Apple trees no more!

We finally cut down the apple trees that were littering growing in our front lawn.  They were particularly annoying during the Autumn season when the apples started falling to the ground and kept on coming for what seemed an eternity!  We would sometimes hire a neighborhood kid to pick apples for us (when we could find one), but even with some help, it was hard to keep up.  It became a haven for gnats and bees, although, interestingly enough, the squirrels didn't care for the apples.  But the trees were a problem in the summer as well, killing all grass in the vecinity.  I blogged about this a couple of years ago here.  We simply couldn't face another Fall with these trees.

We hired our "wood guy" - the man who delivers wood for our fireplace in the Fall, and mulch in the Spring - to cut them down and grind the stumps completely.  What a difference!

One of my co-workers says that my other trees are still in mourning and it wouldn't be nice to bring in an interloper just yet.  Some people take their gardening very seriously . . .  We are going to wait, though, my husband wants to give the grass a chance to recover a little.  I also have to think about what kind of tree I want to put there.  Any suggestions?

A dirty little secret . . .

The time has come to tackle a long overdue project in the Laundry Room:  Replacing the water valves and drain unit for the washing machine.

The old valves were corroded from the chemical reaction of several kinds of metal connected improperly.  The thing was unsightly and gave me the creeps, so I would ignore it until it got so dusty that I had no choice but to throw a rag in there and make a feeble attempt to wipe it.  But really, such an ugly sight would hardly serve as inspiration for the task at hand!

To replace it, my husband had to cut out the old pipes and install new plumbing.  Then, of course, he repaired the wall.  That poor guy, I tease him that his life wouldn't be complete unless he got to open up a wall in our house, at least once a year. 

The new plastic casing is white, not almond-colored, like the old one.  We would never have replaced the casing with all the accompanying work just for the color, so this is such a nice little bonus! That almond color was just so . . . so eighties!

Oh, and naturally, we had to paint the walls . . .  Is there such a thing as a “little” home improvement project . . . ?

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.  Please stop by and check out some wonderful transformations in home improvement.

My Neighbor's Garden

I'm spoiled.  But can you blame me?  Just look at the view from my deck!

There's no fence between our properties and I've been able to enjoy watching her plant her garden . . .

I see her out there all the time . . .

I'm not much of a gardener, but I love flowers, and I can certainly appreciate the work it takes to create something this lovely . . .

Isn't it wonderful?

Tea for Two and Guava Pastries

Once in a while, I get a craving for Guava Pastries, or Pastelitos de Guayaba, our favorite treat when I was growing up . . . 

Sunday mornings meant a box of pastelitos that my father would pick up at the local Cuban bakery, and the Sunday paper.  We'd each claim our favorite section of the paper, and reach into the box for a pastry.  Ahh . . . those pastries . . . flaky . . . still warm from the oven . . . oozing guava filling . . . By the time we'd finish the paper, there would be pastry flakes all over everything. 

Then, it was time to discuss the morning's news . . .  I'll never again be able to eat a pastelito without thinking of Margaret Thatcher, the former prime minister of Great Britain.  My family rehashed the entire Falkland Islands War in the early 80's over a box of pastries . . .

We no longer have a Cuban bakery nearby, so I've learned to make the pastries myself - surprisingly easy after discovering frozen puff pastry!  Here are the ingredients:  1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water, 1 box of Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets, 1 can of guava paste and 1 egg.  Most Hispanic markets carry guava paste.  Goya is a popular brand.  I like either Goya or Conchita.

Make a light syrup using 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water . . . Set aside to cool . . .

Butter a cookie sheet or use a vegetable oil spray.  Don't use one of your good cookie sheets, this one will get messy . . .

Prepare an egg wash using 1 egg and 2 tablespoons of water . . . Set aside . . .

Open up the can of guava paste . . .

It looks somewhat like jellied cranberry sauce, but it's much firmer . . .

Cut into the paste . . .

Dig out that first slice.  The first couple of slices can be messy and uneven.  That's O.K., just keep going . . .

They won't go to waste anyway . . .  Mmm . . .

Keep cutting slices out and lay them on a cutting board . . .

