I have taken quite a vacation from blogging - at first because I thought I was too busy and because I was traveling, but I finally had to admit, I was staying away on purpose. Does everyone in their first months of blogging, I wonder, question their motives and their purpose?
I want to keep this soul searching blog short -- but I do want to state clearly here, why I am going to re-committ to blogging.
I had several things in mind when I started - I wanted to share things that I had learned or observed that would be help other people live in a more thoughtful and sustainable way. But, I also wanted to rail against all the things that we so stupidly accept that are tantamount to being led like sheep to the slaughter. (like genetic engineering, factory farming, over-consumption of stuff and throw-away everything). Somehow I would sway people to change, not a little but a big whole life kind of change that would ultimately be part of a movement that would change the world. I don't mean to sound over-grandiose here - I didn't think to single handedly change the world, I just hoped to make a difference and be part of instigating deep, revolutionary change. But as I wrote, I noted that I would only make a difference by developing a following and to develop a following I would have to be interesting, or clever or engaging. When I started the blog though, I really didn't think about getting readers. But then I started to get a few comments and a few more readers and then I started to feel obligated to write for my readers. So I started to feel stuck - what should I write about or even should I write at all.
I would loveto hear if others have run into questions of purpose for their blogs and how they resolved them. For me, I will keep going, probably with some more political posts than before, but also more how to's and observations on living more sustainably. And I will try not to become too preachy, too boring, too uninteresting - perhaps to tall of an order. But I have learned that blogging is about self-expression, and having fun and connecting to others and most of all -- self-experience and self-experimentation. So here's to a new year of ----- well, whatever it turns our to be.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Heavenly Biscuits
I haven't posted for awhile, because I was too stupid, in the words of my sister, to write. It started out as a little pain when chewing on Monday night and by Tuesday afternoon, I was calling the dentist. Which means it was a really big deal for me. Yeah I know everyone says that, but 3 years ago when I finally went to a dentist after something-teen years, I had to have two teeth pulled and a root canal. Even then, the only reason I went was because I found a dentist who used sedation - in my case just a pill and some gas- but for some people she did IV's. And it worked, so well in fact, that I have coped without any medication assistance since then - at least until this week.
First thing Thursday morning I travel an hour to the dentist to find that my root canal has developed some sort of problem leading to a very nasty and very painful infection along my jaw. While they can pull the tooth, they don't have the expertise to try and fix and aren't even sure it can be fixed. So they set me up to drive straight to a root canal specialist to see if the root canel redone and the tooth saved.
I have been taking an antibiotic 4 times day, for 24 hours now and as of the evening before, pain medication. The specialist is concerned because the infection was worse that morning so he prescribes an additional, strong antibiotic, to be taken 3 times a day and an appointment to come back that afternoon for the re-root canal. I ask if he has any nitrous or I can get something so I won't be a nervouse wreck. He reassures me that I won't feel a thing and sends me on my way. However when I stop to pick up the prescription for the antibiotic, I find he has also prescribed, if I want it, an anti-anixiety pill - and dam right I want it. Apparently with the pain meds in my system, I chattered on so much he realized how nervous I was and thought perhaps a little something might be in order after all (maybe more for his sanity than mine, who can say). So by the time I get back for the afternoon appointment, with all the junk in me, I can barely stay awake - that is until I hit the dentist chair. It was a grueling two hours in that chair although I was pretty calm so I guess all the meds were working. With the tooth repaired I headed home where I found how difficult it was to take two antibiotics at different times and keep track of what to take when while under the influence of the pain meds. For the first time, I realized how the elderly can become confused when they are taking a lot of pills. So, I slept a lot and felt groggy and stupid when I was awake. Even after I quit the pain pills (last one at 4 AM Saturday), the one really strong antibiotic continues to make me feel tired.
Well here I am rambling on and on even though I have promised you biscuits - heavenly ones at that but I wanted to make it clear what a big deal it was for me to finally make them. Sunday night I decided, for the first time all week, to actually cook a meal. Prior to that there was a lot of oatmeal and soft snacky stuff, but now it was time to get back to real food. I tried to start three times before I finally got off the couch and began to peel the potatoes for the biscuits. Its been year since I've made heavenly biscuits because they use a starter and it is as much work making the starter as the biscuits. Plus there was the stew I wanted to make to go with them. After the slow start, I got the starter started and then made the stew before retiring back to the couch to rest. Dave made the biscuits when the starter was ready. These really are great biscuits, I remember now why I use to make them, and I remember why I stopped but now with starter in the fridge, we will make them a couple more times. Here is the recipe I got in 1978 from Organic Gardening Magazine.
Yeast Starter
5 potatoes
4 T honey
1 T ground ginger
2 C whole wheat flour
1 pkg dry yeast or 1 C. yeast mixture
Peel potatoes, cover with water and boil until soft. Drain and reserve water. Mash potatoes then add honey, ginger, and flour. Pour a pint of boiling potato water into mixture and beat until smooth. If mixture is too thick to beat add more of the potato water. Let cool to lukewarm. Add package of yeast to a little warm water and stir to dissolve. Let stand until yeast begins to work, then add it to the potato mixture, stir and allow to rise. Use mixture immediately or refrigerate. 1 Cup yeast mixture equals 1 package of yeast.
Renew every two weeks. Reserve one cup of starter, and add to fresh potato mixture as above. Make sure to thoroughly wash container before reusing for starter mixture.
Heavenly Biscuits
5 C whole wheat flour
7 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 C butter
1/4 C honey
1 C yeast mixture
2 C buttermilk
Place dry ingredients in a bowl and stir. Cut in butter. Add honey, yeast mixture and buttermilk. Stir and knead lightly till well mixed. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to desired thickness and cut biscuits. Place on a greased baking sheet. Preheat oven to 425 degrees, letting biscuits stand in a warm place while oven is preheating. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned.
These biscuits are fantastic fresh although still quite tasty the next day. Or pop ithem in the toaster to recapture the fresh-from-the-oven flavor. They can also be frozen and reheated. YUM!
First thing Thursday morning I travel an hour to the dentist to find that my root canal has developed some sort of problem leading to a very nasty and very painful infection along my jaw. While they can pull the tooth, they don't have the expertise to try and fix and aren't even sure it can be fixed. So they set me up to drive straight to a root canal specialist to see if the root canel redone and the tooth saved.
