Baskets of crops

Usually anything edible that grows in the garden is good.

I love a Mediterranean Kitchen garden, around lemon trees in circles of tomatoes, lavender, giant and small sunflowers, sage, oregano, and basil.

For a French look, add white daisies and white cosmos to fill the space between pansies, spearmint, mint, petunia, and field daffodils.

Easter is yet another time to go out and celebrate life. Hide the colored eggs under flower beds and within tall grass...

I particularly adore the all so precious chocolate bunny standing gracefully on glass pedestal.

I see it everywhere I go which only means others like to have fun with holidays as much as I do.

Whether it's a pretty basket of treats on Sunday morning or the smell of freshly baked muffins, it sure is awesome to be alive.

A French Laundry style idea

Just like in a French garden joined to a cafe kitchen, there are plenty of herbs, especially lavender and a large lemon tree. Sometimes, a few chickens are kept, which would lay eggs with anticipation and patience on the part of the shop keeper. Sara's mama, Rebecca had been the shop owner for years now, and had finally managed to borrow enough money to run a cafe in the middle of the village. Sara followed her to arrange for regular delivery of milk, breads, butter, cheese, meats, cakes, cookies, and coffee. Mama's sandwiches were best. Sara often played teacher on the black chalk board at the entrance garden walk to the cafe. Lily's family helped to gravel the path way leading up to the shop front and hung a customer door bell.

There was often a touch of detail about Rebecca, like the way she grew her rose bushes to frame the front gates. At the end of summer, Sara admired with pity while she rested on the garden swing, mama's rows of lavender buds and the most giant sunflowers.

"a teddy bear picnic in the lilac garden"

You are cordially invited to "a teddy bear & doll dress up, hats, purses, and fancy tea" party!

Place: Sara's lilac garden

Time: April Fools Day

What to bring: favorite cookies, cakes, and other sweet things

Printed and sealed, these dainty little cards went out in the early spring and before she knew it, a group of friends dropped by to say they were delighted to be there.

Sara was thinking of Alice in her adventures and she asked aunt Cecilia to let out her rabbit. Her friends would surely enjoy petting the furry creature.

A small lemon tree in the nearby gated garden, was blossoming! After taking a long horse ride, Lily dropped by. She arrived with her hat and gloves on.

Under the lilac tree, a light spring breeze was cooling the spring air and Aunt Cecilia went to her room to read. Amongst the wild lilac bushes and trees in the whole row, Sara and her friends set up table and chairs. The scent of lilac blooms stirred a familiar feeling in her and she wished her mama had come back home.

The she was staring in her direction, Rebecca, Sara's mama. She ran to hug her little darling and brought plenty of beautifully wrapped Swiss Chocolates.

Mama picked out a huge doll with a beautiful red flamenco dress and long blonde curling hair for Sara. Her name was Rita.

Rita was soon invited to tea with friends and that afternoon passed rapidly. That evening, mama climbed up to Sara's bed and kissed her cheeks.

Will you stay?

Yes, I'll be here for a while...

Sizdah Bedar سیزده بدر

The festivities of Norouz، نوروز continue through the first heavenly twelve days when almost every day, guests pay a visit for tea and cookies.

On the thirteenth day of spring, an outdoor picnic is mandatory. Many baskets are packed and outdoor games and toys are collected.

My orchard happens to be so enchanting with apple and pear blossoms in full bloom and the scent of lilacs and jasmines perfuming the air.

We pack a basket filled to the rim with cookies, fruits, sandwiches, and drinks and head outdoors. The traditions of Sizdah Bedar which literally means 13th day-out, are many but one is the tying of grass.

It's been known that on the 13th day of Norouz, which marks the end of the spring festivities, young single girls should tie and untie grass and wish for fertility and good fortune.

The most nostalgic moments are on the evening of Sizdah Bedar when as with all good things in life, there's an end. The next day is the 14th when all students go back to school and normal routine begins.

It's also customary to throw out the Sabzeh, سبزه sprouted wheats on this day.

Spring

Today, we enjoyed a fabulous Norouz feast with our family and laughed a lot. We also took a few blossoming tree and green fields, and flowers nursery photos.

We saw a few dried blackberry bushes behind the trails and reflected on the juicy berries ripe, at the end of the summer.

