I have been watching, with dismay, along with the rest of the world events unfolding in Ukraine. I hope economic sanctions are reaching their intended targets, though I worry they are affecting more than the intended. Right now our local grocery store is taking Russian made vodka off their shelves.
I am not a vodka drinker, but cook with it. Specifically, Smoked Fish Pasta with Creamy Vodka sauce. Nemiroff Honey Pepper Vodka is my favorite and a key ingredient adding heat and a touch of sweetness to the sauce. Much to my surprise this vodka is made in Ukraine, and a local favorite.
According to Wikipedia – Nemiroff is one of the top vodka suppliers in the world. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemiroff
The dish:
If flowers or pasta can foster solidarity; here are my offerings.
The Ukraine vase:
The yellow bell shaped flowers are Esperanza (hope in Spanish) in latin, Tecoma stans. Yellow umbels are from culinary dill (Anethum graveolens). I am not sure I have ever seen the latin name for dill or knew it is a member of the parsley family. Blue flowers are Mystic Spires Salvia, a wonderful color match for the Ukrainian flag. The vase, inherited from my mother, from the Ute tribe in the Western US.
The American vase. Red spikes, Tropical Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea); red bell shaped flowers, Firecracker Plant (Russelia equisetiformis); white daisies, the ubiquitous Bidens alba – Spanish Needles in English; blue spikes are Mystic Spires Salvia. The vase, an old Crate and Barrel candle holder that arrived with my husband.
If flowers and vodka could stop wars – I would be on board immediately. Unfortunately, that is not the case. All we can do is watch and wonder and pray for Ukraine.
To see more vases, visit Cathy at http://www.ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com.
The Shrub Queen 
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your posts. I share them with my sister. She has the large yard filled with many of these plants. She lives at our family home up in Winter Garden. My husband and I are in a gated community in So Vero, with a pretty boring yard, so I vicariously try to live like my sister inspired by your posts.
My heart aches as well for the Ukrainians and this senseless war they are experiencing. Love your appropriate bouquets and their beautiful vessels.
Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing your passions and your solidarity.
Peace, Janet Alford
Sent from my iPad
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Janet, Thank you!! so often it seems these posts drift away into cyberspace – it is wonderful to hear that you enjoy and share them. Amy
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You’ve really outdone yourself. Exceptional vases, message and mouth-watering food. Interesting about the vodka.
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Thanks, Susie, Happy Monday..
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I love the Ukraine Vase and your dish using Vodka. Those poor people, I feel for them, as does most of the World.
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Thanks, Noelle.
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it’s lunchtime here, and your pasta pic made my tummy growl! as soon as i can, i will be participating in your vase on monday series … still have about 3 more months to go! i absolutely adore your ukranian vase … so vibrant!
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Thanks, after seeing the picture, my husband and I both want a bowl of that pasta! I haven;t made any in a while.
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A wonderful post, with such a well-thought out tribute to Ukraine – how curious to know that this vodka is so popular. I would never have considered using vodka in cooking and as I don’t drink it I can’t really imagine what impact it would have on a dish, but from what you say it clearly works. Thanks so much for your special contribution today
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Thanks, Cathy. Vodka sauce is relatively common in Italian restaurants here, I am not sure how authentic it is! Our realtor gave us a bottle of Chipotle vodka when we bought our house years ago. Nothing I would think of drinking so I started making pasta with it.
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That’s really interesting – I do still have a bottle (elderly!) in the cupboard that I used some years ago as a preservative when I was making some essences and sprays
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More info https://www.paesana.com/blog/the-story-behind-the-sauce-vodka It is good sauce!
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I will look it up!
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Esperanza! Well, I still feel guilty about what happened with the seed that you sent to me. I just put out some more Esperanza seed that Crazy Green Thumbs sent to me. I intend to take better care of them.
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I HOPE this batch of seeds work out!
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I intend for it to!
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That is a wonderful tribute. It is hard to imagine this is happening, including what has happened to Afghanistan.
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Thank you and I agree, difficult to swallow all of it.
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lovely arrangements
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Thank you
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Lovely symbols of solidarity. 🙂
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Thanks, Eliza
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Good to know that you can buy vodka from a source based in Ukraine (assuming it survives this horrible war). The vignette is a wonderful testimonial to the solidarity between the US and Ukraine. I keep hoping we’ll awake to news of an end to the conflict instead of travesties committed under the illusion of peaceful gestures.
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Thanks, Kris, hoping for the same news here.
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Definitely feeling a bit helpless…but your blooms do cheer me especially the purple and gold!
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Same here. glad you enjoyed them.
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Great messaging! I am hoping that with such small gestures as blue and yellow vases, together with sanctions and political wrangling, there can be an effective end to this conflict as soon as possible.
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I hope so, too.
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I am loving the significance of the flowers in the vase! What lovely colors and intention behind each one. ❤
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Thank you.
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