Tag Archives: urban simplicity

This is Just One Reason I like to Grow Food

There are of course so many reasons why a person should grow at least some of their own food. I do it to save a bit of money, to keep me connected to the earth, but mostly because the food tastes so damn good. This recipe is a perfect example. It is, of course, theContinue reading “This is Just One Reason I like to Grow Food”

Five Quotes from Pete Seeger

Image found here. “I am not going to answer any questions as to my association, my philosophical or religious beliefs or my political beliefs, or how I voted in any election, or any of these private affairs.” “I am saying voluntarily that I have sung for almost every religious group in the country, from JewishContinue reading “Five Quotes from Pete Seeger”

Substitutions and Experimentation…there’s more that one way to make a cheesy cracker

This recipe is the outcome of substitution and experimentation with ingredients to alter a recipe to fit my needs…and the outcome–if I do say so myself–is outstanding. But as usual I’m jumping ahead; let me begin again. Next week I’ll be serving a cocktail party showcasing the heirloom tomatoes from Tom Towers Farm. He gaveContinue reading “Substitutions and Experimentation…there’s more that one way to make a cheesy cracker”

A Food Photo and a Parallel Universe

Just a quick note… The above is a photo of something I made as a side dish for dinner last night….tomatoes, peppers, onions, and whole garlic cloves basted and braised slowly in a cast iron Dutch Oven just five feet from where they grew. Delicious (and easy)…my mouth waters as I type these words. It’sContinue reading “A Food Photo and a Parallel Universe”

A Few Things I Saw While Riding a Bike

Yesterday was such a beautiful day, idyllic really. Bright sun and slightly hotter than I’d like, but really nice. And for whatever reason, I was feeling a bit melancholic. Not sad, per se, but just askew. Annoyed. Something was missing. I didn’t make it to the health club for a power-swim, which is always aContinue reading “A Few Things I Saw While Riding a Bike”

THings That Can be Carried on a Bike (#470)

A dough rising bucket, 5lbs of whole wheat flour, a cardboard box containing three loaves of freshly baked Ezekiel Bread, 36 slightly used tapered candles, and a canvas bag containing–among other things–a journal, a book, a magazine, a cell phone, and an extra camera. Urban Simplicity.

Food Not Lawns

Though I have a small garden in the front of my house this (pictured above) was plucked this evening from the garden in the rear of the house. Beautiful, isn’t it. I have only about six broccoli plants (two out front and four in the back) but this time of year it grows almost quickerContinue reading “Food Not Lawns”

The Amazing Journey of Chen Guanming

 Photo copied from this location. This story, I believe, is truly inspiring on many levels. That’s Chen Guanming pictured above, who says that he has traveled more than 60,000km/40,000miles in the past 2 years–traversing 16 countries–from his homeland China to London to see the Olympics…and doing it all on his large cargo trike. What’s more,Continue reading “The Amazing Journey of Chen Guanming”

After the Rain (four photos and a few words)

Well it finally rained today. A crazy heavy downpour with thunder and lightening. I stood on the porch and watched it for a while. It lasted only about an hour. The rain is so infrequent this summer it seemed really special. I wished it would rain all day. It’s not very often I hope forContinue reading “After the Rain (four photos and a few words)”

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

A nylon bag containing–among other things–a laptop computer, an extra camera, a book, a journal, a small magazine, and two granola bars. Urban Simplicity.

Bursting with Color and Flavor…

Beautiful aren’t they…just picked this morning. Like much of the nation it has been hot in Western New York and the vegetable plants are loving it. Yesterday when I picked a perfectly ripe tomato for dinner it was not just warm from the sun but actually hot to the touch…it felt like it was cooked,Continue reading “Bursting with Color and Flavor…”

A Few Thoughts on Theology, Car Ownership, and Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#468)

Yup. That’s me in the above photo. Very rarely do I post pictures of myself on this blog but here’s one. And what’s even more odd is that it shows me getting into a car. My son took the photo of me getting into a Buffalo Car Share car last weekend. But as usual, I’mContinue reading “A Few Thoughts on Theology, Car Ownership, and Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#468)”

Moudardara (Lebanese Lentils and Rice)

This recipe is classic Middle Eastern Food. It is also easy to make and so delicious that you won’t be able to stop eating it. The recipe I’ve included here, of course, is a variation on the traditional. This is a dish that is often eaten during Lent and for that reason usually remains vegetarian,Continue reading “Moudardara (Lebanese Lentils and Rice)”

The Ezekiel Bread that Almost Wasn’t…

In order to explain the title of this post I have to tell a brief story. And the reason I tell this story is that I am a firm believer that good food can come out of mishap, or at least a near mishap. But I’m getting ahead of myself. The above picture is thatContinue reading “The Ezekiel Bread that Almost Wasn’t…”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#467)…and a couple quick comments

On the bike…A double portion of Chinese take-out, two bottles of red wine, and more than $200 worth of groceries in two cardboard boxes and a BikeRev trailer from three separate stores. A couple quick comments…the first thing is that tomorrow is the first time in about three months I’ll be using a car (viaContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#467)…and a couple quick comments”

Gazpacho Blanco (receta y fotos)

All I really need to say in this post is that this soup is really simple to make and delicious and that you should make it. But I’ll say just a  few more things. I made this for a luncheon I served at work today. It is a cool and refreshing soup, but also oneContinue reading “Gazpacho Blanco (receta y fotos)”