No words. I just think Art Nouveau is the most beautiful period of art, hands down.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
knocking at heaven's door
No words. I just think Art Nouveau is the most beautiful period of art, hands down.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
green door
"Midnight, one more night without sleepin'
Watchin' till the mornin' comes creepin'
Green door, what's that secret you're keepin'
There's an old piano
And they play it hot behind the green door
Don't know what they're doin'
But they laugh a lot behind the green door
Wish they'd let me in
So I could find out what's behind the green door"
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
the doors of perception
I stumbled upon this gem in the near the Ixelles Ponds in Brussels. It was built in 1904 by architect Ernest Delune.
"Rue du Lac n 6
Architect: Ernest Delune. 1904
This façade with stylised forms is one of the most original elements of the Art Nouveau heritage in Brussels. The geometric motif is declined in full moon, half moon and quarter moon. A very beautiful glass roof sheds light on the staircase. The last floor is composed of a large bow window in wood that housed the painter’s studio."
It was definitely one of my favorite's and I went back to it twice. I was lingering around outside when the neighbours came out and, you know, I said I was Canadian and loved the house and "wow, you live next door?" The woman said that the man who lived in the house was not very nice. So I left him a note that read something like this:
"Hello. I am a fan of Art Nouveau and I found the lovely example you live in. I met your neighbours today. They said you are not a very nice man, but I am in disbelief that the sheer act of walking through this door everyday would not bring immense joy to one's life. I think you are very lucky."
I left my web page address and slipped it through the letterbox and walked away feeling like a smart-alec. But godamn it. I want to live in that house!!
Monday, November 19, 2007
door #2
10 things you didn't know about Art Nouveau
1. Name borrowed from the name of a Paris gallery, Maison de l'Art Nouveau. If it still exists- I couldn't find it.
2. Different from other design styles, it was possible to live an Art Nouveau lifestyle in an art nouveau house with art nouveau furniture, silverware, jewellery, pottery, poster arts, textiles and of course door knobs.
3.Most known for flourishing between 1892-1902.
4.Was a response to the industrial revolution and a desire for the "everyday man" to live stylishly.
5. Paris- Hector Guimard- famous for his wrought iron and glass Metro stations that still exist today.
6. Prague- Alphonse Mucha- famous for his poster arts in contribution to the Paris art scene, particularly this one.
7. Brussels- Victor Horta- famous for his architectural contributions to the style, The Hotel Tassel, his most famous. It's a private building and I sat outside for about 40 minutes wondering if I should try and talk my way inside. I didn't
8. Spain- Antoni Gaudi- famous for Parc Guell and Casa Mila, which clearly emphasizes the curvaceous and sinuous nature of the style. I was too busy eating strawberries to take note when I walked past it.
9. USA- Louis Comfort Tiffany- famous for Tiffany lamps and of course- Tiffany & Co.
10. Natural, organic shapes often of leaves, insects, grasses etc..with flowing waves, curves, and "the whiplash line" are characteristic of the Art Nouveau style.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
through the door way of time
This was found through one of my "walking tours" of Brussels. I had a map of significant area of Art Nouveau. There were 5 different tours and each day i set out in effort to walk the whole tour. The biggest one I did was 26 k according to my pedometer. I have no idea where in Brussels I snapped this but easily concluded that who ever gets to walk through this door everyday is one lucky bird.
Keep checking back while I pick my favorite doorways and post them this week.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
art nouveau, brussels
This is a detail from the railing in the Belgian Center For Comic Strips in Brussels. It was a public building and I just walked on in and just about gasped out loud by the beautiful ornate ironwork decorating the inside of the building.
By the way did you know that Brussels, is also know for being the birth pace of the Smurfs?.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
and the winner is....
BESS. She was the one who correctly picked the statement that was not true in the Speak No Lies post. Congratulations Bess.
And so to recap:
1. I can tell you a little bit about 100 different cheeses.
Yes, this is true. I once worked in a cheese deli where I found I had an uncanny passion for cheese. I am drawn to the details and stories like celery to cheeze wizz. It's been a while but put me in a cheese shop and it will come flooding back.
2. My right arm is tattooed with an art nouveau design of wheat and rosebuds.
Yes, this is true. Need I say more.
3. I meditate every day.
My friend Sonia said she wanted to pick this one but was afraid of offending me if it was true. She said- what if it was something I did in secret and never said anything. Maybe it was too personal a choice and that's what stumped everyone. Bess got it. I have no idea why my mother and sister would think this was true. I mean, I can't even get to Yoga class.
4. I can not drive a standard transmission vehicle in traffic.
Up and down a deserted road- sure. In traffic? Hello no. I panic and stall the vehicle. I do not have excellent foot/eye/hand co-ordination.
5. I have driven a combine.
True. My uncle Ken drove me across the fields at my grandmother's farm while they were harvesting a crop. I got to sit in the cab and all of a sudden the farmer said- OK you drive. It's actually quite easy as it won't go any faster than 10 miles per hour.
6. Even though I ride 12km to commute to work, I do not know how to fix a flat tire on my bike.
Sad but true. I think about it every day I ride to work. "What if I get a flat?" Must work on that.
7. I know just about everything one could know about Janis Joplin.
Yes. Ask me anything.
Room she died in-105 Landmark Hotel, Hollywood.
DOB Jan 19, 1943.
Died Oct 4 1970 of an accidental overdose. She was 27
Middle name Lyn
Last know address, 380 W Baltimore Avenue, Larkspur California- It's currently for sale but I did once talk my way inside.
Grew up in Port Arthur, Texas- I drove there from Calgary to see where she went to high school
Studied art at the University of Texas in Austin, voted Ugliest man on Campus by her classmates. I went to Austin too to go to Threadgill's- the bar she started singing in.
She didn't like acid or pot, preferred to drink.
Voracious reader and a secret intellectual
Mother was a registrar, father worked for Texaco.
2 younger siblings- Michael and Laura- they now run the corporation she started before she died- Fantality Corporation (combination of 2 words- Fantasy and Reality)
2 tattoos- a small red heart over her left breast and an ornate bracelet on her right wrist.
She once smashed a bottle over Jim Morrison's head. They didn't get along.
Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix all died within 6 weeks of one another, they were all 27 and their first names start with J and all with 5 letters (Jim and Jimi were short for James).
8. I am scared of heights so I jumped out of a plane at 3000 feet. My chute got tangled.
Most frightening thing I have ever done in my entire life except for #9 and getting to Paris at 11 o'clock at night without a clue or a bed to sleep in. I could barely get out the door of the plane. You step out onto a little step over the wheel and grab a hold of the airplane strut. I couldn't let go. My "jump master" almost had to pry my fingers off and finally I just straightened my fingers and thought I would die. When my chute deployed, I looked up and the lines were twisted. You have to reach up, grab hold of the lines and pull outwards to get them to untwist. I still have no idea how I had the presence of mind to do that as I was completely paralyzed with fear. But then the chute opens, you get yanked upwards by a current of air and then you spend 10 minutes drifting back to earth. 3000 feet above the planet, alone in the sky with the birds. It was incredible and I highly recommend you do not go through life without experiencing jumping from a plane.
9. I shared a cab with 2 strippers from Calgary to Edmonton.
Yes, this is true. Long story. We missed the Greyhound. It was cheaper than flying.
10. Once, I went to Mexico for lunch.
Remember when I said I drove to Port Arthur Texas to see where Janis Joplin grew up and went it hight school? Ya- so on the way back, and being in Texas, I crossed the border into Mexico and had lunch, walked around, and went back to Texas. I've never been back to Mexico since.
So there you have it. Thank for all of you who took a guess. Was it fun?
And so to recap:
1. I can tell you a little bit about 100 different cheeses.
Yes, this is true. I once worked in a cheese deli where I found I had an uncanny passion for cheese. I am drawn to the details and stories like celery to cheeze wizz. It's been a while but put me in a cheese shop and it will come flooding back.
2. My right arm is tattooed with an art nouveau design of wheat and rosebuds.
Yes, this is true. Need I say more.
3. I meditate every day.
My friend Sonia said she wanted to pick this one but was afraid of offending me if it was true. She said- what if it was something I did in secret and never said anything. Maybe it was too personal a choice and that's what stumped everyone. Bess got it. I have no idea why my mother and sister would think this was true. I mean, I can't even get to Yoga class.
4. I can not drive a standard transmission vehicle in traffic.
Up and down a deserted road- sure. In traffic? Hello no. I panic and stall the vehicle. I do not have excellent foot/eye/hand co-ordination.
5. I have driven a combine.
True. My uncle Ken drove me across the fields at my grandmother's farm while they were harvesting a crop. I got to sit in the cab and all of a sudden the farmer said- OK you drive. It's actually quite easy as it won't go any faster than 10 miles per hour.
6. Even though I ride 12km to commute to work, I do not know how to fix a flat tire on my bike.
Sad but true. I think about it every day I ride to work. "What if I get a flat?" Must work on that.
7. I know just about everything one could know about Janis Joplin.
Yes. Ask me anything.
Room she died in-105 Landmark Hotel, Hollywood.
DOB Jan 19, 1943.
Died Oct 4 1970 of an accidental overdose. She was 27
Middle name Lyn
Last know address, 380 W Baltimore Avenue, Larkspur California- It's currently for sale but I did once talk my way inside.