I have been taking an antibiotic 4 times day, for 24 hours now and as of the evening before, pain medication. The specialist is concerned because the infection was worse that morning so he prescribes an additional, strong antibiotic, to be taken 3 times a day and an appointment to come back that afternoon for the re-root canal. I ask if he has any nitrous or I can get something so I won't be a nervouse wreck. He reassures me that I won't feel a thing and sends me on my way. However when I stop to pick up the prescription for the antibiotic, I find he has also prescribed, if I want it, an anti-anixiety pill - and dam right I want it. Apparently with the pain meds in my system, I chattered on so much he realized how nervous I was and thought perhaps a little something might be in order after all (maybe more for his sanity than mine, who can say). So by the time I get back for the afternoon appointment, with all the junk in me, I can barely stay awake - that is until I hit the dentist chair. It was a grueling two hours in that chair although I was pretty calm so I guess all the meds were working. With the tooth repaired I headed home where I found how difficult it was to take two antibiotics at different times and keep track of what to take when while under the influence of the pain meds. For the first time, I realized how the elderly can become confused when they are taking a lot of pills. So, I slept a lot and felt groggy and stupid when I was awake. Even after I quit the pain pills (last one at 4 AM Saturday), the one really strong antibiotic continues to make me feel tired.
Well here I am rambling on and on even though I have promised you biscuits - heavenly ones at that but I wanted to make it clear what a big deal it was for me to finally make them. Sunday night I decided, for the first time all week, to actually cook a meal. Prior to that there was a lot of oatmeal and soft snacky stuff, but now it was time to get back to real food. I tried to start three times before I finally got off the couch and began to peel the potatoes for the biscuits. Its been year since I've made heavenly biscuits because they use a starter and it is as much work making the starter as the biscuits. Plus there was the stew I wanted to make to go with them. After the slow start, I got the starter started and then made the stew before retiring back to the couch to rest. Dave made the biscuits when the starter was ready. These really are great biscuits, I remember now why I use to make them, and I remember why I stopped but now with starter in the fridge, we will make them a couple more times. Here is the recipe I got in 1978 from Organic Gardening Magazine.
Yeast Starter
5 potatoes
4 T honey
1 T ground ginger
2 C whole wheat flour
1 pkg dry yeast or 1 C. yeast mixture
Peel potatoes, cover with water and boil until soft. Drain and reserve water. Mash potatoes then add honey, ginger, and flour. Pour a pint of boiling potato water into mixture and beat until smooth. If mixture is too thick to beat add more of the potato water. Let cool to lukewarm. Add package of yeast to a little warm water and stir to dissolve. Let stand until yeast begins to work, then add it to the potato mixture, stir and allow to rise. Use mixture immediately or refrigerate. 1 Cup yeast mixture equals 1 package of yeast.
Renew every two weeks. Reserve one cup of starter, and add to fresh potato mixture as above. Make sure to thoroughly wash container before reusing for starter mixture.
Heavenly Biscuits
5 C whole wheat flour
7 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 C butter
1/4 C honey
1 C yeast mixture
2 C buttermilk
Place dry ingredients in a bowl and stir. Cut in butter. Add honey, yeast mixture and buttermilk. Stir and knead lightly till well mixed. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to desired thickness and cut biscuits. Place on a greased baking sheet. Preheat oven to 425 degrees, letting biscuits stand in a warm place while oven is preheating. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned.
These biscuits are fantastic fresh although still quite tasty the next day. Or pop ithem in the toaster to recapture the fresh-from-the-oven flavor. They can also be frozen and reheated. YUM!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sunrise and Moonset
I can never seem to get my body adjusted to daylight savings times. With the end of it, I seem to be back in sync with my natural body rynthms. This morning I bounded out of bed with the alarm - something I couldn't do all summer. I looked outside and saw the full moon setting through the tree so I grabbed yesterday's pants, a warm hooded sweatshirt (refuse to start calling them hoodies) a hat, my Ughs and my camera and headed out to catch a few shots it. I turned around and saw the rosy light of dawn over the pond and snapped a few more shots. So here are my East meets West photos from this morning. For a view of the rising full moon in Kentucky with some love musings, I recommend: http://inthepantry.blogspot.com/2009/11/pushing-night-away-and-chasing-down.htmlay-and-chasing-down.html
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Common Women
I've learned to appreciate the women – family, friends, neighbors – that surrounded me when I grew up. There was a time when I confused these women’s values with what they did and how they lived their lives, which was quite different from how I saw myself living my life. I thought they were trapped in their lives and it took me awhile to learn how wrong I was.
Most of these women were farm wives or former farm wives. They worked hard, on the farm or at other jobs while doing all the never ending work of housekeeping and raising and feeding their families. They were honest, friendly, church going and always ready to help out a neighbor. They were what my Grandma Krezek called “common”. She meant it as a compliment. Common folk were those who were genuine, they did not put on airs, you could talk to them on the street, they did their work without complaint -- they were just regular folks.
As I began to discover feminist values and to realize all the ways that women were marginalized in our society and being steered towards certain behaviors and roles, I saw those common women surrounding me as living their lives trapped in society defined “women’s” roles. Nothing screamed that louder to me than big family dinners – Christmas or Thanksgiving – at my Grandma Harvan’s where the women prepared the food, served the food, cleaned up the food, the dishes and the kitchen – before finally being able to join the men in the living room where they were gossiping and playing cards.
I hung around the kitchen where my Mom and Aunts were busy with the final preparations, waiting for them to get to the potato mashing. There was a lot of bustling and chatter-- where is the large platter?, could someone whip cream now?, are there any more pickles to put out? -- but they all worked as a team and they seemed satisfied with what they were doing. My Grandma H’s mashed potatoes were the best, and I tried not to stray from the big aluminum kettle when it came off the stove. I was waiting for the beaters – I loved to lick the freshly mashed potatoes off the beaters. Those potatoes were seasoned with nothing more than salt, pepper, milk and butter – but the milk was whole milk and there was no skimping on the butter – and they were and still are the best mashed potatoes ever. While my cousins might beg to scrape out the frosting bowl, or lick the whipped cream beaters, I as the eldest had dibs on the mashed potatoes.
Everyone always ate too much, which didn’t stop my Aunts, Uncles and cousins from eating plenty of “goodies”. Goodies, in Grandma’s house, were desserts – and they were the crowning glory for the meal. The Aunt’s brought their best holiday desserts to share along with whatever Grandma had made – all homemade from scratch – pies, cookies, cakes and bars. I generally saved room for a second helping of mashed potatoes and skipped the desserts – I was definitely an outlier in my extended family.
I resented being expected to join the women in cleaning up in the kitchen while my boy cousins played in the other room. I also felt bad for Grandma H. who made this huge country styles meal and never sat down to enjoy her own plate of food until everyone else was served and she has asked everyone at least twice if they needed something more. Then, she was always the first up to start clearing and cleaning.
My view has changed. I no longer feel outraged at the apparent sexism in those family meals. I think Grandma, like generations of women before her, took pride in her ability to take whatever was available and turn out fabulously appealing special dinners for her children and grandchildren. As the matriarch for the family, it was not only her responsibility to insure that everyone was well fed, it was an honor to do so. From primitive times forward, being well fed was a sign of success and prosperity. By embracing that responsibility and fulfilling it, without the help of the men, my Grandma and the generations of women before her were proclaiming their role in the successful prosperity of the family. Probably Grandma didn’t think about it a lot, she just did it well and felt pride in the accomplishment. Grandma was a very “common” woman and I honor her for what she did and by doing, for what she taught me.
