Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#464, 465, & 466)

#464 (top)…three loaves of whole wheat bread, a two-foot wooden dowel, two slices of savory vegetable Tart Tatin, four picture frame mats, a small portfolio, and a dough rising bucket. #465 (middle)…six peaches, six nectarines, a dozen apples, a half-gallon of milk, a jar of peanut butter, a jar of jelly, 5 pounds of dogContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#464, 465, & 466)”

And on the lighter side…

Sometimes I forget, or at least take it for granted. I often–on this blog and elsewhere–voice my views how great bikes are as a means of personal transport and that they are a viable vehicle in today’s world, and also that they can carry all sorts of stuff…most everything you need, in fact. I’m onContinue reading “And on the lighter side…”

Two Chilled Soups

Here’s a couple really simple chilled soup recipes to satisfy your appetite while keeping the kitchen cool. One is traditional and another contemporary; both are delicious. These are part of an article I recently wrote for Artvoice newspaper; to read the entire article–which includes additional recipes and the stories behind them–click here (yes, a bitContinue reading “Two Chilled Soups”

Five Quotes from Ray Bradbury

Photo Credit: Steve Castillo/Associated Press  Ray Douglas Bradbury  August 22, 1920 – June 5, 2012 “Love. Fall in love and stay in love. Write only what you love, and love what you write. The key word is love. You have to get up in the morning and write something you love, something to live for.”  “StuffContinue reading “Five Quotes from Ray Bradbury”

Choricitos!

In the event that you’ve never had them, choricitos are–as their name suggests–small chorizo sausages. They are pictured raw above and cooked below…my mouth waters as I type these words. They are so easy to make–mix everything together and shape them–and really versatile. Make them spicy or not, they can be eaten as an appetizerContinue reading “Choricitos!”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#444)

A dough rising bucket and a cardboard box containing loaves of freshly baked whole wheat bread.   100% Whole Wheat Bread Makes 2 loaves 2 cups whole wheat flour 1 cup water 2 teaspoons instant yeast ____________ 4 cups whole wheat flour 1 3/4 cups water ____________ 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup olive oil 3Continue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#444)”

An Army of One..a really little one

I generally do not post things on this blog related to politics or the military (other than my posts regarding military bicycles), it’s just not what I want this blog to be about. But when I came across this photo today I couldn’t help myself (I found it at A Taste for Social Media). HasContinue reading “An Army of One..a really little one”

Yet Another Variation

I’ve mentioned many times on this blog that this dish (Lebanese Chicken-and-Rice) is one of my all-time favorite recipes, I could eat it a couple times a week and not tire of it. I’ve also posted many variations of it, and this is yet another. The thing I did different this time–other than using brownContinue reading “Yet Another Variation”

A Pin, a Quote, and a Prayer…a few thoughts on peace

The above image is of a pin that was given to me yesterday by a friend (thanks Jane!). It’s a miniature version of a sign that I’ve had in the front garden for the past years. Actually the sign in front of my house is the second sign…the first was stolen (how’s that for irony).Continue reading “A Pin, a Quote, and a Prayer…a few thoughts on peace”

Lebanese-Style Chicken-and-Brown Rice (sans boeuf ou d’agneau)

Yes I’ve posted this recipe before–or many variations of it–but it’s one of my favorites and I can’t help but post it again in hopes that more people try it. This is yet another variation of the classic Lebanese Chicken-and-Rice recipe that I grew up with. While this version still has toasted vermicelli, I usedContinue reading “Lebanese-Style Chicken-and-Brown Rice (sans boeuf ou d’agneau)”

La Menthe Vinaigrette (ou citronette)

This is by far my favorite vinaigrette sauce. And I consciously use the word sauce rather than dressing because it is more than a salad dressing. This can be used as a dip or drizzled over poultry, seafood, or meat..and of course used as a salad dressing (it is in fact the basis to theContinue reading “La Menthe Vinaigrette (ou citronette)”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#421)

Two nylon bags, a canvas bag, 3 books, an electronic reader, a pocket Bible, a camera, a tripod, a magazine, a laptop computer, a journal, and various writing implements. Urban Simplicity.

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#418)…plus a brief comment and a video

On the bike…A gym bag containing wet clothes, a canvas bag containing an extra camera and batteries, and 3 liters of red wine. A brief comment…If you’ve been to this blog more than once you likely know that my “adult beverage” of choice is red wine (coffee is my other vice but that’s in theContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#418)…plus a brief comment and a video”

Red Red

It’s been raining, sleeting, and hailing for most of the day today. Maybe that’s why these flowers caught my eye…their bright colors in the midst of a drab and grey day. Beautiful aren’t they. I took a couple of these this morning as I left my house for work, and a few more on myContinue reading “Red Red”

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”

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”

Instructions for Life

Somewhat recently I posted the Holstee Manifesto, this is along those same inspiring terms. There are plenty of versions of this floating around the Internet, but I came across this one at the blog of Elena Levon. This states that the list was penned by the Dalai Lama. I’m not sure if it is butContinue reading “Instructions for Life”