Use the lid to close the can back up.  I then put the whole thing inside a Ziplog bag and it lasts for weeks in the refrigerator . . .

Cut the guava paste slices in pieces about one-inch long . . .

Defrost the puff pastry overnight in the refrigerator.  Unroll the two sheets and place one on top of the other . . .

First, cut in thirds along the creases.  Then cut in quarters across . . .

This is more or less what you need to end up with . . .

Separate the top and bottom piece.  Place a piece of guava paste in the center of the bottom piece.  Moisten the edges with water. 

Cover with the top piece and crimp the edges so they seal well . . .

Place in the cookie sheet and repeat with the remaining pieces . . .

Work moderately quickly so the puff pastry doesn't get too warm.  When it's warm, it gets sticky . . .

Brush the pastries with the egg wash . . .

Place in the oven, pre-heated to 350° F, for about 25 minutes until golden brown . . .

Remove from the oven.  Brush the tops with the simple syrup and put them back in the oven for another 5 minutes.  The syrup will caramelize the tops . . .

WARNING:  The guava paste is extremely hot when it comes out of the oven!!!  Let the pastelitos cool for at least 15 minutes before attempting to eat one!  I know it'll be hard, but you can do it!!!

Now, go ahead, invite England's Prime Minister to tea, if you like . . .

Or the President of the United States . . .

Maybe a nice pastry like this would improve his day . . .

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

A Pothos Tale . . .

This pothos sits on top of our mantle all year, except for Christmas, when I usually move it to decorate for the holidays.  It was given to me in a tiny 3-inch pot by a co-worker for my birthday, about eight years ago.  This is a hardy plant.  I'm always forgeting to water it, and the sunshine that it gets comes mostly from the skylight in the room.  And yet, despite benign neglect, it keeps on thriving.

Pothos lovers of my acquaintance prefer to let the branches grow long, and as they grow, find little supports for it, until eventually the leaves around the pot are scraggly, but the branches form a beautiful bough in the room.  I prefer to trim back those long branches, keeping the plant looking full and lush, but fairly contained. 

Below is my son, John's, pothos.  He's taken the clippings I've cut from the mother plant, rooted them, and has been working for about three years on making it a viable and beautiful plant.  At times, the poor thing has looked like nothing more than a science experiment.  But slowly, it has improved, thanks in large part to John's tenacity.  He takes it with him to college, and when it comes home, it sits on the mantle keeping company with its mother.

Both my son and his plant, went back to college this past week.  The house feels empty, and, as always, I'm a little lost right now.  I wonder if my pothos is feeling lost as well . . .

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

The morning after . . .

This was my kitchen the morning after our latest party . . .

I have friends that could never go to bed and leave their kitchens looking like this . . .

And I have others that clean during the party, so by the time the guests leave, at least half the clutter has already been cleared . . .

I have still other friends that manage to get the guests to help, and the guests are more than delighted to do so . . .

And, yes, indeed . . . I have considered those options . . .

And I haven't discarded any of those ideas completely . . .

But for now, I love the morning after!  Seriously!  I really, really do!  For me, cleaning up is a meditation.  It allows me to re-live the party.  I think about what worked, and what didn't . . .  As I wash, I'm flooded by memories:  I smile at the conversations from the previous night.  I remember other parties, toasts, moments in time that were fun!  The older I get, the more tolerance I seem to have for people's outrageousness.  And then, I always say a quiet little prayer of thanks . . .

A Tablescape with a Tuscan Vibe

Here was the inspiration . . .

I yearn to see some day the lovely sight of sunflowers growing under the Tuscan sun . . . Until then, I can enjoy the imagery . . . and bring the flowers into my home . . .

Here was the opportunity:  A reunion with my high school classmates and fellow members of the Cuban Club . . .  I am the one seated second from left, with the diagonally-striped sweater . . .

I hope you enjoy the pictures.  Please turn up your speakers so you can enjoy the music:  Vivaldi's "Estate" from "The Four Seasons . . .

Salt cellars masquerading as wheel barrows . . .

Ahh . . . summer . . .  L'estate!

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.  Please stop by to see the creations of these remarkable tablescapers.