Nature's Thermometer
Feb 12, 2011 | From the kitchen of Rose
First the snow, then the rain, then the deep freeze. Here are my beloved rhododendron with icicles beginning to form. Just outside the kitchen window, the leaves tell me how cold it is. When they're closed tight I know it's well below freezing. When they open up I know it's not that bad. But either way, I don't mind grilling outdoors all winter long as, once I get close to the grills, their heat keeps me warm!
My excuse for expanding the kitchen several years ago was so that I could put in a hood and fan over the cooktop that would vent to the outside. But then I found that grilling outdoors keeps the kitchen and rest of the house cleaner and free of smoke and the results are better as well. Surprisingly, I found that when the fire place is lit in the living room, if I turn the kitchen fan on it sucks the smoke out of the fire place and all over the house! Still, I have no regrets about having done the renovation. And in the not too distant future there will be a baker's kitchen in the basement. Of course postings to come!
Print
Post/Read Comments
Digg
de.licio.us
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Bernadette
02/22/2011 09:36 PM
Rose I know you aren't thawed out in Hope, it's still cold and frozen here! We'd had the deer in the yard since my husband put corn out for them but it keeps getting buried. I hope this is the last of it! Stay warm!
REPLY
Rose Levy Beranbaum in reply to comment from rotangus
02/13/2011 11:39 AM
Love the precise definitions. I'm going to write them on an index card and put them by the window overlooking the bush. Today more than 10 deer nibbling at the bushes and trees!
REPLY
rotangus
02/13/2011 11:21 AM
My kids call the Rhodie our "Weather Bush."
Leaves tightly curled to pencil width, pointing straight down means it's in the low teens or colder. Leaves furled and pointed down (like in your photo) means below freezing but not bitterly cold. Leaves slightly curled but not drooping straight down means around freezing temps. And leaves droopy but not curled means around the 40s.
As in "The Weather Bush says it's a long-underwear morning."
REPLY
Little Did I Know.....
Green Rice and Eggs--Who Could Resist!