Tag Archives: urban simplicity

The Overview Effect…

You’ve likely seen this by now as it has been floating around cyber-space for a while. I really think it is worth the time to watch. I found it incredibly moving; inspiring. In one sense it made me feel small (in a good way) and in another it made me remember how incredible connected weContinue reading “The Overview Effect…”

Things That can be Carried on a Bike (#525)…and a few things I saw along the way

On the bike…a cardboard box containing other boxes full of food on their way to a local food pantry. A few things I saw along the way…the Bubble Man of Allen Street doing his thing, a random door covered in graffiti, and a truly incredible autumn sky. Urban Simplicity.

Morning and Evening…the view from my handlebars and front porch

It’s incredible to think that these two photos were taken a mere 11 hours apart and on the same day. It was/is a beautiful autumn day. The above photo was taken on my very short commute to work at about 8am and the below photo was taken from my front porch about 7pm. I justContinue reading “Morning and Evening…the view from my handlebars and front porch”

Sofrito!

Sofrito is both an ingredient, a seasoning, and a recipe all by itself. It is a simple method of simmering onion, peppers, garlic, and tomatoes in olive oil. But the flavor it imparts can be transformative to a dish. The key here is long slow cooking…it really brings out the flavors. But is often theContinue reading “Sofrito!”

Five or Eleven Quotes from Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens), plus a song and its lyric

Yusuf Islam  (born Steven Demetre Georgiou; 21 July 1948) “Communal well-being is central to human life.” “Ever since I became a Muslim, I’ve had to deal with attempts to damage my reputation and countless insinuations seeking to cast doubt on my character and trying to connect me to causes which I do not subscribe to.”Continue reading “Five or Eleven Quotes from Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens), plus a song and its lyric”

Scampi!

This is a simple but classic dish. Make this at home in minutes and save lots of money from what you’d pay in a restaurant (but then you have to wash the pans and dishes). Anyhow, this is really simple and truly flavorful. If you’ve never made this recipe before I hope you give itContinue reading “Scampi!”

Harvest Moon…

This is the view of the harvest moon from the end of my street in the middle of a medium-sized city on the eastern side of America. I find it really interesting and truly amazing that no matter what part of the globe you are reading these words sometime within a 24 hour span youContinue reading “Harvest Moon…”

Before the party…

I was the first one in the kitchen today. This is not always the case but it was today. I enjoy it; I find it soothing. It was a busy day today–I knew this before I arrived–but in the early hours of this hundred-year-old kitchen by myself I find it tranquil. And as usual, IContinue reading “Before the party…”

Two Views from My Handlebars…

 It was such a beautiful autumnal day today…cool and not a cloud in the sky. Idyllic. A great day to be out on a bicycle. I took these photos as I rode to-and-from the health club this evening. Urban Simplicity.

Things That can be Carried on a Bike (#523)…and a random photo of a sunflower.

On the bike (and in the trailer)…groceries, sundries, dog food, and a gym bag. Urban Simplicity.

The Supper of the Lamb…Robert Farrar Capon

Photo Credit.   Robert Farrar Capon October 26, 1925 – September 5, 2013 “Let me begin without ceremony. In addition to one iron pot, two sharp knives, and four heads of lettuce, you will need the following.” The above sentences are the opening lines of Robert Farrar Capon’s book, The Supper of the Lamb. IContinue reading “The Supper of the Lamb…Robert Farrar Capon”

Three Loaves and a Pie…

I haven’t posted this recipe in a while and I made it this morning so I thought I’d re-post it (as it is one of my favorites). It’s my basic whole wheat bread recipe with the addition of oats…delicious and nutritious. And is often the case, after the first rise of the dough (before IContinue reading “Three Loaves and a Pie…”

Autumn…

“Just as a painter needs light in order to put the finishing touches to his picture, so I need an inner light, which I feel I never have enough of in the autumn.”~Leo Tolstoy Autumn has always been my favorite season. And yes, I realize that we are a couple weeks away from it’s officialContinue reading “Autumn…”

No recipe needed…

One of my food purveyors delivered a case of peaches today from which these two come. Perfect, I thought (or likely said aloud) as I opened the case. I took one and bit in and sweet nectar ran down my chin. In some instances, such as this, I also thought to myself, I could notContinue reading “No recipe needed…”

These Are Lip Smackin’ Good…no joke

  Okay, so these may not be the healthiest thing I’ve posted on this blog, but geeze o’ man are they delicious. Boneless chicken tenders marinated in buttermilk and spices, then breaded with oatmeal and pan-fried (and yes, before you ask, these can be baked instead of pan-fried but they would loose some of their crispiness).Continue reading “These Are Lip Smackin’ Good…no joke”

Sweet, Sour, and Spicy Pickles (in just five minutes)

This is a basic refrigerator pickle recipe that can be made in just a few minutes but is really delicious and will keep excess produce for months (if kept refrigerated). I make this nearly every year at summer’s end to store cucumbers still hanging on their vines. You can make it with just cucumbers orContinue reading “Sweet, Sour, and Spicy Pickles (in just five minutes)”