Apple Pie Bombs

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is an old saying, but it's true, because of its healthy benefits that it provides. It's rich of vitamins, which our body needs to avoid getting sick. For this recipe, it calls for a gala apple, which is my favorite among the different varieties.

The combination of cinnamon and caramel is perfect and their smell that fills the kitchen is heavenly. That's why it's called a pie bomb; when you open the bun, it's gooey, and the caramel looks like it exploded.

My daughters love it that when they wake up on Sunday morning, they can smell the buns. They're even ready for breakfast, before we go to church. It's kind of a tradition for us and we can bond after a long week. It also creates a memory that my daughters will cherish, even when they are old. When they have their own family in the future, they can continue this tradition.

If you would like the recipe, here is the link: http://www.theslowroasteditalian.com/2013/09/crazy-caramel-apple-pie-bombs-recipe.html

Here is the procedure of making this bread.

International Rose Test Garden

"The promise of a bud is better than a full blown rose." 

--Author Unknown

One of my favorite flowers is a rose, especially the tea rose, for its fragrance. It has a variety of color and it can be made as a beautiful bouquet. It's the best selling flower during holidays, especially during Valentine's Day. We went to this place three weeks ago, which is just across the street of the Japanese Garden. This is a kind of plant that you can put in your garden, because it blooms the whole summer. They said flowers are created so that for a moment we can have a glimpse of paradise here on Earth. 

International Rose Test Garden is in Washington Park in Portland, Oregon. There are 10,000 rose plants of approximately 650 varieties. On clear days, you can see the view of Cascade Mountains and Mt. Hood. Each year a lot of visitors from around the world enjoy the sights and scents of the garden. 

Features

1.) Amphitheater - it hosts many events throughout the year. During good weather, it's good for picnics. 

2.) Shakespeare Garden - it originally contained botanicals mentioned in the books of William Shakespeare. It's popular for special occasions such as weddings. 

3.) Gold Medal Garden - it's a formal garden with award-winning roses, walkways, fountains, and a gazebo. 

4.) Royal Rosarian  Garden - it has paid tribute to Goodwill ambassadors and official greeters who serve in the many Rose Festival events. 

5.) Miniature Rose Garden - one of the only six testing grounds for the American Rose Society. The elevated beds at the entrance are popular for their unique varieties. 

6.) Abstract Stainless Steel Sculpture and Fountain - called the Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain (1975) by Lee Kelly. 

7.) Rose Garden Store - opened May 1, 2000 to provide guest services 

History

In 1917 a group of Portland nurserymen came up with the idea of an American rose test garden. Portland had an enthusiastic group of volunteers and 20 miles of rose bordered streets. In 1905, Portland was already dubbed "The City of Roses." Between Portland Parks & Recreation and the American Rose Society, the garden soon became a reality. 

Jessie Currey, the president of the Portland's Rose Society at the time, petitioned for the city to serve as a safe haven for hybrid roses grown in Europe during WWI. Rose lovers feared these unique plants could be destroyed as a result of a war. Foreign hybridists sent roses for tests from many countries and the garden was an immediate success. Today, Portland is the only North American city that can issue its rewards to roses of merit throughout the world. 

*Note: We went to the Rose Garden twice, and this post includes pictures from both trips.

Portland Japanese Garden

“Gardens are a metaphor to give people insight and inspiration to change their lives.”

--Haichi Kurisu

There's nothing like seeing the serene Japanese Garden after a busy week at home and at work. It's a place to relax and meditate in, and it can influence the way you feel about life. It's peaceful, quiet, and clean with spectacular views. I felt so calm and energized after I visited the garden. It was worth the money to go there. I have always admired the Japanese style, architectures, and interior designs. They can be simple, spacious, and minimalist; yet it's classy and elegant.

History

This garden was proclaimed to be the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside Japan. It's settled in the scenic west hills of Portland, Oregon. It was designed by Professor Takimo Tono in 1963. It encompasses 5.5 acres with five separate garden styles; and includes an authentic tea house, meandering streams, intimate walkways, and spectacular views of Mt. Hood.

Japanese gardens have an ancient history influenced by Shinto, Buddhist, and Taoist philosophies. Upon entering a Japanese garden, the hope is to realize a sense of peace, harmony, and tranquility. Three primary elements are used in every Japanese garden design: stone, “the bones of the landscape;” water; the life giving force; and the plants; the tapestry of the four seasons. Other important elements include stone lanterns, water basins, arbors, and bridges.

We strolled all the amazing pathways inside the garden. Let's have a tour:

1. Wisteria Arbor (leads to the antique 5-tiered pagoda lantern)

2. Strolling Pond Garden (chisen kaiyu shiki niwa)

3. Tea Garden (roji)

4. Zigzag Bridge (yatsuhashi)

5. Heavenly Falls and Koi Pond

6. Natural Garden (zoki no niwa)

7. Sand and Stone Garden (karesansui)

8. Poetry Stone (traditional Japanese poems)

9. Pavilion (used for exhibitions and special events)

10. Flat Garden (hira niwa)

We had a wonderful time, and we hope to go again next year. We plan on exploring more in the garden.

Here are some of the arts displayed inside of the pavilion.

Hulda Klager Lilac Garden

It's the beginning of the summer season so I thought this would be a perfect post to feature this national historic site.

I've always wanted to go to this place, so last Mother's Day, my daughter granted my wish, and drove me there as my present. 

Each year thousands of visitors step back in time to discover the 1880's Victorian farmhouse and country garden. The garden has been maintained by Hulda Klager Garden Society, a non-profit volunteer organization.

History

Hulda Klager came to this country from Germany. With her family in 1865, when she was two. Her family moved to Woodland, Washington in 1877 when Hulda was 13 years old. In 1903 she read a book about Luther Burbank, a renowned hybridizer at the time. 

In 1905 she began hybridizing lilacs and by 1910 she had created 14 new varieties. By 1920 she decided to hold an open house each spring when lilacs were in full bloom. The practice caused her to become known as "The Lilac Lady."

In 1922 her husband Frank Klager died. She wanted to abandon her work, but her son, Fred, insisted in continuing to nurture the plants. The spring of 1948 brought another adversity when the Columbia River swept the property and wiped out her lilac garden. Many people helped her, and it took two years to open the garden again. They continued until her death in 1960. 

After Hulda's death at the age of 96, Mr. and Mrs. Van Eaton cared for the estate but sold it eventually. When the Washington Federation Garden Club heard that it was going to be bulldozed to to make way for an industrial site, they decided to save it and declared as a national historic site.

The novel, "Where Lilacs Still Bloom," written by Jane Kirkpatrick, was inspired by Hulda's lilac garden.

I already read this book, and it's a true story of a nature loving wife and mother who devoted her life to breeding lilacs. I highly recommend this book for those who have a passion in gardening and for nature lovers. I'm planning to go there again next year, because we missed the blooming season of the lilacs which happened mid-April. I hope to witness the beauty of the lilacs when they are in full bloom.

Let's have a tour of Hulda's house and garden.

Parts of the house

The water tower

A big tree on the yard

An arbor with a wisteria plant

A fountain in the middle of the garden

A gate fee box

The entrance

Rhododendron plants 

Celebrating Mother's Day

A picture inside of the arbor

A walkway

Inside the garden

Souvenir shop