What's so special about a southwestern springtime?

Ahh, springtime in the Southwest is like no other springtime I know of. One day winter is still with us, with heavy comforters on the bed, thermostats set to 70 degrees, and long sleeved shirts. The next day we wake up to 80 degree temps, brilliant sunshine, and a blue cloudless sky. And the calendar tells me it is mid-March. I find myself rummaging through the closet for something appropriate to wear. My warm weather clothes look pretty tired after last year's long summer.

I throw open the doors and venture out to see if Mother Nature thinks it is springtime.  She has been kinder than I feared after a freak hailstorm last October.

Creosote Bush

A gangly creosote bush in the front yard is covered with small, fragrant yellow blossoms.  As a bonus, the nearby area has a crop of volunteer creosotes. I counted over thirty of various sizes. What a satisfied feeling to know I won't have to buy a creosote bush in the nursery, priced at $30.00.  As a matter of fact, my husband, Wayne, is threatening to chop down some of the smaller creosotes because Mother Nature provided us with so many.

Fairy Duster

The Fairy Duster, located in a neglected part of the yard, is covered with pink blooms that look like, you guessed it, tiny dusters that Tinker Bell might use.  This plant is so generous, requiring virtually no care.

Desert Marigold

And before leaving the topic of easy to care for native plants, this Desert Marigold appeared voluntarily in a part of the yard we dubbed the Tucson Yard.  This plant requires very low water usage. I suspect if I watered it like other plants, it would not survive.  It's always a joy to see where it is going to pop up each year. The Desert Marigold has a mind of its own and does not like to be disturbed.

Sunset Heights Garden

I was pleased to see native plants emerging in an area we nicknamed "Sunset Heights," after an historic neighborhood in El Paso where you can also view the western setting sun.  The pumpkins are real, but they didn't grow there.  I hated to toss them out after last November, and they did provide some color through the dull winter months.

Climbing Rose Bush

Blooming climbing roses are one of the harbingers of springtime.  This plant grows in a bed surrounding the swimming pool, and often presents us with blooms throughout the year.

Potting bench in backyard

Springtime means lots of empty pots are available for new plantings.  The former residents of the pots didn't make it through the hailstorm or winter weather. Fortunately I don't remember which plants they were, so I don't have to mourn their loss too deeply.

Springtime weather means living al fresco.  A new seating area in the vegetable garden under the pear tree provides a place to admire the tomatoes, jalapeños, pattypan squash, tomatillo, oregano, and sage that we planted this year, with fingers crossed for an abundant harvest.

Seating area in garden

I'm thoroughly enjoying each day of our southwestern early springtime.  Until the spring winds arrive.  But that is a story for another day.

A loaf of Irish Soda Bread ushers in springtime!

It's mid-March in the Southwest.  Mother Nature has tantalized us with a few days of highs in the 70's. Enthusiastic gardeners are showing up at home improvement stores around town.  We can hardly wait to pack up our coats, break out our garden tools and make our dream landscapes come true. However, a few days with highs in the 50's and 30 mph plus winds have driven me back inside. Now I'm thinking of puttering around the kitchen and cooking something delicious for St. Patrick's Day on March 17th.

St. Patrick's Day celebrations come just at the right time.  Tired of winter activities and longing for sunshine, we welcome any opportunity for fun as we wait for a true springtime.  Green beer doesn't appeal to me much these days, but Irish Soda Bread does.  More specifically, I'm planning to bake Irish-American Soda Bread.

I don't know how long ago I first discovered the recipe in my 1997 edition of Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer et al. This classic cookbook is a real treat, especially for people like me who would just as soon read about cooking as get busy in the kitchen and do it.

Another reason I feel enthusiastic about baking is the new Kitchen Aid stand mixer our son gave us for Christmas.  Why didn't someone tell me earlier in my life how much better and easier a stand mixer can perform than my old hand mixer?  It makes baking a breeze!








Here is Joy of Cooking's description of Irish American Soda Bread (pp. 772-773).  "The American idea of Irish soda bread looks like a giant golden brown scone studded with raisins and caraway seeds." Yum. Mix together one and two-thirds cups all-purpose flour, five tablespoons sugar, one teaspoon baking powder, one teaspoon baking soda, and one-half teaspoon salt.  Stir in one cup raisins and two teaspoons caraway seeds. In another bowl, whisk together one large egg, one cup buttermilk, and a half-stick warm melted unsalted butter.  Stir all ingredients just until moistened. Bake in a greased, six cup loaf pan at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes.

I've given you the "leaded" version.  If you are trying to eat healthy or have certain dietary restrictions, you may lower the amount of sugar (or use Splenda) and substitute half of the butter for applesauce.  I have made these substitutions at various times.  They may produce a loaf that doesn't stay quite as moist as the original, but since it is generally gobbled up immediately in our household, this has never been an issue.

If we run out of the loaf too quickly, though, I may try a new recipe that appeared several days ago in the El Paso Times for Irish Soda Bread Muffins by Ruth Taber.  The ingredients look very similar, and muffins rather than a loaf might be a nice twist.

Come on springtime!

Sláinte! (Cheers!, Salud!, Saúde!, Santé!)