tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201586272024-03-07T06:38:39.941-05:00whistling leaf blowercakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-49638269703745428552013-03-18T10:49:00.001-04:002020-08-29T10:26:00.688-04:00baby's first climb (and other spring break highlights)we took a train from champaign to see chuck in chicago. after a scramble and a near miss, we're saved by a time-zone change! the train was so crowded, they bumped us to business class. we shared the car with 2 amish couples speaking their own version of german and reading racy fiction.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFJHmyoMekTmexOgWpxEN14L_8hGrUXsvyxc144dmMitowy34iJpLNSyMBzrSZrYzH5U6F43LQkKUjZoLHRhygEv00UnITbyJX5-16HDDXnQw2cHudc9gYreLA8vH3TokpyYw/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFJHmyoMekTmexOgWpxEN14L_8hGrUXsvyxc144dmMitowy34iJpLNSyMBzrSZrYzH5U6F43LQkKUjZoLHRhygEv00UnITbyJX5-16HDDXnQw2cHudc9gYreLA8vH3TokpyYw/s320/spring+break+2013+-+01.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVErNm1-iJmPq-xqYa_zat-cr3blfV9haTh9pT3GxlwnR-iBpaYAhZmIm2GlmTVAtp9h4OBgaBmiKsC96dYJTHqwB_3EMY9qw9byUDqMIAl7t2D8_I-EAP4XiHzIUemhjUAvD/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVErNm1-iJmPq-xqYa_zat-cr3blfV9haTh9pT3GxlwnR-iBpaYAhZmIm2GlmTVAtp9h4OBgaBmiKsC96dYJTHqwB_3EMY9qw9byUDqMIAl7t2D8_I-EAP4XiHzIUemhjUAvD/s320/spring+break+2013+-+02.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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the hotel was beyond our means, and packed with film studies folk. among the trendiest of the academics, they are well dressed and popping open macbooks in any available inch of the hotel.<br />
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spending time with chuck is what it's all about.<br />
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lego studies were on the agenda, as was the lego store, just two blocks away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_0C_Z5n-hf2U2utTVWKA3-BsV1q27SCVwQYLX9wJV2Nro__S0M0MNJ4Oba6oDLK4so07b3e0Oya1fLkCYhvdssDPWkFym600DNF_vnLnLn1dfGyaBhN6ll1tF-bwBoYAOwsF/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_0C_Z5n-hf2U2utTVWKA3-BsV1q27SCVwQYLX9wJV2Nro__S0M0MNJ4Oba6oDLK4so07b3e0Oya1fLkCYhvdssDPWkFym600DNF_vnLnLn1dfGyaBhN6ll1tF-bwBoYAOwsF/s320/spring+break+2013+-+04.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfTvn_uvVqu431qbk6v-wDIiaVn9xLconcM4y6ymDoLP1UIM3I07HIyGa_nPJ8ByP2GC6Q8e0jtEiSZ_L2DyELpGfiECBDtpOnZdkE9YIgXmPKaz4lRLxlFMfAsmoM8K9fMzx/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfTvn_uvVqu431qbk6v-wDIiaVn9xLconcM4y6ymDoLP1UIM3I07HIyGa_nPJ8ByP2GC6Q8e0jtEiSZ_L2DyELpGfiECBDtpOnZdkE9YIgXmPKaz4lRLxlFMfAsmoM8K9fMzx/s320/spring+break+2013+-+09.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpbU82XPz5sN26hPZPuT1RlgP0_0NA-8yTzO_xE9L7pcP9js-isaXvIa10xyuF-8zLx9dpWeeA7vTbPsu4cCCSnjppUMqSdmXuMrKF0xsFm_9CtbbhjuguolGAPTStjQayub_/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpbU82XPz5sN26hPZPuT1RlgP0_0NA-8yTzO_xE9L7pcP9js-isaXvIa10xyuF-8zLx9dpWeeA7vTbPsu4cCCSnjppUMqSdmXuMrKF0xsFm_9CtbbhjuguolGAPTStjQayub_/s320/spring+break+2013+-+13.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9I8VW6RXMbARJaPtj5-bvT_xXwHr8502QxXmuoBjn2ODM8WY6aYMhZ94VJAz8otXWd1hUEEwXiJloUK94ksdyAWyzLu2dKFDA8r-qJiiH4pKhG3zulw_v3UZdb-vNFaOdCn1/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9I8VW6RXMbARJaPtj5-bvT_xXwHr8502QxXmuoBjn2ODM8WY6aYMhZ94VJAz8otXWd1hUEEwXiJloUK94ksdyAWyzLu2dKFDA8r-qJiiH4pKhG3zulw_v3UZdb-vNFaOdCn1/s320/spring+break+2013+-+14.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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somehow, we got bumped up again (at no extra charge) to a sprawling suite on the eighth floor--<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9zjZpddmssZ2N1wWp1raq0wLl29YtA7dC093sQ-EXX5EpIoGmch0x945ISJGN99KKkg0YkC58MRUXwLv9m8MdVvxmPnHKI6kxNc-XIFoS_OSft1jgZTY74miwdlMaFL93KNI/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9zjZpddmssZ2N1wWp1raq0wLl29YtA7dC093sQ-EXX5EpIoGmch0x945ISJGN99KKkg0YkC58MRUXwLv9m8MdVvxmPnHKI6kxNc-XIFoS_OSft1jgZTY74miwdlMaFL93KNI/s320/spring+break+2013+-+08.