Serviceberry and other spring wonders

In our side yard, we have this serviceberry tree (Amelanchier grandiflora).




It's so lovely -- covered now with little white flowers along the gray stems.




The berries will follow -- looking like tiny blueberries. If the robins didn't eat them all first, I could make serviceberry jam:

Serviceberry Jam
10 cups ripe serviceberries
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sugar per cup of pulp
6 oz liquid pectin

Wash and stem the berries. Place into a saucepan and crush. Add the water and cook over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes. Measure how much pulp you have to determine the amount of sugar you'll need. Add sugar and return to pan. Place over low heat and cook for a few minutes more or until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and add pectin, then hold boil for 1 full minute. Remove from heat, skim foam, and pour into hot, sterile jelly jars and seal.

from Klehm Plants newsletter




Checkered lily (Fritillaria meleagris)




Birch catkins in the rain



Blue and white scilla . . .


snuggled against the birch's roots.

And some spring thrifted treasures -- little bone china cups, sans saucers, become storage for little white buttons.




I'm inspired!