Most of these women were farm wives or former farm wives. They worked hard, on the farm or at other jobs while doing all the never ending work of housekeeping and raising and feeding their families. They were honest, friendly, church going and always ready to help out a neighbor. They were what my Grandma Krezek called “common”. She meant it as a compliment. Common folk were those who were genuine, they did not put on airs, you could talk to them on the street, they did their work without complaint -- they were just regular folks.
As I began to discover feminist values and to realize all the ways that women were marginalized in our society and being steered towards certain behaviors and roles, I saw those common women surrounding me as living their lives trapped in society defined “women’s” roles. Nothing screamed that louder to me than big family dinners – Christmas or Thanksgiving – at my Grandma Harvan’s where the women prepared the food, served the food, cleaned up the food, the dishes and the kitchen – before finally being able to join the men in the living room where they were gossiping and playing cards.
I hung around the kitchen where my Mom and Aunts were busy with the final preparations, waiting for them to get to the potato mashing. There was a lot of bustling and chatter-- where is the large platter?, could someone whip cream now?, are there any more pickles to put out? -- but they all worked as a team and they seemed satisfied with what they were doing. My Grandma H’s mashed potatoes were the best, and I tried not to stray from the big aluminum kettle when it came off the stove. I was waiting for the beaters – I loved to lick the freshly mashed potatoes off the beaters. Those potatoes were seasoned with nothing more than salt, pepper, milk and butter – but the milk was whole milk and there was no skimping on the butter – and they were and still are the best mashed potatoes ever. While my cousins might beg to scrape out the frosting bowl, or lick the whipped cream beaters, I as the eldest had dibs on the mashed potatoes.
Everyone always ate too much, which didn’t stop my Aunts, Uncles and cousins from eating plenty of “goodies”. Goodies, in Grandma’s house, were desserts – and they were the crowning glory for the meal. The Aunt’s brought their best holiday desserts to share along with whatever Grandma had made – all homemade from scratch – pies, cookies, cakes and bars. I generally saved room for a second helping of mashed potatoes and skipped the desserts – I was definitely an outlier in my extended family.
I resented being expected to join the women in cleaning up in the kitchen while my boy cousins played in the other room. I also felt bad for Grandma H. who made this huge country styles meal and never sat down to enjoy her own plate of food until everyone else was served and she has asked everyone at least twice if they needed something more. Then, she was always the first up to start clearing and cleaning.
My view has changed. I no longer feel outraged at the apparent sexism in those family meals. I think Grandma, like generations of women before her, took pride in her ability to take whatever was available and turn out fabulously appealing special dinners for her children and grandchildren. As the matriarch for the family, it was not only her responsibility to insure that everyone was well fed, it was an honor to do so. From primitive times forward, being well fed was a sign of success and prosperity. By embracing that responsibility and fulfilling it, without the help of the men, my Grandma and the generations of women before her were proclaiming their role in the successful prosperity of the family. Probably Grandma didn’t think about it a lot, she just did it well and felt pride in the accomplishment. Grandma was a very “common” woman and I honor her for what she did and by doing, for what she taught me.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Shooting Gallery
My dear husband came into the house last night stomping mad. Two teen-age girls were hunting squirrels on our neighbor's property. The girls got bored looking for squirrels and decided to target practice by setting targets on the property line fence and shooting directly onto our property. Dave had bullets whizzing over his head and by the time he managed to find the girls and stop them, he was not only scared but damned mad. He cussed them out with such neighborly phrases as "You f---ing need to know where you are shooting" and "You don't shoot a f--ing gun towards someone else's property, you could f ---ing kill someone." When I heard the story from him after he came back to the house, he was still cussing mad. The girls really had no excuse except that they thought our house was south of where they were shooting. They were shooting over a hill so they couldn't really hit the house but they were lined up right with it. The greenhouse is further up the hill, so the bullets went whizzing over Dave's head when he approached it - what sounded like just barely over his head was probably a good ten feet, but still ... bullets are bullets and when they are being fired anywhere near or at you, it ain't good.
I know I should have stayed out of it but 10 minutes later I walked down towards the drive to see if there was a vehicle parked there. I wanted to find out who the girls were and where they were from. Perhaps a parental call was in order. Things quickly got out of hand because one of girls goes all belligerent - yelling that they were not shooting at our house or at our property and their bullets were not going over Dave's head. About then Dave came up to the gate with me and I told him they were saying he was wrong about the bullets. Now we both were mad and not sure where things would have gone next but all came out well when the girl who hadn't been shouting, came over to the gate and admitted they had been shooting at our line fence and she was sorry. Her Dad was out bow hunting and they were putting away their guns and just waiting for him to come back. We thanked her for speaking up and explained that she should never shoot on our property (or anyone else's without permission) even if she didn't think there was anything there to be concerned about.
A scary situation for us but also probably for both girls. It was impressive that one of them was able to handle herself while the other lashed out and lied. We felt bad for yelling at them in one way, but on the other hand, Dave or one of our animals could have been killed and they really needed to understand how irresponsible they had been. So if we put a scare into them - it may turn out to be a cheap lesson.
I am not a fan of hunting - not a popular position here in the Midwest. I've always felt hunting for sport was demeaning to the people who did it and the animals that were hunted. Hunting for food is fine as long as one is respectful of the animals and the surroundings. But hunters who are irresponsible, do not respect property rights, who drink while hunting or who threaten others through their actions and horseplay have no business hunting for any reason, ever! Of course the stories about bad hunters get repeated but we have had plenty of our own stories, surrounded as we are by good hunting grounds - deer, turkey, squirrels and mushrooms - all of which have been poached from our property. The worse was when Dave was threatened some years ago by a drunken bunch of hunters. We were in the woods and heard shots close by. Dave caught the hunters crossing back over the fence with a poached deer from our property. When he tried to talk to them about it, they threatened to beat him up if he did not back away from our fence. When drunks with guns threaten you, you tend to listen. So now when hunting season comes, we avoid walking on our own property except when we are sure there is no one hunting at any of the neighbors. We love where we live, we love to take the dogs for walks in the woods, we want to enjoy our property. No matter how many good hunters there are, I could never be a fan of hunting!
I know I should have stayed out of it but 10 minutes later I walked down towards the drive to see if there was a vehicle parked there. I wanted to find out who the girls were and where they were from. Perhaps a parental call was in order. Things quickly got out of hand because one of girls goes all belligerent - yelling that they were not shooting at our house or at our property and their bullets were not going over Dave's head. About then Dave came up to the gate with me and I told him they were saying he was wrong about the bullets. Now we both were mad and not sure where things would have gone next but all came out well when the girl who hadn't been shouting, came over to the gate and admitted they had been shooting at our line fence and she was sorry. Her Dad was out bow hunting and they were putting away their guns and just waiting for him to come back. We thanked her for speaking up and explained that she should never shoot on our property (or anyone else's without permission) even if she didn't think there was anything there to be concerned about.