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKu_EbslRRoq07S8KNUy9ZeCvor4a8JX2qWm1Md_XQEB4yziXYExRFIZUTIFm44S6RzXD9c5gPAGuvcTnvVW_F4-cKQZjXcqGArwISizZLkcawjykqWfgQXgkiY38SIm_CLEI/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKu_EbslRRoq07S8KNUy9ZeCvor4a8JX2qWm1Md_XQEB4yziXYExRFIZUTIFm44S6RzXD9c5gPAGuvcTnvVW_F4-cKQZjXcqGArwISizZLkcawjykqWfgQXgkiY38SIm_CLEI/s320/spring+break+2013+-+17.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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lake view, two bathrooms, a kitchen, full-sized dining room, entry way, dressing room...ridiculous, but fun for a night. i was most impressed with the original, clean lines of the woodwork, the concealed brass hinges on the dressing room door...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNVw2TEo6KwqzdH0cYCObxZ0UYohfu-KgRO39jg2tdGK4GMihKUmUZDrqQ-Hi923KCr_9uF_aaHEfnnEfmAYpFNKTU-JCuFVX1uQKoGJMwa9h8GnOkQYZF7B-5NJCHJIftX_4/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNVw2TEo6KwqzdH0cYCObxZ0UYohfu-KgRO39jg2tdGK4GMihKUmUZDrqQ-Hi923KCr_9uF_aaHEfnnEfmAYpFNKTU-JCuFVX1uQKoGJMwa9h8GnOkQYZF7B-5NJCHJIftX_4/s320/spring+break+2013+-+31.jpg" width="238" /></a><br />
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original pancake house has the best potato pancakes, and the syrup bottle inspires this little ditty from cosmo:<br />
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the contemporary art museum, also a quick walk away,<br />
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features family day, kids making art, a telephone game (layered with complex political content), a mind boggling, photographic tapestry plus <a href="http://www.mcachicago.org/exhibitions/now/2012/311" target="_blank"><i>black and white</i>.</a> we took an unconventional route to millennium park, through the bones of the city, rather than strolling the shopping district. not on purpose, but maybe better, though it took a bit longer, and we were under a time crunch with a train to catch.<br />
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we shared mere moments basking in the magnetic pull of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_Gate" target="_blank">the bean</a> before heading back to the hotel and off to the train station.<br />
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after a few days at home, we head out to meet friends from canada on a climbing trip in the red river gorge. for most of the kids on the trip, this was their first time climbing outdoors. cosmo had a chance to give it a try. he showed no fear as he scrambled up that cliff face and seemed happy as a clam on the entire hike. it was great to see matt and maceo in action, and to meet up with wendy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cbf6WZKRqR0CVdEIhRcAzjffJrlmteX8gpWAXC1VoeryxER0GM2_rbEPgOr95B_DNJOUdGUqr5Maah2GkWFbX0o1UrBZFhIt39Ghni9m3rr_12FuJ-__wmSJq97zCN5HkrrF/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1cbf6WZKRqR0CVdEIhRcAzjffJrlmteX8gpWAXC1VoeryxER0GM2_rbEPgOr95B_DNJOUdGUqr5Maah2GkWFbX0o1UrBZFhIt39Ghni9m3rr_12FuJ-__wmSJq97zCN5HkrrF/s320/spring+break+2013+-+75.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCIp4hBciDY8ucuSeXkRR6C9TPu4e-YAoKRkzCchoWK2SuTyhzOtQELnXvOQhbru163fnPiLaBjq_UAHDnOYZBb59nalvAfINvn42xxaFUrqyIStlOIGP8ulF4yOvqgPZ4EG6/s1600/DSC_0080.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCIp4hBciDY8ucuSeXkRR6C9TPu4e-YAoKRkzCchoWK2SuTyhzOtQELnXvOQhbru163fnPiLaBjq_UAHDnOYZBb59nalvAfINvn42xxaFUrqyIStlOIGP8ulF4yOvqgPZ4EG6/s320/DSC_0080.jpeg" width="213" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.redriverclimbing.com/RRCGuide/?type=route&id=1192" target="_blank">this</a> is the route cosmo climbed. the guides and other climbers called him a <i>natural</i>. though it was hard for me to watch at times, i was thrilled for him. he had a big grin on his face up there!