Good Things by David

R hododendrons are marvelous shrubs to have on a property because they are dramatic, showy plants that add texture.  Their round clusters of flowers really enhance the landscape with a bit of flair and a lot of color beginning in early May; bloom times will vary depending on the type of rhododendron.  Ranging in size from a compact 3 feet (such as Rhododendron degronianum ) to a gigantic 18 feet ( Rhododendron maximum ), any one of the Rhododendron cultivars can be planted in a zone appropriate area, if one does some planning and takes certain things into consideration.  As for color, there is a wide spectrum from which to choose.  From pale creams & whites, to shades of pink, mauve, magenta and even purples can be had for the home.    Most rhododendrons do well in light to partial shade and many prefer a northeastern exposure.  During the summer months, these shrubs should have shade during the afternoon when the...

W illiams-Sonoma is synonymous with good living and it happens to be one of my favorite housewares stores.  I have been a faithful customer for a number of years now, outfitting my home with fine linen, china, silverware, glassware, cookware, and all sorts of gadgets, because I know I'm buying quality.  My very first set of  kitchen knives  and  pots & pans  were purchased at Williams-Sonoma and to this day they  have served me well.  Not only do I love shopping here for my own kitchen and home, but I enjoy doing so for friends & family members celebrating birthdays or weddings.  Their wedding registry is very comprehensive and every single store has a special kiosk dedicated to this type of shopping.  One can go in there and quickly access this information, making it convenient to shop for weddings.  What soon-to-be-married couple wouldn't love getting items from this store? Mauviel Copper ...

Let's not forget that Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 13th .  I hope you mark the day for your mother or for the mothers in your life with something from the heart that speaks of your appreciation & love.  The occasion calls for honoring mothers who have not only given us life & unconditional love, but who have also provided sage advice and undying support throughout our lives. Pink Dahlias make a nice gift. I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful mothers.  My dear mother and mother-in-law are certainly among the best of the best, as you can probably imagine, but what son or daughter wouldn't say that about their own mother?  The ladies in my life who have raised children or who are currently doing so are among the strongest women I know.  I applaud them.  I truly love each & every one of them.  To the mothers who are no longer in my life, both friends & family, the love I had for the...

With its crimson, ruby-red hue and herbal fragrance, hibiscus tea is enjoyed in certain parts of the world either hot or cold.  Several prepackaged herbal teas sold at supermarkets include a bit of hibiscus in their mix, not only for the color, but for its inimitable flavor.  Served cold over plenty of ice, hibiscus tea is such a delicious & refreshing beverage to sip on a hot summer day.  I remember encountering agua de Jamaica sold by street vendors while traveling through Mexico on a vacation many years ago.  Its color was captivating to me and its taste was something I will never forget.  Hibiscus tea is enjoyed throughout Africa, the Middle East, in parts of Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America.  Dried calyces from the Hibiscus sabdariffa flower are steeped in hot water until they release their colorful and flavorful essence.  If you source your own dried hibiscus flowers (the...

Most of us enjoy a refreshing glass of lemonade when the weather becomes intolerably hot or when we want to spend a few moments on the porch chatting with a neighbor about anything & everything.  No barbecue, cookout or child's birthday party would be complete without glasses of ice cold lemonade for guests.  Ask any youngster who's ever had a stand along the sidewalk or neighborhood corner, and they will tell you that lemonade is the drink to make when one wants to raise funds for a project or worthy cause.  If I see one of Alex's Lemonade Stands in town or in the city, I always buy a glass.  I hope you do too! Making a single lemonade or dozens of them is very simple to do.  Of the utmost importance is finding the juiciest of lemons (the juice must be freshly squeezed!) that feel heavy for their size and having plenty of ice & cold water.  Last, but not least, is the simple syrup.  As I've shown you in a p...

Simple syrup is used to sweeten cold drinks such as lemonades, iced teas and natural sodas, because granulated sugar doesn't readily dissolve into a cold liquid.  In order to produce a smooth sorbet or slushy granita that we enjoy in the warmer months, one always adds this type of syrup to the mixture before freezing.  This is why simple syrup is so convenient and handy to have in the refrigerator.  Not only is simple syrup an easy thing to make, it's also an item that stores well in the refrigerator for months. If you so choose, this sweetener can be infused any number of ways.  Try steeping a few sprigs of flavorful mint or fragrant verbena in the liquid or perhaps the zest of your favorite citrus.  With summer just around the corner and the weather giving us warmer temperatures, I highly recommend having a jar of simple syrup at the ready to sweeten your favorite seasonal drinks.  Each beverage can be sweetened to...

This is just a little F.Y.I. as to what Cities of the Week is (I've added it on the right-hand side just below the highlighted story).  I decided it would be fun to give a little acknowledgement to 3 different cities every week, picked at random, who are currently reading the blog.  It's so exciting for me to see what part of the world is tuning in and I'm always grateful for those who do take a moment to read Good Things by David .  Who knows, maybe it will be your city! Cheers! David