A scary situation for us but also probably for both girls. It was impressive that one of them was able to handle herself while the other lashed out and lied. We felt bad for yelling at them in one way, but on the other hand, Dave or one of our animals could have been killed and they really needed to understand how irresponsible they had been. So if we put a scare into them - it may turn out to be a cheap lesson.
I am not a fan of hunting - not a popular position here in the Midwest. I've always felt hunting for sport was demeaning to the people who did it and the animals that were hunted. Hunting for food is fine as long as one is respectful of the animals and the surroundings. But hunters who are irresponsible, do not respect property rights, who drink while hunting or who threaten others through their actions and horseplay have no business hunting for any reason, ever! Of course the stories about bad hunters get repeated but we have had plenty of our own stories, surrounded as we are by good hunting grounds - deer, turkey, squirrels and mushrooms - all of which have been poached from our property. The worse was when Dave was threatened some years ago by a drunken bunch of hunters. We were in the woods and heard shots close by. Dave caught the hunters crossing back over the fence with a poached deer from our property. When he tried to talk to them about it, they threatened to beat him up if he did not back away from our fence. When drunks with guns threaten you, you tend to listen. So now when hunting season comes, we avoid walking on our own property except when we are sure there is no one hunting at any of the neighbors. We love where we live, we love to take the dogs for walks in the woods, we want to enjoy our property. No matter how many good hunters there are, I could never be a fan of hunting!
10 Spices I Love to Love
If you spend a lot of time with pungent spices, savory herbs and aromatic plants, you start to see a kind of personality develop with each one. Here is my take on the personalities of 10 of my favorite spices.
Cinnamon is a warm, cozy campfire. He gives comfort and helps you stay warm and safe, but just like fire, too much can burn.
Pepper is an in your face kind of guy. He’s a biter and a fighter and is happy to be the whole show or the General if he has to share the spotlight.
Cayenne is a hot, passionate lover with a wild temper that flares when you get to close.
Allspice has an all-around personality that likes to stay in the background as a supporting character.
Cumin is a sultry lover that can nestle right into everyday life, at the same time providing warmth and passion to foods from foreign lands.
Rosemary is a nature nymph who loves to be outdoors, roaming the woods and meadows, and playing with the sunlight. She brings the freshness of nature to any foods she chances to favor.
Oregano, my dark, Italian beauty loves to be in control, lining up other spices behind her so her savory warmth can be the star of the show.
Chipotle is a smoky beauty and seductress, without a strong ego, but she loves being a mistress to others.
Thyme is a creative fellow who joins in here and there when he is least expected but as a surprisingly satisfying member of the team.
Garlic is a yeller – he hates to sit quietly in the background. He is always looking for attention and if he doesn’t get it, he makes a big stink.
Cinnamon is a warm, cozy campfire. He gives comfort and helps you stay warm and safe, but just like fire, too much can burn.
Pepper is an in your face kind of guy. He’s a biter and a fighter and is happy to be the whole show or the General if he has to share the spotlight.
Cayenne is a hot, passionate lover with a wild temper that flares when you get to close.
Allspice has an all-around personality that likes to stay in the background as a supporting character.
Cumin is a sultry lover that can nestle right into everyday life, at the same time providing warmth and passion to foods from foreign lands.
Rosemary is a nature nymph who loves to be outdoors, roaming the woods and meadows, and playing with the sunlight. She brings the freshness of nature to any foods she chances to favor.
Oregano, my dark, Italian beauty loves to be in control, lining up other spices behind her so her savory warmth can be the star of the show.
Chipotle is a smoky beauty and seductress, without a strong ego, but she loves being a mistress to others.
Thyme is a creative fellow who joins in here and there when he is least expected but as a surprisingly satisfying member of the team.
Garlic is a yeller – he hates to sit quietly in the background. He is always looking for attention and if he doesn’t get it, he makes a big stink.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Honest What Award?
My blogging mentor, Miss Kitty (ks) laid a weight upon me as it was laid upon her by The Townhouse Lady, a blog she really enjoys. The "honest scrap award" (really, I typed this 3 times before I got crap to be scrap) involves three things: linking to the website of the person giving you the award (follow honestscrap link) while muttering over and over "thanks a lot pal", share 10 honest things about yourself, and finally lay the charge on 7 others with cool blogs. (Sorry I can't do this one as I haven't done this enough to find seven - but if you read this and think I should read your blog, give me a comment and I will check you out).
She's a great mentor and is the reason I started writing a blog, but coming up with 10 truths and deciding just how honest dare I be, was a challenge. But I will not let you down Miss Kitty so here is my best shot.
1. I don't like to be wrong. I try to make myself feel better about this fault by blaming it on my authoritarian parents who always found fault. I was "always wrong" growing up, even though my passionate teenage heart said I was right.
2. I like to be alone doing meditative like tasks such as gardening or walking or even cleaning and just letting my mind wander and fantasize.
3. I am shy. Don't want to say anymore about that.
4. I am nervous around heights - ladders and cliffs make my stomach head for my throat.
5. I have spent two thirds of my life with the same man, my husband Dave. That really blows me away.
6. I love kids but love them best when they are someone else's and potty trained. So no, we never had kids, but I believe we all, whether they are ours or not, have responsibility for all of our children and right now, we are letting them down, a lot!
7. I can't watch a sad animal movie (aka Old Yellar) or read a sad animal story without crying. There is a short story I read some years ago about testing of the atom bomb and a dog who is on the testing range - and that's as much as I can say about that, I still can't think about it. We domesticate animals, made them rely on us and love us and when we are cruel or let them down, it breaks my heart. There was a dog story on the news last night about a starved, beaten dog thrown out of a moving car. The dog is rescued by a passerby and taken to a shelter and is now recovering. How can people be so cruel is the first question that comes to mind but the fact that the dog still demonstrates trust of the humans caring for him - how can that be? We humans would go to war! So who is the more evolved? Why can't we all just get along?
8. I believe I have something important (maybe only important to me, I don't know) to do and that I need to embark on that journey very soon. I am nearly ready. It will mean big changes in my life.
9. I own too much stuff. We all do, but I know better and still I have it.
10. I absolutely, positively can not Sing - dam it.
She's a great mentor and is the reason I started writing a blog, but coming up with 10 truths and deciding just how honest dare I be, was a challenge. But I will not let you down Miss Kitty so here is my best shot.
1. I don't like to be wrong. I try to make myself feel better about this fault by blaming it on my authoritarian parents who always found fault. I was "always wrong" growing up, even though my passionate teenage heart said I was right.
2. I like to be alone doing meditative like tasks such as gardening or walking or even cleaning and just letting my mind wander and fantasize.
