Saturday, June 11, 2016

Could It Be? I’ve Finally Discovered The Key To Success…Or Maybe Not by Margo Hoornstra

Last time I appeared on these pages to bemoan the fact that, as an anti-gardener extraordinaire, I had been given the responsibility, through a possibly misguided birthday gift from my husband, of the care and feeding of one medium sized and relatively healthy Calla Lily plant.

You may remember how I struggled with the directives on the lofty instruction stick. ‘Indirect sunlight, moderately moist soil and 60 to 70 degree temperatures’ Well guess what?

After just over a month under my vastly inexperienced and brownish/black (anything but green) thumb, and after a few trial and error periods with the sunlight and soil conundrum…we have flowers!

 
 
That’s right! I am now the proud owner, perhaps recipient is a better word, of three unfurled and blooming. With more to come I expect. Okay, maybe it should be more to come if I’m lucky.

At any rate, heady with this success, I decided to tackle yet another of my domestic short comings…baking. Gluten free no less, since that’s where I’m at these days. With four soon to be too rotten to do anything with bananas in the kitchen, I chose muffins. Banana muffins, of course.

According to the recipe, when the ingredients were properly blended – stirred not beaten, mind you – I was to, and again I quote, ‘Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes until risen and golden.’

Hmmmm.

Twenty minutes in, mine were rather flat and pasty white.
 
Adding another five minutes to the baking time on my own, I ended up with sort of risen and for the most part golden, don’t you think?

 

Good enough.

Did I mention how adept I’ve become at growing Calla Lilies?


 

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15 comments:

Jannine Gallant said...

The plant looks beautiful! The muffins--hmm, did you forget the baking soda? Hopefully they tasted good! You're on a roll. Maybe you should attempt switching it up with your writing--as in ditching the pen and paper--to see if you can learn another knew trick!

Anonymous said...

Margo, a kind soul gave me an orchid plant, those fancy ones that seem to be everywhere now in offices all over the place. All it needs is indirect sunlight, a few ice cubes once a week, and a moderate temperature.
So why is mine dying?? As for your baking, it's quite obvious your oven is to blame...

Brenda Whiteside said...

I think it's the nature of gluten free. My daughter in law who can bake anything from scratch hasn't been very successful. But don't give up!

Rolynn Anderson said...

Baby steps, Margo. Mush on now that you have successes in your history. May I suggest the hardy Snake Plant? Not only is it impossible to kill, but it is one of the top ten plants to have in your house for 'cleaning' the air. Cool, huh?

Diane Burton said...

Congrats on your not killing the calla lily. LOL As for the muffins, I defer to Brenda. Never made anything gluten-free. Dairy-free (for daughter) is hard enough.

Margo Hoornstra said...

One trick astatine, Jannine, one trick at a time. Let's not get carried away! Why did I just know you'd have a baking tip. As far as I know, I followed the recipe to the letter. And they do taste relatively good. Thank you very much. Neat plant, huh?

Margo Hoornstra said...

The oven, of course, Andi, why didn't I think of that? My green thumbed son-in-law (yes, sometimes life is not fair) suggested ice cubes for my two Poinsettia plants I was torturing over Christmas. It didn't help. Sorry about your Orchid. I feel your pain. I think it's figuring out the moderate directive. **heavy sigh**

Margo Hoornstra said...

Thank you, thank you, Brenda. Tell that to Jannine! :-) Give up? NEVER!

Margo Hoornstra said...

You're right, Rolynn. Not a good idea to peak too soon. I actually have done snake plants in the past with decent success. Hmmmm. I wonder whatever happened to them. Can't remember. Thanks for the tips.

Margo Hoornstra said...

One success at a time I guess, Diane. Sure don't want to get a big head. (Plus, my kids would never allow that! ;-)

Leah St. James said...

I am in awe...truly...and inspired! Now that you've tasted success, perhaps I might as well? Some day? The fact that just yesterday I threw away three (or was it four) dead plants will not deter me! If you can do it, I can too. Maybe. Some day. :-) The muffins look good to me! I'll bet they were yummy.

Margo Hoornstra said...

Oh, Leah! I'm absolutely stunned. This has never happened to me before. Call it the law of averages. Yes you definitely CAN succeed. I just know. I'm proof positive anything's possible.

Unknown said...

We could have been twins separated at birth, Margo. I have a jet black thumb, and when I open the oven door, the stove dials the Fire Department.

Margo Hoornstra said...

Jet black, I like that, Jolana. My oven doesn't panic quite as easily as yours. Maybe it should, huh?

Alicia Dean said...

I'm impressed with the plant, being a fellow plant-murderer. It appears you made a decent attempt on the muffins. As long as they were edible, I say success! LOL, amusing post. I enjoyed it!