Think Spring

March 15 More snow, and had hoped to participate in the Westmount Antiquarian Book Fair. Instead will have to check the cottage roof for snow load.
The problem is that although it has a steel roof - it's a wide shallow roof and the snow doesn't slip off easily. The benefits are that with such deep snow we can grow things in the garden that need protection.

Sounds silly to think of gardens yet, but that is the hope that keeps gardeners going in the depth of winter as the catalogues arrive.
I remember reading that Geranium breeders lived to an great age, no wonder every year when December's shortest day arrived they had their seeds ordered and the hope of Spring blooms. So we pour over lists of Heritage seeds, make notes, draw planting patterns - this year will try the square-foot gardens.
The Kitchen Garden that we grew in Mariatown was built of railway ties, that family members had to drag around as I moved the garden the same way some folks move furniture in their living room. The 4 foot square is hopefully easier to work with, the only problem that have already thought of planting five of these 7 garden squares - 4 for vegetables, 3 for herbs.

In the meantime must return to the kitchen and think of supper, perhaps the tempting smell of ginger... a family favourite

GINGER CAKE
¾ cup butter/ shortening
½ tsp. salt
1 ½ cup sugar
1 cup raisins
3 eggs
4 oz. candied ginger
½ cup milk
2 ½ cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder

Cream together butter & sugar, add beaten eggs, mix till light
Sift dry ingredients and add alternately with milk, fold in raisins &
ginger. Bake at 275° for 1 ¾ hours