3. I am shy. Don't want to say anymore about that.
4. I am nervous around heights - ladders and cliffs make my stomach head for my throat.
5. I have spent two thirds of my life with the same man, my husband Dave. That really blows me away.
6. I love kids but love them best when they are someone else's and potty trained. So no, we never had kids, but I believe we all, whether they are ours or not, have responsibility for all of our children and right now, we are letting them down, a lot!
7. I can't watch a sad animal movie (aka Old Yellar) or read a sad animal story without crying. There is a short story I read some years ago about testing of the atom bomb and a dog who is on the testing range - and that's as much as I can say about that, I still can't think about it. We domesticate animals, made them rely on us and love us and when we are cruel or let them down, it breaks my heart. There was a dog story on the news last night about a starved, beaten dog thrown out of a moving car. The dog is rescued by a passerby and taken to a shelter and is now recovering. How can people be so cruel is the first question that comes to mind but the fact that the dog still demonstrates trust of the humans caring for him - how can that be? We humans would go to war! So who is the more evolved? Why can't we all just get along?
8. I believe I have something important (maybe only important to me, I don't know) to do and that I need to embark on that journey very soon. I am nearly ready. It will mean big changes in my life.
9. I own too much stuff. We all do, but I know better and still I have it.
10. I absolutely, positively can not Sing - dam it.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Niagara Totems
One of the things we didn't expect to see at Niagara Falls was totem poles, lots and lots of them. The Niagara totem pole and carving park was off the tourist path and was a true this was a hidden treasure. No one else was there the whole time we were there, and master carver Frank Kim was raking the fall leaves off the path when we showed up at the gate. All kinds of poles - squat, tall, leaning on the fence or the ground - here are pics of some of our faves. A recommended stop!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Vacationing in Cleveland and Niagara
I thought to write about the fantastic time we had at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and 
what a passionate, professional and amazing performance we enjoyed of Frontier's Aeroroot Band at the Battle of the Corporate Bands.
Then about the second half of our trip at Niagara Falls which blew us away with its undescribable power and majesty. But instead I will tell you about the fight that led to the car incident (defined by the insurance company as an accident) and how it all came down, once again, to food.
For most, but especially for someone like me used to creating naturally tasty concoctions from the garden and the pantry, eating on the road is yuk! So when we arrive at a destination, choice of eating places often takes on more importance than it should. I don't want to eat lower quality food than I have at home and I expect to eat better than at home. Vacation is about trying new --yummy, rich and sinful foods and simple, naturally prepared but elegant dishes and even exotic creations. That's what I dream of anyway, but reality is usually a lot different and disappointing. Sometimes we do get lucky and then this happens, these events are always memorable (see my friend Kitty's blog who is better at sniffing out fine dining experiences complete fantastic pictures and commentary). There were three such dishes for me on this trip. The first was in Cleveland at our hotel where our expectations were low and food was what you would expect except, I had the Lake Perch - even though it was breaded and fried - it just seemed like the thing to try since we were only a few blocks from Lake Erie. And oh - such a lovely, light and crunchy coating with sweetly delicate tender fish inside. Probably the best breaded fish I have ever had.
So about that little car-thing which happened out second day at Niagara - wait, first I have to explain about arriving at our hotel. After two nights of too little sleep in Cleveland and being woken up in the wee hours by tailgaters (Cleveland Browns were playing at home that afternoon) when we intended to sleep in before out drive to Niagara, we feeling pretty tired and by the time we hit the Canadian border we were starting to pick at each other, just a little bit. When we finally got across the Rainbow bridge (from which we had expected to see some Falls but could only see mist off in the distance), we had some disagreement on the route to take to the hotel (code for he didn't listen to me even though I was the navigator and was giving him the correct directions). When we were almost there, he (meaning husband Dave) tried to pull in at the wrong hotel and generating another round of a snittiness on both are parts. So finally we get to the right hotel. It was one of the first built in the area, just a tall tower with a round knob on top with only six floors of rooms. We
were on the top floor, which meant operating an elevator using a special key we'd gotten, to get to the top floor after going up the regular elevator (what they call the "penthouse" elevator). Of course, we couldn't figure out the trick of opening the door to it -- not being your typical penthouse types --and we got a little more frustrated and so when we finally crammed ourselves into a very small box that barely held us and our luggage, we were starting to get unreasonably upset when yet again we couldn't figure out how to get it to move. By the time we got to the door of our room (hopefully you are picturing all of this because here comes the really exceptional moment for us), Dave opens it and walks into the room and stops as I am coming through the door muttering, this had better be worth it - and then Oh, Oh my, Oh wow, this is f----g awesome. It was our first view of the falls - and we realized if we did nothing else all day but stand in our room and watch the falls, it would be worth it. The rooms are OK, but its all about the view and that makes the room absolutely fabulous.
These are the first views that we saw from our hotel window.
So back to the car and the food. After a day of doing the touristy stuff of riding the Maid of the Mist, going in the tunnel behind the falls and seeing the movie (all three of which require rain gear) and having one
of 
one of those too filling not so good lunches, I wanted something light but nice for supper - like thick veggie beany soup and crusty bread. So we went in search of, as Dave kept calling it, crusty soup and thick bread. The more we walked looking for something decent (lots of chains like Chile's and IHOP or hotel restaurants featuring great views and big meat), the grumpier I got till finally, we were sniping back and forth. I was near tears when we arrived at the last restaurant in the area- an Outback Steakhouse. I have never eaten at one, but I agreed to at least look at the menu and I tried, I swear I tried to be open-minded, but hell, I just couldn't stomach it. So then Dave says, our car is just over there, maybe we should drive somewhere. (Did I mention our hotel doesn't have any parking, space so their lot was 3 blocks away from the hotel?) So I almost brightened up at the idea and said yes cuz anything had to be better than walking around looking for something that wasn't there. So we went to the car and after maybe half an hour of driving around, we gave up and decided to go to a Boston's (we like Boston's but it is after all a chain and we have nearby). Must interject again that actually I gave up when we were in the 7 Eleven looking for cheese and crackers and said lets just grab something here and go back to our room - I had sunk pretty low as you can see. But trying to be a good sport and save the night, I said unless you really want to still go out to eat dear, even though I can't eat a meal this late at night (subtle hint). After a thoughtful moment, Dave says sure, lets go to Boston's so we drive back through town looking for the road that had the Boston's. We finally find it, turn, but we can't find a way to get into the Boston's (bad sign I think, we should have just grabbed something from the 7 Eleven). So Dave drives on down the road until it T's into the main road (which runs along the Niagara river and the falls), frustrated but determined to find his way back to the Boston's (it is like 9:30 pm by now). He suddenly pulls out quickly, taking a sharp left, which shocked as this is a one way road and I yell wait. Dave has just time to yell back at me, "what - I have plenty of ti... ", when he hits the curb on the center divide which is wide - maybe 5 feet- and with a scraping, crunchy, rattley kind of sound, over we go into the lane, now going the right way on the road but with the car making funny sounds somewhere in the front. I thought he had been turning the wrong way on the a one-way street, it never occurred to me that he was totally missing this great big center divide and going to be driving right over it. He assumed I was yelling at him to wait because there was a car coming, which is why he pulled out so quickly, and in a cocky, so sure of himself scornful --"I know what I am doing voice" had been trying to tell me just that. Disaster. We have no idea if the car is safe to drive and the front and the fender are all cracked and broken as is more plastic stuff underneath and then there is that sound. We limp back to the hotel, subdued - first stopping at another 7 Eleven where I get Dave a burrito even though he no longer wants anything and I listen to him muttering things like "dumb shit" under his breath. The end of this part of the story is that Dave spends the next morning working on the car and gets the rattling noise, which has to do with the radiator knocked out of position, stopped and uses up a whole roll of duct tape trying to tape the car together so that it doesn't fall apart on the way home
That night we ate at a seafood restaurant where I had a fish soup with a tomato base and shrimp, calamari and fish and pasta and it was so very, very good. The final memorable dish on the trip was a wild mushroom risotto at a hotel off Lake Michigan.
