Wilfred X. Zedock!

watercolor by ana traina ~ 2013 ~

Wilfred X. Zedock, the Blue man of the Minch,
can sometimes be seen riding atop a purple Zebra finch (but not today),
He haunts the straits between Shiant Islands and Long Island
but wouldn’t be caught dead anywhere near Coney Island!
Now, if you happen to see this rhyme talking sea-spirit sporting a blue tattoo,
Know this, there isn’t any time for a pas de deux, or your particular point of view
he is only interested in the latest recipe for a good old-fashioned Brunswick Stew...

All Tuckered Out!

photo by Ana Traina ~ 2013 ~

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the good garden sprites my soul to keep.
  Will-o-wisps watch me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Amen

Pansy’s Remembrance Pudding!

photo by ana traina ~ 2013~

Yesterday, I was sitting by Nora Ephron’s garden location in You’ve Got Mail, working on a sea-spirit drawing when I was struck by the remembrance of a sweet pansy pudding that I tried last spring...and then I thought what a perfect Zingertale it would make! So without further ado...

The pansy is named from the French word "pensee" meaning thoughts or remember (depending on who you speak to), in particular the thoughts or rememberings of lovers.  The legend grew that you could see a loved one in the face of the pansy.

Pansy’s Remembrance Pudding
INGREDIENTS
5 tablespoons honey
31/2 tablespoons minced pansy leaves and flowers
2 cups coconut milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
pinch ginger
pinch nutmeg
pinch cardamon
3 eggs, beaten

1. Preparation ~ In a saucepan, combine honey and pansies. Heat over medium-low heat 15 minutes, stirring constantly. Then put honey and pansy mixture in refrigerator 2 days to infuse honey with more pansy flavor.

2. Scald the coconut milk; add honey mixture, salt, and spices. Stir.

3. Slowly whisk milk mixture into eggs. Pour into custard cups and garnish with violas. Then chill about 2 hours.  MAKES 5 SERVINGS

Last bit of Odds and Ends ~ This pudding won’t last very long, therefore it is always best to eat it straight away.  The Pansy tastes a little like mild wintergreen. Happy, happy sweet remembrance!!

The Great and Wondrous Eastern Redbud!

photo by ana traina ~ 2013~

Like George Washington, I am a great, great lover of the Eastern Redbud tree! George often included it in his horticultural pursuits and wrote about his fondness for it. I just love how the vibrant pink blossoms pop out in the gray forest, signaling that spring will be arriving, very soonishly. 
There are some ancient lore surrounding the redbud tree, like in the Middle East it is called “Judas tree,” as a reference to the biblical betrayal of Jesus by his close friend Judas. The lore goes that after this betrayal the redbud was to burst into its crimson show of flowers to honor the passing of Jesus.
The flowers I am delighted to say are edible! They work extremely well in baked goods like, muffins, pancakes, or even in arugula salads with a dash of sweet violets. The young pods are edible to a lesser degree, they lose their taste when stir fried.

Last bit of Odd and End ~  The redbud provides the preferred habitat for the woodland elfin butterfly. A delightful creature!!

The Scent of a Hobo!

photo by ana traina ~ 2013~

Yesterday morning I giddily stepped into my elevator with my two dogs in tow, Becket and Ody, and we were greeted by a rather snooty-looking woman sporting way too much make-up, hair product, and eau de cologne splash (Jean Nate’ I believe). As the elevator door lazily closed she raised her nose high up to the ceiling in a faux Eloise sort of pose, and exclaimed, “god, those dogs stink to high heaven!  They reek worst than any hobo off the street.”  Needless to say, I was mortified and struck mute all at the same time!  Words failed me and I am sure my neck and face colored the deepest hues of roses as the elevator creaked and hobbled its way down to the lobby.

Now as you can imagine dear Zingertalers my head was reeling with all sorts of clever retorts that I should have said in that moment.  Alas, even though the moment had past, I had decided that I should never ever have another suffocating moment like that again.
I took action and created my own natural doggie perfume, Mr. O’ D Becket!  I did this because all the products out there for dogs simply smell too synthetic...so without further ado here is my simple  and sweet recipe for Mr. O’ D Becket!

MR. O’ D BECKET ingredients ~

10 drops of thyme essential oil
10 drops of rosemary essential oil
10 drops of sweet orange essential oil
10 drops of lavender essential oil
and finally 4 oz. of THAYERS’ Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera

Now, just put all these wondrously scented ingredients into a spray bottle and shake.

Last bit of Odd and End ~ Although, Ody and Beckett did not stink to the high heavens, now they simply smell divine!

People are all Aflutter ~

Watercolor by Ana Traina ~ 2013 ~

for poodlemoth walking!

Phantomess Cinderella Doe

watercolor and verse by Ana Traina ~ 2013 ~

Phantomess Cinderella Doe does not rest in Potter’s field, O’ no!
Why, she still toils and troubles when the wind does blow,
dusting your poesies till they have such a warm golden glow
Even the famous Henry David Thoreau, says so...
O’, this tale of hers is so very true, since a very long time ago.
Why, if you don’t believe me, go ask, Mr. Van Gogh!

Phantomess Cinderella Doe’s last bit of odd and end ~ To wash windows it is always best to use a white vinegar and a water mixture, and newspaper, rather than a dirty cloth. You just wipe it clean with more (dry) newspaper. This was a firm favorite amongst charwomen of my time (O’ and make sure the master/mistress of the house has finished with their paper). Now if this does not work for you, you could boil up some cold, weak tea, and leave it for a couple of days, then apply the tea to your grimy windows and remove with the same newspaper trick.