Grew up in Port Arthur, Texas- I drove there from Calgary to see where she went to high school
Studied art at the University of Texas in Austin, voted Ugliest man on Campus by her classmates. I went to Austin too to go to Threadgill's- the bar she started singing in.
She didn't like acid or pot, preferred to drink.
Voracious reader and a secret intellectual
Mother was a registrar, father worked for Texaco.
2 younger siblings- Michael and Laura- they now run the corporation she started before she died- Fantality Corporation (combination of 2 words- Fantasy and Reality)
2 tattoos- a small red heart over her left breast and an ornate bracelet on her right wrist.
She once smashed a bottle over Jim Morrison's head. They didn't get along.
Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix all died within 6 weeks of one another, they were all 27 and their first names start with J and all with 5 letters (Jim and Jimi were short for James).
8. I am scared of heights so I jumped out of a plane at 3000 feet. My chute got tangled.
Most frightening thing I have ever done in my entire life except for #9 and getting to Paris at 11 o'clock at night without a clue or a bed to sleep in. I could barely get out the door of the plane. You step out onto a little step over the wheel and grab a hold of the airplane strut. I couldn't let go. My "jump master" almost had to pry my fingers off and finally I just straightened my fingers and thought I would die. When my chute deployed, I looked up and the lines were twisted. You have to reach up, grab hold of the lines and pull outwards to get them to untwist. I still have no idea how I had the presence of mind to do that as I was completely paralyzed with fear. But then the chute opens, you get yanked upwards by a current of air and then you spend 10 minutes drifting back to earth. 3000 feet above the planet, alone in the sky with the birds. It was incredible and I highly recommend you do not go through life without experiencing jumping from a plane.
9. I shared a cab with 2 strippers from Calgary to Edmonton.
Yes, this is true. Long story. We missed the Greyhound. It was cheaper than flying.
10. Once, I went to Mexico for lunch.
Remember when I said I drove to Port Arthur Texas to see where Janis Joplin grew up and went it hight school? Ya- so on the way back, and being in Texas, I crossed the border into Mexico and had lunch, walked around, and went back to Texas. I've never been back to Mexico since.
So there you have it. Thank for all of you who took a guess. Was it fun?
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Harry and the NY souvenir
I used to have this friend- Nancy.
Nancy had this cool apartment with the wall between her living room and kitchen knocked out showing only the exposed framing. I loved it. She had a couch and chairs and things. I was living sparse at the time with everything I owned able to be packed into a 1969 Plymouth Valiant (that actually looked alot like this except for green). Anyway- Nancy had a painting on her wall and I vowed that I too would one day have paintings.
I would have art.
Jump ahead a few years.
I'm in NYC. My sister is with me and we are visiting the Chelsea Flee Market*. I pass some guy smoking a joint and shendangle myself a few hoots. Suddenly, I feel quite high. I walk by some paintings and suddenly my old urge to own art springs forth violently. I must have this one painting. I ask the nearest person,
Who's selling these. I point to the painting
In thick Brooklyn accent, yelling: Harry, somebody wants to buy your mother's pictures.
Harry comes over and gives me the once over. Suddenly I am full of bravado and feeling very New Yorkerish.
Your mother's paintings? I roll my eyes.
Ya, that's right. Harry gruffs.
Well, what do you want for this one. And don't tell me it's a family heirloom.
50 bucks.
Nah. I'll give you 5 tops. (I'm feeling cocky. Harry is an oogler and I'm a little stoned and hey, this is NYC!!)
Look sweetheart, this is fine art. I'll let you (looks me up and down) have it for 30.
Look Harry, I'm not some little shit tourist looking for a keepsake (actually I am). I'll give you 10.
Harry-15
Me- 12
Harry-Sold
M- Thanks Harry.
Can I have your number?
No- I have issues with hair. Sorry. You're name is Harry. It will never work.
And I walked away.
Then I walk up to my sister, painting in hand, and say:
Look what I bought.
Then I dragged the damn thing all over Gotham all day and managed to ship it home. It perfectly represented the "quick, now, urgent, tap, tap, tap" pace of NY and I have loved it since the moment I saw it. Stoned or not. (sorry Mom- but this is my blog and you are fully aware of my past marijuana consumption anyway)
*keep in mind the Chelsea Flea Market is this weird kind of place full of junk and treasures where most vendors refuse to barter because Anna Sui is their "best customer".
Nancy had this cool apartment with the wall between her living room and kitchen knocked out showing only the exposed framing. I loved it. She had a couch and chairs and things. I was living sparse at the time with everything I owned able to be packed into a 1969 Plymouth Valiant (that actually looked alot like this except for green). Anyway- Nancy had a painting on her wall and I vowed that I too would one day have paintings.
I would have art.
Jump ahead a few years.
I'm in NYC. My sister is with me and we are visiting the Chelsea Flee Market*. I pass some guy smoking a joint and shendangle myself a few hoots. Suddenly, I feel quite high. I walk by some paintings and suddenly my old urge to own art springs forth violently. I must have this one painting. I ask the nearest person,
Who's selling these. I point to the painting
In thick Brooklyn accent, yelling: Harry, somebody wants to buy your mother's pictures.
Harry comes over and gives me the once over. Suddenly I am full of bravado and feeling very New Yorkerish.
Your mother's paintings? I roll my eyes.
Ya, that's right. Harry gruffs.
Well, what do you want for this one. And don't tell me it's a family heirloom.
50 bucks.
Nah. I'll give you 5 tops. (I'm feeling cocky. Harry is an oogler and I'm a little stoned and hey, this is NYC!!)
Look sweetheart, this is fine art. I'll let you (looks me up and down) have it for 30.
Look Harry, I'm not some little shit tourist looking for a keepsake (actually I am). I'll give you 10.
Harry-15
Me- 12
Harry-Sold
M- Thanks Harry.
Can I have your number?
No- I have issues with hair. Sorry. You're name is Harry. It will never work.
And I walked away.
Then I walk up to my sister, painting in hand, and say:
Look what I bought.
Then I dragged the damn thing all over Gotham all day and managed to ship it home. It perfectly represented the "quick, now, urgent, tap, tap, tap" pace of NY and I have loved it since the moment I saw it. Stoned or not. (sorry Mom- but this is my blog and you are fully aware of my past marijuana consumption anyway)
*keep in mind the Chelsea Flea Market is this weird kind of place full of junk and treasures where most vendors refuse to barter because Anna Sui is their "best customer".
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
identifying marks
It's mostly all healed and lacking the Frankenstein stitch marks that gave a truly gruesome quality. I call it my character developing scar.
Do you like it?
By the way- Catherine- I just wanted to let you know that this was taken with my Mac book that takes a MIRROR IMAGE photo and thus- this scar is located on my right side- same as my wheat tattoo.
any more takers??
For guessing the answer to this post?
So far- I am printing only one photo and it's NOT for my mother.
So far- I am printing only one photo and it's NOT for my mother.
Monday, November 12, 2007
who needs a measured recipe
-take a large soup pot.
-season 2 chicken breasts with S&P, turmeric and curry or whatever; brown
-saute some onion/ garlic in olive oil.
-add chopped celery
-on the side make some stock with Better Than Bouillon- Vegetable Base*
-add stock to sauteed onions/ garlic/ celery/ and chicken
-add chopped carrots
-add quartered baby potatoes, yams, turnips, squash etc
-add chopped ginger and 1 cup of red lentils
-bring to a boil, then simmer on low for 15- 20 minutes
-add a can of chopped tomatoes and a very small teaspoon of honey.
-fish out the chicken and chop into smaller pieces, add back to soup.
-Presto! Soup.
*Better than Bouillon Vegetable is all veggie baby- no meat. It rocks my socks.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
a year ago today
I found myself in a quaint hotel in Dallas, Texas with a rental car. What took me to Dallas was an unusual twist of events that went something like this:
A man walked into a store and says to the girl behind the counter; "My wife loves your products and I would like to propose to her. Could I get the message put inside one of your products?"
The store called me. I work where the products are made.
I called the man.
A shipment was arranged with one of the products with the message inside.
I wished him luck.
A blue envelope arrived one day in the mail.
The happy couple invited me to their wedding reception and I went.
I went to their wedding reception and mingled with their friends and family in a gorgeous loft warehouse apartment owned by a Dallas Photographer and his wife. I was nervous and felt somewhat out of place seeing that I had never met the lovely couple. I have never had such a lovely time with a room full of strangers as I did at the wedding reception of Christine and Michael Cluff.
It was an incredible experience for me to be invited to share in their incredible day, all because of a little phone call.
Today is their 1 year anniversary. Happy One Year Michael and Christine!!
..but..that's not..all
Because I didn't stay in town- I didn't attend the wedding of my friend Charlotte to Kevin. I spent the days prior talking with Charlotte as she carefully cut the silken pieces to her wedding dress. We sat and chatted while I embroidered a pillow case (which later became a gift to them). I made the wedding registry book and had offered to take the pictures, but the trip to Dallas came up.
Happy One Year Anniversary to you too Charlotte and Kevin!!
One of these days I will embroider the other pillow case. It's 500 french knots that are holding me back.
Lots of love to both of the couples I know that made it official today- one year ago.
A man walked into a store and says to the girl behind the counter; "My wife loves your products and I would like to propose to her. Could I get the message put inside one of your products?"
The store called me. I work where the products are made.
I called the man.
A shipment was arranged with one of the products with the message inside.
I wished him luck.
