Category Archives: Simplicity

The Times They Are A Changing…

I’ve posted this short video before but recently came upon it and it seems as fresh as when I first saw it, so thought I’d re-post (for those who may not have seen it initially). I originally came across it at the excellent Toronto based blog, The Urban Country. It’s only a minute long andContinue reading “The Times They Are A Changing…”

Five Photos of Snow and Cold

As mentioned in a previous post, we got a good taste of winter last night and today…frigid temperatures and a fair amount of snow. I wasn’t out a great deal–just enough to enjoy it–but I did snap a few photos. Even though the above photo was the last I took I chose to place itContinue reading “Five Photos of Snow and Cold”

Beauty in the Mundane: Five Photos of Vegetables, Ground, and Sky

The above photo, “Five Baby Carrots,” is an image of a few of the carrots I’ll be serving as part of a crudité tomorrow…carrots come in a lot of amazing colors (beautiful aren’t they). The next three photos are things I saw on the ground while walking: “Lone Acorn in the Evening Sun,” “Bent Grate”Continue reading “Beauty in the Mundane: Five Photos of Vegetables, Ground, and Sky”

A Few Photos of Snow, Slush, and Rain

  I’ve commented a few times recently on what wacky weather we’ve had this winter, it seems to change daily…but today hourly. The above photo and the one immediately below were taken this morning as I left for work. It had snowed a little overnight and there was ice on the roads, but as theContinue reading “A Few Photos of Snow, Slush, and Rain”

Three Photos and Six Recipes

Did you know that January is NationalSoup Month? Well it is, and rightly so. It’s perfect for the cold weather and seemsto nourish both body and soul. Soup is delicious and nutritious,and it’s easy to make. If you can boil water you can make soup. Andthere’s something about a simmering soup pot…it’s the originalcomfort food.Continue reading “Three Photos and Six Recipes”

A Few Random Photos

Here’s a few random photos I’ve taken over the last few days. The one above and immediately below were taken this evening, and were in fact the reason of this post…the sunset was so incredible–even on a cold night and in an inner city–that I felt the need to share it. They were both takenContinue reading “A Few Random Photos”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#390)

$132.72 in groceries, sundries, and dog food (and four slices of pizza), in a cardboard box and soda crate from  three separate stores.   Urban Simplicity.

Simple Stirfy…or, how to make something really quick and delicious with what you have

I’ve said this before, but some evenings cooking dinner in my home is like taking a mystery basket test. By the time I get home my son is hungry (and so am I) so time is something to consider…and there’s often just a scant few things in the fridge. Don’t believe the unrealistic TV showsContinue reading “Simple Stirfy…or, how to make something really quick and delicious with what you have”

Isaac’s Mexican Shrimp Recipe

My teenage son came to me and asked how to make a Mexican shrimp recipe the other day. I was a bit surprised…he was, after all, not simply asking what there is to eat (or why there’s “nothing” in the fridge) or what time dinner is ready. I’m joking, of course, I feel blessed toContinue reading “Isaac’s Mexican Shrimp Recipe”

Tacos con Carnitas de Pollo…and a few comments on Ezekiel Bread

Pictured above is one of the tacos I made for my son and I for dinner tonight, before it was rolled up of course. Buried under the vegetables and sour cream are the carnitas…delicious. But more on that in a minute. First I have a couple unrelated comments. Between urbansimplicity.com and urbansimplicty.wordpress.com there are nearlyContinue reading “Tacos con Carnitas de Pollo…and a few comments on Ezekiel Bread”

More Interesting Bikes

I came across these bikes on east 10th Street last evening while looking for the former residence of Kahlil Gibran (more on that in a later post). For those of you reading this that happen to live in a large metropolis (or a small one that is “bicycle progressive”) seeing bikes like this parked curbsideContinue reading “More Interesting Bikes”

Interesting Old Bike

I love old bikes…especially those that are still in use. This is an example; I came across it locked to a stand in Greenwich Village last night. In a city like New York you see plenty of old bike leaning around (probably less likely to get stolen than a shiny new one), but what caughtContinue reading “Interesting Old Bike”

The Journey is Sometimes as Important as the Destination (and how to eat on a train)

Because of modern technology I am typedthese words—and subsequently uploaded them to this blog—as Ibarreled down train tracks at 60 mph on my way to NYC. This is one ofmy favorite train trips (from Buffalo to New York). It’s about 500miles and take just about the same time as it would to drive. Infact, itContinue reading “The Journey is Sometimes as Important as the Destination (and how to eat on a train)”

A Few Pictures from a Cold Grey Day

This winter has been exceedingly mild and warm (did someone say global warming?)…by this time we–in Western New York–are usually buried under a couple feet of snow resulting from our second or third snow storm. As I type these words there is a mere glazing of snow on the ground. I’m not complaining (it’s greatContinue reading “A Few Pictures from a Cold Grey Day”

Woody Gutheire’s New Years Resolutions 1942

Courtesy Boing Boing  It’s interesting to come across someone’s notes like this…70 years after the fact. Not only was Woody Guthrie an incredibly moving and entertaining musician/performer, and a talented artist, he seems to have had quite the sense of humor as well. Click the iimage for a slightly larger view. Urban Simplicity.

A Few Pics (during semi-delirium)

These are a few photos I took during the day and then just as the sun was going down. The reason I wrote the pics were taken “in a semi-delirium” is my current physical state…nothing major, just the common cold. But it’s one I’ve been fighting for about the past week or so, and I’mContinue reading “A Few Pics (during semi-delirium)”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#384)

A new but inexpensive ceiling light for the kitchen, 4 lbs. of dog food, and $67.22 in groceries, sundries, and cold medications (yes, I have a slight cold for the new year) from 4 separate stores in three plastic soda crates. Urban Simplicity.