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKr3ImBAqx39GIK4sxYpeMNErQ7qnQGR5tBqpURihNCO80Nt0MjeD94xEF1fUN1hNL4a4twK0wEIm4v5RiMEB6mNK1jqoKD61V3KemlgLtlvL0Iea_O07GuDwlW3fP0CnuS3KR/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKr3ImBAqx39GIK4sxYpeMNErQ7qnQGR5tBqpURihNCO80Nt0MjeD94xEF1fUN1hNL4a4twK0wEIm4v5RiMEB6mNK1jqoKD61V3KemlgLtlvL0Iea_O07GuDwlW3fP0CnuS3KR/s320/spring+break+2013+-+91.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEES096cWi4pa2u9m0FzN4nW8dunTtdkUxmF4wSYWoieaQFQtQ3hkrbPoL0R18EiHA1mSgIJ5oUcTS4LMWHoXcjbGGPOc_BJIWdwCwPi3-hQsCD1_f_PE5kDmCVRBq20dGsQmD/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEES096cWi4pa2u9m0FzN4nW8dunTtdkUxmF4wSYWoieaQFQtQ3hkrbPoL0R18EiHA1mSgIJ5oUcTS4LMWHoXcjbGGPOc_BJIWdwCwPi3-hQsCD1_f_PE5kDmCVRBq20dGsQmD/s320/spring+break+2013+-+93.jpg" width="238" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJhnPERO1JWp47fuVEMe12OoKeSXhcb-ruh-nal1Qnc0KhNI7Y6Y8fMxT0cl9_2GqNS3IEoRvc17FinrNOan0fni8iSKPVf669zCjT-OuAe62FI_G_0hljjJnhcCqtGcNhND4/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJhnPERO1JWp47fuVEMe12OoKeSXhcb-ruh-nal1Qnc0KhNI7Y6Y8fMxT0cl9_2GqNS3IEoRvc17FinrNOan0fni8iSKPVf669zCjT-OuAe62FI_G_0hljjJnhcCqtGcNhND4/s320/spring+break+2013+-+95.jpg" width="190" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70nOm18qSYkN2mLrA7aq_jOQB3ANnVfRTROjMO8H7UFC-4JNwm_6qwBa3meGWhZdruK3yhhNf20t-ofGPxJ8wnob15OlP3oZy8N9jDxZdr399hK-hdCJTc42p2_3ZDWmrEB2V/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70nOm18qSYkN2mLrA7aq_jOQB3ANnVfRTROjMO8H7UFC-4JNwm_6qwBa3meGWhZdruK3yhhNf20t-ofGPxJ8wnob15OlP3oZy8N9jDxZdr399hK-hdCJTc42p2_3ZDWmrEB2V/s320/spring+break+2013+-+98.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8HkcIPyPT-7vEWDRjnnKVLwKrJFqTJiXdAluS0Im6MI6-T9mux09HKo5C1GNlWVfiu9mGM8xPpkW2pndFstn5SVbL5i8TpUt2qBC28_C7aCQIsGWs9GYo1MGQP37sy8CoW3s/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8HkcIPyPT-7vEWDRjnnKVLwKrJFqTJiXdAluS0Im6MI6-T9mux09HKo5C1GNlWVfiu9mGM8xPpkW2pndFstn5SVbL5i8TpUt2qBC28_C7aCQIsGWs9GYo1MGQP37sy8CoW3s/s320/spring+break+2013+-+99.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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next we're in berea, visiting family. carl's brother never disappoints when it comes to food. this time, we all had a chance to participate. this is a zarangollo ravioli, with quail egg and salmon roe.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpR7r5GrZ5Z6PfiPYyR2M41w0BgakJlV8CychS73yIA6mhE3j2ZInw78paiY_olnc_qwV-65A4aUa4eAuPwvcVJ_SlkFSAqdh8JK4l0l1FzmvP-MI4EyVD_te0PIvrtP8G7Xd/s1600/spring+break+2013+-+96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpR7r5GrZ5Z6PfiPYyR2M41w0BgakJlV8CychS73yIA6mhE3j2ZInw78paiY_olnc_qwV-65A4aUa4eAuPwvcVJ_SlkFSAqdh8JK4l0l1FzmvP-MI4EyVD_te0PIvrtP8G7Xd/s320/spring+break+2013+-+96.jpg" width="238" /></a><br />
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i finally decide to give knitting a try, urged by a friend to not put it off 'til my "autumn years," as i had been planning. it is much more difficult than i expected, it's going to take until my autumn years to gain any mastery over it, and, i think i need some coaching.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">a walk to a nearby pub for a st.patty's day celebration with friends caps our spring break.</span>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-26195431001918629752013-03-03T11:20:00.000-05:002013-03-03T11:23:52.257-05:00sugar shack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
it started as a "what the heck-- why not give it a try?" sort of project. after returning from a lovely afternoon workshop at <a href="http://www.bloomingtonrestorations.org/?page_id=237" target="_blank">hinkle farmstead </a>with cosmo, learning how to tap maple trees and boil down</div>
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syrup, i began gazing at the giant maple tree in our front yard with renewed interest. </div>
