A Rant, a Rambling, a Ride, a Review, and a Recipe

Part the First: A Rant
Communication is an important driving skill.  This does not mean talking on your cell phone as you’re backing up.  It should not mean talking on your cell phone ever.  Hang the effing thing up and pay attention to what you’re doing, please.  Using your directional would be a start to proper driving communication.

Also, bikers often have to share the road with drivers.  Please do not speedily back out of your driveway, then stop in the road, with no indication of what you plan to do next.  It is dangerous, and it ticks me off when I have to brake because you can’t figure out what comes next.  Please take to heart my snarky "nice driving" as I ride by and see the blank I’m-the-only-person-who-exists look on your face.

Part the  Second: A Rambling

For the second time on  a bike ride in the last week, I saw a sweet red fox.  Last week she darted in front of me from pond-side of the road into the woods.  Today she was contemplating her road crossing.  We saw each other at the exact same moment.  We both started, then had a second to stare at each other.  She turned tail and ran, and I rode off.  While I’ve considered the beaver my totem animal for ages, I think red fox is trying to tell me something.  I’ll do my best to pay attention.  Do you have an animal that calls to you?

Part the Third: A Ride
I loved my ride today, other than the poor driving that nearly made me crash.  Just after that incident, I passed a peloton of elders.  They had just come up a big hill, but every last one waved back to me and most gave me an oral greeting.  I was happy beyond reason when I saw them.  I want to be out on the street biking when I’m in my 70s.  Hell, my 80s!

Part the Fourth: A Review
Last Saturday I had the luxury of settling in to read a big ol’ historical novel.  I had taken Black Ships from the library, and as a fan of the Aeneid, I was ready to have some fun reading a modern take on the fall of Troy and the founding of Rome.   I had to suspend my disbelief a lot, which is fine by me. The writing, while occasionally bordering on being overdone, was good enough on the sentence level that it didn’t disturb me, and the story moved at a quick pace.  It was amusing to follow Gull, a Trojan born into slavery, as she became Pythia, the handmaid of Death.  While I don’t quite believe the kindnesses shown by the men in the novel, I did like the broadness of the journey the group takes, especially when they’re in Egypt.  There was nothing challenging about this novel, but I was entertained by it, and it did make me think about death in a different, interesting way.   I wouldn’t go out of my way for it, but I would recommend it for a flight or a few days at the beach.

Part the Fifth: A Recipe

Neal has set ideas about gazpacho, as do I.  I’d been making a recipe that was adequate, but it didn’t quite do the trick for me.  Monday evening I adapted several recipes and created both of our favorite gazpacho to date.  I would post a picture, but it is long gone.  I was able to use a lot of produce from my garden, which added to my pleasure in the soup!

Golightly’s Gazpacho
2 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded
2 green bell peppers, seeded
2 red bell peppers, seeded
1 yellow pepper, seeded
3-5 tomatoes (I used 3 from the garden and 3 plum tomatoes I had leftover from Monday’s sauce)
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
Drizzle of olive oil
Pinch of salt
Dash of hot pepper

Chop all vegetables to about 1/4 inch.  Gently mix in bowl.  Add remaining ingredients.  Blend half to two-thirds of the mixture, then stir it in with the remaining vegetables.  Season to taste.

I think this is best made the day before you want to serve it.  It gets better the longer all the flavors mingle.  You can, of course, add other veggies if you like–corn, onion, what have you.  This tastes great with a side of panzanella

Sans Pictures, Links

I’m still working out how to download photos from my older camera, the one I took to Taos.  Usually I use the newer one, and I figured that out right quick last summer when I had to buy my new computer.  Until I get the photos here, though, I thought I’d entertain you with some randomness, beginning with my favorite purchase from my trip.  Well, it’s hard to say favorite as I scored some fabulousness.

I went with my writing class to the Taos Pueblo with the intention of buying a belt buckle.  There it was* in the second or third shop I visited.  I walked the entire Pueblo and debated the purchase the whole time, but not only was it the prettiest buckle I’ve ever seen, but it was Wings’ wife’s favorite because she felt it was the most balanced piece he’s made.  Lord knows, balance is welcome in my life.  She said he usually makes his Cactus Blossom designs with more stones (and these are my fave turquoise: Sleeping Beauty), but she thought this one had 19.  Then she counted and said, "No, it’s 13."  Well.  That is my super lucky number, the one I have tattooed on the back of my neck.  So before we left for the day, I stopped back and bought it.  I love it more and more each time I wear it. 

