URBAN GROWTH 2007

One's landscape misfortune is another's opportunity. Sally came home one day to discover much of her garden weed-whacked within an inch of its life. A shock. A heartache in some cases where the plants were completely unsalvageble. However, it gave her the opportunity to reconsider what her garden was about and gave me the opportunity to grow vegetables again - something I was sure I wouldn't get a chance to do for at least a few years after moving into an apartment. It's a win-win. Tucked here and there, on each side of her property, are various greens, carrots, beets, turnips, winter and summer squash, peas, bok choi, chard, herbs, Walla Walla Sweets and in a couple of months beans and tomatoes and basil. Here are some before and current shots of how things are growing.




This above photo shows the corner where the driveway joins with the sidewalk. This area was probably the hardest hit by whatever machine did the cutting. Most things have revived. Some things were rearranged. Some things were mourned. The space in front of the porch now houses peas, carrots and lots of greens. It's the future home of tomatoes.

These peas I started indoors and transplanted. Same for the greens. I then direct sowed a carpet of arugula, mustard, bon jardin mix and one other thing that I can't remember. I then put in a row of carrots running almost the whole length of the bed. Carrots do love tomatoes so by the time the tomato plants go in, there will be bushy carrot tops to keep them company. The greens will have been long ago eaten.




At the corner of the property I planted beets, carrots, turnips and winter squash. The idea is that the squash will be trained up and along the rocks. That will give it plenty of room to roam and will look nice too. I did throw in one summer squash in this bed. We'll see how that goes. I will probably start a small variety in a large pot too. Here are the before and current shots.




Realizing that I missed the proper garlic planting time by months, I considered planting a few heads for the hell of it but where? Found this cozy nook. I added a whole bag of compost to this already well-worked soil. By the time October-November rolls around, we'll have something strongly resembling garlic that will taste great. OR, I'll just harvest it very young as "green" garlic. Any way I look at it, we're getting a garlic product and I'm working an area that I plan to use in the Fall.



Between the poppies and lavender we've got chard, radicchio and bok choi.



Finally, along the "front" of the house we have a bed of greens, carrots, turnips and beets. Not sure if there will be enough light for the root veggies but this is a really great spot for greens. This is the earliest shot. Currently, there is lots of sprouting going on. We will eat arugula and mustard in about two weeks.



There's other stuff going on too. Photos to follow soon - weather permitting.

TODAY I SAW

This pretty flowering bush right outside my dining room window. I am clueless with the names of flowers but I know this is pretty and it smells really nice. It's great to be able to see things from my windows now. Actually, it's great to have so many windows now. Basement living was sure quieter but this current apartment is bright and ariy and gives me a view to the world.

CALL YOUR BLUFF

The weather Saturday was cool and drizzly. However, that shouldn't keep one indoors when one lives in the PNW. Sally and I returned to a favorite hiking location, Ebey's Landing on Whidbey Island. Curious to see just how far the bluff trail allows one to roam, we hit the road early. It doesn't seem far away but from home to the parking lot at the Landing it was 2.5 hours. This includes the fact that we only waited about 20 minutes for a ferry. We also left when there was no traffic on Seattle's I-5. Then again, we stopped for coffee in Coupeville at Miriam's Espresso. What a great place. Large, comfy, friendly, serving Cafe Vita coffee and Morning Glory Muffins from La Vie En Rose Bakery in Anacortes. Those muffins alone are worth the drive and the ferry ride. I'm not kidding. Miriam's has free WiFi too and breakfast and lunch sandwiches.

Seeing the drizzle worried me. The weather on the bluffs is always cooler and always windier and I had worn shorts. But the weather we found was the calmest it's ever been. The water was smooth. There was practically no wind (probably why no one was out in a sailboat). It was quiet.

Plenty of birding to be done. It was still early and it had rained. So the snacking opportunities were everywhere - like all over the trail. Worms here and worms there. Spotted a poor robin with a bum leg hobbling along. Didn't keep him from gobbling up the wroms. But his injury hindered his flight plans. Red-winged blackbirds don't seem to mind if you get too close.

