Five Items Currently Making Me Happy

Zergüt Veggie Spread

Back in 2003/2004, my friend Claire and I both worked for the same company. It was one of those massive installations that had a bunch of perks for employees, including various classes. We took a nutrition/”healthy cooking with no time or some bullshit” class together once. I only remember two things about the class: the instructor saying, “Pressure is not having a pressure cooker,” and tasting this spread (affiliate link). It immediately captivated my taste buds and my mind. And then I couldn’t find it again.

Fast forward more than a decade, and I’ve wandered into some Eastern European grocery store because it looks interesting and Total Wine can wait. And, damned if there wasn’t a shelf of innocuous jars of magic right there.… Continue reading →

Photos

Yes, I drank a beer made with bugs. Yes, it was beautiful. Yes, it tasted great. I would like more, please.

I went to an event that paired food with beer. Of course. BUT! Also with performance art. Mostly comedy. It was a fun, fun time.

I finally got to try a cocktail that really involved edible flowers. It was fantastic.

Which made me all the sadder to realize I will not be growing these guys or any other edible flowers this year. Time got away from me, and I didn’t get my plot planted before we left for a long trip. Someone else will be using it this year, though I’ll still be part of the community around the garden.

I tried Indonesian food for the first time.… Continue reading →

Is It Garden Planning Time Yet?

The days have gotten a bit longer, and the snow deeper. I’ve helped my community garden write up a new application. I’ve consumed a lot of hot tea. I’ve moved Bill’s new bocce ball set (his Christmas gift from me) a couple of times.

I. Am. READY. For spring!

Alas, spring is not yet ready for me. Or anyone in the Chicago area. And, frankly, I suspect it won’t be ready for us until roughly May. Which is still a gazillion days away. Or three months, which feels like about the same right this second. Especially with all the snow that hit us melting, but only into icy treachery.

It doesn’t help that Erica over at Northwest Edible Life has this month’s to do list for northwestern gardners, and as a newbie Midwestern gardener, I only know that I bet all her stuff is too early for me, but I don’t know what to do to satisfy this spring fever.… Continue reading →

14 July 2014 Garden Photos

Bill and I left town for about two weeks. When we came back, our garden had gone kind of wild. Others were watering for us, and may have harvested a few things. I don’t know. I did, however, take a bunch of photos. There’s a sample below, including a tomato I’d like diagnosed, please! If you’d like to see more, just click through any photo to get to the image within the flickr set & poke around!

After we took all these photos, we went to dinner. Then we came back and harvested a ton of green bell peppers. I’m going to demand Jen share her stuffed pepper recipe.… Continue reading →

More Garden Photos

On Sunday, I called my father and he accused me of only calling out of “an overdeveloped sense of obligation.” This was a load of crap, of course. I called him out of a perfectly tuned sense of obligation. Eventually, we both agreed we could maybe call one another more often.

Then he asked for garden photos and I said he clearly wasn’t reading my blog. To which he admitted, but then pointed out I could be more aggressive about sharing. So, I’ll do that. And I’ll put up a few more photos, because I love him and I think he’d enjoy them. Also, because I enjoy sharing them.

This isn’t my usual view walking in, as I tend to enter from the southwest, not the east.… Continue reading →