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turns out, she's a sugar maple! and, she is HUGE. so i picked up a food-grade, five-gallon bucket, plus a small (2.5 qt) metal bucket at a hardware store. i was relieved to find i had a drill bit big enough to make a hole in the metal bucket, large enough to fit over the tap i took home from the workshop (also called a spile). then we found a good spot to tap the tree (cosmo helped me select it) and we drilled our hole. cosmo and i hammered the tap into the hole, hung the bucket on the hook and waited for the sap to start dripping.<br />
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the ideal temperatures for sap flow are nights in the twenties, days in the forties. we started getting exactly that range, and the sap was flowing. for days, weeks, we emptied our little bucket into our big bucket 'til we had 5 gallons of sap. then we boiled that down to about 1.5 gallons. after we collected 5 more gallons, we boiled that bucket down to about a gallon. we stored the jars of concentrate in the root cellar portion of our basement until we were ready to finish it.<br />
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yesterday, we combined the two concentrates and finished the syrup. all day liquid simmered on the stove, steamed up our windows, moistened the walls and sweetened the air. after returning from our evening walk to dinner and back, we started the final stage. we transfered the reduced sap to a smaller pan, filtering it through some clean felted wool, then started boiling non stop, and taking the temperature every 5 minutes.<br />
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unless you have a hydrometer, which measures the sugar content of liquids, the only way you know your syrup is finished is the boiling temperature. as the water evaporates, the boiling temperature increases. you will have about a 66% sugar content when the syrup is boiling at 219F (7 degrees above the <a href="http://ohioline.osu.edu/for-fact/0036.html" target="_blank">boiling temperature</a> of water). after nearly days of uneventful boiling, this last phase moves rather quickly, and you have to be vigilant to prevent you syrup from scorching (can you imagine the devastation, after all that effort?!). the guy who taught our workshop suggested gluing your shoes to the floor in front of the stove. that is pretty much what carl and i did. i kept sticking my mitt-covered hand into the pot with the digital thermometer to check the temperature. we have a candy thermometer, but it is not precise enough. "somewhat over 200" is too vague for maple sugaring. when we finally hit 219, we quickly removed the syrup from the stove and poured it through the felt filter again, into clean jars.<br />
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we ended up with 1 quart plus 12oz from 10 gallons of raw sap. we only expected to get about a quart, so we were thrilled! the finished syrup is dark, rich and delicious, in fact, after trying some on a stack of pancakes this morning, cosmo declared it the "best syrup in the world." time to go hug a tree.<br />
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<br />cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-61085215447483125092013-02-23T12:11:00.003-05:002020-08-29T10:24:51.932-04:00baby's first gif<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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as cosmo was building the x-wing fighter, he asked for photos to be taken along the way. then we made it into an animated .gif in photoshop.<br />
