Bug of the day

The sphinx moth is such a lovely beast.  

RB n R

We had the best meal last week when a special visitor was in town.  Marjory brought with her some freshly ground New Mexico blue corn meal, and I had bought andouille sausage, a ham hock, and some fancy gin in preparation.  It all came together as a rosemary-gin cocktail, gluten-free blue corn bread, and bone fide red beans and rice feast. 

Open the windows

This has been happening all over LA this week and making me smile every time I notice another tree in bloom.  The bees are loving it too.  Did you hear about the study of bees and caffeine?  Apparently they get a boost like we do despite caffeine being toxic to other bugs.  I was also surprised to read that citrus flowers contain caffeine.

My desk, mantel, and dining room table all now have sprigs of lemon and peach tree on them, bringing just a little bit of spring inside. 

Found via Even*Cleveland.

Urban Bees

I have been keeping an eye on this bee hive for a few months now, checking up on it when I do my weekly hikes in Debs Park.  It looks like some animal (probably human) has been messing with it, but these resilient beasts have been reconstructing their comb very quickly.

In other news, and old friend of mine has started an amazing venture in Minneapolis to preserve the urban bee.  To learn more and donate to their Kickstarter fund, visit their site, Beez Kneez.  I can't wait to get my Minneapolis honey in the mail.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to be driving my friend Janelle from MN around town, and we spotted this wonder.  The jasmine was growing up up up through the post, and tumbling out in all its glory.  I'd seen this happen before with crab grass, and exclaimed about its wretched tenacity, but never imagined another plant performing the same feat.  It smelled like heaven.