Cook Me Theatre

“I planted a row of eucalyptus trees from seed, now, 20 feet high.... they bug me."

Bonnie Z, master designer, took us on a tour of sweet, beautiful flowers and shrubs at and explained the rules of cut flowers to novice gardeners. Dragonfly Farm gives informative classes: the basics or table arrangements. Today was table arrangements.

Dragonfly Farm began in the '90s. They ‘yanked’ out six acres of grapes for a vegetable farm, initially. But it is grown to a sustainable, organically flower farm. They blossomed into their own style: Wine Country Garden with original, relaxed, natural designs that include color, texture and fiber.

I think Bonnie is into texture. Dragonfly has a robust wedding business as well. In the day, Carrie Brown from Jimtown store, asked Bonnie to design arrangements for a wedding. This is how it started.

So, there were about six of us in the class, pen and paper in hand that began at 10 am. We took a tour, learning and designing. Designing? Well, we tried.

Bonnie took us around the farm, discussing trees, shrubs, flowers, and herbs. We asked questions like, "Why does my flowers droop, in a hour after cutting?" First, cut in the morning before 9a, add flora food and important, re cut every time before designing. Quick dip will help too. Oh. Woody stems? cut on an angle, no food for herbs.

Always buy bare root roses. She showed us: their roses from cuttings vs. the commercial grown roses. What a difference. Again, oh.

I am trying a rose cutting today, from a bare root plan with Bonnie's coaching.

You should take a trip to Dragonfly, their circular trees in the middle of the farm where  you could sit and smell the surrounding bounty of flora.
We thanked the Dragonfly team for their knowledge as we took our pitiful, (well, mine), table arrangement home.

Dragonfly  events:

Dragonfly Farm Stand is open!
 Wed-Friday 10a-5p  Sat. 10a-3p, Lasy Sunday 10a-3p

Mother's Day Flower Open House  May 12- 13, 10a-3p

Feeling creative? Design your arrangement with Dragonfly flowers, vase start at $7.00

Lasy Sunday : They put all of the flowers remaining from the week in front of the Farm Stand. Take what you want and pay what you feel. I love that.

Nearly every week for the last 20 years, I have been in dance class, it was my job. Sadly, I cannot find any adult jazz classes in Healdsburg. It is all good.  I started yoga last month. Yoga is a discipline, like ballet. I like to get into the spiritual zone. Since, I missed class for a few weeks, I was ready to go.

Jen is the co-owner of  That day, Satya Van Dyke was substituting for Jen. I was familiar with Satya from classes at the other place.

Her class is so calming. On the physical level, it is cleansing,  improves breathing control, flexibility and posture.   I love it because the class is always moving.  1 hour of awareness. At end of class, we rest.

The rest of my day is tranquil.

If someone cuts me off on the freeway....….Go, sunshine, it is all good. Namaste.

Let's cook.

It is a winner!  Creamy risotto with spring vegetables. The licorice-like fennel, asparagus, and peas, rounds all the flavors out. I chose to roast the asparagus instead of boiling them and substituted wine for the Pernod. I didn't have perserved lemon, so I used more lemon zest.  

Risotto can be tricky, all that stirring. Make sure the rice is not boiling vigorously nor cook too slowly. I used medium heat. The grilled shrimp is a great roast topper.

Side bar: The sheep are back!  A summon up of recollection, all the fun we had last winter.  They were hear only for a few days and we left the gate open, oops, but, luckily, they stay together,  I sneaked around them, climbing the hill, said, Go!  Happily, they went to the barn, scared.  Phew. 

Then, we wanted to move them to another pasture. Their grass mowing is excellent.  So, a little hay did the trick, they followed me with my baby talk. The ranch needs baaa, baaaa.  I think.  My new job is a sheepherder,  ha.