The Spring Surprises

Today is the last day of April and it just snowed here as you can see.

Aroud this time of the year when some parts of the country is beginning to enjoy early summer, 

 it's hard to face snow.

I don't know how long it's been snowing when I finally noticed snowing

looking out the window.

At least it was still snowing when I took these pictures.

As I stepped out to my front porch to capture hopefully the 'last' snow in supposedly spring,

I noticed the bird nest on top of the beam.

The size of it shows that it's been there for a while.

But I never knew. I never even looked up.

She may be sitting on her eggs.

For the first time, I closed my door so gently as if I don't want to startle someone.

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Flowers in April

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Trees Are Budding

Here spring is coming much slower than other parts of the country.

Notheless, trees are budding.

Sudden temperature drop, hail storms, and more snows have been slowing down the growth, I assume.

But enough sunshine will stimulate the buds to grow.

Soon they will turn to leaves.

This is the only tree standing in my  front yard.

Dogwood tree is beginning to blossom

Snow capped mountain  in the background tells us that here in CO, winter and spring coexist.

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Even Flowers look Happier on Sunny Days

This morning I woke up to a bright sunny day.

More flowers have opened up and they are basking in the sun nicely.

Dandelion wants to be with the flowers.

"I'm not a weed."

"I'm the first!"

"It's nice to rest on the rock."

Pink rose cup shooting out of the rock bed.

Dandelion always stands out.

"I'm alone by the fence."

There is no place I cannot land even among the rocks.

"I am tough."

A perfect shade

"All I need is a crevice."

Even just green leaves look awesome against gray rocks.

Anything green is a welcome sight here in the Spring as I eagerly seek for the signs of the spring.

Happy Spring!

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Signs of Spring in Colorado Springs

It snowed here last night though it melted away fast.

And yet I see the sign of the spring coming even in my backyard.

A lonsome dandelion

I have no intention of pulling it out.

Even dandelion is a welcome sight when spring is rather slow.

Dandelion

Overview:

While many people think of the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) as a pesky weed, herbalists consider it a valuable herb with many culinary and medicinal uses. Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc. Its leaves are often used to add flavor to salads, sandwiches, and teas. The roots can be found in some coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make certain wines.

In traditional medicine, dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also used dandelion decoctions (liquid made by boiling down the herb in water) to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and stomach upset. Chinese medicinal practitioners traditionally used dandelion to treat digestive disorders, appendicitis, and breast problems (such as inflammation or lack of milk flow). In Europe, herbalists incorporated it into remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea.

Today, dandelion roots are mainly used as an appetite stimulant, digestive aid, and for liver and gallbladder function. Dandelion leaves are used as a diuretic to stimulate the excretion of urine.

~ from http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/dandelion-000236.htm

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Snowy Spring Day

After hail storm that lasted more than an hour last night,

we woke up to snow this morning.

Now, I know why here they have so many hail damaged cars.

The usual mountain view is not there anymore.

Without the mountain, I see more sky and more grays.

From the backyard.

Spring is coming here too.

Some trees are budding and some already transitioning to pale green leaves.

But winter is not ready to move out yet.

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California Roll & Variations

When I don't have enough time to cook and we are already so hungry,

and yet we want something light, this is how we eat.

What you don't see here is a bowl of rice.( I use brown rice )

On a peice of seaweed, put some rice and top with anything that you like

and fold gently slighly half way to hold what's on the seaweed.

This is a great vegetarian dish that you can modify in any way you like.

You can add grilled vegetables as well.

Crab meat, cuccumber, egg, avocado, cooked shrimp, yellow pickled radish

Ahi tuna(left)-this is raw

fish egg for sushi(left)

If you don't care for raw fish, that's fine, too.

I can't find fresh Ahi tuna all the time either.

So we eat without it most of the times.

Or

sometimes I add colorful bell peppers and left over grilled meats for variation.

When I have time, or I have company, I make them like this, too.

The ones that rice is outside of the seaweed is called California Rolls.

Crab meat, avocado, cuccumber are the usual ingredients that go in the middle.

 

Or like this. This time rice is inside the seaweed. This is called Gim Bap.

This is the seaweed that I use to roll California roll or Gimbap.

This seaweed is very nutritional rich in minerals, but low in calorie and carbs.

I wish I have pictures showing how to make California Rolls,  but I don't have any right now.

Maybe next time!

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