Author Archives: Joe

Paint it Black

This is a continuation of a previous post. I love the new color, it is more me; I feel more comfortable on the bike now. I still have not ridden it much…disassembled and reassembled it today to paint it, and now it’s pouring rain. I did find it interesting removing the front and rear wheels;Continue reading “Paint it Black”

Love the Bike but not the Color (mon nouveau vélo est arrivé)

Yep…loving this bike so far but not the color (more on why I purchased this color below). I’ve been in the market for a somewhat inexpensive bike to replace my winter bike (aka…the Mule; aka…my home built cargo bike). This is not to replace the Mundo (which is still my favorite bike); it’s just thatContinue reading “Love the Bike but not the Color (mon nouveau vélo est arrivé)”

More Flowers

Today was another day of summer in Western New York even though we are only a few days into spring. It was 80F/27C…odd for this time of year. Everything is coming up early. Despite the unsettling early arrival of the warm temps I’d be fibbing if I said I wasn’t enjoying it (though I’d alsoContinue reading “More Flowers”

Tomato Soup Recipe

This is one of the simplest soups to make but as simple as it is it is equally satisfying. I made this at work today (albeit a larger batch than in the below recipe) and thought I’d share it. Creamof Tomato Soup Yield:2 quarts 3tablespoons unsalted butter 2shallots, peeled and minced 2cloves garlic, peeled andContinue reading “Tomato Soup Recipe”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#413)

A new coffee maker, 3L of red wine, two bags of dog food, sundries, cleaning supplies, and a weeks worth of groceries. Urban Simplicity.

Five Quotes from Robert Zimmerman

Fifty years and two days ago Bob Dylan’s first LP was released. I find this amazing…five decades and he still influences new audiences. When that album came out I was not quite five months old, and some twenty years later I became a fan of his music. Now, after the span of more years myContinue reading “Five Quotes from Robert Zimmerman”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#412)

10lbs/4.5kg whole wheat flour, 1 gal/3.78L virgin olive oil, and a canvas bag containing a book, a camera, a Bible, a calendar, and a few pencils. Urban Simplicity.

Bike Happy

In the event you haven’t seen this floating around the Internet for the past couple weeks I thought I’d post it. When I saw it it made me smile and it still does. But I also find it appropriate because I just ordered another bike. Another, you may ask? My response…Hey, I’ve pared the fleetContinue reading “Bike Happy”

Corned Beef Hash

“Mama turns the left-overs into hash, I’m doin’ alright for country trash.” Country Trash, by Johnny Cash. As most likely know, this past Saturday was St. Patrick’s Day (yesterday was the parade here in Buffalo) and one of the traditional foods eaten is the boiled dinner or corned beef (to read an article with history andContinue reading “Corned Beef Hash”

Night and Day: Two Photos

I took the above photo last night as I was walking my dogs…it’s an image of a murder of crows circling about and communicating in their secret crow language (to read a recent post about crows, and what I mean by the aforementioned statement, click here). The below image is of a vine on theContinue reading “Night and Day: Two Photos”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#411)…and a recipe

Things on the Bike…a canvas bag containing a laptop computer, another canvas bag containing–among other things–a camera and a couple books, a plastic soda crate containing three loaves of freshly baked sweet potato bread, a dough rising bucket, and five slightly used taper candles. The recipe below is one that I’ve made plenty of timesContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#411)…and a recipe”

Urban Simplicity @ Facebook

Yes…I know. Facebook is one of those love-it or not things that exists in the modern world in which we live. I have had a personal Facebook page for a while and have thought about an Urban Simplicity page for sometime. Anyhow, I just got around to creating it. So if you are inclined toContinue reading “Urban Simplicity @ Facebook”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#410)

$81.95 in groceries and sundries. To see a few more things I’ve carried on a bike, click here. Urban Simplicity.

100% Whole Wheat Bread

This recipe is the not only the basic recipe I use for all of my whole wheat breads, it is the base of all my whole wheat bread recipes…if you master this recipe the variations from this are nearly limitless. This is also an excellent example of artisan bread being made with only whole wheatContinue reading “100% Whole Wheat Bread”

Spring Flowers (in my neighbor’s front yard)

I had mentioned in a previous post that I have been suffering with a nasty cold for the past week; besides working I have basically been hibernating. Last night was the first time I left the house for anything other than necessities of daily living. And while I am on the backside of the illnessContinue reading “Spring Flowers (in my neighbor’s front yard)”

Invasion of the Crow

I’ve posted pictures of crows before but am finding them ever fascinating lately. And tonight–after just recovering from a cold and feeling I needed some air–went for a walk on a foggy evening at dusk and took a few more photos. I’m not sure if I’m just noticing them these last couple years but theyContinue reading “Invasion of the Crow”

The Goodness of Beer

The above image is The Waitress by Edouard Manet A little over a week ago I posted this recipe for Potato Bread with Beer…and also stated that it was not made with 100% whole wheat flour. Which is fine…it’s still a very good recipe, but these days I prefer whole wheat. Anyhow I thought I’dContinue reading “The Goodness of Beer”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#409)

A cardboard box containing 3 portions of homemade dog food (chopped beef scraps in juice), 4 roast veal bones (which were used to make stock at work but are now treats for the dogs), and a small spray bottle each of “hot spot” spray and canine hydrocortisone. I wonder who the real boss of theContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#409)”