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as i type this, the star wars sound track blares from a boom box and my 7 year old pours over a complete visual encyclopedia of lego star wars figures.cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-48168495475813956082013-01-14T10:19:00.000-05:002017-06-18T14:28:46.694-04:00winter jewelsthe weekend was devoted yeast breads and pomegranates. saturday i made a crusty dutch-oven loaf and a bunch of mini pizzas for dinner, then sunday i woke up and started seeding pomegranates.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIoWHhRtrRo_xVbgqH5_fGRG9gW64bnTRrxUhWCB-4kGSZm-JMXVh6OHF-HdNH4lp20vEFFOBhN3debCJWlq_FP4xM3Hp8xk1DgjZLbHlQ2kITueXp5zGT3yMA8MyTQBomlsJ/s1600/POM+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIoWHhRtrRo_xVbgqH5_fGRG9gW64bnTRrxUhWCB-4kGSZm-JMXVh6OHF-HdNH4lp20vEFFOBhN3debCJWlq_FP4xM3Hp8xk1DgjZLbHlQ2kITueXp5zGT3yMA8MyTQBomlsJ/s320/POM+-+1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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didn't stop until the afternoon. faced with the rare event of pomegranate surplus, i decided to make juice, then pomegranate molasses from the juice. i know of at least one recipe that calls for it-- a lovely roasted red pepper walnut <a href="http://www.gourmetworrier.com/2010/01/muhammara---red-pepper-walnut-pomegranate-dip.html">dip</a> i attempted to mimic from monica pope's <a href="http://www.tafia.com/0_pope_fs.html">restaurant</a> in houston. it's one of those pricey, seldom-used ingredients that i knew would be fun to make from scratch.<br />
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here are a few things i learned:<br />
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1. the best tool for juicing the pomegranate seeds in <i>my</i> kitchen is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_mill">food mill</a>, with the finest mesh disc. someone on the internet suggested an old fashioned, press-style citrus juicer, which i have, so i tried it. it didn't work. and i <i>really</i> wanted it to work, because i did not want to separate out all those seeds from all those pomegranates. but that is what i, in fact, ended up doing. i'll be dreaming pomegranate seeds. then we tried the <a href="http://victoriokitchenproducts.com/product.php?id=46">victorio </a>strainer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYRIwTSxI5p7iFMsfYvWBTWRUR0VHapmi4vNJSY9Hdmv7V1za9EPZ-c-L8qZXc2aYkgQM4V5T9bcW67oxkAU24g7jr1cAt5G5X5zaLbL7uDt2b4AWtLGfQ3yRmE_05d2xI44C/s1600/POM+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYRIwTSxI5p7iFMsfYvWBTWRUR0VHapmi4vNJSY9Hdmv7V1za9EPZ-c-L8qZXc2aYkgQM4V5T9bcW67oxkAU24g7jr1cAt5G5X5zaLbL7uDt2b4AWtLGfQ3yRmE_05d2xI44C/s320/POM+-+2.jpg" width="179" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7uIEu8hzTnfNfv3q3bj0NIDw6CN4STSsj2G8OVhmppMzynSaJ1krzXySGwEtpz37oE9xGGZF5YArJ29O4HoEZNQwtnr60WC4_VjdlryA__XAfdeiVSvXPeSym9o_iYiNcmTG/s1600/POM+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7uIEu8hzTnfNfv3q3bj0NIDw6CN4STSsj2G8OVhmppMzynSaJ1krzXySGwEtpz37oE9xGGZF5YArJ29O4HoEZNQwtnr60WC4_VjdlryA__XAfdeiVSvXPeSym9o_iYiNcmTG/s320/POM+-+3.jpg" width="227" /></a><br />
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works great for applesauce. not so great on pomegranates. i think i might need a <a href="http://preparedness.com/foodstrainac.html">grape spiral</a> insert or something, cuz the seeds ended up jamming the mechanism. then we tried the food mill. bam! worked like a charm. since a little of the pulp does get through, i strained it again through some cheese cloth. of course, if you have a juicer, that might be the best option. i don't.<br />