A blue envelope arrived one day in the mail.
The happy couple invited me to their wedding reception and I went.
I went to their wedding reception and mingled with their friends and family in a gorgeous loft warehouse apartment owned by a Dallas Photographer and his wife. I was nervous and felt somewhat out of place seeing that I had never met the lovely couple. I have never had such a lovely time with a room full of strangers as I did at the wedding reception of Christine and Michael Cluff.
It was an incredible experience for me to be invited to share in their incredible day, all because of a little phone call.
Today is their 1 year anniversary. Happy One Year Michael and Christine!!
..but..that's not..all
Because I didn't stay in town- I didn't attend the wedding of my friend Charlotte to Kevin. I spent the days prior talking with Charlotte as she carefully cut the silken pieces to her wedding dress. We sat and chatted while I embroidered a pillow case (which later became a gift to them). I made the wedding registry book and had offered to take the pictures, but the trip to Dallas came up.
Happy One Year Anniversary to you too Charlotte and Kevin!!
One of these days I will embroider the other pillow case. It's 500 french knots that are holding me back.
Lots of love to both of the couples I know that made it official today- one year ago.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
on the road
Michael and I are braving the border crossing to take our inflated Canadian queens over to the other side in search of retail therapy.
Also- not sure if you all know this but Blaine Washington is where Loretta Lyn got her start when she was "discovered" singing in a local bar.
Also- not sure if you all know this but Blaine Washington is where Loretta Lyn got her start when she was "discovered" singing in a local bar.
Friday, November 9, 2007
a ripple in time
August 1940. Little girl at the Reitz farm near Falls Creek, Pennsylvania, washing eggs to be sold at Tri-County Farmers Co-op Market at Du Bois. 3¼ inch safety negative by Jack Delano, Farm Security Administration.
I love old photos. I love to see how people cut their hair, the clothes they wore, the shoes they walked in, the cras they drove and the things they did. One of these days i'll have to get scanned the photos of my mother as a 4-5 year old sitting on the running board of an old Ford truck. It's priceless.
Instead, i pop in to Shorpy, the 100 year old photo blog, which, is where I grabbed the above photo. I highly reccomend it as a daily look-see as i have a link up over to the left under "stray kisses".
By the way- according to the site, the name Shorpy comes from "Shorpy Higginbotham, a boy who worked in an Alabama coal mine near the turn of the century."
Thursday, November 8, 2007
the most amazing invention
If you are not aware YET or the amazing versatility of tofu, I have to wonder in what forgotten village have you been living in.
I have discovered the most amazing thing since kicking myself off all dairy products (yes, including cheese as well)
Tofutti's "Better than Cream Cheese" is my new best friend.
And for those of you who want to whip my non dairy ass back into reality with comparisons to non hydrolyzed margarine (Hi Michael.) Not today, I'm self medicating with carrot sticks.
I have discovered the most amazing thing since kicking myself off all dairy products (yes, including cheese as well)
Tofutti's "Better than Cream Cheese" is my new best friend.
And for those of you who want to whip my non dairy ass back into reality with comparisons to non hydrolyzed margarine (Hi Michael.) Not today, I'm self medicating with carrot sticks.
speak no lies?
This lovely photo could be yours if you can spot the one untrue statement in the 10 below. should you catch me out, I will print this lovely shot of a vintage mannequin snapped in Prague as a 8x10, sign the back and send it to you, if all goes well with the printer. If there are issues, we can chat about it then. Winners will be announced on Thursday Nov 15th.
Good Luck
1. I can tell you a little bit about 100 different cheeses.
2. My right arm is tattooed with an art nouveau design of wheat and rosebuds.
3. I meditate every day.
4. I can not drive a standard transmission vehicle in traffic.
5. I have driven a combine.
6. Even though I ride 12km to commute to work, I do not know how to fix a flat tire on my bike.
7. I know just about everything one could know about Janis Joplin.
8. I am scared of heights so I jumped out of a plane at 3000 feet. My chute got tangled.
9. I shared a cab with 2 strippers from Calgary to Edmonton.
10. Once, I went to Mexico for lunch.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
regime
Take a large container suitable for a hand mixer to use a blender.
Add 1/4 cup uncooked oatmeal
Add various amounts of:
pecans
walnuts
almonds
sunflower seeds
pumpkin seeds
flax seeds
Cover with water plus 1/2 more, cover with a plate and soak over night.
In the morning, blend nut and seed mixture with:
1 banana
1/4 cup of berries
2 tbsp of fish oil or my favorite: Udo's Oil
a handful of raw spinach
Blend the shit out of it.
Drink it all or share it.
IT ROCKS MY WORLD
Add 1/4 cup uncooked oatmeal
Add various amounts of:
pecans
walnuts
almonds
sunflower seeds
pumpkin seeds
flax seeds
Cover with water plus 1/2 more, cover with a plate and soak over night.
In the morning, blend nut and seed mixture with:
1 banana
1/4 cup of berries
2 tbsp of fish oil or my favorite: Udo's Oil
a handful of raw spinach
Blend the shit out of it.
Drink it all or share it.
IT ROCKS MY WORLD
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
I've got a smile for every one I meet.
I rode to work yesterday. I thought it would stay sunny and warm all day. I wore fleece pants and a hoodie, gloves and headed off to work. Somewhere through the day the sunny skies turned grey and quickly ugly with impending Vancouver showers. I knew the ride home would be difficult, dark and filled with traffic.
Keep on. Keep on. Just push that peddle down. You can do this.
"Middle of the road is trying to find me. I'm standing in the middle of the road..."
The Pretenders, "Middle of the Road" , tune kicks in to the ear buds just I'm cresting the top of the 20 block climb.
"Come on baby. Get in the road. Come on now..in the middle of the road now..yeah."
Just what I needed. A good does of Chrissie Hynde pumping through my Ipod, to get me through the rest of the ride. Vancouver is blessed with a mild climate and rarely any snow. We get a lot of rain though. Nevertheless, we have a large community of cyclists and thankfully bike routes the snake through the city. I keep to these as much as possible. Safety in numbers.
"In the middle of the road, you see the darnest things."
Coming down Ontario Street on the other side of the hill I have climbed, I join the pack of blinking lights. About 30 cyclists are making their way down the road, navigating through and alongside the park cars, the ones in motion, and the piles of leaves that have been pummeled to a soggy bran flake consistency.
Bright steady headlights blinding. Small blinking little lights reassuring. Proud to be one of the fleet of tiny lights of self propelled power, I followed the gliding stream infront of me through the dark and rain until safely home.
"yeah.."
Keep on. Keep on. Just push that peddle down. You can do this.
"Middle of the road is trying to find me. I'm standing in the middle of the road..."
The Pretenders, "Middle of the Road" , tune kicks in to the ear buds just I'm cresting the top of the 20 block climb.
"Come on baby. Get in the road. Come on now..in the middle of the road now..yeah."
Just what I needed. A good does of Chrissie Hynde pumping through my Ipod, to get me through the rest of the ride. Vancouver is blessed with a mild climate and rarely any snow. We get a lot of rain though. Nevertheless, we have a large community of cyclists and thankfully bike routes the snake through the city. I keep to these as much as possible. Safety in numbers.
"In the middle of the road, you see the darnest things."
Coming down Ontario Street on the other side of the hill I have climbed, I join the pack of blinking lights. About 30 cyclists are making their way down the road, navigating through and alongside the park cars, the ones in motion, and the piles of leaves that have been pummeled to a soggy bran flake consistency.
Bright steady headlights blinding. Small blinking little lights reassuring. Proud to be one of the fleet of tiny lights of self propelled power, I followed the gliding stream infront of me through the dark and rain until safely home.
"yeah.."
Monday, November 5, 2007
now you know my ABC's
A- Diane Arbus is an inspiration to me on being fearless with a camera.
B-Thanks Bess for buying me black radishes.
C-Cheese baby- I may be dairy free right now but bring my my applewood smoked cheddar.
D-I snatched this idea from Daisies.
E-My home town is Edmonton.
F-I make decisions based mostly on how I feel.
G-Want to know a secret- I LOVE giraffes. No one knows this except you.
H- I don't like it when the weather is hot. I like Spring and Fall the best when the air is cooler.
I- The devil makes work for idle hands.
J- One of my favorite names is Jack because it's a great old school, 1930's farm boy kind of name. It would be impossible to date a Jack though. Too bad.
K-I once won a kite flying contest in Grade 3. I kept the laminated "certificate" for a long time.
L-I no longer have a lipoma.
M- My favorite cheeses are Manchego & Mimolette
N-NaBloPoMo, all the way.
O-I ate Octopus once when I was about 15 and never ever, ever did it again. No, it did not taste like chicken
P- I love the prairies.
Q- My grandmother on my father's side, before she passed away, gave me spoons commemorating the Dionne Quintuplets. I still have them. I cherish them.
R- I have tattooed rosebuds on my right arm.
S-My mother's side of the family is from Scotland. I changed my last name to my mother's maiden name after visiting Scotland with my mother and her mother when I was 23. I went back 3 years later and lived in Edinburgh for a while.
T- I collect spools of thread. Sometimes I will buy thread for some "project" in the future and can spend a long time carefully matching thread to swaths of fabric. I keep them all in a giant glass apple on a shelf in my kitchen.