I particularly liked having the kids help me in making a very green friendship salad, and coloring eggs. We managed to make a lot of Persian cookies and had a medley of fine nuts from Iran. They came in a beautiful basket from our dear family friends.

On this first day of spring, I am thankful for facebook, free blogging, and speedy internet access.

We planted mini daisies, delicate pansies, and oriental poppies. With little kids hard working hands who often splash you by pointing the water hose at you, planting a beautiful garden for any window becomes easy.

Let Norouz candles burn through the entertaining dinner parties through the holidays. Floral arrangements keep well if water is changed, stems cleaned, slight cut made at the stem's end, and the petals spritzed.

Plant candy stuffed colored eggs on growing sabzeh (sprouted wheat) and tie pretty ribbons around the bottom with small flowers, tied to the bow. This charming creation makes a marvelous easter surprise for all!

Happy Norouz and Happy New Year

Rebirth of natures brings vast green fields and wild flowers, singing birds, and blossoms in purple, pink, and white.

The spring flowers pop out of the ground and graceful daffodils stand tall next to tulips, and hyacinth stems.

A few things to do before Norouz such as shopping new things, mainly flowers, and cleaning the house off dust and spider webs.

The spirits are lifted when the scent of flowers intoxicate the air with the aroma of treats that leave the kitchen and land in crystal platters; almond caramel jeweled treats, coconut, walnut, and almond macaroons, raisin cakes, and delicate dainty chickpea cookies line up to form the spread with polished red apples, oranges, tangerines, and small green cucumbers.

Norouz brings a new feeling of hope and renewal. The beginning of the year in the Iranian calender or 1st day of spring is based on centuries old traditions. The collection of these traditions and rituals makes this holiday exotic, festive, and fun.

And last but not least is the exchange of brand new cash bills as gifts, especially to children. The money is usually spent on snacks and vendor foods or toys...

On the 13th day of spring, an all day outdoors picnic is planned. Large baskets of food and drinks are packed and families head to nearby wildlife parks, lakes, mountains, and hillsides picnic spots. Soon, a large spread is on the grass and games begin.

Happy Norouz, and as we say in Persian language, Farsi,

"har rouzetan norouz, norouzetan pirouz means "may everyday of your life be like Norouz, and your Norouz be happy"...

Coloring Eggs

The beauty and bounty of eggs make them irresistible for coloring projects.

Sara has been never been so blessed with such beautiful yellow daffodils, red carnations, blue hyacinth, purple lilacs, pink gladiolas, and red tulips. Little by little, new lilacs and the thin strips of jasmine stems with flowering scented flowerets, add to Aunt Cecilia's collection. She brings out fragile tea cups, saucers, silver spoons, sugar cubes, and plenty of cookies.

Sara has been in habit of inviting her school mates home for the spring holidays. Finally, mid term exams were over and the kids spent one sunny afternoon under blossoming orange trees. The air was balmy and mild. Spring warmth dried up all the winter rain rapidly. Everyone gave hand made cards, offered a page in her journal for classmates and teachers to write memories and wishes, or shared a few stems of flowers.

After meeting under a white almond blossoming tree, Sara invited Lily and Patricia to join her for afternoon tea one day and promised to share her box of cookies. Sara's mama was still in Switzerland, with her lover and sent Sara a giant box of cookies. The young girl was kind hearted and decided to throw a small party for her close friends.

One brightly sunlit afternoon in April, Aunt Cecilia would spend her afternoons outside washing and drying laundry near the freshly weeded vegetable garden. On sunny days, she would hang the clothes out too dry. Lavender inspired a scent cleanliness into the air.

The hanged clothesline made itself the most ideal hiding spot. After a few drops of sugar cubes and tea, the girls ate their cookies and ran out to the garden. The neighbors' cat was in the sand box, and a few birds celebrating spring.

Lily had brought chicken and duck eggs in a basket, while sharing her story of watching her chickens and ducks lay eggs. There was plenty of watercolors in aunt Cecilia's work room and they girls began painting eggs. When they stepped outside, a little rain began forming a delicate and foggy rainbow across the green fields.

Patricia's mum was a jewelry maker who found inspiration in plants and flowers particularly. She always gave Sara and Lily small necklaces, bracelets, or rings wrapped in pretty sparkly and colorful boxes with large bows and lots of curled ribbon.