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2. it takes about 6 pomegranates to make 1 quart of juice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwhlnfwbY7W0GMxolz1wKc9UzgCdEuxkAw24ejyOEh07LgT-qyvDAH-78viZ_8fjMmnFLEq9g0a3vX83_DTVqshO1ScqWJwQvYMo-61N8vvvOfi8a8TgxUAm_n5QFKmCiXjyE/s1600/POM+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwhlnfwbY7W0GMxolz1wKc9UzgCdEuxkAw24ejyOEh07LgT-qyvDAH-78viZ_8fjMmnFLEq9g0a3vX83_DTVqshO1ScqWJwQvYMo-61N8vvvOfi8a8TgxUAm_n5QFKmCiXjyE/s320/POM+-+5.jpg" width="169" /></a><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">3. once your child lays eyes on a bowl full of those sparkling red jewels, freed from their restrictive membranes, pomegranates will become his absolute favorite fruit, and he will want nothing else in the world </span><i style="text-align: center;">but</i><span style="text-align: center;"> pomegranate seeds. thus, you will most likely need more that 6 pomegranates if you plan on making a quart of juice in the presence of a child. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWE43VtGjtzVhMyQniSiC4oXGnL-3CzC7w62JUY8C3CX3BB45QjY2l543mzGhDF-vRDpV-XOsyXNELRfF9yHYeTaonETSvgnwx5oafetaAqpnuQH1uyfq9Pas2yjHgEPjFfCK/s1600/POM+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWE43VtGjtzVhMyQniSiC4oXGnL-3CzC7w62JUY8C3CX3BB45QjY2l543mzGhDF-vRDpV-XOsyXNELRfF9yHYeTaonETSvgnwx5oafetaAqpnuQH1uyfq9Pas2yjHgEPjFfCK/s320/POM+-+4.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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4. it takes about 3 hours to cook one quart of juice down to 1 cup of pomegranate molasses. not the measly 70 minutes <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/pomegranate-syrup-or-molasses-recipe/index.html">Alton Brown</a> suggests. but it's worth it. this tangy ruby red reduction is to-die-for. color me very pleased. color my kitchen bright red and sticky. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgpBPxLXKOgQWgreKvuIsnSLUv3g-d4czr0qzpZa99X3xWo8k11BdajKcD0qFVsPpH8ypMIBs42fSkVT5UBV4cGNSwWp3AcZnb554gfDTSsCPSY_qmMOFNkXzc7UA_3R_iwLv/s1600/POM+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgpBPxLXKOgQWgreKvuIsnSLUv3g-d4czr0qzpZa99X3xWo8k11BdajKcD0qFVsPpH8ypMIBs42fSkVT5UBV4cGNSwWp3AcZnb554gfDTSsCPSY_qmMOFNkXzc7UA_3R_iwLv/s320/POM+-+6.jpg" width="164" /></a>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-59586272267651715152012-08-27T13:04:00.002-04:002020-08-29T10:20:25.439-04:00lessons from foster kittens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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it's ideal, really: we get the cats at the cutest, most entertaining part of their lives, then send them off to find their "forever homes." carl and i both think that "forever homes" sounds almost creepy...sort of like the euphemism "putting to sleep," but we know that what the animal shelter means by "forever homes," is permanent adoption. They used to let people adopt the cats before they were spayed or neutered, and give them vouchers to have the procedure done for free once they were old enough. but they found that even the free voucher wasn't enough to compel some folks to have it done, so now they won't put animals out on the adoption floor until they have been altered. so, they need foster homes for the kittens, until they reach an age and weight that will allow for the operation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9e5LHlUdKwa-rEI0uwYU_j3sI1XhCOt9CcjMp1FSmxJuzVfyQ1muou8GGtUcDmdGnbE-LE8ComwnzmBQkt9ESFm5lUsrMWRpXTbKDO2gqcbz0WSZxauTiMtLIGV4zGjsrLqpX/s1600/kittens+-+41.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9e5LHlUdKwa-rEI0uwYU_j3sI1XhCOt9CcjMp1FSmxJuzVfyQ1muou8GGtUcDmdGnbE-LE8ComwnzmBQkt9ESFm5lUsrMWRpXTbKDO2gqcbz0WSZxauTiMtLIGV4zGjsrLqpX/s320/kittens+-+41.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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we aren't ready to have pets of our own yet, but we all love cats, so we decided to become a foster family. our first set were three boys, all orange tabbies. they were difficult to tell apart, but we found a few distinguishing characteristics, and gave them the names of the three youngest weasley brothers from the harry potter stories: <i>fred, george</i> and <i>ron</i>. these kittens were tons of fun, but they had some inappropriate suckling habits, presumably from being weaned too soon, which we found disturbing. it was a lot of work to care for them, and so much cleaning...but the biggest effort for carl and i is managing cosmo's treatment of them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAxbQUsT2tuyELfhDeEGrIh9rpxAPCQJMkR4CVBLN2_IhkOciohCaHJ6RWG_E0fs6lEFpSWRw1CyhLAkf8yc4Q-bjmrYOHJZmbWvpdi8x_hpl0-R1pCiZxgW-Olj0Yc2nzYF5/s1600/kittens+-+67.