U- Uculet on Vancouver Island is a very boring place. I went there once when Michael and I went to Long Beach. We were in Uculet for maybe an hour, but only because there was a kooky antique shop with a boat out front. I took this photo.
V- I will probably never own another vehicle but the one I did have was a 1969 Plymouth valiant that I named Rose.
W- Another favorite photographer is Weegee. He was a crime scene photographer in NYC in the 30's. Named Weegee for "Ouija" as he seemed to get to events before anybody else. Really- he had a police radio in his car. He received fame for his habit of photographing the crowd response to the crime scene or involving it somehow. When I was in NY, I happened to see an exhibit of over 300 of his original photographs. I almost shit.
X- I have x-rays of my teeth. I wish I could have a whole body x-ray emailed to me in pieces.
Y-I wish I practiced Yoga. I used to and then I stopped. Sometimes I miss it.
Z- When I ride my bike to work, 1/2 the commute is downhill. I ZOOM.
B-Thanks Bess for buying me black radishes.
C-Cheese baby- I may be dairy free right now but bring my my applewood smoked cheddar.
D-I snatched this idea from Daisies.
E-My home town is Edmonton.
F-I make decisions based mostly on how I feel.
G-Want to know a secret- I LOVE giraffes. No one knows this except you.
H- I don't like it when the weather is hot. I like Spring and Fall the best when the air is cooler.
I- The devil makes work for idle hands.
J- One of my favorite names is Jack because it's a great old school, 1930's farm boy kind of name. It would be impossible to date a Jack though. Too bad.
K-I once won a kite flying contest in Grade 3. I kept the laminated "certificate" for a long time.
L-I no longer have a lipoma.
M- My favorite cheeses are Manchego & Mimolette
N-NaBloPoMo, all the way.
O-I ate Octopus once when I was about 15 and never ever, ever did it again. No, it did not taste like chicken
P- I love the prairies.
Q- My grandmother on my father's side, before she passed away, gave me spoons commemorating the Dionne Quintuplets. I still have them. I cherish them.
R- I have tattooed rosebuds on my right arm.
S-My mother's side of the family is from Scotland. I changed my last name to my mother's maiden name after visiting Scotland with my mother and her mother when I was 23. I went back 3 years later and lived in Edinburgh for a while.
T- I collect spools of thread. Sometimes I will buy thread for some "project" in the future and can spend a long time carefully matching thread to swaths of fabric. I keep them all in a giant glass apple on a shelf in my kitchen.
U- Uculet on Vancouver Island is a very boring place. I went there once when Michael and I went to Long Beach. We were in Uculet for maybe an hour, but only because there was a kooky antique shop with a boat out front. I took this photo.
V- I will probably never own another vehicle but the one I did have was a 1969 Plymouth valiant that I named Rose.
W- Another favorite photographer is Weegee. He was a crime scene photographer in NYC in the 30's. Named Weegee for "Ouija" as he seemed to get to events before anybody else. Really- he had a police radio in his car. He received fame for his habit of photographing the crowd response to the crime scene or involving it somehow. When I was in NY, I happened to see an exhibit of over 300 of his original photographs. I almost shit.
X- I have x-rays of my teeth. I wish I could have a whole body x-ray emailed to me in pieces.
Y-I wish I practiced Yoga. I used to and then I stopped. Sometimes I miss it.
Z- When I ride my bike to work, 1/2 the commute is downhill. I ZOOM.
when looking to catch a fish- throw a really big net.
See.. just when you thought the Internet was a waste of time and full of seemingly irrelevant and inaccurate facts.. you forgive yourself for ever thinking so. For, when one day someone uses it as a giant "Looking for you ad."
So sweet.
I called Patrick to say good luck and if you find her make sure to let the Internet know. You should call him too.
So sweet.
I called Patrick to say good luck and if you find her make sure to let the Internet know. You should call him too.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Because the boy in blue said so.
Found this gem walking around the neighborhood today. had to walk onto someone's porch to "take a closer look".
5 things
1. I like to crotchet, sew and embroider.
2. I have a small collection of small birds like my grandmother.
3. I like photography because I can't draw or paint.
4. I would like to have a garden but I'm afraid I'd neglect it and it would die.
5. The nutmeg grater my mother gave me if my favorite kitchen tool.
2. I have a small collection of small birds like my grandmother.
3. I like photography because I can't draw or paint.
4. I would like to have a garden but I'm afraid I'd neglect it and it would die.
5. The nutmeg grater my mother gave me if my favorite kitchen tool.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
saving daylight
Some say it is good. It gives us longer summer hours and longer days of light in the winter. Some say bollocks and point their pointy fingers at the increase in auto accidents as people adjust to time changes. Other's pity and plight for the ones with sleeping disorders who face serious upset to their already precarious routines. The rest of us either relish in the "extra hr to sleep in" though or mildly grip about "having to get up one hr earlier".
In any case...don't forget to put your clocks back 1 hr sometimes between midnight tonight and 3 am tonight.
In any case...don't forget to put your clocks back 1 hr sometimes between midnight tonight and 3 am tonight.
Things you can do when you bored or otherwise known as blogging is taking over my life.
I just found a curious little website called X365- Basically it's to write 40 words (no more, no less) every day for a year, about a different person who touched your life. But it can't be just anyone, it has to be someone you've actually met in person, AND someone whose name you still remember. Is this even possible. What if you suck at remembering names? I do. I have been know to walk up to people I have known for years and completely gaped on their names. You know and thinking about this- I'd have to possibly make up those names and pull up random experiences and "called them touching".
I mean- there was that woman in the neighborhood who used to give me cookies. I remember sitting in her living room on the patterned couch upholstered in some sort of fabric like velour where it was smooth one way and rough the other. My tiny feet on the thick blue shag carpet. Tassels tied back the long heavy beige curtains draping the front pane glass living room window. A film of dust meandered through a sunbeam. A plate on the lacquered table had chocolate chip cookies and a tall glass of milk stood near by like a beloved companion. I remember all of those things (and embellish them with my 36 year old mind) and that it touched my little 4 year old heart to get free cookies but her name? Forget it.
But I am inspired to write about how people have "touched" my life by reading the delightful, insightful, ponderosa meanderings of Schmutzie who has quickly become one of my favorite blogs. Do go and take a look- but here's an example:
Inspiring stuff. Makes me think of life in whimsical ways.
Side note- I just used the word ponderosa. I don't know why. The only association of have of that word is for Ponderosa Steakhouse in Edmonton. But thinking about Schmutzie's blog it rolled out of my mind like a tumbleweed on a windy prairie day and looking up the word, I think it's fitting. "Planted for timber and ornamental". (to self- Well done, Jill)
ponderosa |ˌpändəˈrōsə| (also ponderosa pine) noun a tall slender pine tree, the most widespread conifer of western North America, planted for timber and as an ornamental. • Pinus ponderosa, family Pinaceae.
I mean- there was that woman in the neighborhood who used to give me cookies. I remember sitting in her living room on the patterned couch upholstered in some sort of fabric like velour where it was smooth one way and rough the other. My tiny feet on the thick blue shag carpet. Tassels tied back the long heavy beige curtains draping the front pane glass living room window. A film of dust meandered through a sunbeam. A plate on the lacquered table had chocolate chip cookies and a tall glass of milk stood near by like a beloved companion. I remember all of those things (and embellish them with my 36 year old mind) and that it touched my little 4 year old heart to get free cookies but her name? Forget it.
But I am inspired to write about how people have "touched" my life by reading the delightful, insightful, ponderosa meanderings of Schmutzie who has quickly become one of my favorite blogs. Do go and take a look- but here's an example:
When I came over to play on Sundays, you apologized for your parents making me help clean and take part in the family nap, but I secretly loved it. It was quiet, equanimous, so different than my house. There was nothing quite like lying with all the others in silence.
Inspiring stuff. Makes me think of life in whimsical ways.
Side note- I just used the word ponderosa. I don't know why. The only association of have of that word is for Ponderosa Steakhouse in Edmonton. But thinking about Schmutzie's blog it rolled out of my mind like a tumbleweed on a windy prairie day and looking up the word, I think it's fitting. "Planted for timber and ornamental". (to self- Well done, Jill)
ponderosa |ˌpändəˈrōsə| (also ponderosa pine) noun a tall slender pine tree, the most widespread conifer of western North America, planted for timber and as an ornamental. • Pinus ponderosa, family Pinaceae.
Friday, November 2, 2007
bad bruise
As a result of my lipoma surgery, I have a pretty nasty bruise and underneath that bandage- 7 stitches closing a 2 inch incision. Fun stuff people. Stitches come out tomorrow and of course- MORE PHOTOS!!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
reading material
rehab
I am at it again. If you were around reading this blog last year, you might remember the whole month of November included at least one posting a day for every month. It's called NABLOPOMO or National Blog Posting Month. This is akin to running dental floss through your brain and loosing all those bits of rotting orange pulp and sinewy meat that stuck way down between the molar like synapses of your brain. Thoughts you didn't know you had start appearing as you grip the keyboard in a mad search of blog "material".
Should be a fun month. I wonder what juicy gems I'll come up with.
And to make it a little bit interesting, I'll be running a wee contest. for those of you out there (yes all 5 of you- Hi Sonia. Hi Mom. Hi Jane. Hi Bess. Hi Sis.) who post the most comments will win a specially made something from me. Last year I made a hand embroidered lavender sachet for Daisies. So, you know, it's worth it to roll those comments in for the National Blog Posting Month.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
status
I am sore. My shoulder feels like someone sucker punched it really hard. My arm feels incapacitated as a response. Feeble and helpless. Sad. I feel crampy too. Bloated. I can't shower until after Wednesday and my boyfriend has disappeared to the Sunshine Coast for work until sometime next week. Did I mention it's cold and raining outside?
