Tag Archives: urban simplicity

A Few Random Photos

I’m still getting used to my somewhat new (used) camera. I had some time yesterday and went for a walk and shot a few photos. The above is of one of my dogs, Maxwell…how could you not love that face. The image first below is the rear of Kleinhans Music Hall. And the bottom threeContinue reading “A Few Random Photos”

Two Loaves of Ezekiel Bread, a Pizza, and Why it Took Nearly 48 Hours to Make them

Firstly, this post is not about how to make Ezekiel Bread, per se, but more about how to incorporate bread making into the rhythm of your daily life rather than upsetting it. I have always thought, and still do, that the bread mostly makes itself, we simply provide the correct conditions and guide it along.Continue reading “Two Loaves of Ezekiel Bread, a Pizza, and Why it Took Nearly 48 Hours to Make them”

Five Quotes from Lao Tzu

Sixth century BC depiction of Lao Tzu, found here. Lao Tzu at wikipedia.Tao Te Ching at wikipedia.Read the Tao Te Ching online. “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” “Be content with what you have; rejoice inContinue reading “Five Quotes from Lao Tzu”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#426)

A cardboard box containing $22.36 in groceries, a gym bag containing wet clothes, a smaller bag containing an extra camera and batteries, five high tension hex bolts, nuts, and washers (more parts for the truck repair), and 3 liters of red wine. Urban Simplicity.

Basmati Rice with Salmon, Saffron, Peas, and Grape Tomatoes

This is something I made for staff lunch today. It’s really just a variation of a basic rice pilaf that includes salmon. If you prefer not to use fish (which would be a shame because this is delicious), chicken or lamb would be good substitutes but they would have to be cooked longer (in theContinue reading “Basmati Rice with Salmon, Saffron, Peas, and Grape Tomatoes”

Inner and Outer Beauty

I realize I’ve posted a fair amount of flower pictures lately but I can’t help myself. They are incredible to look at with a naked eye but when zoomed and seen through a lense of a camera they can seem almost other-worldly. The season for these will be over soon enough and you’ll begin toContinue reading “Inner and Outer Beauty”

I’ve Made a Decision

Before I get to mentioning the decision let me first explain the above image. That is a new rear spring bracket I purchased today for $80 for my truck. I’ve mentioned many times on this blog that I am not car-free but am car-lite. Anyhow, the above bracket has to replace the rotted one onContinue reading “I’ve Made a Decision”

Five Quotes from Mary Oliver

Photo credit: Josh Reynolds I have to admit that I was not familiar with the poems of Mary Oliver before this morning. I am currently reading the book, Falling-Upward: Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life, by Richard Rohr, when I came across this quote that he had sited: Tell me, what is it youContinue reading “Five Quotes from Mary Oliver”

Grilled Watermelon, Chicken, and Feta Salad

Yup…you read it correct; grilled watermelon. It may sound a bit odd but it’s really rather good (and actually quite popular). I served this for staff lunch a few days ago on lettuce with slivered red onion, feta cheese, and grilled chicken breast. It is also delicious with this vinaigrette. Simply brush the melon withContinue reading “Grilled Watermelon, Chicken, and Feta Salad”

Five More Photos of Spring

These photos were taken over the past couple weeks…definitely not the last couple days. The reason I say this is the past couple days we have been experiencing the outer edges and remnants of a Nor’easter that has really pummeled much of the east coast. We (Western New York) were lucky in that we’ve onlyContinue reading “Five More Photos of Spring”

A Cold, Wet Day and Evening..good for practice

Today–as the title of this post stated–was cold and wet. Not the dangerous frigid cold you get in mid-winter, but that bone-chilling wet-cold that can only come in the spring. And it’s been sort of snowing and raining for the better part of the day. Anyhow, I mentioned in a previous post how dismayed IContinue reading “A Cold, Wet Day and Evening..good for practice”

Two Signs of Protest

The above image was borrowed from Face Your Farmer, and the below one has been floating around the internet for quite a while. I like what they say and I believe them both to be true and accurate…but that’s not why I do both these things (at least not the only reason). Each year IContinue reading “Two Signs of Protest”

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)”

Now This is Interesting (a brief story)

Most who visit this blog know that I like bikes…a lot. I ride mainly for transportation, but also because I enjoy it. And some also know that I am not entirely car-free, but car-lite (I own one small late model pick up truck and a small fleet of bikes). Sometimes it seems silly that IContinue reading “Now This is Interesting (a brief story)”

Five Quotes from John Muir

Photo Credit: National Park Service John Muir (21 April 1838 – 24 December 1914) “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” “God has cared forContinue reading “Five Quotes from John Muir”

Five Photos of Flowers…and a few words

I took these photos mostly in a neighbors front yard when I arrived home from work late this afternoon. The sun shone just right that they almost seemed illuminated. Interestingly, of the three cameras that I own, the smallest of them–a teeny Sony Cyber-Shot that I purchased for $99 two years ago–takes the best closeContinue reading “Five Photos of Flowers…and a few words”