I had planned to get a belt from my NY source, but I couldn’t wait to wear the buckle.  I’m so impatient!  I hopped a ride to the Plaza and found a great, locally-made black leather belt at Letherwerks.  I may need to order a tan one, too, just so I can wear my buckle more!

As long as I was on the Plaza, I figured I had to stop at La Lana Wools.  I tried on the Streakers Shrug and figured it was prudent to buy the yarn for it while I was there.  We’re keeping the heat low, low, low this winter, so it’s sort of an investment in the environment and my warmth.  Really! 

In more current news, I’ve signed up for Ravelympics 2008.  I signed up for a ton of things I haven’t done this summer, but I’m only hurting myself, right?  Anyway, I’m participating in two WIP Wrestling Events.  I’m confident I can finish both, so stay tuned for progress reports!

How goes your week?

*Go to Galleries, then to Belts, Buckles, and Collectibles.  Then check out the eighth one, which says "sold" on it.

Baked Pesto Ziti

How about a little recipe since I can’t get pictures from my camera to my computer?  I thought that would be okay by you. 

Baked Pesto Ziti

1 batch fresh pesto*
1 box ziti
A few handfuls of shredded mozzarella (I like the skim kind)

Make that pesto (*you know the drill, right?  1/4 cup pignoli nuts; 1/4 cup Parmesan;  2 cloves garlic, quartered; 2 cups basil leaves; 2 Tablespoons olive oil; 2 Tablespoons water.  Blend it all up in the food processor.  Try not to eat too much straight away!).  Cook and drain the pasta.  Pour it into a 13×9 dish (or 9×9 if you like it thicker).  Drizzle a smidge of olive oil, pour on the pesto, stir it all up.  Add most of the cheese, stir that all up.  Artfully sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top, bake at 350 until the cheese melts, then, if you like it a little burnt, broil, watching carefully!

Enjoy!

Strawberry Jam

Img_1370I took the strawbs from last week’s farmer’s market and turned them into freezer jam.  Easiest thing in the world.  How wonderful will it be to pull out a little container on a snowy January morning and slather my toast with a taste of summer?

I hope to get one more batch in the freezer before the local berries are done.  I’m a bit alarmed at the quantity of sugar needed, so if you know of a recipe that uses less, please share. 

In knitting news, I’m on my second take of February Lady Sweater.  I am pleased with the kfb increases in lieu of the m1 increases called for by the pattern.  I am not so pleased with the results of my first buttonhole, though.  A-frogging I will go…third time is a charm, right?

And just because it’s a little oddity that amuses me, get a load of this.  Sometimes I mis-type my name as Bevelry.  It’s like Ravelry for my name. Isn’t that funny?  Or do you think I need to get out more?

All Off

New_look_62008My fantastic hair stylist, Emily, was more than happy to fulfill my request to have it "all off".*  I love the clean, free feeling of short hair, and it has been quite some time since I last wore it short. 

Tomorrow Neal and I head to Maine for a little mid-week getaway. I’ve got a lovely black dress that evokes this one to wear to dinner.  What more does a girl need to feel fantastic?

I’ll catch up with you on Saturday!

* The first time I visited Rome, F. and I stayed in the same plaza where this scene was shot.  In fact, we had our evening gelati in the same shop where Princess Anne gets her famous haircut!

The True Secret

Img_1244"The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life." —William Morris

I am enjoying our laundry line immensely.  I figure  that in the last two weeks, I’ve hung out at least a dozen loads of laundry, saving nearly $5.*  While that may not seem like much, think of it in terms of energy savings, too.

I spent much of the last two days working on getting my office in better shape.  It still looks like a craft store blew up in there, but I did pull a special basket out of the closet, where it had been holding several skeins of Cascade 220. When I was growing up, my mom always used this basket to hold clothespins. It belonged to her grandmother before that, so I’m guessing the basket is at least 75 years old, if not older.  Each time I pulled a clothespin from the plastic bag they came in, I thought of this basket, and yesterday, I put it back to its earlier use.  That, my friends, is the kind of detail that leads to true happiness for me.

*This site uses 2007 costs of energy, so the savings is likely to be even higher!

The Thrill of Victory and Other Friday-ness

Today, the moment I’ve yearned for arrived.

Neal conceded that the office/second bedroom (sans bed) should be mine.  All mine.

For the last two years, I’ve lobbied for my own space.  Neal’s desk is used as a pile holder.  I cast no stones, people.  I have plenty of stacks and piles of my own.  My dear, darling husband has agreed to use the little desk that looks pretty in our dining room (and also just holds piles of pictures, etc. from pre-Beverly life) to contain the essentials he needs from a desk.

