Garden Bloggers Bloom Day April 2014

Its finally that time of the year! I've been waiting and dreaming all winter of spring, and what a brutal cold, long, winter it has been here in the northeast.
On the 15th of each month, gardeners from all over the world share a few bloom photos on their blogs. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to participate in April's bloom day but a few things are finally appearing.

Hellebores are usually the first flower to bloom in my garden. I've had these bloom as early as late January or February during a mild winter.

 

They are really pretty this year. Hoping the colder weather and possibly snow this week doesn't affect them. Yes....I said snow. I'm not too happy about that!

 

 

 

 

Even the crocuses were reluctant to make an early appearance. I always thought crocuses were supposed to naturalize? It seems like I have fewer every year but maybe the voles are getting them. I guess it's time to replenish them.

 

Striped Squill

 

Hyacinth

 

My daffodils started blooming just in time for bloom day. They literally opened up overnight. 

 

 There was a time when daffodils didn't do anything for me, but I have so much trouble with the critters eating my tulips I've started planting more daffodils. Now I look forward to their cheerful appearance every spring.

 

 

 

 

The Star Magnolia is just starting to bloom. I'd better enjoy the blooms while I can because it won't take the cold weather.

 

Happy Spring!

 

Linking to: May Dreams Garden

Orange Supreme Pie

Do you love oranges? Do you love pie? Have you ever considered making an Orange Pie?

Seriously?

I didn't either but when I saw a picture of an Orange Pie on-line, and loving all things citrus, I knew was going to make that pie.

 When my sister gave me some oranges fresh from Florida this week, I remembered that Orange Pie. I found two recipes but this one had a cream cheese filling in it and cream cheese has never let me down.

This pie is a citrusy slice of spring! The cream cheese and oranges make such a lovely combination.

Wouldn't this pie look beautiful on your Easter dinner table? And I bet most of your guests have never had Orange Pie before. It's absolutely delicious and so refreshing!

Orange Supreme Pie

Orange Filling: 1 1/4 cups water 1 cup sugar 3 Tbsp. clear-jel 1 tsp. orange Kool-Aid 3 oranges, peeled and membrane removed. Cut in small pieces and drain off the juice. additional 1/2 cup cold water Bring 1 /1/4 cups water to a boil. Mix together sugar, clear jel, and Kool-Aid. Add 1/2 cup cold water to the sugar mixture and stir. Pour into boiling water, stirring as it cooks. Remove from heat after it thickens. Cool completely. Stir in orange pieces. Cream Cheese mixture: 4 oz. cream cheese 1 cup powdered sugar 8 oz. Cool Whip Mix together cream cheese and powdered sugar. Add cool whip.  Pour into baked pie crust. Top with orange filling. printablerecipe This makes a large 9 inch deep dish pie or possibly 2 small pies. I had extra orange filling that didn't fit in the pie so I just spooned it over my slice of pie. Enjoy! Linking to: Buns in my Oven: Fluster Buster: Whip it up Wednesday: Made by me Wednesday: Kitchen Fun: Country Cook: Foodie Friday: Cooking with Ruthie: Six Sisters Stuff