New Therapy.

I found a new pastime recently - gardening.

I remember being able to make plants grow back in my elementary days when mongo planting and onion growing were major Science projects.  Still, I was surprised to rediscover my green thumb having saved a mint plant and a eugenia plant from near death experience.

It is a good therapy and a worthwhile 'me' time - taking care of very passive living things, beautifying them and even talking to them sometimes (with the risk of looking insane to the neighbors).  I got my boy involved... he enjoys it, too.

I have been re-planting the extra Irises that were not used by my bro for the landscaping he did for our place.  It is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

This is the Iris in the temporary plastic pot.
I got my pot.  It is a cement pot which I purchased from the rows of gardening stores along White Plains.
Bro advised me to use a potting mix instead of the garden soil.  This helps the plant grow well in a pot.  Nutrients are limited in a pot of garden soil - the potting mix is sort of your fortified soil.
To re-plant, remove the plastic pot but cutting it exposing the mound of soil with the Iris.  Place the mound of soil to the cement pot then start filling up the pot with potting mix.  Tap it once in a while to ensure that the soil is tight.
I prefer topping the soil with rice hulls to absorb moisture and for aesthetics as this is an ornamental plant.  This should be easily available in your ordinary garden store.
Place the pot in your preferred area.  Do not forget to water the plant after transplanting.
Iris is actually a flowering plant.  It is easy to grow and care for according to bro - low maintenance, very much compatible to my less active lifestyle.  It needs sunlight but will still thrive in areas with shade only that the flowers may not bloom.  

Here is the Iris flower in our pocket garden.

Alfredo.

Here is my attempt to cook Fettuccine Alfredo and be more Martha Stewart.

Below are the ingredients with the suggested measurements.  Feel free to adjust.

500 grams Fettuccine Pasta cooked al dente

2-3 tbsp. butter

2 cups of cream mixed with 1 cup of milk.  Half and half will work, too.

1 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese

Parsley leaves

Mushroom

Garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

How to cook:

1) Melt butter.

2) Saute garlic.  Add mushrooms.  Wait for the mushrooms to change color.

3) Stir in your cream and milk mixture.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Continue mixing until you get your desired thickness.

4) Add 1 cup of parmesan and the parsley leaves.

5) Put the pasta in.  Mix them all up until the sauce is evenly distributed.  Add the rest of the parmesan and continue mixing.

6) Plate. Serve. Enjoy.