Tag Archives: urban simplicity

Refrigerator Pickles

A next door neighbor gave me a few cucumbers and hot peppers today. Still having a couple cucumbers hanging on their vines I wanted to preserve these so  I made a quick batch of refrigerator pickles. These are so easy to make (and you can make them with almost any vegetable). Combine the vegetables andContinue reading “Refrigerator Pickles”

Back to the Basics

Today was the first time I’ve baked bread at home in probably two months. This is mostly because it has been so hot this summer I didn’t want to heat up the kitchen. My kitchen at work is already hot so I’ve been baking it there (making the dough at home and carrying it to-and-froContinue reading “Back to the Basics”

A Rather Interesting Bread Recipe

OK, so if you’ve been to this blog before you probably realize a few things–that I like cooking, bread making, and bike riding–but also that I have sort of eclectic tastes, meaning I have never really been one to stay “inside the box.” Anyhow, this is a good segue to this rather odd-sounding bread recipeContinue reading “A Rather Interesting Bread Recipe”

Who (or what) has been Eating My Corn?

A few days ago I noticed one of my cornstalks was either knocked or pulled down, and it looked like it was partially eaten. It annoyed me but I brushed it off thinking it was some neighbor kids who pulled it out and a rat nibbled on the fallen stalk. Well, it’s been going onContinue reading “Who (or what) has been Eating My Corn?”

Ride a Bicycle, circa 1919

I came across this and thought it was interesting enough to share; it’s from 1919. What I found really interesting is what the advert says on the left-hand side of the page, about halfway down (click the image; you may still need to enlarge it to read it). It states, “Ride a Bicycle. Physical fitnessContinue reading “Ride a Bicycle, circa 1919”

R.I.P. Val Kleitz

 Image found here. I just learned that cargo biker Val Kleitz has passed away earlier this month at the young age of 51. I did not know Val, nor have I ever met him, but I felt like I knew him. I had seen many postings about him on the Internet in previous years andContinue reading “R.I.P. Val Kleitz”

Tuscan-Style White Bean Soup

This full-flavored and nutritious soup is so easy to make and hearty enough to be a full meal (with some good bread, of course). In fact, it is so hearty if you add pasta to it (especially ditalini) and some Parmesan cheese you’ll have a sort of Pasta e Fagioli. Here it is in pictures;Continue reading “Tuscan-Style White Bean Soup”

Employee Meal 24 August 2011, Pâté de Campagne

Pâté de Campagne translates from the French as “Country Paste.” How’s that for demystifying something that sounds overly fancy or complicated. This is simple to make and can be eaten cold as an appetizer (sliced thin and served with toast points, gherkins, onion, and mustard) or sauteed for a hot sandwich. I don’t have aContinue reading “Employee Meal 24 August 2011, Pâté de Campagne”

Five Quotes from Simone Weil

Simone Weil3 February 1909 – 24 August 1943To read more about Simone Weil, click here and here. “Imagination and fiction make up more than three quarters of our real life.” “It is not the cause for which men took up arms that makes a victory more just or less, it is the order that isContinue reading “Five Quotes from Simone Weil”

Interesting old Bicycle Adverts

I enjoy old advertisements…it gives a glimpse of life during certain periods, and I particularly like old bicycle adverts (these two were found here…there’s many more if you’re interested). What I found interesting about these two–despite their odd titles–was their subject matter…both are promoting the bicycle as a healthy way to travel; that they areContinue reading “Interesting old Bicycle Adverts”

Red Sky at Night

I just snapped this photo from my front porch a few minutes ago. Beautiful, isn’t it?  But I’m still shaking a little…my nerves are frazzled. Not because of the photo or beautiful sky of course, but because of what happened a little while ago. I was on my way home from the local pizzeria withContinue reading “Red Sky at Night”

The Yuba Mundo (four generations)

This post is for all the Mundo riders out there (and other velophiles who are interested in cargo bikes). First I have to ask a silly question…what’s a good word for us; people who ride Mundo cargo bikes? Bicyclists is not specific enough. Mundonians? Yubonians? Yubites? Mundoners? Any, all, or none, I suppose. Sometimes myContinue reading “The Yuba Mundo (four generations)”

Things That Can Be Carried on a Bike (#346)…and a quick recipe

Things on the bike; all the ingredients for tomato sauce: 4 quarts fresh tomatoes (click here to see them)1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 small onions4 cloves of garlic1 tablespoon sugar 2 teaspoons sea salt 1 teaspoon fennel seeds1 teaspoon crushed hot pepper2 cups chicken broth1 bunch fresh basil (This is a simple butContinue reading “Things That Can Be Carried on a Bike (#346)…and a quick recipe”