller (View Comment):
    Individually, perhaps — well, with the possible exception of the salmon — but if it’s pizza people want, the sort of pizza that Puck (alias Robin Goodfellow, alias sundry others), for example, would have tucked into with relish

    You mean the same Puck who said “I’ll put a pizza round the earth in 40 minutes?”

    Wasn’t it something like that?

    • #16
  17. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    She (View Comment):

    Andrew Miller (View Comment):
    Individually, perhaps — well, with the possible exception of the salmon — but if it’s pizza people want, the sort of pizza that Puck (alias Robin Goodfellow, alias sundry others), for example, would have tucked into with relish

    You mean the same Puck who said “I’ll put a pizza round the earth in 40 minutes?”

    Wasn’t it something like that?

    That’s him! 

    • #17
  18. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    She (View Comment):

    And, as we know, there’s no idea so daft brilliant that some fool genius on the Internet somewhere hasn’t tried it, so here you go:

    The text accompanying the photo suggests: “Top pizza bases with ricotta, smoked salmon, rocket, and edible flowers.”

    Rocket? That’s Brit-speak for arugula. Could be arugula. Could be dandelion greens.

    • #18
  19. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    Percival (View Comment):

    She (View Comment):

    And, as we know, there’s no idea so daft brilliant that some fool genius on the Internet somewhere hasn’t tried it, so here you go:

    The text accompanying the photo suggests: “Top pizza bases with ricotta, smoked salmon, rocket, and edible flowers.”

    Rocket? That’s Brit-speak for arugula. Could be arugula. Could be dandelion greens.

    Think but this and all is mended, that you have but slumbered here while these pizzas did appear … 

    • #19
  20. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Andrew Miller (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    She (View Comment):

    And, as we know, there’s no idea so daft brilliant that some fool genius on the Internet somewhere hasn’t tried it, so here you go:

    The text accompanying the photo suggests: “Top pizza bases with ricotta, smoked salmon, rocket, and edible flowers.”

    Rocket? That’s Brit-speak for arugula. Could be arugula. Could be dandelion greens.

    Think but this and all is mended, that you have but slumbered here while these pizzas did appear …

    It’s that faery swill. I expect to wake up with a hangover, but not twenty years later.

    • #20
  21. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Percival (View Comment):
    It’s that faery swill. I expect to wake up with a hangover, but not twenty years later.

    Especially watch out if you find them bowling.

    • #21
  22. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Nice photos.

    • #22
  23. Midwest Southerner Coolidge
    Midwest Southerner
    @MidwestSoutherner

    Beautiful photos!

    • #23
  24. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Nice photos.

    Thank you! I’d just gotten the batteries charged again and decided to take the camera for a spin. 

    • #24
  25. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    Midwest Southerner (View Comment):

    Beautiful photos!

    Thank you very much! I’ll have to try and take more, now …

    • #25
  26. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    Percival (View Comment):

    Andrew Miller (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    She (View Comment):

    […]

    The text accompanying the photo suggests: “Top pizza bases with ricotta, smoked salmon, rocket, and edible flowers.”

    Rocket? That’s Brit-speak for arugula. Could be arugula. Could be dandelion greens.

    Think but this and all is mended, that you have but slumbered here while these pizzas did appear …

    It’s that faery swill. I expect to wake up with a hangover, but not twenty years later.

    Dinnae they warn ye, dinnae touch faery food or drink? Ach, if tha’s the least bad of a knight oot in faery land, ye’re doing well! (Though we’re vergin’ intae Wee Free Men territory there — another fine book.)

    • #26
  27. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    Arahant (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):
    It’s that faery swill. I expect to wake up with a hangover, but not twenty years later.

    Especially watch out if you find them bowling.

    I thought that was how we got here!

    • #27
  28. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Andrew Miller (View Comment):
    I thought that was how we got here!

    No, we went through the pizza grove.

    • #28
  29. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    Arahant (View Comment):

    Andrew Miller (View Comment):
    I thought that was how we got here!

    No, we went through the pizza grove.

    Ah, and faded away into the forest dim. ’Tis often the way.

    There should  be warning figns up:

    Beware the Pizza Grove, my son,
    The salmon that wafts, the pansy to catch,
    Beware the Arugula Leaf, and shun
    The frumptious Dandelion Patch!

    • #29
  30. Andrew Miller Member
    Andrew Miller
    @AndrewMiller

    O, for a flice triangular! that hath been warmed
    A decent while in the earthen oven,
    Tasting of sunlit slope and thyme-flowers green,
    Good cheese and not the box, and companionable talk!
    But not with a beaker of faery wine,
    Which twinkles, bubbling, at the brim,
    Or else I should slip,
    Like old Rip, drifting in to the Pizza Grove,
    And fade far away into the forest dim.

    • #30
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