2010-05-27

K is for Kale

Never bought it, never cooked it, and don't think I've ever eaten Kale, but I'm up for trying it if I've got a convincing recipe.  I now know what I'd like for my birthday.  This book presents recipes in an alphabetic fashion, so if you're looking for something to make with that lingering bunch of asparagus, start at the beginning.  My kale woes may be nearing an end...


The whole article on npr (or was it just the photo?) reminded me of Maddie and her recent escapades as a Japanese cooking show host.

2010-05-26

Dear Mama Duck

Dear Mama Duck,
Why were you crossing Highway 101 on Sunday afternoon?  I'm sure you didn't know it was going to be so busy when you decided to walk your ducklings from the nest over to the water for swim lessons.  Still, Highways tend to be loud and obvious, especially during the end-of-weekend rush.

I was so surprised when you appeared from under the motor home in front of me - I thought they were just slowing to pull off the road, but they managed to spare you and your 2 little ones.  I couldn't swerve enough other than to straddle you and had a fleeting moment of hope when you appeared in my mirror.  I don't think that third car behind me saw you.

I just wanted to say I'm sorry there's not better water access in San Luis Obispo.  And I'm sorry I did not heed my wise passenger's advice when he said, "Don't look."

Sincerely yours,
Red Truck

2010-05-20

Don't know which is scarier...

It's like a scene from a comic book reenactment.  Ninjas in Australia rushed into action.  Pow!  Zing!

P.S. "Mugging" sounds so much friendlier than "Robbery," don't you think?

2010-05-17

Overdose

Not gonna lie, yesterday I deserved this treat.  I had a pretty sad attitude about my man friend working at the Strawberry Festival - checkin on all the cases of Fruit Overdose.

Then he came home with a small green basket of deliciousness.

Monday Music

Enjoy a peaceful four minutes listening to Alli Roger's song, Tanzania.
oh, how I love Pandora radio.

2010-05-15

The Bathrobe Rule

From this day forth, bathrobes are only allowed:

1) between shower and clothes
2) if heat is off and the house is colder than 65 degrees
3) when sick (verified by either thermometer or other family member)
4) after dark

May it be known.

Upcycle

Introducing: the t-shirt cardigan.



Step 1:  Cut old shirt straight up the middle
Step 2:  Try on your new cardigan

And voila!  A new piece for my work attire was born.  The ribbon finishes the front nicely, but t-shirt material doesn't fray even if it isn't edged.  I thought about adding buttons, but never did and anyway, who needs 'em?

The night before our trip in the autumn, the idea struck once more.  This one I made two sewing passes (a tight zig-zag stitch) about a 1/4-inch apart before getting out the scissors.  Gives this cotton crew-neck a little bit of finish without much detail.



Next up:  the short-sleeved summer cardigan.  Perhaps with some stitching enhancements....

2010-05-13

Discoveries

Grabbed burritos tonight at a favorite spot and enjoyed some time catching up with my friend Kristin about her adventures.  

reaching back a couple of years for a creekside shot....

After dinner we decided we should crack the coconut I recently brought home from Ralph's.  Neither of us had ever opened or eaten a coconut.  We thought about googling directions, but the tag on dear coco said simply: crack outer shell, drain liquid, eat white meat.  Easy-peasy, right?



All that smashing and draining and prying, only to discover that real coconut tastes nothing like the insides of an Almond Joy.   I won't say I was disappointed, but my expectations were not met.

2010-05-09

fun for the big kids

In March (?) we had some guests, now that we finally had a guest bedroom (no comment on having an air mattress and futon as the only options).  Nevermind that they were really here to see some girls I like to call the Other Santa Barbarians, but we were glad to play host and hostess.  Who knew that washing machine boxes are fun for little AND big kids?  Classic rainy-day shenanigans.

These kids are almost old enough to drink.  Legally.


Come over and play anytime.  Seriously.  No really, I will feed you.
We can start working on our book.  Chapter idea: lavadora.  Think about it.

2010-05-06

The Orchard

We have 7 fruit trees in our backyard -- two of which we don't know the variety yet.  O, the suspense!  I love to refer to that space as The Orchard because it really feels like it's so far away.  I imagine myself saying things like, "Honey, I'll be out in the orchard," or "These are orchard-fresh apricots."  Maybe I should start calling my crocs "orchard shoes" to give them an air of sophistication.

One of my favorite leftovers we found when we moved in was this lovely chair.  Rarely do I feel so simultaneously luxurious and dowdy.



Places I recall having these chairs all bring back fond memories:  Forest Home main camp pool (think CCAs and the summer I spent as the waterfront manager), the pool at my grandparents' condo in San Dimas (my grandma Mimi loved to lie in the sun and was a big fan of taking us to the pool - I loved opening the gate using the key on a long piece of orange yarn), and Palm Springs (where I had a fabulous bachelorette weekend with some of my best girlfriends).

So on Sunday, while planning (read: avoiding) how to tackle my to-do list, I slathered on the SPF and read half of a good-enough-for-the-beach book.  I could just about drink the scent of those orange blossoms.

2010-05-05

resolution

I'm not usually one for New Year's resolutions, but I remember thinking in January, "I would like to write more."  Nothing really further than that.  There are so many methods.  Journals.  Letters.  To-do lists.  Love notes on post-its.

It would have been out of character to begin immediately.  The vague idea needed to marinate.

So it's May.  And I'm terrified that making a resolution means keeping it.