Monday, May 21, 2012

Giant Asparagus After Lunch

San Geraldo was going to make another delicious salad for lunch, but he didn't have any greens. So we took a walk to a nearby café and enjoyed lunch in the spectacular spring sunshine. (Pollen be damned.) We had a good lunch and tipped an accordion player even though he played "Cielito Lindo" — he played it well and he added his own special variations. On our way home, we marveled at some of the breathtaking blooms on the trees and bushes. Much of what grows in Sevilla and Andalucía is the same as what grew in Southern California. With their year-round climates, there are lots of transplants from Africa, Australia, and India. But, every so often we do come across something we've never seen before.

GIANT ASPARAGUS.
(I KNOW IT'S AN AGAVE BLOOM STEM, BUT STILL...)


I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, BUT IT SURE IS BEAUTIFUL.
(THE BEES THOUGHT SO, TOO.)

LIVING IN THE CITY.


ANOTHER NEW TREE FOR ME.

BACK ON OUR PLAZA — A CATALPA TREE.
(IDENTIFICATION THANKS TO BLOGGER KRISTI IN THE WESTERN RESERVE.)

20 comments:

  1. Your last pic, the tree with the heart-shaped leaves and white flowers -- there are several in my neighborhood (Dayton, Ohio, USA), and Greg and I cannot identify it. Do you know the name?

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    1. I don't know it, but I'll find out. In the meantime, I have a feeling someone else will tell us before I even get back to it.

      Delete
  2. Hi Mitch, I went back in time and checked out your post from one year ago when you were here in the Cities. I really liked the photos you took while you were here. My son lives on Minnehaha Ave a few blocks north of the park. I also learned about the local singer, Erin Schwab. I hadn't heard of her before but after listening to her sing on the link, I'll be sure to follow her in the future! I got a laugh out of your "giant asparagus" photo!

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    1. Ms. Sparrow:
      We had an absolutely amazing time in "The Cities" in June. Erin Schwab is Jerry' s god-daughter. She is a joy to see perform and a joy to know. Great singer, very funny, great banter. She performed at Hell's Kitchen last Friday night. I'll let you know where she'll be next (maybe even there this Friday). Seeing her is uplifting. I am a huge fan and would definitely encourage you to see her (and tell her why you're there... she will love it).

      You live in a really wonderful place (although I couldn't survive a winter)!

      Delete
  3. I was wondering what that was. My nextdoor neighbor has two in her yard. As for asparagus I've been craving it. Sadly it's out of season. :(

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  4. Writer:
    I knew at one time, but can't for the life of me remember it now. (Jerry's been buying jars of white asparagus and using it in salads. It makes for a great dressing, too.)

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  5. Hello Mitch:
    At the moment, the markets here are overflowing with white and green Aparagus spears. We love it and have just about eaten it every way possible whilst it is in season.

    What a fantastic floral display you have in your neighbourhood. It all looks so wonderfully colourful and it all serves to create a definitely exotic atmosphere!! Enjoy!!

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    1. J&L:
      I do love this kind of climate. There's always something in bloom.

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  6. You'll be sneezing all night!
    m.

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  7. A tropical paradise! You will have to learn all the names of these exotic plants and share that with us!! No pressure.....kidding!
    They are beautiful, Mitch. Do they all have a scent? I was going to ask you if you go up to each to 'sniff' them......but I stopped, because of your allergies!
    No wonder you think we are freezing ALL THE TIME here.....look around you, it is so nice and warm!

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    1. Jim:
      I DO have to learn the names! I haven't noticed a fragrance to any of those pictured. The night-blooming jasmine that was all around us through the winter was heavenly, although the bushes themselves are not much to look at. Then, of course, in March/April the entire city smelled like orange blossoms. If I do finally come across more fragrant blooms, I'll do a scratch-n-sniff post just for you.

      You would probably melt here. Low 80s (28C) today. Low 90s (33C) tomorrow. I'm in shorts and sandals. It's rough.

      Delete
  8. I thought you were going to say that it was the century plant...blooms once in 100 years...The flora is spectacular in your world...soak it all up.

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    1. Sophie/Ron:
      This does look (to me at least) like the Agave Americana, which blooms once and then dies. If it is, hopefully it's doing what it's supposed to do and will send out new shoots from the base.

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  9. You do live in a city of flowers! The last picture is a catalpa tree, btw. It has interesting long seed pods in the fall and grows well in northeast Ohio, too.

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    1. Oh, Kristi, you are a gem. Thanks for the info. I've added it to the caption. So, do you recognize any of the other beauties?

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  10. Just finished a portion of white asparagus with hollandaise sauce. So simple to make and sooooooooooooo delish.

    Didn't see the whole pix of the Agave plant, but thought you were pulling our leg by holding one up in your hand, while Jerry took the phote.

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    1. Peter:
      If it doesn't come in a box that can't be placed directly in the microwave, it is not simple to make.

      Oh, those agave stems are spectacular. When they're in bloom, they actually look like trees. The leaves grow up to 2 m (6.6 ft) and the flower stems grow up to 8m (26 feet) high.

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  11. You live in paradise. You do know that, yes?

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    1. Maria:
      Yep. I think you're right. (But ask me again in a couple of months when it's 104 degrees.)

      Delete

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