Conversations with a Moonflower - book review

Conversations with a Moonflower
Author:  Christine T. Hall
Published:  2011
Publisher:  Bonneville Books, an imprint of Cedar Forts, Inc.
Pages:  120

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  You may see my full review at http://shirley-mybookshelf.blogspot.com.

The plot of Conversations with a Moonflower centers upon the most unlikely of things, a plant.  Actually the moonflower plays a secondary role to that of Chris, the narrator and main character, but its role is vital to the telling of the story.  Without the moonflower, there would be no story.

Chris was presented with a moonflower plant as a gift from an Amish friend who knew the joy and peace of such a present.  Taken home and planted, the moonflower took hold in Chris' garden and flourished there. To her amazement, Chris noticed that the synchronizing of the opening of blossoms at dusk and the visits of neighbours and friends was becoming a regular thing in her garden and soon the introduction of a bench facing the moonflower was made.  Odd that it didn't face the front, but rather it faced the plant, but if you were witness to the display put on by the plant, you'd understand.  However, the moonflower offered to Chris so much more.  Her frequent visits did something for her spirit and mind, something she desperately needed and had desired for a very long time.  You must read Conversations with a Moonflower to see the subtlety of the message and the hope therein.  Then you will understand the miracle of the moonflower.

About the plant:

Oenothera biennis, moonflower, is a yellow biennial which blooms in the summer at dusk.  

Light:  full sun to part shade

Height:  24" - 60"

Spacing:  15" - 18"

Water:  average moisture

Fertilizer:  2-3 times during the summer, no later than August 15th in zone 3

Susceptible to snails and caterpillars.

There are a variety of plants that are referred to as moonflowers and Oenothera biennis may vary.

Instructions to enjoy your moonflowers (from the author, page 118)

"Place several lawn chairs in front of the plant about ten to fifteen minutes before the normal blooming time.  You can either sit quietly by yourself or invite a family member or neighbour to share the joy with you.  Pay attention to your thoughts as you sit peacefully in the twilight waiting for each blossom to open.  Breathe deeply.  Ask questions.  Listen.  After the plant has finished blooming, sit quietly a few more minutes.  Reflect on your blessings.  Breathe deeply.  Listen a little longer."

The following photos are courtesy of the internet:

http://www.bestflowerwallpapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/59751_primrose_evening_flower_3657264186_846099bf52.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Oenothera_biennis_1prg.jpg


In some garden centres, the moonflower is also known as evening primrose (which is what our local garden centres refer to it as).  The evening primrose is also available in white or pink as seen below, though the plant I have grown has yellow blooms.  It is a bit of a spreader and looks very much like the plant seen above.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Antioch_Dunes_Evening_Primrose.jpg

http://www.riverbendnursery.com/_ccLib/image/plants/DETA-194.jpg

Cooking From the Garden - Cookbook Review (originally reviewed on my book blog My Bookshelf)

Cooking From the Garden

Edited by Ruth Lively
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Taunton Press, Inc.
Pages: 307
Content: cookery, fine gardener
Edition: E-book
Source: Temporary copy provided by NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review

Chapters:
FOB: Table of Contents
Chapter One: Starters, Snacks and Drinks
Chapter Two: Breakfast, Brunch and Egg Dishes
Chapter Three: Sauces, Salsas and Vinaigrettes
Chapter Four: Salads
Chapter Five: Breads and Sandwiches
Chapter Six: Soups
Chapter Seven: Side Dishes
Chapter Eight: Pasta, Grains, and Breads
Chapter Nine: Main Dishes
Chapter Ten: Desserts and Sweets
Chapter Eleven: Preserving
Seasonal Menus, Equivalency Charts, Recipe Index by Chapter, Index

I received an ebook version of Cooking From the Garden and wish it were a hard cover copy that I can utilize in the kitchen. The recipes in Cooking From the Garden are a compilation of what is considered the best of those previously published in "Kitchen Gardener" (1996 - 2001). "It's the fresh ingredients that make any dish a success", says the editor. Neither the recipes nor the ingredients are speciality items. The ingredients are readily available from the garden and/or the local supermarket. Nothing fancy, just good wholesome cooking.

There is so much good in here, with ingredients one usually has on hand, and utilizes produce from the garden in new and exciting ways including ideas for eggplant, squash, parsnips, and more. Some of the recipes I am excited about include: Sweet Potato Sugar Bread, Leek and Potato Soup, Fall Harvest Soup (I do love a good soup in the fall, when days take on a crisp cool edge, nothing warms you like soup!), Steamed Carrots with Sesame Vinegar, Green Beans Sauteed With Radishes and Rosemary, Roasted Cauliflower (who knew roasting cauliflower brought out a nutty flavour?), Briami (that's a Greek vegetable dish), Tuscan Beans, Berry Trifle, Blackberry Summer Pudding, and I could go on and on. I'm getting hungry just thinking about the variety of dishes I will be trying this summer!

The one thing I miss, and I must see in a cookbook, is lush photography. There are no photos of the dishes one can create here. The cookbook is set out in an organized fashion, with a lot of helpful tips like "sweating your vegetables" and "matching the pasta shape to the sauce", along with tips on harvesting. Each chapter sports its own title page with artistically rendered pictures. The index is concise and the table of contents breaks the book down by categories as indicated above. There's no problem finding an appropriate recipe, even in the e-book format. Really, the only complaint I have is the lack of photography.

If I come across a hard-copy of Cooking From the Garden, I'll be sure to buy it. I am sold on this cookbook despite the lack of photos!!

Rated 3.5/5 (for lack of photos)