"Make MORE macarons while the sun shines"

I had another successful day of macaron shell baking today thanks to more lovely weather. My macaron "display" for the wedding is shaping up.

organized and ready for fillings

Meanwhile in the garden, more Peonies have begun to unfurl their swelling round buds. I enjoyed their fragrance while doing some weeding in the flower beds.

 

 

 

 

Species Geranium or Cranesbill in white

Euphorbia!

 

For today's macarons, I experimented with equal weights of almond meal and powdered sugar to great success. The macaron shells baked up nicely and I got a less sweet and more pronounced almond flavor in the shells.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, in other gardening news: The tub garden on the front continues to fill in nicely, the window box is doing well and I am trying my best to keep the cats from munching on my Sellaginella(club moss) plants

 

 

"Make macaron while the sun shines"

Finally some cool, sunny and breezy weather appropriate for Spring. Today was another day to get some macaron shells made for the upcoming wedding. It was nice to have the windows open with fresh air coming through the house while baking. I also decided to experiment with the amount of almond meal in the batter.

First batch, in lime green I used slightly less, it made the shells more shiny but the ruffles were not as consistent. The second batch in Kelly green I added 30 grams more almond meal and it made a wonderful difference, the shells dried nicely and I had  beautiful ruffles. I am definitely going to use more almond meal from now on. The added almond meal also made the cookies tastier.

shiny shells but too little "pied" or ruffles

 

 

these are much better

all packed and ready to be stored in the fridge till filling time

My rose bush is always a little top heavy after a storm. I always take the opportunity to do some judicious pruning and bring a pitcher of blossoms to enjoy indoors. The rose bush gets a little shapelier and I get to enjoy the roses up close.

 

The Hobbit's foot sage with more flowers open

 

Kitties enjoying the fresh air

Stormy Weather Week

Clematis Henryii continues to produce saucer size flowers

Weather has been crazy last couple of days!, lots of wind, lighting, thunder and a little rain. I am happy the garden is getting some much needed rain but could do without all the city sirens and meteorological theatrics beforehand. We did have sunny weather here and there for me to get some gardening done and take a few pictures.

Fully opened single Peonies

English Dogwood

The two interesting plant happenings in the garden this week are the Hobbit's Foot Sage and Climbing Hydrangeas.

First time I've had Hobbit's Foot Sage bloom

 

 

 

The climbing Hydrangeas are the showiest they have ever been since I planted them several years ago.

 

 

 

As the weather warms up, I am getting lots of new growth in the aquatic plant department. The White Water Lily is always first to bloom.

During one of the storms, I did attempt another batch of macarons that just did not do well. I decided to hold off on the macaron baking till all the storms have passed.

 

 

looking promising

50% success rate

bad macaron, good macaron

Humid weather may not be good for macarons but the plants sure are loving it.

Petunia Buckets

 

"Sensitive Fern", I love volunteer plants!

 

"Martine Guilot" Rose. One of my favorite roses, repeat bloomer and no pesticides required

 

Weeds are pretty too

Blueberry!