There was nothing else to do except go to MEC and buy a pair of fleece pants, do laundry and watch a movie.
There was nothing else to do except go to MEC and buy a pair of fleece pants, do laundry and watch a movie.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
cut it out
There was a pin prick and a faint numbing when the anesthetic was pushed under my skin through a tiny needle. I began to feel nauseous and nervous. I did not anticipate any of this when my wheels made the leaves crackle beneath them as I rode to the doctor's office. I felt drops of cool fluid flow into my tiny ravine made by the bones and flesh of my collar. The wetness ran across my shoulder and down my back. Dr. Irving swabbed the area with a disinfectant.
I could feel my skin separate from the pressure of the blade. I knew there was blood but couldn't feel it. The entire surface of my skin tensed and my blood rushed in an automatic response to flee this danger. I begged myself to not vomit or pass out and I screeched involuntarily as the doctor clamped and tugged and tugged and clamped. He asked me questions and my mind reeled and I spoke random thoughts, a stream of consciousness and facts came gurgling out of me..
I have a cat. She is white. Her name is Ruby. My apartment is a mess. I need to do laundry. I want to go home. This hurts. I don't like this. I don't like this. I don't like this. Can it be over now. I will not throw up. I feel like I am going to pass out. OUCH. OK. Stay calm. How much longer? Minutes or seconds? OUCH. OUCH. My arm! There was a shooting pain up down my arm. Oh my god ohmygodohmygod..
I lay there wondering if I could ever endure childbirth. I tried to actually notice that nothing was actually painful but rather just so disturbing and invasive. I knew I had an opening in my skin. I knew my skin has been clamped back and I knew someone was digging around and snipping something away from the body that created it. It was a mini, tiny C- section below my shoulder and I was begging for it to be over.
And then it was. I could feel my skin being tugged and stitched back together. I started to relax. Disinfectant squirted over the fresh wound and bit of dressing and bandages applied. That was it. It seemed like it would last forever but it was over in 5 minutes and my body no longer housed a lipoma, but I was not handed a tiny bundle wrapped in cloth.
Instead, blobs of yellowish, shiny, tissue material lay bloody on a stainless steel table looking
...deceptively... like organic chicken.
I could feel my skin separate from the pressure of the blade. I knew there was blood but couldn't feel it. The entire surface of my skin tensed and my blood rushed in an automatic response to flee this danger. I begged myself to not vomit or pass out and I screeched involuntarily as the doctor clamped and tugged and tugged and clamped. He asked me questions and my mind reeled and I spoke random thoughts, a stream of consciousness and facts came gurgling out of me..
I have a cat. She is white. Her name is Ruby. My apartment is a mess. I need to do laundry. I want to go home. This hurts. I don't like this. I don't like this. I don't like this. Can it be over now. I will not throw up. I feel like I am going to pass out. OUCH. OK. Stay calm. How much longer? Minutes or seconds? OUCH. OUCH. My arm! There was a shooting pain up down my arm. Oh my god ohmygodohmygod..
I lay there wondering if I could ever endure childbirth. I tried to actually notice that nothing was actually painful but rather just so disturbing and invasive. I knew I had an opening in my skin. I knew my skin has been clamped back and I knew someone was digging around and snipping something away from the body that created it. It was a mini, tiny C- section below my shoulder and I was begging for it to be over.
And then it was. I could feel my skin being tugged and stitched back together. I started to relax. Disinfectant squirted over the fresh wound and bit of dressing and bandages applied. That was it. It seemed like it would last forever but it was over in 5 minutes and my body no longer housed a lipoma, but I was not handed a tiny bundle wrapped in cloth.
Instead, blobs of yellowish, shiny, tissue material lay bloody on a stainless steel table looking
...deceptively... like organic chicken.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
in the distance
I love going home to the Prairies.
Lots of old truck photos are up. Lots of Prairie shots. Go look.
When I die, my ashes will be spread through the ditches and dirt roads of the of rural Alberta to mingle with the wild roses and wheat fields. Hopefully someone can get an old pick up truck and just roll down the window while going 80 down a gravel road and let it fly.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
when in blog block- borrow
The longest one-syllable word in the English language is
“screeched.”
“Dreamt” is the only English word that ends in the letters
“mt”.
Almonds are members of the peach family.
The symbol on the “pound” key (#) is called an octothorpe.
The dot over the letter ‘i’ is called a tittle.
Ingrown toenails are hereditary.
The word “set” has more definitions than any other word in the
English language.
“Underground” is the only word in the English language that
begins and ends with the letters “und.”
There are only four words in the English language which end
in”-dous” tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous.
The longest word in the English language, according to the
Oxford English Dictionary,
is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.
The only other word with the same amount of letters is
pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses, its plural.
The longest place-name still in use is
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimau
ngahoronukupokaiwenuakitanatahu, a New Zealand hill.
Los Angeles’s full name is “El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la
Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula” and can be
abbreviated to 3.63% of its size, “L.A.”
A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.
An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.
Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.
In most advertisments, including newspapers, the time displayed
on a watch is 10:10.
Alfred Hitchcock didn’t have a belly button.It was eliminated
when he was sewn up after surgery.
Telly Savalas and Louis Armstrong died on their birthdays.
Donald Duck’s middle name is Fauntleroy.
Al Capone’s business card said he was a used furniture dealer.
The muzzle of a lion is like a fingerprint - no two lions have
the same pattern of whiskers.
Steely Dan got their name from a sexual device depicted in the
book ‘The Naked Lunch’.
A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.
The Ramses brand condom is named after the great phaoroh Ramses
II who fathered over 160 children.
There is a seven letter word in the English language that
contains ten words without rearranging any of its letters,
“therein” the, there, he, in, rein, her, here, ere, therein, herein.
Duelling is legal in Paraguay as long as both parties are
registered blood donors.
John Larroquette of “Night Court” and “The John Larroquette
Show” was the narrator of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”
The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after
Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in
Frank Capra’s “Its A Wonderful Life”
A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.
It’s impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
It was discovered on a space mission that a frog can throw
up.The frog throws up its stomach first, so the stomach is dangling out of
it’s mouth.Then the frog uses its forearms to dig out all of the
stomach’s contents and then swallows the stomach back down again.
Cranberries are sorted for ripeness by bouncing them; a fully
ripened cranberry can be dribbled like a basketball.
The male gypsy moth can “smell” the virgin female gypsy moth
from 1.8 miles away.
The letters KGB stand for Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti.
The name for Oz in the “Wizard of Oz” was thought up when the
creator, Frank Baum, looked at his filing cabinet and saw A-N, and O-Z,
hence “Oz.”
The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar
tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.
‘Stewardesses’ is the longest word that is typed with only the
left hand.
To “testify” was based on men in the Roman court swearing to a
statement made by swearing on their testicles.
The combination “ough” can be pronounced in nine different
ways.The following sentence contains them all “A rough-coated,
dough-faced, thoughtful ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough;
after falling into a slough, he coughed and hiccoughed.”
The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a
letter is uncopyrightable.
Facetious and abstemious contain all the vowels in the correct
order, as does arsenious, meaning “containing arsenic.”
Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backwards, and are on the
Australian coat of arms for that reason.
Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds, while dogs only have
about ten.
The word “Checkmate” in chess comes from the Persian phrase
“Shah Mat,” which means “the king is dead”.
The reason firehouses have circular stairways is from the days
of lore when the engines were pulled by horses.The horses were stabled
on the ground floor and figured out how to walk up straight
“screeched.”
“Dreamt” is the only English word that ends in the letters
“mt”.
Almonds are members of the peach family.
The symbol on the “pound” key (#) is called an octothorpe.
The dot over the letter ‘i’ is called a tittle.
Ingrown toenails are hereditary.
The word “set” has more definitions than any other word in the
English language.
“Underground” is the only word in the English language that
begins and ends with the letters “und.”
There are only four words in the English language which end
in”-dous” tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous.
The longest word in the English language, according to the
Oxford English Dictionary,
is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.
The only other word with the same amount of letters is
pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses, its plural.
The longest place-name still in use is
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimau
ngahoronukupokaiwenuakitanatahu, a New Zealand hill.
Los Angeles’s full name is “El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la
Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula” and can be
abbreviated to 3.63% of its size, “L.A.”
A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.
An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.
Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.
In most advertisments, including newspapers, the time displayed
on a watch is 10:10.
Alfred Hitchcock didn’t have a belly button.It was eliminated
when he was sewn up after surgery.
Telly Savalas and Louis Armstrong died on their birthdays.
Donald Duck’s middle name is Fauntleroy.
Al Capone’s business card said he was a used furniture dealer.
The muzzle of a lion is like a fingerprint - no two lions have
the same pattern of whiskers.
Steely Dan got their name from a sexual device depicted in the
book ‘The Naked Lunch’.
A pregnant goldfish is called a twit.
The Ramses brand condom is named after the great phaoroh Ramses
II who fathered over 160 children.
There is a seven letter word in the English language that
contains ten words without rearranging any of its letters,
“therein” the, there, he, in, rein, her, here, ere, therein, herein.