At the end of a long day, playing with balls, drawing chalk pictures on the pavement, and swinging in the rose garden, the girls went back inside and played doll house for a while.

Lily and Patricia always admired Sara's tiny toy-foods and doll-size teapots. Aunt Cecilia collapsed on the sofa after a long day of polishing silver, rubbing windows, washing clothes, sweeping, and dusting, and dozed off in the middle of the laundry.

While Sara and her playmates drifted off to sleep on doll size beds. It must have been magic in the air or Uncle Spring had come with small gifts while everyone slept. When everyone woke up, it was time for Lily and Patricia to go back home while Sara made dinner for aunt Cecilia.

Happy Norouz

The little bluebird with his exotic white crown follows the early spring breeze, gracefully lands on the dancing branch of a budding cherry tree, and asks, "Tell me about Norouz".

The pretty girl with a halo of daisies around her forehead grabs her basket full of red poppies, looks up at him and responds, "On this exquisite festival of renewal, rebirth, and new life, the spirit of good resides in the hearts and minds of true devoted Persians".

"What is best about Norouz?" asks the bluebird.

The girl scratches her head thoughtfully and says, "When the intoxicating fragrance of hyacinth, the sweet scent of Samanou (wheat pudding), and the fresh hint of Sabzeh (sprouted wheat seeds) fill the air. These are some of the best for me".

Suddenly the lively melodies of music mingle with sounds of "Happy New Year" wishes. The girl points to a crowd of marching children dressed in brand new clothes and shoes, receiving their cash gifts cheerfully and planning of various ways to spend their money.

The bluebird begins to sing a tune for the festive crowd. The girl tells the bird why she has to hurry back home soon.

"On the Vernal Equinox, when the new year begins, an old clock ticks the time away, making it all too difficult to be patient". "I have to be home with my family on that moment.", she explains.

"I saw that, days before Norouz, houses got cleaned, rugs were swept, shelves were dusted, windows were washed, trees were planted, flower seeds were sown, and cookies were baked.", the bluebird notes.

The girl smiles up at him and nods, "The delightful fumes of baked goods welcome the guests inside. I promise to bring you lots of crumbs next time."

The bird sighs and recalls the last Tuesday evening of the year, when he saw bonfire flames and sparkles lighting up the dark late night sky.

The dainty girl hands her bluebird friend, a tiny poppy and says, "The young and the old often gather around the Norouz spread with a renewed feeling of hope, forgiveness, and generosity."

The bluebird responds, "I'm happy to be here in your magical land. Undoubtedly, everyone treasures Norouz's promise of becoming better."

The girl smiles and tells him of her teachers saying good byes to the students before spring holidays, handing out cards and gifts, reminding the kids to not eat too much sweets and nuts during Norouz. "A warning we often ignore.", she winks. "We're never going to be that good."

The bluebird tells her of what he saw flying over town shortly after the day school ended, just before Norouz holidays; when tulips, daffodils, almond blossoms, and trays of pistachios, figs, and seeds were being purchased along with baskets of apples, oranges, and cucumbers.

"Traditions around Norouz are many, boasting with spring treats. It makes it worth the waiting!" She waves fair well to her feathered friend and heads back home.

He flies away, giving his word to her, that he'd be back again, thinking of those delicious cookie crumbs she'd bring for him...

Spring Parade

The parade begins on the first day of spring. The old and very wrinkled "Mother Winter"wearing her untidy gray wig, swirling her long white robe, sprinkles white snowy flakes of glitter and confetti in an unfortunate last attempt to stay just a little longer. She does not wish to leave the scene simply because her beloved cold and shivering winter is all that the poor woman has left. Alas, she has to depart the world and pave the way for spring. Her seven trees with all their bare silence walk behind her. Children wave good bye to "Mother Winter" and her naked trees.

Snow and glitter are swept away, marking the all too important spring cleaning ritual. Finally, "Uncle Norouz" the aged bearded man, dressed in exotic Persian costume, arrives with his huge bundle of gifts and goodies. He welcomes children with his generosity and kind spirit. Behind him is the very charming and popular "Haji Firouz" a man of many musical talents, showing off his painted face and a brightly colored attire of red and green, singing cheerful tunes and dancing. His little marching band includes seven young dancers, flute, drum, and tambourine players, and a little girl shaking bells.

