Category Archives: urban simplicity

Plus d’oiseaux…

This is really a continuation of a previous post where I described riding past a tree and some bushes loaded with these little birds.  Well I was riding past this same location today and heard them chirping away again. And this time I had a better camera with me so I thought I’d take aContinue reading “Plus d’oiseaux…”

Yup…it is cold and snowy (and a few things I saw on my walk)

  The above temperature is what we woke up to here in WNY. I know it is not nearly as cold as the Mid-West, but geeze ‘o man it is cold. I went out in it only briefly today (to split some logs for the wood-burning stove and then to the store fore a bottleContinue reading “Yup…it is cold and snowy (and a few things I saw on my walk)”

Brrr…

Ok. So we are not alone in this. Like much of the north eastern US, we here in Buffalo are gripped with cold and snow. Did I mention cold? For my friends across the pond 7F translates to almost -14c. Anyhow, it is cold. And it’s gonna get colder (check out tomorrow’s low). It’s interestingContinue reading “Brrr…”

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Cashews, Garlic, and Hot Peppers

So I have to start this post with what seems to be my mantra when it comes to recipes…This is so easy to make and it’s super delicious and nutritious, too.But it is.I really urge you to try this. It can be served as a side dish or if you want to go meatless itContinue reading “Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Cashews, Garlic, and Hot Peppers”

New Years Day (two photos)…

 It has been cold outside. Really cold. In the teens and single digits Fahrenheit. Snowy, too. Anyhow, after doing a bunch of errands today I bundled up and grabbed a camera and tripod and went for a brief but contemplative walk (which ended with beers at a bar). Anyhow, these are a couple pics ofContinue reading “New Years Day (two photos)…”

Curried Split Pea Soup!

Ok, so here’s another recipe that is super easy, really delicious, nutritious, and also satisfying in a cold day. Yellow Split pea soup with curry. The basic recipe is below but you can also add or subtract to it as you like (it’s equally good without curry, for example, but I happen to like theContinue reading “Curried Split Pea Soup!”

Things that can be Carried on a Bike (#557 & #558)

#557 (above)…Construction debris on its way to a dumpster. #558 (below)…$110 in groceries, sundries, and dog food. Urban Simplicity.

There’s more than one way to cook an egg…

Eggs. They really are incredible aren’t they. They have so many uses in cooking, and they are of course a food itself. There is a lot of lore behind them, including that of the old fashioned chefs toque…which is said to have 100 pleats in it representing the 100 ways a chef knows how toContinue reading “There’s more than one way to cook an egg…”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#555)

A Camera bag. A new book (this one, which I’m really excited about). Two new pairs of pants. Eight wood panels measuring 2ft by 4ft each (two full sheets of 1/2inch plywood quartered), and four 6ft boards. Urban Simplicity.

Five or Ten Quotes from Dr. Seuss

Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka…Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg, Rosetta Stone, Theophrastus Seuss) “You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.”  “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”“Only you can control your future.”“Don’t cry because it’s over, smileContinue reading “Five or Ten Quotes from Dr. Seuss”

A few thoughts about riding a bike in the winter, and the view from my kitchen window…

The above image is the view from the kitchen window from where I am employed. It was snowing rather heavily and when I looked out the window at one point I thought that it was as pretty as a picture…so I took one. Anyhow, as mentioned in a previous post, I’ve actually driven a carContinue reading “A few thoughts about riding a bike in the winter, and the view from my kitchen window…”

Buffalo Creek on Christmas Day

Yesterday and the day prior I drove a car (yup, it’s true…Buffalo Car Share). Two of my sisters live about 25 miles from me and this is the best way to get to them on a cold Christmas day. Anyhow, I used the opportunity to snap a few photos along the way. All of theContinue reading “Buffalo Creek on Christmas Day”

Christmas…

I’ve posted this Christmas prayer/mediation by Paramahansa Yogananda for the past few Christmases. I find it so beautiful that I thought I would post it again. But the difficult part, the nearly impossible part (at least for me), is living up to it…but it’s good, I think, to have something to aspire to. Merry Christmas.Continue reading “Christmas…”

Things That can be Carried on a Bike (#554)

A case of red wine. Four slices of hot pizza. $112 in groceries. A second bike.Urban Simplicity.

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#553)…and how to go Christmas shopping on a bike in the cold rain.

On the bike…Christmas presents. How to go Christmas shopping on a bike in the cold rain…bring heavy plastic trash bags with you to wrap purchases in. Bring a plastic tote to carry items in. Even if you think the tote will not leak it likely will (it did)…hence the plastic bags. Accept that you willContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#553)…and how to go Christmas shopping on a bike in the cold rain.”

Das Brot!

Ezekiel Bread. Enough said. This is one of my favorite breads and still one of the most popular reasons people find their way to this little blog. I have a few versions of this recipe but the one below is the one I use most often. For additional directions and pictures of it being made,Continue reading “Das Brot!”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#552)

Two boxes of food on their way to a local food pantry. Urban Simplicity.