'FAIR PRIMROSE' (February Flower of the Month)

“O fairest flower, no sooner blown but blasted,

Soft silken primrose fading timelessly.”

~ John Milton

INDOOR PRIMROSE GARDEN

Although the primrose flower is native to areas of Europe and Asia, they can be found growing in abundance throughout the Midwest and Northwest regions of North America. Primulaceae, or the primrose family, contains around 24 genera of popular garden and wild-growing plants. There are a number of different varieties of primrose flowers; however, most gardeners place them in two distinct groups: the bog and woodland flowers, which prefer moist, rich soil, and the rocky area flowers, which do well in dry areas. These flowers are generally planted for ground cover and may be seen growing as single-headed flowers or in large clusters. Their colors range from the traditional yellow to white, purple, pink, and occasionally even coral hues.

The oils of the primrose flower are commercially cultivated in at least 15 countries. This is understandable as it has become a staple in many supplements. The oils of this flower contain gamma linolenic acid, linoleic acid and essential fatty acids which are thought to positively effect cholesterol and blood pressure, premenstrual symptoms, arthritis and the immune system. The oil is also said to be very effective in other areas as well. For example, rubbing the oils into door frames or dripping it around garden perimeters may help avert bees, as the scent is thought to be a deterrent. Given that the primrose flower is considered one of the symbols of purity, many real life and mythological stories tell of their association with children. For instance, these flowers were frequently planted on the grave sites of small children in Victorian England, as they represented the unchanging innocence of the lost child; in German myth, children were enticed into the halls of the goddess Bertha by way of the pale, delicate flowers. The flower’s myth, however, is not entirely somber. This blossom is associated with the Norse goddess Freya – who is the symbol of youthfulness, refinement, fertility and beauty. They are also seen in Celtic myth which states a patch of these flowers can mark the gateway to the fairy realms.

As well as being a symbol of purity, the primrose flower is said to represent both February births and the month of May. They are also thought to symbolize courage in the face of adversity, devotion, love and renewal. As a gift, these flowers are frequently presented to long time loves, as they are a great way to represent passing through many years of struggle, only to find yourself just as happy as you ever were with your partner.

(http://flowerinfo.org/)

OUTDOOR PRIMROSE GARDEN

Evening Primrose

Primrose Garden

The Primrose (Primula) is a gift that just keeps giving ...

as both an indoor garden then planted outside

MONDAY MUSE DAY ~ WELCOME FEBRUARY and VIOLETS (FLOWER of the MONTH)

"Surely as cometh the Winter, I know

There are Spring violets under the snow."

~ R.H. Newell

Violets under the snow

"February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March."

~ Dr. J.R. Stockton

Please join Carolyn for Garden Bloggers' Muse Day

( Sweet Home and Garden Chicago )

'SPRING VIOLETS UNDER THE SNOW' ~ SONG OF THE VIOLET (FEBRUARY FLOWER of the MONTH)

"Surely as cometh the Winter, I know

There are Spring violets under the snow."

~ Robert Henry Newell (used pseudonym Orpheus C. Kerr)

(Spring Violets Under the Snow)

SONG OF THE VIOLET

A humble flower long time I pined

Upon the solitary plain,

And trembled at the angry wind,

And shrunk before the bitter rain.

And oh! 'twas in a blessed hour

A passing wanderer chanced to see,

And, pitying the lonely flower

To stoop and gather me.

~ William Makepeace Thackeray

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The VIOLET

Violet scientific classification:
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Violaceae
Genus: ViolaSpecies
List of Viola species

Violets (Viola) are a genus of flowering plants in the family Violaceae, with around 400-500 species throughout the world, mainly in the temperate Northern Hemisphere but also in Hawaii, Australasia, and the Andes in South America. They are typically found in moist and slightly shaded conditions such as hedgerows.

Most violets are small perennial plants, but a few are annual plants and some are small shrubs. They typically have heart-shaped leaves, and asymmetrical flowers with four upswept or fan-shaped petals, two each side, and one broad, lobed lower petal pointing downward. The shape of the petals defines many species, for example, some violets have a "spur" on the end of each petal. Flower colours vary in the genus; many are violet as their name suggests, and some are blue, some yellow, some white, some cream; some are bicolored, often blue and yellow.

Flowering is often profuse, and may last for much of the spring and summer.
One quirk of some violets is the elusive scent of their flowers; along with terpenes, a major component of the scent is a ketone compound called ionone, which temporarily desensitises the receptors in the nose; sniff all you like, you won't get any more smell from the flower.

Violets.com

OLD FASHIONED 'Sweet Violets' ~ 'RETRO' MAC & CHEESE

"Each violet peeps from its dwelling to gaze at the bright stars above"

~ Heinrich Heine

~ Sweet Violets

( February Flower of the Month)

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MAC & CHEESE

~ Comfy 'retro'' food (though often NOT low fat) never goes out of style and a 'once in a while treat' especially tummy coating on chilly February days.

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1 lb. ziti, penne (or favorite shaped pasta)

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 diced red pepper

1 diced yellow, orange or green pepper

4 cups milk

1/4 cup unsalted butter

6 Tbsp. flour

1 tsp. Hungarian paprika

1/2 tsp. coarse salt

1/2 tsp. white pepper

8 oz. grated white Vermont cheddar

8 oz. grated medium Pinconning Cheese *

1/2 cup (or more) shaved Parmesan

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

• Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
• Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook at a rolling boil until almost tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water. Drain well. Toss with 1 Tbsp. oil and set aside.
• Heat remaining vegetable oil in skillet. Saute peppers until soft. Add to cooked pasta.
• Scald milk in saucepan. Set aside.
• In another saucepan, melt butter. Add flour and whisk over low heat (do not let burn). Slowly whisk scalded milk until thickened. Add paprika, salt & white pepper. Add to pasta and toss well to coat.
• Butter a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Combine both cheeses. Add to pasta, reserving 1 cup for top. Spread evenly in baking dish and top with remaining cheese, shaved Parmesan (you can never have enough cheese), and parsley.
• Bake 30 minutes until hot. Run under broiler to brown. (8 servings)

* Great source for Pinconning Cheese ~ William's Cheese Co.