Duelling is legal in Paraguay as long as both parties are
registered blood donors.
John Larroquette of “Night Court” and “The John Larroquette
Show” was the narrator of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”
The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after
Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in
Frank Capra’s “Its A Wonderful Life”
A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.
It’s impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
It was discovered on a space mission that a frog can throw
up.The frog throws up its stomach first, so the stomach is dangling out of
it’s mouth.Then the frog uses its forearms to dig out all of the
stomach’s contents and then swallows the stomach back down again.
Cranberries are sorted for ripeness by bouncing them; a fully
ripened cranberry can be dribbled like a basketball.
The male gypsy moth can “smell” the virgin female gypsy moth
from 1.8 miles away.
The letters KGB stand for Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti.
The name for Oz in the “Wizard of Oz” was thought up when the
creator, Frank Baum, looked at his filing cabinet and saw A-N, and O-Z,
hence “Oz.”
The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar
tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.
‘Stewardesses’ is the longest word that is typed with only the
left hand.
To “testify” was based on men in the Roman court swearing to a
statement made by swearing on their testicles.
The combination “ough” can be pronounced in nine different
ways.The following sentence contains them all “A rough-coated,
dough-faced, thoughtful ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough;
after falling into a slough, he coughed and hiccoughed.”
The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a
letter is uncopyrightable.
Facetious and abstemious contain all the vowels in the correct
order, as does arsenious, meaning “containing arsenic.”
Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backwards, and are on the
Australian coat of arms for that reason.
Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds, while dogs only have
about ten.
The word “Checkmate” in chess comes from the Persian phrase
“Shah Mat,” which means “the king is dead”.
The reason firehouses have circular stairways is from the days
of lore when the engines were pulled by horses.The horses were stabled
on the ground floor and figured out how to walk up straight
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
and now this..
..a note from your neighborhood friendly party pooper..
..what 200 calories looks like in pictures.
Please go forth fearlessly to the next post.
..what 200 calories looks like in pictures.
Please go forth fearlessly to the next post.
the best dessert in the world
It used to be Pumpkin Pie followed with a shot of Creme Brulee. But now, I have found a new love. Problem is is that it's a little bit unusual and not often seen in the bakery shelves and pastry cases of your favorite grocery store. What is this mysterious decoction that has tantalized me?
Pavlova, my friend, Pavlova.
What is that, you ask?
It is the most delicious menage et trois of meringue, custard and fresh fruit. It's like some crazy upside down love affair. More delectable is that it was named after a Russian ballerina.
Thanks to my aunt Heather for introducing me to this sweet treasure and to my aunt Jane for blogging about it.
And to make it a little tiny bit more common (come on, who reads this thing anyway?) I have found a recipe.
Pavlova
* 1 cup superfine sugar (250 ml)
* 1 tsp cornstarch (5 ml)
* 4 x large egg whites
* 1/4 tsp salt (1 ml)
* 1/4 tsp cream of tartar (1 ml)
* 1 tsp vanilla (5 ml)
* 1 tsp white vinegar (5 ml)
* 1 cup whipping cream (250 ml)
* 1/2 pt fresh raspberries
* 1/2 pt fresh blackberries
* 1/2 pt champagne grapes
* 1 bunch fresh mint
Directions:
Pavlova
1. Preheat oven to 275 F.
2. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a medium glass bowl combine ¼ cup sugar and cornstarch; mix with a fork until smooth.
4. With a high speed mixer beat egg whites until they foam, add salt and cream of tartar. Continue to beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining ¾ cup sugar, 2 tsp at a time, while beating constantly, until peaks stiffen. Beat in the cornstarch mixture until just blended. Add the vanilla and vinegar, continuing to mix until just blended. Spoon the mixture onto the cookie sheet. Making small 3 inch rounds. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn the heat off and leave the meringue in the oven for 1 hour to dry thoroughly. Remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Peel the paper from the bottom of the meringue and place the dessert on a serving dish or cake plate. Just before serving, whip the cream into soft peaks and spoon into the center of the meringue. Top the whipped cream with the fruit and serve immediately.
Now get to it. And send me the pictures!!
Pavlova, my friend, Pavlova.
What is that, you ask?
It is the most delicious menage et trois of meringue, custard and fresh fruit. It's like some crazy upside down love affair. More delectable is that it was named after a Russian ballerina.
Thanks to my aunt Heather for introducing me to this sweet treasure and to my aunt Jane for blogging about it.
And to make it a little tiny bit more common (come on, who reads this thing anyway?) I have found a recipe.
Pavlova
* 1 cup superfine sugar (250 ml)
* 1 tsp cornstarch (5 ml)
* 4 x large egg whites
* 1/4 tsp salt (1 ml)
* 1/4 tsp cream of tartar (1 ml)
* 1 tsp vanilla (5 ml)
* 1 tsp white vinegar (5 ml)
* 1 cup whipping cream (250 ml)
* 1/2 pt fresh raspberries
* 1/2 pt fresh blackberries
* 1/2 pt champagne grapes
* 1 bunch fresh mint
Directions:
Pavlova
1. Preheat oven to 275 F.
2. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a medium glass bowl combine ¼ cup sugar and cornstarch; mix with a fork until smooth.
4. With a high speed mixer beat egg whites until they foam, add salt and cream of tartar. Continue to beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining ¾ cup sugar, 2 tsp at a time, while beating constantly, until peaks stiffen. Beat in the cornstarch mixture until just blended. Add the vanilla and vinegar, continuing to mix until just blended. Spoon the mixture onto the cookie sheet. Making small 3 inch rounds. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn the heat off and leave the meringue in the oven for 1 hour to dry thoroughly. Remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Peel the paper from the bottom of the meringue and place the dessert on a serving dish or cake plate. Just before serving, whip the cream into soft peaks and spoon into the center of the meringue. Top the whipped cream with the fruit and serve immediately.
Now get to it. And send me the pictures!!
Monday, October 15, 2007
meow
"If you hold a cat by the tail you learn things you cannot learn any other way."
Mark Twain (1835-1910)
deer in the garden
Is a common occurrence.
They are attracted to the color of flowers. They like to eat red things. I think my grandmother told me this once.
It was a lovely an sunny weekend in Alberta. Hot too. 20'C in the middle of October.
More too follow except I am just so tired.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
thanks for..
1. Art Nouveau- it's waves and swirls comfort my soul
2. Paris's cheese shops- for awakening a sleeping passion
3. Flowers in black buckets in front of Vancouver corner stores- constant color no matter how gray the sky
4. flannel bedsheets
5. Feather duvets with feather pillows and small purring white cats- self explanatory, I think
6. Bergamont Rooiboos tea with honey and milk-how can this be wrong ever?
7. Hostels and boutique hotels- you give me hope.
8. Letterboxes- you are beautiful and seriously need to be reborn in 21st century architecture.
9. Wheat fields and prairie roses- what great tattoos are made of
10. The women in my life- my aunts, MY MOTHER, my sister, my grandmother, my friends Sonia and Bess- you remind me of my innate strength, the pull between being a girl and not so girly, and along side you, we are so beautiful.
11. No I don't think I'm 'missing anybody', but I suppose I could give thanks for my father but that's another post altogether.
is it butter or is it margarine?
Ever have one of those days when all of a sudden it feels as though you have no idea what you are doing or where you are going and suddenly the future looks dark and scary instead of bright and sunny??
I think I have too much water in my ears.
I think I have too much water in my ears.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Brasserie
One of my fondest photos from the last time I went to Paris.
I have been asked to be a part of a show in one of the art galleries in Vancouver's Yaletown. Means I have to go through the 900+ photos I took and edit them for a show. Bit nervous about it all. I really blew through Europe in March-April, snapped all I could and have avoided looking at the shots since. My 1st meeting with the curator is on the 15th.
big.deap.breath.in.
kitchen adventures
What do you do when you make a pumpkin pie and forget to add the eggs and find that after 35 minutes of cooking it's still soupy?
You pour out the pie into a bowl and whip in 2 eggs and pour it back in the shell and recook it.
At least that's Michel's bright idea.
I still say we should stop at a bakery and buy a proper pumpkin pie.
You pour out the pie into a bowl and whip in 2 eggs and pour it back in the shell and recook it.
At least that's Michel's bright idea.
I still say we should stop at a bakery and buy a proper pumpkin pie.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
call me waterlogged
Something about buying an expensive bicycle has made me feel guilty about the thought of hanging it in the laundry room for winter. Neither did I like the idea of putting away my nifty (and matching) riding shoes with clips that attach to the pedals. It didn't make any sense to me. But then again, neither did riding in the rain. Unprotected at least.
So another trip to the local MEC was in order to kit myself for the impending winter rains. To go along with the silk long johns and rain coat I bought to travel in Europe earlier this year, I got a few more things to make my commute a little bit nicer.
-A pair of bizarre looking gloves that are actually intended for paddling in water. They won't keep my hands dry but they will keep them warm.
- A pair of riding pants. Pretty self explanatory. Not at all fashionable and actually quite ugly but they are roomy enough for layering and will probably make the ride slightly more comfortable if my legs aren't soaking wet.
-And for the fancy riding shoes- a pair of shoe covers to keep them dry and my feet warmer. They also complete the look and make me look as though I have suited up for a journey into toxic waste.
That's what riding in the Vancouver rain will be like though.
