bulbs and tea

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we got the garlic in the other day, finally.  we planted it in the bed that used to have strawberries.... a bed that, it turns out, the voles love.  Ollie cat is hopefully helping out a bit in that department, and it's possible that garlic is a vole deterrent.  but still.  as I pushed those babies into the soil for their winter sleep, there were several times my hand slipped into a suspiciously deep hole and I wondered if I was just sending them to their doom.  we did grow a whopping (for a backyard garden, anyway) 9 pounds of garlic this year.  more than enough to use for seed and have plenty to see us through the year.  fingers crossed the ones now in the bed do not become vole snacks, because I'd love to keep the garlic train rolling.

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I'm still working my way through the flower bulb order I recently received.  every spring I smile as the daffodils bloom and the irises rocket towards the sky and I think "tulips.  this will be the year I plant tulips."  and then I forget.  not this year, nope.  I ordered lots of tulips, and a few alliums and crocuses, from EcoTulips.  they were a pleasure to deal with and I'll definitely order from them again.  Claire and I planted a few dozen the other day before my palm started to protest, and I'm hoping to get the rest in the ground tomorrow morning when my mom comes for a visit.  it has already been decided that the visit will also have to leave room for cutting paper snowflakes and listening to carols though, so we'll see.

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I made a proper batch of turmeric tea a couple days ago.  or turmeric milk, I suppose.  by proper all I really mean is that it was loaded with fresh turmeric and that it was delicious.  there was no recipe involved.  to 1.5 cups of milk I added a finger-sized piece each of fresh ginger and turmeric (grated), the seeds of 5 or 6 cardamom pods, a few cloves, a large pinch of cinnamon bark chips, and a pinch of nutmeg.  I simmered that for a bit, strained, sweetened a touch with honey, and very much enjoyed.  yum, yum.