I've been putzing around out and about in the garden, off and on this week, seeing who or what's decided to show up, this year, before I invite any new plants to the garden party. I've been finding fun, little surprises popping up, here and there - radishes on the paths, flowers thinking outside the flower box. Little volunteer plants, cropping up sometimes in unexpected places. At least it makes weeding a lot more interesting - you never know what you may find - daisies or radishes, or who knows what good thing may pop up next, to volunteer. I love garden volunteers. What's not to love about freebies?
Whether it's spicy free-range radishes, a pink and purple daisy or a yellow tulip, rather than a red one,
sometimes the things you least expect, turn out the best...
As my grandgirls have been reminding me, it's spring break - what better time to go a little wild?
So we're trying wild radishes and seeing what candied flowers might be like (shy violets and spry johnny jump-ups*), and just going - a little (the teensiest bit) - wild...
*In case you're wondering how they're candied, there are some great links on the web - there's even a video how-to here.(martha is so efficient. she doesn't even have sugar in her hair when she's making these! How does she always stay so clean?) The way we're making them - just to play it safe, I'm using meringue powder mixed thinly with water, instead of actual egg whites - I guess I'm not that wild, after all ;-)
Hey Tinkering Tink. Just thinkin' aboutcha! Oh yummy, candied flowers! Make enough for us all! xoxoxo
Posted by: Judie | March 25, 2009 at 02:37 PM
I had a rutabagas turn up uninvited in my raised vegetable garden. What a surprise that was. Here's a question. Have you eaten those candied flowers?
Posted by: Beryl Singleton Bissell | March 25, 2009 at 06:20 PM
Yes, we did try them! We've each had a nibble of the violets - and they taste like - well, violet-flavored sugar, lol! Not sure if we could make enough for everyone though, even if we had more violets their season might be over before we had time to candy enough of
'em - it's a little time-consuming painting all those little petals ;-)
Posted by: tinker | March 25, 2009 at 08:26 PM
Am so glad you and the grandgirls are having fun creating and planting. And you're right about sometimes the things you least expect turn out the best. xoxox
Posted by: Paris Parfait | March 26, 2009 at 05:23 AM
I made candied flowers once when I was a child - very pretty but also very messy...
Love you loving all those volunteers!
Posted by: Caroline | March 26, 2009 at 06:28 AM
Aloha Tink,
Don't you know that Martha has 17 assistants with vaccumn hoses to suck every speck of dust of her Apron!!
lol.
I love finding new flora in my Garden dance.
peace, Kai
Posted by: kai | March 26, 2009 at 07:57 AM
And just what did those sugared violets taste like anyway? I've always wondered, though I've never really liked violet candies.
Posted by: violetismycolor | March 26, 2009 at 08:16 AM
The perfect spring play date!!!
Posted by: stephanie | March 26, 2009 at 08:34 PM
You are the best grandmerry.
Posted by: gemma | March 27, 2009 at 12:12 PM
flowers always taste like grass to me, or green (which makes me wonder if green tastes the same to everyone). Love that you have wild radishes. I still only have crocus and daffodils but that is enough. And oh! my pansies are blooming again!
Posted by: tammy vitale | March 27, 2009 at 03:57 PM