The desk he’s been using (ahem) in the office will become my crafting desk.  This means my sewing machine can be set up all the time.

It also means there’s a place for the loom that is arriving next week.

Did you catch that?  The LOOM!  I found an inexpensive ($25!) rigid heddle loom on Craigslist in Seattle.  The lovely owner of this no-name loom used it about 10 years ago as she learned to weave.  She’s moved on to other looms and decided it needed a new home.  I’m taking a class at Webs later in the month, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be playing around on the loom before then.  I’ve got Betty Davenport’s Hands On Rigid Heddle Weaving to help me out. 

There is plenty to keep me busy in the meantime.  Tonight we’re meeting friends to see the gorgeous and incredibly talented Dan Bern at the Ironhorse Cafe (love their veggie burgers).  And in the morning, we’ll head to my old stomping grounds to visit my dear friend Linda Jean for her open studio.  We’ll swing by Croton to pick up a few last things of mine that my ex has in his studio, and I’m hoping to have time to get a "real" eggplant parm wedge at my favorite pizza joint (there is NO real eggplant parm to be found in my part of CT.  Trust me; I’ve tried to find some.) and a cuppa joe at the world’s most amazing coffee shop.  Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but that was my home away from home when I lived in New York, and, like the lack of good eggplant parm, there’s also a lack of good indie coffee shops here.  Oh, how I miss the river town life sometimes!

I’m toying with a new mindless knitting project for the drive.  I can’t seem to handle anything complicated right now.  I’m pretty certain I’m going to make the Sunday Market Shawl, but I may get started on a new sock.  Won’t it be thrilling to see what I do?

Catch you on Sunday.  I’m going to try to do a photo essay of my former life in Westchester…we’ll see how that goes!

Panzanella

It’s a rainy day here in Connecticut, which means no bike ride for me.  I’m on my writing chair with Tilly snoozing at my side as I sip coffee.  I’ve got interesting work to do today, and a good lunch of leftovers in the fridge. 

Nora posts about what’s for dinner on Wednesday, so I thought I’d share the genesis of those leftovers with you.  Yesterday I made panzanella, which is a pretty flexible recipe.  Here’s how I made mine:

3/4 loaf of stale French bread
1 pint of grape tomatoes
1 cucumber
1Tablespoon (or to taste) capers (I prefer the small ones)
3-4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar (or whatever you have on hand)
Fresh basil (maybe ten good-sized leaves)
Pepper to taste

Slice open the bread and toast in a 350 degree oven until crisp.  In the meantime, peel, seed, and chunk the cuke.  Slice the larger tomatoes in half.  When bread is cool enough to handle, break it into bite-sized pieces. 

Whisk together the oil and vinegar, then pour over salad and toss.  Add capers and pepper and toss again.  Rip basil into small pieces and sprinkle over top. 

I like panzanella as a way to use up stale bread, and once the garden starts producing tomatoes and basil, this will be even tastier. It’s super quick to make, and delicious as a snack or alongside some other dishes.  Last night I made beans with spinach and garlic along with asparagus with a balsamic and peach vinaigrette.   I’m telling you, this is good, simple food for a warm night!

What (meatless) dishes do you like as the weather warms?

Knocked Out

I’m a sensitive girl. 

I cry when I watch or read Little Women.  Every time.

Exposure to the wrong plant and certain animals gives me a dainty rash on my wrist.

I don’t imbibe much alcohol as I feel its effects rather quickly.

Now I can add Zyrtec to the list of sensitivities I enjoy.  I took Zizi (aka Africabike) to the Stop and Shop on Saturday to pick up a few things, including a new allergy medicine.   I popped my first pill later that day, and I took a nap at about 6:30.  I like to nap, though, so I thought nothing of it.

Yesterday after a ride on Trixie (aka my sleek road bike), I popped another Zyrtec.  My allergies were acting up, as they are wont to do this time of year.  I felt relief for a few hours.  Neal and I took the dogs for their walk in the woods, and I could have fallen asleep while I waited for Tilly to sniff out the day’s news.  I held up through dinner, then curled up on the couch to read a little Lolita.  Out I went!  I managed to get into bed, but I slept from about 7 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. After waking up and listening to the owls talk about their plans, I drifted back to sleep.

I’m guessing this isn’t the allergy med for me!  I’m going to try the local honey and vinegar remedy next.  The way I see it, if I keep experimenting, eventually the pollen will pass and so will the allergies.

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