We were disappointed to find that the bluff trail ends just past the break off down to Perego's lagoon. You can walk to Ft. Ebey State Park along the beach but we didn't have that kind of time. We were each due back in the city for dinner plans at different times. Another day we'll take alllllllllll day and hike to the park and back. We simply turned around and hiked back to the car for lunch. It's always a great hike. On our way back to the car, pretty much off the bluff and almost back to the staircase to the beach, a man staring out at the water alerted us to a Gray Whale slowly cruising along. It wasn't more than 20 yards from the shore, alone, and barely making a ripple. I snapped what shots I could and then tried to work with them in iPhoto to make the whale stand out.








I'd never seen a gray whale and I'd certainly never seen one that close to the beach. Had we been on the beach we never would have realized it was swimming along side us. While eating lunch we spotted two huge eagles dodging and diving with sea gulls along the side of the bluff. Then they landed and sat on the beach. Had we walked along the beach we might have spotted that scene from close-up. But it was fun to see from any vantage point.

URBAN HIKE

Travelled from my place to the newest Fuel location in the Montlake neighborhood. Wish I had taken the pedometer. I'm sure over the daily 10,000 steps was earned from the round trip. Spotted lovely tulips and happy snails.

SAMBAR POWDER REVISITED

This is a slightly different recipe than I've used in the past. I like this one and, of course, put my own twist on it. In fact, after a day thinking about it, I'm sure I will alter it again. I'll explain later.

I used 5 fresh red chilies which I seeded and de-veined. Original recipe called for 10 dried chilies, seeded. I also added a couple cardamon pods because I love this spice.

Heat a heavy frying pan and dry roast the whole spices over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Keep shaking that pan. When the seeds stop spattering, add the asafetida and turmeric and stir for a minute longer. Remove the mixture to a dry bowl. Add the oil to the pan and fry the dals until they darken, stirring frequently to prevent burning. I didn't exactly let them darken but I let them go long enough to change color and look toasty. Add them to the bowl of spices, mix well and let completely cool. In the meantime, I added about one teaspoon to the same frying pan and fried the chilies for about 5 minutes. Open some windows. The result of the hot oil and the hot peppers can make you cough. Remove the peppers and let completely cool on paper towels. Once cooled, I ground the spices in a spice grinder in three little batches. I ground the peppers in the food processor. I then ground everything in the food processor. I tasted it and wasn't happy. Too spicy, not enough body, fullness. As much as I love heat, I really love my sambar powder nutty and full and just a hint of sweet. Just a slight bit of heat is all I want. I mixed a second complete batch of toasted and ground spices and added that. Still not happy. Will make a third batch of toasted and ground spices and try again. In the meantime, store the mix in an airtight container.

Sambar Powder (Indian Curry)

5 fresh red chiles
1 tsp oil
25 grams coriander seeds -- (1 oz)
20 grams cumin seeds -- (3/4 oz)
15 grams black peppercorns -- (1/2 oz)
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
15 grams fenugreek seeds -- (1/2 oz)
1/4 teaspoon ground asafetida
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
15 milliliters oil -- (1 tbsp.)
25 grams yellow split peas -- (channa dal), (1 oz)
25 grams white gram beans -- (urad dal), (1 oz)
2 green cardamon pods

Chinese New Year 2007, the year of the pig. S, K and A and I were early birds in the I.D. for dim sum breakfast basically. That's the best way to do it anyway. I don't think any of us ate another morsel until about 8:30 p.m. and then only picked at little things without any semblance to "dinner" because we were still all full. Dim sum isserved daily at various places and some open at 9:30 a.m. We waited until 10:30. In the meantime, we were treated to a dragon dance inthe street. Big drums were rolled along following the two dragons and a couple of masked characters. We hit Uwajimaya's for shopping and browsing. Had bubble tea too. Despite the very chilly temps it was a really fun afternoon.

still here, just thinking

lots has happened over the past 6 months. still trying to decide what to blog about. i think i'll simply post some pics of latest outings and such. seriously considering a revamped food blog. who knows?