The result though is that we both came together - no blaming or whining - lets just do the best we can. Neither one of us wanted to ruin what was one of the top 3 vacations ever. We stayed an extra day at Niagara (and still didn't get to everything we wanted to see) and made it home just fine.
what a passionate, professional and amazing performance we enjoyed of Frontier's Aeroroot Band at the Battle of the Corporate Bands.
Then about the second half of our trip at Niagara Falls which blew us away with its undescribable power and majesty. But instead I will tell you about the fight that led to the car incident (defined by the insurance company as an accident) and how it all came down, once again, to food.
For most, but especially for someone like me used to creating naturally tasty concoctions from the garden and the pantry, eating on the road is yuk! So when we arrive at a destination, choice of eating places often takes on more importance than it should. I don't want to eat lower quality food than I have at home and I expect to eat better than at home. Vacation is about trying new --yummy, rich and sinful foods and simple, naturally prepared but elegant dishes and even exotic creations. That's what I dream of anyway, but reality is usually a lot different and disappointing. Sometimes we do get lucky and then this happens, these events are always memorable (see my friend Kitty's blog who is better at sniffing out fine dining experiences complete fantastic pictures and commentary). There were three such dishes for me on this trip. The first was in Cleveland at our hotel where our expectations were low and food was what you would expect except, I had the Lake Perch - even though it was breaded and fried - it just seemed like the thing to try since we were only a few blocks from Lake Erie. And oh - such a lovely, light and crunchy coating with sweetly delicate tender fish inside. Probably the best breaded fish I have ever had.
So about that little car-thing which happened out second day at Niagara - wait, first I have to explain about arriving at our hotel. After two nights of too little sleep in Cleveland and being woken up in the wee hours by tailgaters (Cleveland Browns were playing at home that afternoon) when we intended to sleep in before out drive to Niagara, we feeling pretty tired and by the time we hit the Canadian border we were starting to pick at each other, just a little bit. When we finally got across the Rainbow bridge (from which we had expected to see some Falls but could only see mist off in the distance), we had some disagreement on the route to take to the hotel (code for he didn't listen to me even though I was the navigator and was giving him the correct directions). When we were almost there, he (meaning husband Dave) tried to pull in at the wrong hotel and generating another round of a snittiness on both are parts. So finally we get to the right hotel. It was one of the first built in the area, just a tall tower with a round knob on top with only six floors of rooms. We
were on the top floor, which meant operating an elevator using a special key we'd gotten, to get to the top floor after going up the regular elevator (what they call the "penthouse" elevator). Of course, we couldn't figure out the trick of opening the door to it -- not being your typical penthouse types --and we got a little more frustrated and so when we finally crammed ourselves into a very small box that barely held us and our luggage, we were starting to get unreasonably upset when yet again we couldn't figure out how to get it to move. By the time we got to the door of our room (hopefully you are picturing all of this because here comes the really exceptional moment for us), Dave opens it and walks into the room and stops as I am coming through the door muttering, this had better be worth it - and then Oh, Oh my, Oh wow, this is f----g awesome. It was our first view of the falls - and we realized if we did nothing else all day but stand in our room and watch the falls, it would be worth it. The rooms are OK, but its all about the view and that makes the room absolutely fabulous.These are the first views that we saw from our hotel window.
So back to the car and the food. After a day of doing the touristy stuff of riding the Maid of the Mist, going in the tunnel behind the falls and seeing the movie (all three of which require rain gear) and having one
of 
one of those too filling not so good lunches, I wanted something light but nice for supper - like thick veggie beany soup and crusty bread. So we went in search of, as Dave kept calling it, crusty soup and thick bread. The more we walked looking for something decent (lots of chains like Chile's and IHOP or hotel restaurants featuring great views and big meat), the grumpier I got till finally, we were sniping back and forth. I was near tears when we arrived at the last restaurant in the area- an Outback Steakhouse. I have never eaten at one, but I agreed to at least look at the menu and I tried, I swear I tried to be open-minded, but hell, I just couldn't stomach it. So then Dave says, our car is just over there, maybe we should drive somewhere. (Did I mention our hotel doesn't have any parking, space so their lot was 3 blocks away from the hotel?) So I almost brightened up at the idea and said yes cuz anything had to be better than walking around looking for something that wasn't there. So we went to the car and after maybe half an hour of driving around, we gave up and decided to go to a Boston's (we like Boston's but it is after all a chain and we have nearby). Must interject again that actually I gave up when we were in the 7 Eleven looking for cheese and crackers and said lets just grab something here and go back to our room - I had sunk pretty low as you can see. But trying to be a good sport and save the night, I said unless you really want to still go out to eat dear, even though I can't eat a meal this late at night (subtle hint). After a thoughtful moment, Dave says sure, lets go to Boston's so we drive back through town looking for the road that had the Boston's. We finally find it, turn, but we can't find a way to get into the Boston's (bad sign I think, we should have just grabbed something from the 7 Eleven). So Dave drives on down the road until it T's into the main road (which runs along the Niagara river and the falls), frustrated but determined to find his way back to the Boston's (it is like 9:30 pm by now). He suddenly pulls out quickly, taking a sharp left, which shocked as this is a one way road and I yell wait. Dave has just time to yell back at me, "what - I have plenty of ti... ", when he hits the curb on the center divide which is wide - maybe 5 feet- and with a scraping, crunchy, rattley kind of sound, over we go into the lane, now going the right way on the road but with the car making funny sounds somewhere in the front. I thought he had been turning the wrong way on the a one-way street, it never occurred to me that he was totally missing this great big center divide and going to be driving right over it. He assumed I was yelling at him to wait because there was a car coming, which is why he pulled out so quickly, and in a cocky, so sure of himself scornful --"I know what I am doing voice" had been trying to tell me just that. Disaster. We have no idea if the car is safe to drive and the front and the fender are all cracked and broken as is more plastic stuff underneath and then there is that sound. We limp back to the hotel, subdued - first stopping at another 7 Eleven where I get Dave a burrito even though he no longer wants anything and I listen to him muttering things like "dumb shit" under his breath. The end of this part of the story is that Dave spends the next morning working on the car and gets the rattling noise, which has to do with the radiator knocked out of position, stopped and uses up a whole roll of duct tape trying to tape the car together so that it doesn't fall apart on the way homeThat night we ate at a seafood restaurant where I had a fish soup with a tomato base and shrimp, calamari and fish and pasta and it was so very, very good. The final memorable dish on the trip was a wild mushroom risotto at a hotel off Lake Michigan.