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAxbQUsT2tuyELfhDeEGrIh9rpxAPCQJMkR4CVBLN2_IhkOciohCaHJ6RWG_E0fs6lEFpSWRw1CyhLAkf8yc4Q-bjmrYOHJZmbWvpdi8x_hpl0-R1pCiZxgW-Olj0Yc2nzYF5/s320/kittens+-+67.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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he is not mean to animals, he likes them, is interested, and generally sweet to them. but, he doesn't seem to always know the line between holding, and holding too tight, against the kitten's will until they start meowing frantically and struggling to get away. we found ourselves constantly correcting and scolding, and had to let some things go, and choose our battles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy95sTrLZmCzkosBD4EcpPIIek8jVmkCcu1tOWkbXBa7vzhfhLhbUJeaPD1_IrgcZLDF-M4iCRkQTko9BJBoAVNQP2pEGKVAzKZWsxBROwUozrOS8TXg6i5x77jz9_C-x360yC/s1600/kittens+-+30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy95sTrLZmCzkosBD4EcpPIIek8jVmkCcu1tOWkbXBa7vzhfhLhbUJeaPD1_IrgcZLDF-M4iCRkQTko9BJBoAVNQP2pEGKVAzKZWsxBROwUozrOS8TXg6i5x77jz9_C-x360yC/s320/kittens+-+30.jpg" width="258" /></a><br />
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our friend <a href="http://www.craftknife.blogspot.com/">julie</a>, who does a lot of kitten fostering, pointed out that it can be really hard for young children to understand what is appropriate with kittens, because they look so much like toys. they are small, adorable, and easy to manipulate (compared to adult cats, who typically don't put up with much). after some close calls, we learned that we really had to be present in the same room any time cosmo was interacting with the kittens. it gets tiring. between that and the constant cleaning, i was happy to seem them go when they reached 2 pounds.<br />
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a month later, i'd forgotten all the annoying parts of having foster kittens. cosmo and i responded to an email and headed for the shelter to pick up five kittens and a mama. these ones were tiny.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotnH1u1HQYUBalme0x2bvPO7b9XSQXiBMu_VM3p8KLTHPyQROxOngYqpmjgQDwkHc9HN4vXM2Wq-0S2SBVMzOc_br9_GQu5QeCIBkoAtPAWKa3DwSp9MYw-ZBuLvpswNbsy8C/s1600/kittens+-+73.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotnH1u1HQYUBalme0x2bvPO7b9XSQXiBMu_VM3p8KLTHPyQROxOngYqpmjgQDwkHc9HN4vXM2Wq-0S2SBVMzOc_br9_GQu5QeCIBkoAtPAWKa3DwSp9MYw-ZBuLvpswNbsy8C/s320/kittens+-+73.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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they could barely walk and seemed to be nearly blind. having the mama with them made it so much easier. she took care of everything, and we took care of her. for the first few weeks, all they did was nurse and sleep. they began to explore, one by one, and soon were wrestling and scampering all over the house, cracking us up with crazy antics, as kittens do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgia8fGW_xFLDowbwnZcAVbEFsBaeaG4j3l7N3zNfYxDR4-jkpM-roDXG9_5tQNRHIM-LHEU9CfQf5bqBljRlPAYOczTzRPkfRE77o5ASui5FIhz34pG4KO8pXy0SQHC_D_qWKC/s1600/kittens+-+83.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgia8fGW_xFLDowbwnZcAVbEFsBaeaG4j3l7N3zNfYxDR4-jkpM-roDXG9_5tQNRHIM-LHEU9CfQf5bqBljRlPAYOczTzRPkfRE77o5ASui5FIhz34pG4KO8pXy0SQHC_D_qWKC/s320/kittens+-+83.