FREE SAMPLE #31 SWEET POTATO RECIPES

From the North Carolina Sweet Potato Association. Who knew? Some of these are downright nasty. Others sound pretty good. Possibly some cucina bodanza future features.

FREE SAMPLE #30 HEAD AND SHOULDERS

Head and Shoulders has never been effective for me but we'll give this new intensive version a try.

FREE SAMPLE #29 DOVE SHAMPOO

My travel toiletries are set for a year! So much shampoo, so little time.

FREE SAMPLE #28 DOVE LOTION

I'll be calm and soft.

FREE SAMPLE #27 CHEER TRUE FIT

They claim that this detergent will help retain the shape of your clothes. Good thing. Wouldn't want my jeans and t-shirts to look out of shape.

FREE SAMPLE #26 DOG CHOW

Anyone need this?

FREE SAMPLE #25 CAT CHOW

Anyone need this?

FREE SAMPLE #24 DOVE NOURISHING HAND WASH

Well how the hell cute is that? I can't wait to use it up and refill it for travel.

FREE SAMPLE #23 PRIA GRAIN ESSENTIALS

I had to refrain from chowing on this as soon as I opened it. I hadn't made dinner and I knew dinner wasn't for another hour or so. But I also new that I needed a photo. That's willpower, man.

FREE SAMPLE #22 YOGI TEAS

Three interesting flavors. They smell really good. Plus a coupon.

FREE SAMPLE #21 MINI PADS

If I understand this correctly, these provide full-size protection. Huh. Well, it's not something I can just try whenever I want. Be patient. I'll get to it soon.

FREE SAMPLE #20 FLAXSEED

And the little ziploc baggie is good for your drugs.

FREE SAMPLE #19 LACTAID

Wasted on vegans everywhere.

FREE SAMPLE #18 BRUSHA, BRUSHA, BRUSHA

Take care of your teeth! That's really all I can say. Just do it. It's important.

FREE SAMPLE #17 STRONG ENOUGH FOR A MAN, BUT MADE BY A WOMAN?

Well, if we are to believe the manufacturer, this condom was designed by women for women (to still be worn by a man - whew!). From the letter enclosed with the sample, "Elexa condoms make it more enjoyable for you to protect and respect yourself and others by making sure you carry your own condoms." What? Are they addressing women? Women have to take the pill, carry around IUDs inside their bodies, insert cervical caps, get shots, etc. and STILL be the condom carriers? Uh, I don't think so. Women who put up with this crap better wake up. If the man doesn't bring the condom he clearly isn't concerned about protecting and respecting. Ladies, strap on a pair and just just say hell no! I think Elexa will be hearing from me.

FREE SAMPLE #16 SMOOTH SHAVING

The sample is the men's product but there is a line for women. I don't use shave gel/lotion/cream because of the packaging so if anyone wants the sample or the coupon, let me know.

FREE SAMPLE #15 LOUISIANA TRAVEL GUIDE AND COFFEE

From New Mexico I'm off to Louisiana. And I do like Community Coffee. It's the first of many coffee samples I'm expecting.

FREE SAMPLE #14 NEW MEXICO TRAVEL GUIDES

From Colorado I'll head to New Mexico.

FREE SAMPLE #13 REACH FOR YOUR TEETH

This is handy. Helps you floss. But you have to buy replcement floss "heads" unless you intend to use the same funky one forever. Not for me. I'll use this one once and then I will be grossed out. the whole concept is pretty wasteful.

FREE SAMPLE #12 I ENJOY BEING A GIRL

This is true 99.9% of the time. To celebrate my girldom, I received tampons, pads and a coupon for hair dye. I'm all set.