The result though is that we both came together - no blaming or whining - lets just do the best we can. Neither one of us wanted to ruin what was one of the top 3 vacations ever. We stayed an extra day at Niagara (and still didn't get to everything we wanted to see) and made it home just fine.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Lake Erie Vacation
This week I am a seeker of fun. We just arrived in Cleveland where we will attend the Battle of the Corporate bands at the Rock N Roll Hall of fame tomorrow (10/3). Frontier Natural Products Co-op (where I work) has an entry - Aeroroot - that made it to the finals. We were lucky enough to be able to come and be here for the fun and then take the rest of the week traveling the area and vacationing. We are off to tour and I will post here about the contest, including some picts.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Ground Squirrel Rescue
Being on the farm means a variety animal rescue stories over the years, from the tiny kitten we pulled cold, drenched and desperately swimming from a rain barrel to the goat my husband saved from wild dogs -- waking from a dead sleep and running down the stairs and out to the barn au natural - stopping only to grab the rifle, moccasins and a hat.
Today's strange encounter involved a ground squirrel and two of our outside cats. The cats were tracking something in the grass and when I went to investigate, there was a ground squirrel with a wet looking patch on its back. It must have been caught and then released by one of the cats and now two were on its trail. I went into rescue mode -trying to push back the cats so the ground squirrel could get away. But it only moved 4 or 5 inches at a time, then crouched down and hid in the grass, very cautiously trying to sneak away. Of course everytime it moved, the cats saw it and made a grab for it. I could easily have caught the ground squirrel myself, it was so scared, and carried it to safety but I didn't have gloves with me and was afraid if I ran to get them, by the time I got back it would be too late. After many rescues, one learns to use protective gear, its just fun not to get scratched, bitten or gored by the subject of an intended good deed.
Now the little guy is only a foot away from a walnut tree and safety, but then it turns as if to face its pursurers - and appears to be considering a full attack on me, the would be rescuer. After a couple of shoos and hand flutters in its direction, I freeze, watching as the ground squirrel creeps hesitantly up to my leg where he sits up and tentatively sniffs it. Then slowly as though scaling a treacherous, unfamilar mountain, it begins to climb. I move carefully over to the walnut tree but the squirrel is intent on continuing its climb up my leg and ignores the tree. Don't bite me, please don't bite I keep saying in what I hope is a soothing voice to a ground squirrel. I lean on the walnut, getting as close as I can to the tree trunk, but still the squirrel climbs and climbs until finally he is almost to my shoulder and then he suddenly turns, grabs a hold of the tree and races up and out of sight.
A new first for me - I have never been climbed before by a wild animal.
Today's strange encounter involved a ground squirrel and two of our outside cats. The cats were tracking something in the grass and when I went to investigate, there was a ground squirrel with a wet looking patch on its back. It must have been caught and then released by one of the cats and now two were on its trail. I went into rescue mode -trying to push back the cats so the ground squirrel could get away. But it only moved 4 or 5 inches at a time, then crouched down and hid in the grass, very cautiously trying to sneak away. Of course everytime it moved, the cats saw it and made a grab for it. I could easily have caught the ground squirrel myself, it was so scared, and carried it to safety but I didn't have gloves with me and was afraid if I ran to get them, by the time I got back it would be too late. After many rescues, one learns to use protective gear, its just fun not to get scratched, bitten or gored by the subject of an intended good deed.
Now the little guy is only a foot away from a walnut tree and safety, but then it turns as if to face its pursurers - and appears to be considering a full attack on me, the would be rescuer. After a couple of shoos and hand flutters in its direction, I freeze, watching as the ground squirrel creeps hesitantly up to my leg where he sits up and tentatively sniffs it. Then slowly as though scaling a treacherous, unfamilar mountain, it begins to climb. I move carefully over to the walnut tree but the squirrel is intent on continuing its climb up my leg and ignores the tree. Don't bite me, please don't bite I keep saying in what I hope is a soothing voice to a ground squirrel. I lean on the walnut, getting as close as I can to the tree trunk, but still the squirrel climbs and climbs until finally he is almost to my shoulder and then he suddenly turns, grabs a hold of the tree and races up and out of sight.
A new first for me - I have never been climbed before by a wild animal.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Cooking Interruptus
When it comes to cooking shows and recipes, I look for ideas, not actual how to's --a new combination of ingredients, flavors and methods that I can try using what I like or have on hand. So I don't watch cooking shows - takes too long much time to find the treasure buried in there somewhere - that is I didn't watch until I discovered Cookus Interrupus, a series of short videos on making natural and organic cuisine. I love the "at home in a real kitchen" take of the videos and of course, watching to see the interruption of the day. Cooking as entertainment ....
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Spicy Plum Sauce
Speaking of harvest season, I want to share the plum sauce recipe I recently made. First the plums - they are what we locally call Bohemia plums. I don't know the origin but the way one gets them is from someone else who has a tree - either planting the fruits or digging up a little, nearby tree. The fruit is a small blue plum, very sweet and soft when fully ripe with no trace of bitterness in the skin like many other plums. To eat, you pop the whole plum in your mouth and mush out the pit with your tongue.
I grew up with these plums and have only recently acquired some trees. While my trees only a few fruits, my mom's trees were loaded this year thus the need to make the plum sauce. I looked for some recipes for plum sauces and used them to create my own spicy version for use on egg rolls, duck, stir-frys and to use when grilling.
Recipe
Place 2 quarts washed and pitted plums in a heavy kettle and turn on low heat.
I grew up with these plums and have only recently acquired some trees. While my trees only a few fruits, my mom's trees were loaded this year thus the need to make the plum sauce. I looked for some recipes for plum sauces and used them to create my own spicy version for use on egg rolls, duck, stir-frys and to use when grilling.
RecipePlace 2 quarts washed and pitted plums in a heavy kettle and turn on low heat.
