Hi, kids. I missed you a little over the last couple of weeks, but it’s that time of year when I’m All Plants All the Time which makes me a little boring. I’ve been stalking the weather forecasts, trying to hurry up the transition from cool and windy to warm and still; obviously, I have failed. My plant date has shifted from 4/19 (dreaming) to 4/26 (hopeful) to a sure date of 5/3 — this Wednesday! We’ve had sunshine and the ground isn’t all that cold, but those breezes have been chilly.

It’s all okay in the Peace/Bird garden, though, where the perennial natives abide.

I can’t wait to get digging and planting. My vegetable plants are begging to go in the ground and be a Real Garden. I have to admit that I enjoy having such Green on the back porch and confess that I’m still not sure Exactly where to plant everything. I’m super-proud that my indoor seed-starting has yielded 8 watermelon (sugar babies), 8 canteloup, 3 zucchini, and 3 yellow squash, but they are teenagers now and need to be Outside.

Some wise person told me that the secret to being patient is to do something else in the meantime, so I’ve been filling time by planning away for the upcoming Double Holiday on 5/6: the Coronation of King Charles III and the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby. I’m going to make the Coronation Quiche, a curious recipe that includes “broad beans” and only two eggs; I’m going to use lima beans and four eggs, cut back on the milk and see how it goes. Since I’ll have to be up by 3:30 a.m. or so to watch the ceremony, I’ll make the quiche the night before. The Royals should be out on the balcony by 8 a.m. or thereabouts and that’s a good time for a celebratory mimosa breakfast, don’t you think?

My Derby Day menu is more simple: pimento (pronounced pumentuh in our neck of the woods) cheese sandwiches, salad, and mint juleps. I’m in a quandary about the juleps, though. I usually buy good bourbon for the Derby, Woodford Reserve or my favorite Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit, but it is a sin to mix the good stuff—it should only be sipped. I guess maybe a festive julep or two followed by sipping the night away, celebrating a Big Win…yes!…would be acceptable.

For All Things Coronation, here’s a good curation of info: https://theroyalrundown.substack.com/

To study up on the Kentucky Derby, the best site is this: https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses

I will be in touch frequently this week, making up for missing the last couple. The Edible Garden Will be planted and I’m sure you will want to see how it turns out. Drop back by to get my Derby Picks (and those of my family)! And don’t forget Cinco de Mayo! It’s a trifecta of liver abuse…

Peace