Next, come the seven blossoming trees, displaying their abundance of scented little blooms. The seven spring fairies, daffodil, hyacinth, tulip, lilac, lily, gladiola, and the rose crowned with glory present their beauty and grace. The "Haft Seen" spread is brought to the audience's curious attention, by brightly dressed young marchers, in each hand, a symbolic item.

Sabzeh (sprouted wheat, tied up in pretty colorful ribbon, symbol of growth), Seeb (red apple for beauty), Seer and Serkeh (garlic and vinegar, for driving off ill spirit), Senjed (lotus for love), Sekeh (gold and silver coins for prosperity), Samanoo (decadent wheat pudding, for patience), gold fish in crystal bowl for youth, colored eggs for fertility, mirror for reflection as all our acts come back to us, candles for light, a bowl of Seville oranges floating in water representing the earth in space, and a jar of rose water for purity.

At last, "Grandma"the story teller arrives with a large platter of sweets and nuts, followed by the enchantment of seven spring birds feathered and joyful, singing of hope and dreams. What a sweet and nostalgic memory the parade leaves behind!

Happy spring and may the spirit of green reside all through the year.

عید نوروز

زمستانی است سرد و سوزناک با بادی وزنده و خش خش شاخه های درختان عریان مدام به گوش میرسد. برف سپیدی که بر قله کوه ها همچون پتویی سنگ های ژرف را در آغوش کشیده با سکوتی غمناک، روز ها را به شب و شبها را به سحر مبدل می کند.

از یک ماه پیش از رسیدن نسیم بهار، گر چه کودکان سرگرم درس و مدرسه و کماکان در تکاپوی امتحانات سه ماه دوم هستند، همچنان روحیه خانه تکانی، خرید عید و تدارک عید نوروز کم و بیش به چشم می خورد. برای من که سالها در دنیایی افسانه ای و شاید در عالمی غیر واقعی به شیرینی های زندگی دل بسته بودم، خاطرات هر سال متفاوت با سال پیش اما همواره با شادی پیوسته اند. آنچه هرگز عوض نمی شود، طعم سمنو، بوی خوش سنبل، عطر گلاب و نسترن و مزه شام دل انگیز سبزی پلو و ماهی است. در سفره همیشه جاودان هفت سین، علاوه بر هفت سین باستانی، و یا حتی هفت شین، ساعتی تیک تاک کنان و ماهی قرمز در تنگ بلور، گلهای رنگارنگ بهاری، و شیرینی و آجیل در کنار اسکناس های نو به همگان امید آینده و سالی بهتر از سالهای پیش را هدیه میدهند. در این نوروز دوباره، روزتان نو و روزگارتان سبز باد.

How to germinate wheat seeds کاشت سبزه

The most delightfully treasured traditions around the festival of Spring Equinox, Norouz, is growing wheat, barley, lentil, or bean seeds. One of many family values in Persia, growing wheat or Sabzeh is in harmony with nature on a small and personal level and provides a learning experience for the young. In order to have a beautiful and green sprouted seeds bundle, careful planning is required. It is, however, a very simple process. Here is how:

Start planning Sabzeh almost three weeks before Norouz, first day of spring. Soak a few small cupfuls of your favorite seeds in cold water for two days, making sure water stands above the seeds for a couple of inches. Next, spread the seeds on a flat plate and leave a wet cloth over the seeds for another two days so that the cloth covers all the seeds and keeps them moist. Finally, remove the cloth and place the plate of seeds in a somewhat sunny or moderately warm room, sprinkling water on the seeds every day. After about 10 to 14 days, the seeds grow into tall and green sprouts.

Avoid overwatering; it will make the roots moldy and will rot the sprouts. Also, avoid too much exposure to direct sun; it will wither the sprouts too quickly. You may need to trim the sprouts with small scissors to make the green shoots uniform and tidy.

Tie a pretty colored ribbon around the base of the sprouts to cover the roots and give the Sabzeh the look of a nice bouquet. Place the Sabzeh on Norouz table and keep taking care of it as usual until the 13th day picnic. On the last day of Norouz festivities, 13th day picnic, gently throw the Sabzeh out and make wishes for a very joyful and green year.