The last thing I did was but a new one of these. Michael got my old black one that served me for 2 winters and it looks damn hot on him too.
Wish me luck. The goal is to commute 2-3 times each week by bike and if I survive, this may be my reward.
So another trip to the local MEC was in order to kit myself for the impending winter rains. To go along with the silk long johns and rain coat I bought to travel in Europe earlier this year, I got a few more things to make my commute a little bit nicer.
-A pair of bizarre looking gloves that are actually intended for paddling in water. They won't keep my hands dry but they will keep them warm.
- A pair of riding pants. Pretty self explanatory. Not at all fashionable and actually quite ugly but they are roomy enough for layering and will probably make the ride slightly more comfortable if my legs aren't soaking wet.
-And for the fancy riding shoes- a pair of shoe covers to keep them dry and my feet warmer. They also complete the look and make me look as though I have suited up for a journey into toxic waste.
That's what riding in the Vancouver rain will be like though.
The last thing I did was but a new one of these. Michael got my old black one that served me for 2 winters and it looks damn hot on him too.
Wish me luck. The goal is to commute 2-3 times each week by bike and if I survive, this may be my reward.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Monday, October 1, 2007
look out here she comes
It was only a matter of time and frankly I'm surprised it didn't happen a bit sooner. Another member of my family has joined the online revolution and started blogging. You know, it's frankly a bit surprising that it's taken this long. A have a few friends who have blogging siblings, cousins and even mothers.
Well I am the first one to have A BLOGGING AUNT.
Welcome to the blogosphere, Jane. I hope to be a regular visitor and commenter.
Why did you do it? Why haven't others?
I wonder what compels people to have a blog or to put random things on the Internet. I do it for the novelty. The fact that I could register a domain and put things somewhere where other people could read them or that I could look back on what I had done. I do it for a place to put the random things that cross my path that I think are interesting.
I do it, because, unbeknown to me at the time I started this little creation, all the people in Tehran who Google "More Kisses", can find me and wonder why aren't there more pictures.
Well I am the first one to have A BLOGGING AUNT.
Welcome to the blogosphere, Jane. I hope to be a regular visitor and commenter.
Why did you do it? Why haven't others?
I wonder what compels people to have a blog or to put random things on the Internet. I do it for the novelty. The fact that I could register a domain and put things somewhere where other people could read them or that I could look back on what I had done. I do it for a place to put the random things that cross my path that I think are interesting.
I do it, because, unbeknown to me at the time I started this little creation, all the people in Tehran who Google "More Kisses", can find me and wonder why aren't there more pictures.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
leave the car at home
You know, this just doesn't happen when you drive a car. I don't care how many people car pool with you. You just will not get a group of people who will beat box Phil Collin's "In the Air Tonight". And on the off chance that it does happen, there sure won't be an audience to video tape it.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
something blowing in the wind
The full moon which rises closest to the Autumn Equinox is called the Harvest Moon.
It's tonight and luckily for us it's rising in Aries- which means to take a fresh start. So have one.
Like a breath mint after a night of debauchery.
Come a little bit closer
Hear what I have to say
Just like children sleepin
We could dream this night away.
But theres a full moon risin
Lets go dancin in the light
We know where the musics playin
Lets go out and feel the night.
Because Im still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because Im still in love with you
On this harvest moon.
When we were strangers
I watched you from afar
When we were lovers
I loved you with all my heart.
But now its gettin late
And the moon is climbin high
I want to celebrate
See it shinin in your eye.
Because Im still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because Im still in love with you
On this harvest moon.
It's tonight and luckily for us it's rising in Aries- which means to take a fresh start. So have one.
Like a breath mint after a night of debauchery.
Come a little bit closer
Hear what I have to say
Just like children sleepin
We could dream this night away.
But theres a full moon risin
Lets go dancin in the light
We know where the musics playin
Lets go out and feel the night.
Because Im still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because Im still in love with you
On this harvest moon.
When we were strangers
I watched you from afar
When we were lovers
I loved you with all my heart.
But now its gettin late
And the moon is climbin high
I want to celebrate
See it shinin in your eye.
Because Im still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because Im still in love with you
On this harvest moon.
Monday, September 24, 2007
back in the day
Back in the day, I used to love to dance.
Back then, I used to ride my bike across the High Level Bridge and the North Saskatchewan River to Edmonton's Southside to dance the night away at the Commercial Hotel and listen to blues. I used go and drink water and dance and not much else. A few joints in the back alley and then I'd just stay and dance for song after song after song. I knew other people like me who just wanted to dance. If we sat one out it was on the steps of the dance floor.
Back then dancing was my only real form of exercise. That and smoking kept my 5'5 frame lean and svelte.
This video from french electro-pop band Yelle, makes me love it again.
Check this out.
Back then, I used to ride my bike across the High Level Bridge and the North Saskatchewan River to Edmonton's Southside to dance the night away at the Commercial Hotel and listen to blues. I used go and drink water and dance and not much else. A few joints in the back alley and then I'd just stay and dance for song after song after song. I knew other people like me who just wanted to dance. If we sat one out it was on the steps of the dance floor.
Back then dancing was my only real form of exercise. That and smoking kept my 5'5 frame lean and svelte.
This video from french electro-pop band Yelle, makes me love it again.
Check this out.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
ripples
The little box in the sky. A false cocoon against against the city down below. Lights flash in the horizon. Lightning strikes off in the distance. The big bolts of electricity jolt down from the sky. Boom. Boom. Floor to ceiling windows shudder from the sound. The rain swipes at the window in long sweeping strokes. Like a child with a whip too long to handle. Swish. Swish. Tiny pins tinkle against the glass. Sounds like ice crackling on frosty winter nights. Sheets woven from water distort the view causing the candy colored dots stream down and away like liquid ribbons of tail lights; swirling and oulining the arteries. The city thumps and beats. High above it all, the little box in the sky groans.
Monday, September 10, 2007
jet plane
I'm off to Toronto for the week to do work stuff. No personal laptop will be traveling with me so, updates are unlikely.
xo
Jill
xo
Jill
Sunday, September 9, 2007
redemtion
I take it all back. Call it a growing pain or a learning curve or maybe just a settling in to new digs.. but Dadeo's has made good with me and we're friends again.
I gave them another go and they came through in the ways I remembered. Accommodating friendly service where I felt like if I found 2 ingredients on the menu and asked if they would put them together and barter for a price, this could be a possibility. Doncha hate it when you see a restaurant with ice cream and orange pop but they don't have float and you ask them if they'll do one and they look at you blankly and say it isn't possible (and it's basically it's because it isn't programmed into their till service). Doesn't that just irk you? Well I've never found Dadeo's-Edmonton to be like that.
Dadeo's-Cambie didn't blink when I put my bike against the front window, walked in the "other door"; saying 'I hope you don't mind, I just want to be able to watch my bike and have a carefree dinner.' That's what we're all about, they said. And I felt it.
I ordered a Philly Cheese steak Po'boy with sweet potato fries. I opted away from the coleslaw and potato hash fearing a disappointment from before. I did talk to the owner about my previous visit and he apologized and quickly left to investigate the freshness. My Po'boy was fresh and yummy and delicious. A little bit soggy from the sauce but excusable. The fries were spicy and soft inside, perfectly partnered with herbed mayo but not quite enough to make it through all the fries.
I was welcome to sit as long as I wanted. The coffee was replenished, the table water tasted fresh and I had a yummy satisfying meal at Dadeo's. Along with a nice chat with the owner, they're coming along to being my favorite comfort food restaurant.
I gave them another go and they came through in the ways I remembered. Accommodating friendly service where I felt like if I found 2 ingredients on the menu and asked if they would put them together and barter for a price, this could be a possibility. Doncha hate it when you see a restaurant with ice cream and orange pop but they don't have float and you ask them if they'll do one and they look at you blankly and say it isn't possible (and it's basically it's because it isn't programmed into their till service). Doesn't that just irk you? Well I've never found Dadeo's-Edmonton to be like that.
Dadeo's-Cambie didn't blink when I put my bike against the front window, walked in the "other door"; saying 'I hope you don't mind, I just want to be able to watch my bike and have a carefree dinner.' That's what we're all about, they said. And I felt it.
I ordered a Philly Cheese steak Po'boy with sweet potato fries. I opted away from the coleslaw and potato hash fearing a disappointment from before. I did talk to the owner about my previous visit and he apologized and quickly left to investigate the freshness. My Po'boy was fresh and yummy and delicious. A little bit soggy from the sauce but excusable. The fries were spicy and soft inside, perfectly partnered with herbed mayo but not quite enough to make it through all the fries.
I was welcome to sit as long as I wanted. The coffee was replenished, the table water tasted fresh and I had a yummy satisfying meal at Dadeo's. Along with a nice chat with the owner, they're coming along to being my favorite comfort food restaurant.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Friday, August 31, 2007
triumph
From my apartment to my job is precisely 10.87 km by bicycle.
I have, in this week, cycled a total of:
10 commutes, or 108.72 km
or burned approximately 3,109.39 cal
or saved the planet of 25.66 kg of carbon dioxide had I driven a car or taken the bus.
My reward? A 1 hr massage on Sunday.
I have, in this week, cycled a total of:
10 commutes, or 108.72 km
or burned approximately 3,109.39 cal
or saved the planet of 25.66 kg of carbon dioxide had I driven a car or taken the bus.
