urban simplicity – Page 89

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#222)

4 pounds of dog food, 3 liters of red win, a paint tray, 4 paint brushes, A quart of milk, 2 pints of ice cream, a quart of juice, 4 “c” batteries, 2 9-volt batteries, a DVD, and 200 paper bathroom cups.

Human Powered Pickup Truck

Now this is really cool…I came across it at Cargo Bike Gallery. It reminds me of images I’ve seen of Chinese cargo trikes. And at about $3000 (U.S.) it seems like a pretty good machine. It seems perfect for a person with a small business (that didn’t have to travel far). It’s made by MainContinue reading “Human Powered Pickup Truck”

Whole Wheat Penne Rigate with Pork Ragu

This is a really simple variation of classic Ragu alla Bolognese. And, of course, by ragu I mean stew (ragout in French) not the tomato sauce by the same name. Pork is the best meat for this dish but it can easily be substituted with beef, chicken, or even lamb. I tossed the sauce withContinue reading “Whole Wheat Penne Rigate with Pork Ragu”

Fish Bikes

The above photo was taken by a friend on a recent trip to San Fransisco (thanks Monique!). It’s a pretty exquisite piece of machinery/art, is it not? I couldn’t help thinking how you’d have to have a certain strong constitution to ride a bike that was made to resemble a big fish on wheels. WhatContinue reading “Fish Bikes”

First of the Season

OK, I can’t be in denial any longer…well I can, I suppose, about many things, but not about the seasonal change. Today I lit my wood stove for the first time this season…for about an hour or so, just to take the chill off the house. Still haven’t turned on the furnace though. The summerContinue reading “First of the Season”

Challah Bread French Toast with Caramelized Pear and Blueberry Syrup

This morning I made French Toast (pain purdu for my Francophile readers) for my teenage son; his favorite breakfast of all time. This is a variation of a recipe I’ve made for him before (click here for additional and more explicit pictures). This time I used challah bread which I carried home on my bikeContinue reading “Challah Bread French Toast with Caramelized Pear and Blueberry Syrup”

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#221)…and a recipe

A freshly baked loaf of challah bread. Here’s a simple and delicious recipe. Challah Bread Makes 1 loaf 1/3 cup water 1/3 cup milk 1 package active dry yeast 1 tablespoon sugar 3 cups bread flour 2 large eggs 3 tablespoon melted butter 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon cornmeal 1 lightly beatenContinue reading “Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#221)…and a recipe”

Bicycles in Amsterdam, circa 1986

I just purchased a new printer (was in very desperate need) and it is also equipped with a scanner which I’ve been playing around with. Anyhow, here’s a few pictures of bikes I took on a trip to Amsterdam in the mid-1980’s…and yes, I was interested in bikes even back then, my entire life actually.Continue reading “Bicycles in Amsterdam, circa 1986”

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#220)…with a few comments

$103.84 of groceries from two separate stores in two plastic soda crates. I had a crazy-busy and super stressful day at work today and really wanted to go for a steam and a quick power swim at the JCC but to my dismay I discovered that the center closed at 6pm for the holiday (itContinue reading “Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#220)…with a few comments”

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#219)

Four mechanical pencils.Three bars of hand soap.One toothbrush.

1919 Mechanic’s Shop

I love old photos…they are truly a glimpse to the past. I found this one at Shorpy.com.They call this photo Bike Shop:1919, but I renamed the post 1919 Mechanic’s Shop because of it’s content. Around 1919 automobiles and motorbikes were gaining popularity, but what many don’t know is that the first auto mechanics were bicycleContinue reading “1919 Mechanic’s Shop”

Bicyclists Behaving Badly

This image found here. This subject is disheartening to me but sometimes I just have to highlight it. If you’re a regular reader of this blog you know that I am a bicyclist that promotes not only bicycling as a viable form of transportation but I am also an advocate of bicyclist’s rights and equality.Continue reading “Bicyclists Behaving Badly”

Turn Signal Backpack

Now this is really cool…don’t think I’ll be purchasing this anytime soon but still think it’s really interesting (be great if someone made a turn signal that was mounted on the bike instead of a backpack). I originally found the link at Treehugger but downloaded it from Vimeo..it’s a brief clip and worth watching.

Painting Myself Into A Corner (figuratively) And Why I Made What I Did For Dinner

This is interesting, but I have to admit I feel a little silly about it. The above photo is of my newly painted porch (lovely color isn’t it?) which I’ve been putting off but finally got around to completing. After finishing and standing admiring it I thought about dinner when I remembered that I alsoContinue reading “Painting Myself Into A Corner (figuratively) And Why I Made What I Did For Dinner”

Recette de soupe à l’oignon gratinée (photos et mots)

French onion soup. This is such a simple soup to make and while it may have the reputation of being a “restaurant recipe” it probably began as a peasant food and is exceedingly simple to make. Look at the main ingredients: Onions, broth, and bread (cheese was a later addition). Old-time soups often contained breadContinue reading “Recette de soupe à l’oignon gratinée (photos et mots)”

Women and Bikes

While the title of this post may be a little misleading at first, it is not a post about hot babes on bikes (obvious by the photos). It’s regarding the interesting and sometimes unknown fact of how early bicycles impacted the lives of many woman. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s–the time period whenContinue reading “Women and Bikes”

Velo Eye Candy

I have no need for another bike, nor can I afford one, but I came across this one and fell in love with it; I’m smitten. If I could afford it I believe I would consider it. It’s a Civia and it’s made in Minnesota. They also offer really interesting and affordable front and rearContinue reading “Velo Eye Candy”

Something You Don’t See Every Day

This has nothing to do with Urban Simplicity other than it was simple entertainment in the city…and it is without doubt something you don’t see every day. A French high wire artist, Didier Pasquette, walking on a wire 23 stories high. He walked between the two towers of the Liberty Building to signify theContinue reading “Something You Don’t See Every Day”

After The Rain (bis)

Things That Can Be Carried On A Bike (#218)

A cardboard box containing 2 pasta machines and their accessories. A cardboard box containing 4 pints of homemade dog food (leftover rice and beef) and two portions of homemade pasta and beef ragout. A canvas bag containing, among other things, two books, a magazine, a day planner, and 2 mechanical pencils that are lacking lead.