As the plums are heating prepare and add vegetables to the pot:
1 cup chopped red sweet pepper
3 large jalapenos, chopped (you can leave in seeds if you want to avoid handling)
1 cup chopped red sweet pepper
3 large jalapenos, chopped (you can leave in seeds if you want to avoid handling)
1 medium size garlic bulk separated into cloves and chopped
Then add:
Then add:
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup brown rice syrup (or you could substitue other liquid sweetener such as honey or maple syrup)
1/3 cup tamari
1 cup molasses
6 oz jar of chopped pickled (sushi) ginger
Cook, covered, on low heat, stirring often to prevent sticking, until everything is very soft.
Process in food processor until a smooth sauce-like consistancy.
Cook, covered, on low heat, stirring often to prevent sticking, until everything is very soft.
Process in food processor until a smooth sauce-like consistancy.
Return to low heat and add 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder.
The recipe yields about 5 pints of sauce which can be stored in the refrigerator, frozen or canned.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Vegetable Onion Bread and Spicy Tomato Juice
Its been awhile since my last post- but as you those of you who take foods directly from the earth to the pantry know - this is the time of reaping.
When I am in the middle of piles of peppers, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, basil, eggplants and squash of all types with a frosty night just waiting to jump out at me, I shold be focusing on the task at hand but it seems these are the times when urges for creating new concoctions using canning jars, heat and fresh produce just have to be acted upon.
Yesterday we made what we call "hot juice" aka on stores shelves, V8, vegetable juice or fusion something or other. Like most things, hot juice or more accurately spicy vegetable tomato juice came about 3 or 4 years ago when I was still faced with lots of peppers, tomatoes and onions to use up. We use an electric roaster, fill it about 3/4 full of tomatoes and then the rest of the way to the top (and then some) with sweet red and green peppers, onion, hot peppers, carrots, celery, a head of garlic, beets when I have them (not this year) and a healthy shot of lemon juice and a tablespoon of salt. After all is nice and mushy-soft, we run the concoction through a food mill to get out all the juice which we heat, hot-pack and can. But this year I look at the leftover mound of vegetable gunk - a pile of many color bits and stands of dejuiced vegetables and
thought this is all the good veggie fiber we just toss to the chickens. Surely there must be something I can use it for I thought as I started to put together a loaf of bread in the bread machine. An aha moment turned into a really moist, tasty loaf of wheat bread.
Recipe - I followed my basic whole wheat bread recipe and added 1/2 cup of the vegetable leavings to the machine and 1/4 cup of toasted onion flakes and as it kneaded I checked the dough and decided it was a little too moist and added maybe another 1/4 cup of flour. The bread tastes good and looks nice with its little flecks of color.
Note: Toasted onion flakes are the onion that is used to make French onion dip. I buy these flakes by the pound from frontiercoop.com (for full disclosure I should say I work there, but I also know the cool bulk products). I have never seen these anywhere else. Anyway I like to had a quarter up to a half cup (for a really oniony flavor) with an egg to my favorite whole wheat bread recipe. Make a good sandwich bread and fabulous toast.
When I am in the middle of piles of peppers, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, basil, eggplants and squash of all types with a frosty night just waiting to jump out at me, I shold be focusing on the task at hand but it seems these are the times when urges for creating new concoctions using canning jars, heat and fresh produce just have to be acted upon.
Yesterday we made what we call "hot juice" aka on stores shelves, V8, vegetable juice or fusion something or other. Like most things, hot juice or more accurately spicy vegetable tomato juice came about 3 or 4 years ago when I was still faced with lots of peppers, tomatoes and onions to use up. We use an electric roaster, fill it about 3/4 full of tomatoes and then the rest of the way to the top (and then some) with sweet red and green peppers, onion, hot peppers, carrots, celery, a head of garlic, beets when I have them (not this year) and a healthy shot of lemon juice and a tablespoon of salt. After all is nice and mushy-soft, we run the concoction through a food mill to get out all the juice which we heat, hot-pack and can. But this year I look at the leftover mound of vegetable gunk - a pile of many color bits and stands of dejuiced vegetables and
thought this is all the good veggie fiber we just toss to the chickens. Surely there must be something I can use it for I thought as I started to put together a loaf of bread in the bread machine. An aha moment turned into a really moist, tasty loaf of wheat bread.Recipe - I followed my basic whole wheat bread recipe and added 1/2 cup of the vegetable leavings to the machine and 1/4 cup of toasted onion flakes and as it kneaded I checked the dough and decided it was a little too moist and added maybe another 1/4 cup of flour. The bread tastes good and looks nice with its little flecks of color.
Note: Toasted onion flakes are the onion that is used to make French onion dip. I buy these flakes by the pound from frontiercoop.com (for full disclosure I should say I work there, but I also know the cool bulk products). I have never seen these anywhere else. Anyway I like to had a quarter up to a half cup (for a really oniony flavor) with an egg to my favorite whole wheat bread recipe. Make a good sandwich bread and fabulous toast.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Purple Snow Peas
This is the first I have heard of purple snow peas. I looked for but couldn't find a seed source or a picture.
The news release says:
"...Purple Snow Peas are colorful and boast varying shades of eggplant-colored tones. Purple Snow Peas will add color and excitement....." but they didn't include a picture. What? Sell based on the great color and then don't have a picture?
I wouldn't mind giving them a try in the garden if I found some seed but I stopped growing snow peas years ago in favor of the much more flavorful Sugar Snaps. I grow the tall, climbing ones. The shorter bush variety developed later, doesn't have as much flavor as the viners.
The news release says:
"...Purple Snow Peas are colorful and boast varying shades of eggplant-colored tones. Purple Snow Peas will add color and excitement....." but they didn't include a picture. What? Sell based on the great color and then don't have a picture?
I wouldn't mind giving them a try in the garden if I found some seed but I stopped growing snow peas years ago in favor of the much more flavorful Sugar Snaps. I grow the tall, climbing ones. The shorter bush variety developed later, doesn't have as much flavor as the viners.
Monday, August 10, 2009
The Duckweed
Thought I had better start with some duckweed. We have a small half acre pond in front of our house which we fish from once or twice a year but mostly we put it there for swimming. With no air conditioning and lots of sweaty garden work in the summer, a dip in the pond can do wonders. Plus we have a lot of bullfrogs calling at night - a very soothing way to fall asleep -- basking turtles, some ducks in spring and on and on. The wonders that water bring to a landscape! But then came the duckweed. I bought some water lilies thinking that a patch of them in the shallows by the dam would be really pretty. And then there was duckweed! We've tried lots of natural controls from raking it out to put on the compost pile to a special bacteria culture that is supposed to devour everything green but it is perversely hard to eradicate. It's only benefit is that it out competes algae and as you can see, the wind sometimes blows it into interesting patterns. (I wonder if I can use it like a crystal ball and for tell the future?) We don't want to bring any strong herbicide into environment - frogs are notoriously susceptible and then our cats and dogs and other wildlife drink out of the pond. So the battle goes on!
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