Spearmint, Roses and Strawberries in Bloom

Today my first knockout rose bud opened and the bushes are loaded. These roses are a hardy shrub rose bush that will bloom into the early fall. I have five bushes of the double knockouts in one area that were pruned back to five feet tall and are laden with hundreds of buds. These roses are easy to grow and are one of the most disease resistant roses on the market. The full double flowers look just like a classic rose.

Also the strawberries are in bloom. The 72 Annual West Tennessee Strawberry Festival takes place the first of May when we celebrate the harvest of the sweet berries that have been growing here for a hundred years. Oh the jams, cakes, shortcakes, pies and breads that will be made when they ripen.
Finally the spearmint plant that I've had for over five years is green and full after a restful winter. It will make the best juleps that we will sip as we watch the Kentucky Derby and of course, it's always good in iced tea in the summer and a must for the ever popular mojitos.

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and http://angiescircus.blogspot.com for other Wordful Wednesdays.

Strawberry Cake
A moist cake, easy to make and sure to be a crowd pleaser!
½ cup water ½ cup Wesson oil
3 eggs 1 box yellow or butter cake mix
1 small box strawberry Jello 1 pkg frozen strawberries, drained
(reserve juice for icing)
Combine Jello, eggs, water and oil with cake mix. Beat on high for two minutes. Add strawberries; mix well. Pour into a greased sheet cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

Icing
1 box confectioner’s sugar
1 stick butter, creamed
Reserved berry juice
Cream butter well with mixer; do not melt. Add butter to sugar. Add berry juice as needed to obtain spreading consistency. Beat on low speed until well blended. Ice cake and allow to set.