End of the Camellias Season

 

 

Camellias are popular, long-lived, evergreen shrubs (or small trees) renowned for their glossy foliage and stunning, rose-like blooms that appear from fall to spring. As staples of Southern gardens, they bloom in white, pink, and red, thriving in acidic, well-draining soil and partial shade in zones 6-10. Here at the condo, the bush in the center garden finished blooming last week. The bush by the walkway from parking to the condo building has been blooming steadily. It is slowing down, and I believe the end of the camellia season is almost here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Stuffed Peppers, A Classic Comfort Food

 

 

I wanted to share a couple of photos I took yesterday of two camellias from the bush on the walkway. A cold front is moving in, the sky is filled with dark clouds, and the wind is strong.  I know there won't be a blossom left tomorrow. Let's share this moment of nature's gift, and then I'll share a recipe.

 

 

Classics are something that stand the test of time. A great example is stuffed peppers filled with ground beef and rice, topped with a seasoned tomato sauce. This comforting meal is great for company. No one will ever know this flavorful and hearty dish took about forty minutes to make. It’s a traditional favorite in many homes, and it is extremely versatile.

 

Stuffed Peppers

Use organic when available, serves 6

Ingredients

• 6 bell peppers any color
• 1 lb lean ground beef, turkey, chicken
• Optional vegetarian use mushrooms instead of meat 
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 onion chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tbsp fresh basil
• 1 tbsp fresh oregano
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 cup cooked brown rice (white rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice)
• 1 tbsp  Worcestershire sauce
•  salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 tsp optional crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or cheese of choice  

Instructions

•  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• Cut off top of peppers and set aside
• Cut thin slice from bottom to keep upright
• Remove ribs and seeds with spoon
• Rinse out peppers and lightly salt inside
• Place peppers in baking dish with cut side up and water in bottom
• Cover with aluminum foil
• Bake for about 10 minutes
• While pre-cooking the peppers, combine meat, garlic, and onion in skillet
• Cook over medium heat until beef is browned
• Drain any fat
• Remove peppers from oven and drain water
• In bowl, mix beef, rice, parsley, basil, oregano, half a can of tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper
• Spoon mixture evenly into peppers
• Spoon the rest of the tomato sauce on top of peppers
• Bake for 30 minutes
• Sprinkle grated cheese on top before last 5 minutes of baking or when pull from oven
• Serve hot with salad and baked potato  

   

   

   

   

   

  

  
  

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A Visit to Bok Tower Garden, Lake Wales, Florida

Bok Tower Gardens is a 250-acre contemplative garden and bird sanctuary located atop Iron Mountain, north of Lake Wales, Florida. It was created by Edward Bok in the 1920s. It's a National Historic Landmark in Florida, known for its stunning 205-foot Art Deco/Neo-Gothic Singing Tower with a 60-bell carillon. The beautiful Olmsted-designed gardens are a peaceful bird sanctuary, all created by philanthropist Edward Bok as a gift to the American people, with its dedication attended by President Calvin Coolidge in 1929.

There are many types of plants in the gardens that include flowers, but it is not really a flower garden. In winter, the camellias are wonderful. In spring, the azaleas provide a magnificent display. Throughout the year, the garden is a quiet place to view green vistas and relax.

Let's start with a quiet moment with a view worth lingering over. Sometimes the most beautiful experiences are the simplest ones. A beautiful view with a trusted companion is hard to beat. I hope your day includes a moment like this.

 

Japanese camellias aren’t just gorgeous — they can bloom in winter and early spring when most other flowers are taking a break. Let's look at some camellias in bloom at BoK Tower Gardens in January and February.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Owls and hawks are often more active and easier to spot in cooler months, making January and February a great time to keep an eye out for our nocturnal friends. Below is a Great Horned Owl, a powerful raptor with a huge range across North America, and they don’t migrate.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 I'm wishing you a beautiful view and the time to sit and enjoy it.

 

 

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