Springtime and Swan Babies

Springtime is one of the most beautiful times of the year.  Flowers are beginning to bloom and the wildlife is busy creating and taking care of their young.   I love watching the birds building their nests.   Watching a young bird take its maiden flight is amazing.

SVintageCollection’s Spring Collection was chosen from my experiences with nature.  There are spring colors, flowers, insects and butterflies.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SVintageCollection?ref=ss_profile

from our garden

I enjoy planting flowers and our garden.  We grow many things including tomatoes, corn, beans, edamame, garlic, onions, peas, herbs, peppers, eggplant and anything else we can fit in our small spaces.  We have watermelon growing next to our AC unit and herbs and peppers sharing places with our flowers.

We live on the Portage Lakes in Ohio and experience beautiful sunrises and get to listen to beautiful birdsong.  I love to take my kayak out in the morning when it is very still.    I get to experience nature first hand – beautiful plants, ducks, fish and Blue Heron.  This weekend while boating we saw a family of Canadian Geese.  There were 17 little yellow fluffy goslings.  We had a very special treat when we saw the white swans with their little babies.

Swans and Babies on Portage Lakes, Ohio

I chose a recipe for peas and pearl onions – it is very appropriate for a spring dish as peas, mint and onions are early crops.  You can substitute fresh peas for frozen.  I would probably cook fresh peas for maybe one minute instead.

This recipe is from Martha Stewart - http://www.marthastewart.com/317781/peas-and-pearl-onions

Ingredients

            10 ounces red pearl onions

            Coarse salt

            1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) unsalted butter

            2 tablespoons water

            2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen petite green peas

            1/2 cup small fresh mint leaves

Directions

.                 Cut an X in stem end of each onion. Cook in salted boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain, and peel.

Heat butter and water in a pan over medium-high heat. Add onions, and cook for 4 minutes. Stir in peas and 3/4 teaspoon salt, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in mint. Serve immediately.