Tag Archives: urban simplicity

A Few Things I Saw While Riding My Bike Today…

This morning, after working on a paper I need to write and feeling a bit overwhelmed, I went for a bike ride. I rode the short distance to Buffalo’s waterfront and Canalside. This is an interesting point where multiple waters meet…the Buffalo River, the Erie Canal, Lake Erie, and the Niagara River. It is suchContinue reading “A Few Things I Saw While Riding My Bike Today…”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#471)

A paper bag containing a couple portions of homemade macaroni-and-cheese, a few BBQ chicken wings, and a half-dozen Lebanese spinach pies. Also, a camera bag wrapped in a plastic bag (it has been raining for two days) containing a camera, an extra lens, and a battery charger. Urban Simplicity.

Spicy Lebanese-Style Whole Wheat Spinach and Toasted Walnut Pies (Yum!)

This is a variation on the classic Middle Eastern fatayer (savory pie). These are slightly different in a few ways. One is that rather than using white refined flour for the dough I used 100% whole wheat (delicious). I also used an egg wash on the dough and added sesame seeds. And in the fillingContinue reading “Spicy Lebanese-Style Whole Wheat Spinach and Toasted Walnut Pies (Yum!)”

l’heure bleue…

These are two photos of Allen Street, very close to whee I live. I had gone for the short walk in the cold, wet, wind and had a camera with me and snapped a couple photos. What is interesting, I think, are the colors. I’ve often said on this blog–and many of my photos reflectContinue reading “l’heure bleue…”

Hummus with Fresh Herbs, Sun Dried Tomatoes, and Seven-Spice Chicken

This is something I made for an employee meal today. It is really, really delicious (I ate so much I wished I had a bed to take a nap afterwards) and of course really simple to make. It is basically a hummus recipe layered (loaded, actually) with all sorts of good things. But the prize,Continue reading “Hummus with Fresh Herbs, Sun Dried Tomatoes, and Seven-Spice Chicken”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#469)

Three large cookbooks, a dough bucket containing a double batch of Honey-Oatmeal dough, and a canvas book bag containing–among other things–a spare camera, a periodical, and a small Bible. Urban Simplicity.

10 Random Things I saw While Walking in NYC this Past Weekend

I was in New York this past weekend. And whenever I’m in a large city–especially NYC–I love to walk. I had a camera with my (surprise, right?) and snapped a few photos. Actually I snapped nearly two hundred photos, and here are ten of them in no particular order (but I will give brief explanationsContinue reading “10 Random Things I saw While Walking in NYC this Past Weekend”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#468)…and a quick note

On the bike…two cardboard boxes containing various leftover food items (stuffed shells, Cornish game hen, lemon coconut cake, etc.; one box is actually empty), and two half-gallons of juice, a half-gallon of milk, (more) dog food, and a new pair of flip flops. A quick note…I’ll be away from my computer for the next fewContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#468)…and a quick note”

Crocuses and Lillies…evidence of spring

Despite the cold temps, these plant still manage to push through the damp soil and reach for the sun. Amazing isn’t it? In a few month’s time the crocuses will be a memory and the tiger lillies (two below) will all but have taken over my garden. Urban Simplicity.

10 Quotes from Maya Angelou

The above image of Ms. Angelou receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom was found here. “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” “Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.”  “My missionContinue reading “10 Quotes from Maya Angelou”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#467), the View from My Handlebars, and a single brief comment

On the bike…two bottles of red wine, a gym bag containing wet clothing, two bags of dog food, and a jar of tahini. The view…more construction at the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus. This is really exciting. Click here, here, or here, if you’d like to read more about it. Urban Simplicity.

Chickpea and Haricots Verts Falafel with Spicy Roast Pepper Taratoor Sauce (Yum!)

So yes, these little vegetarian/vegan nuggets are as good as they look (bet you can’t eat just one). And yes (as usual) they are really simple–exceedingly simple–to make. They are not only a play on the classic falafel and taratoor sauce (chickpea fritters and sesame-garlic sauce), they are actually a variation of an earlier postContinue reading “Chickpea and Haricots Verts Falafel with Spicy Roast Pepper Taratoor Sauce (Yum!)”

Three Quotes and a Short Video from John Fugelsang (for Easter)

“The only way you can cling to both a Bible and a gun is by ignoring Jesus.”“Obama is not a brown-skinned, anti-war, socialist who gives away free health care. You’re thinking of Jesus.”“Only in America can you be Pro-Death Penalty, Pro-War, Pro-Unmanned Drone Bombs, Pro-Nuclear Weapons, Pro-Guns, Pro-Torture, Pro-Land Mines, AND still call yourself Pro-Life.”Continue reading “Three Quotes and a Short Video from John Fugelsang (for Easter)”

Things I Saw While Riding My Bike Today (a photo essay)

Firstly I have to say a couple things. Mainly an apology (if these pictures bore you). This is the most photos I’ve posted at one time. But sometimes I simply cannot help myself. I am proud of my beautiful city and it’s long history. Yes, I realize–to my friends “across the pond” who are readingContinue reading “Things I Saw While Riding My Bike Today (a photo essay)”

A Recipe for Spring (whether it feels like spring or not)

So yes it is officially spring, but no–like much of the country–it does not feel like it. Nonetheless, I’m cooking as if it is. This is a really simple and really delicious recipe for stove-top braised asparagus. It’s really just a variation of any of my aglio e olio recipes…but with a couple more steps.Continue reading “A Recipe for Spring (whether it feels like spring or not)”

Ezekiel French Toast with Pineapple Syrup and Caramelized Mango (recipe and pics)

Sometimes it pays off (for my son) to have a professional cook for a dad. French toast is his favorite breakfast and I make it for him every couple of weeks. I’ve posted many variations of this but this particular one is one of my favorites (to see other versions of this,  including more pics,Continue reading “Ezekiel French Toast with Pineapple Syrup and Caramelized Mango (recipe and pics)”

Aerial Ballet…predators looking for food in the city

This is pretty cool (I think)…birds of prey looking for food in the heart of the city. I first posted about these birds last year, when one of them took up residence in a garden where I work. At the time I thought it was a falcon (our city does host does have them…click here,Continue reading “Aerial Ballet…predators looking for food in the city”