My reward? A 1 hr massage on Sunday.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
rawr
I bike to work most mornings. I set off sometimes on the same route. Sometimes I meander through neighborhoods. Today I was coming up a slight hill and I saw something run across the street about 1/2 a block up. It was large. I casually thought, 'was that a cougar? Nah'. But when I got up to the end of the street and a small SUV was driving slowly along the street, I saw what they were watching and what I had 'seen'.
It was a somewhat timid or cautious young female coyote walking along the sidewalk, who looked like she would give good chase and take a bite out of my leg if she caught up. Mesmerising, in the funny way you wouldn't expect to see an elephant walking down the residential streets.
All I could think of was poor little Ruby being carted away for some thing's breakfast.
It was a somewhat timid or cautious young female coyote walking along the sidewalk, who looked like she would give good chase and take a bite out of my leg if she caught up. Mesmerising, in the funny way you wouldn't expect to see an elephant walking down the residential streets.
All I could think of was poor little Ruby being carted away for some thing's breakfast.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
high expectations
I went to Dadeo's and it didn't cut it. I thought about trying something new on the menu but I went with my old favorite- the blackened chicken po'boy.
The French roll was dry and not the 'so soft it will melt in your mouth' memory of the one's in Edmonton. The chicken was nothing special and god how I hate manufactured beefsteak tomatoes and their mealy texture. The potato hash had an odd indescribable taste, like the potatoes had been boiled in dirty water. Worst of all was the coleslaw which tasted like it was a week old or had been left out for 3 days. It was definitely off. Telling the staff only caused me to be marked and later avoided. I tried to salvage the experience by having key lime pie for dessert.
I've had it in Edmonton- a tasteful wedge of luscious lime on a light graham crust, decorated with shavings of lime zest. Light, fruity and not too sweet. This one? It was nearly a quarter of a pie, tasted like lime jello mixed with whipping cream and set in a soggy wafer crust, half of which had broken off. A measly dollop of warm soupy whipping cream decorated the plate. It was so sugary, it was a defining moment when I seriously thought my future my include diabetes.
Worst of all- after an evening of fairly inattentive service, was the cheque. They didn't take anything off for serving me sour coleslaw.
I'm afraid to say it folks, but I don't know how soon I'll go back to DaDeO's on Cambie.
The French roll was dry and not the 'so soft it will melt in your mouth' memory of the one's in Edmonton. The chicken was nothing special and god how I hate manufactured beefsteak tomatoes and their mealy texture. The potato hash had an odd indescribable taste, like the potatoes had been boiled in dirty water. Worst of all was the coleslaw which tasted like it was a week old or had been left out for 3 days. It was definitely off. Telling the staff only caused me to be marked and later avoided. I tried to salvage the experience by having key lime pie for dessert.
I've had it in Edmonton- a tasteful wedge of luscious lime on a light graham crust, decorated with shavings of lime zest. Light, fruity and not too sweet. This one? It was nearly a quarter of a pie, tasted like lime jello mixed with whipping cream and set in a soggy wafer crust, half of which had broken off. A measly dollop of warm soupy whipping cream decorated the plate. It was so sugary, it was a defining moment when I seriously thought my future my include diabetes.
Worst of all- after an evening of fairly inattentive service, was the cheque. They didn't take anything off for serving me sour coleslaw.
I'm afraid to say it folks, but I don't know how soon I'll go back to DaDeO's on Cambie.
Friday, August 24, 2007
opening the floodgates
Are you one of those people who just has to stay the hell away from Ebay or Etsy because you just shouldn't be left alone late at night with a credit card?
Are you one of those people who gets a 5 day adrenalin rush just waiting for the mail to arrive because you've bought something.
And are you one of those people that sees a pretty picture and then fantasizes being inside the pretty picture so much that you can't stand it and you go out of your way to make it happen?
Well if you are.. you don't want to see this.
Are you one of those people who gets a 5 day adrenalin rush just waiting for the mail to arrive because you've bought something.
And are you one of those people that sees a pretty picture and then fantasizes being inside the pretty picture so much that you can't stand it and you go out of your way to make it happen?
Well if you are.. you don't want to see this.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
po'boy heaven
oh boy oh boy oh boy!!
I have just found out my favorite restaurant has come to Vancouver.
Such a craving I was having, thought of a quick trip back to Edmonton was a serious consideration. This restaurant is definitely on the top 5 reasons why I would move back there. Now, I only foresee my boyfriend taking me out to dinner in the very near future but so delectable is this cuisine, a whole party might be in order.
Monday, August 20, 2007
can you judge a bookshelf by the books??
1. On Photography- Susan Sontag
2. The World Encyclopedia of Cheese
3. Do It!- Jerry Rubin
4. Diane Arbus- Patricia Bosworth
5. Janis- David Dalton
6. Weegee's World- Miles Barth
7. History of Art- 5th edition
8. The Crack Up- F. Scott Fitzgerald
9. The Tao of Pooh- Benjamin Hoff
10. Johnny Got His Gun- Dalton Trumbo
2. The World Encyclopedia of Cheese
3. Do It!- Jerry Rubin
4. Diane Arbus- Patricia Bosworth
5. Janis- David Dalton
6. Weegee's World- Miles Barth
7. History of Art- 5th edition
8. The Crack Up- F. Scott Fitzgerald
9. The Tao of Pooh- Benjamin Hoff
10. Johnny Got His Gun- Dalton Trumbo
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
switched sides
I have made a monumental choice in my personal computing status. Michael pushed me into it with the offer to offset the cost by buying the old one. Visions of headaches and Craigslist danced in my head. Other visions of transporting airily light and thin computing possibilities circled like vultures in my imagination. All of a sudden I realized that I too could be someone in a cafe, happily blogging away behind the glowing apple, because you know, this is an important thing in life. How I've longed to have eye glasses that make me look smart, a ironic tshirt, and a table in a window in a cafe where i can spend hours pretending that I "work from wherever". God I hope you know I'm kidding.
But the idea of matching my laptop to my ipod (insert more sarcasm) was too much too bear for much longer. I jumped and I jumped hard.
I am now the proud owner of a brand new sleek, pretty, stylish, light, user friendly, matches my Ipod, black macbook.
It let's me take pictures.
Like this one.
How fun.
But the idea of matching my laptop to my ipod (insert more sarcasm) was too much too bear for much longer. I jumped and I jumped hard.
I am now the proud owner of a brand new sleek, pretty, stylish, light, user friendly, matches my Ipod, black macbook.
It let's me take pictures.
Like this one.
How fun.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
it's the little things
homemade hummous with cumin and currants
hummous eaten with homemade pita chips with fresh cracked pepper and rock salt
just me, the cat and an a good movie
putting my bike on the bus to ride up the hill after work
riding down unfamiliar streets on a cool morning
lavender in the laundry detergent
new cookbooks and spicy spices
fresh flowers on the porch instead of the kitchen table
the farmer's market in the park across the street
bergamont rooiboos
hummous eaten with homemade pita chips with fresh cracked pepper and rock salt
just me, the cat and an a good movie
putting my bike on the bus to ride up the hill after work
riding down unfamiliar streets on a cool morning
lavender in the laundry detergent
new cookbooks and spicy spices
fresh flowers on the porch instead of the kitchen table
the farmer's market in the park across the street
bergamont rooiboos
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
better to eat you with
Sorry for the lack of updates lately.
There just hasn't been that much for me to sink my teeth into.
But don't you just love the marvel of modern technology? When has it ever been that you could have digital x-rays done and have them emailed to you before you got home. How many times have I wanted those little tiny teeth x-rays that the dentist would put up on the little light box on the wall. Geez- never mind those, how bought that one of my foot with the hairline fracture, or my knee, or my arm with the snapped bone? The art that could've been made.
There just hasn't been that much for me to sink my teeth into.
But don't you just love the marvel of modern technology? When has it ever been that you could have digital x-rays done and have them emailed to you before you got home. How many times have I wanted those little tiny teeth x-rays that the dentist would put up on the little light box on the wall. Geez- never mind those, how bought that one of my foot with the hairline fracture, or my knee, or my arm with the snapped bone? The art that could've been made.
speaking of food
I bought a new cookbook. I gave a favorite away to my favorite mother and felt the gaping hole on the cookbook shelf. Thinking about the foods I like to eat (salad, soup) and then using it as a criteria for a new book of recipes, I found Raising the Salad Bar by Catherine Walthers.
Other criteria used were:
-does it have good photographs? check
-is it easy to read? pretty font? check, check
-does it have a glossary or side pages of interesting info? check
-does it fall on at least 3 recipes you want to make when you flip through it? check
1. Arugula, celery and date salad with balsamic vinaigrette
2.Pesto pasta salad with chicken and oven roasted tomatoes.
3.Curried wheat berry salad with pistachio nuts and coconut (complete with curry-lime dressing recipe)
Ah, ya, don't even get me started on the back section of vinaigrette recipes..
Other criteria used were:
-does it have good photographs? check
-is it easy to read? pretty font? check, check
-does it have a glossary or side pages of interesting info? check
-does it fall on at least 3 recipes you want to make when you flip through it? check
1. Arugula, celery and date salad with balsamic vinaigrette
2.Pesto pasta salad with chicken and oven roasted tomatoes.
3.Curried wheat berry salad with pistachio nuts and coconut (complete with curry-lime dressing recipe)
Ah, ya, don't even get me started on the back section of vinaigrette recipes..
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