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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cosmo has learned a lot about handling kittens, and knows what is allowed and what is not. but he still seems to have lapses in judgement, and we still have to keep an eye on him with the kittens. i have tried to get him to appreciate how interesting they are to watch. they do so many amusing things if left to their own devices, but he is unconvinced. his first impulse is always to pick them up. mostly, they don't mind, and i figure we are socializing them to be accustomed to children in their future homes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcVcgSW_iaEdPk16H7WaAFFIcgntqFiKLBV6z4yOFlfS9g9eMJgaDnVYBVyDGlmoe3tFibuL6C9L2Qb67gWwgmUWIEK7tbpV4GnWyb0VL-MMADQKa7AsDzbxoCU5uJh5JKXzJ/s1600/kittens+-+88.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtcVcgSW_iaEdPk16H7WaAFFIcgntqFiKLBV6z4yOFlfS9g9eMJgaDnVYBVyDGlmoe3tFibuL6C9L2Qb67gWwgmUWIEK7tbpV4GnWyb0VL-MMADQKa7AsDzbxoCU5uJh5JKXzJ/s320/kittens+-+88.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
the mama cat and the three boys of the litter have returned to the shelter. from what i understand, the kittens have already been adopted. we still have the two girls with us, but they will probably leave us this week. i'll be happy to have our house back, and to give it a thorough deep clean, but i think i will miss all the pitter patter and physical comedy. people usually imagine that we'll get too attached, and won't be able to give them up, but so far, we have not been tempted to keep any.</div>
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we have learned that we are not yet ready for permanent pets. we have also learned to let creatures into our home and into our hearts, and how to let them go when the time comes.<br />
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as a tribute to the latest batch, i present these portraits of the <i>mewler</i> family:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ts8YMelX2qakN1CB_HEJ0OV-mgz-7HasSrOBy44k1BZWXXLwxuM7IhNmTqgFykZ6sKm092EXH9W12wekE1Adi6yLnsxCD2bEY0nf47VVMa_kvprrO385KflZz9CDfNPgMsOc/s1600/kittens+-+89.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ts8YMelX2qakN1CB_HEJ0OV-mgz-7HasSrOBy44k1BZWXXLwxuM7IhNmTqgFykZ6sKm092EXH9W12wekE1Adi6yLnsxCD2bEY0nf47VVMa_kvprrO385KflZz9CDfNPgMsOc/s320/kittens+-+89.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is the stellar mama cat, <i>trixie</i>, and her daughter rita. <i>rita</i> is cosmo's favorite, and he refers to her as the "captain of the cuties." she is very social and adventuresome, and the smallest of the litter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFL3sTTSCIM-OyMwk18DHR-uUALzoimPnevKEzmwWRcErf2qyUBfozY22MJBvFRxugizswtP-jsltcoxu6escJ-8ZU-PlcCiDIJ9VfgIXw9cYza2Ijhsfz_fGWGoxf-WG6Kfrr/s1600/kittens+-+91.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFL3sTTSCIM-OyMwk18DHR-uUALzoimPnevKEzmwWRcErf2qyUBfozY22MJBvFRxugizswtP-jsltcoxu6escJ-8ZU-PlcCiDIJ9VfgIXw9cYza2Ijhsfz_fGWGoxf-WG6Kfrr/s320/kittens+-+91.jpg" width="262" /></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">meet <i>snape</i>: the best at latching on, and the last to wean.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZV5EsTSNCpUj6nfvxPLwpFRmek1rT7M1tmnxWZr8yut6n8AhecO6SYDfAI6SHJe0Up9vQcPf93Hcr4taxStIPKH4PFL6G4sQGieCnL-q_JL7dOTSzsEk8kxigjO131m_m8GrI/s1600/kittens+-+92.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZV5EsTSNCpUj6nfvxPLwpFRmek1rT7M1tmnxWZr8yut6n8AhecO6SYDfAI6SHJe0Up9vQcPf93Hcr4taxStIPKH4PFL6G4sQGieCnL-q_JL7dOTSzsEk8kxigjO131m_m8GrI/s320/kittens+-+92.jpg" width="294" /></a><br />
we call him <i>zincy</i> (after the element: zinc) a gorgeous cat, with velvety fur that matches his eyes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqR3Poe66VI6tx4A189Vj9z6wkfoQOgHh3ceHSUyM5jx1HabJ4Ojoaq0ZfKbJS7O9FjyQTq4hc2f3PwXYPNMoH5B0jw2gdqCNjOhLGsolfGQMgL49za0HBgBlt8OFddjE_2Omb/s1600/kittens+-+90.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqR3Poe66VI6tx4A189Vj9z6wkfoQOgHh3ceHSUyM5jx1HabJ4Ojoaq0ZfKbJS7O9FjyQTq4hc2f3PwXYPNMoH5B0jw2gdqCNjOhLGsolfGQMgL49za0HBgBlt8OFddjE_2Omb/s320/kittens+-+90.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">here we have <i>ginger, rita</i> and <i>pingu.</i> <i>ginger</i> is very strong and looks like he will be a big cat. <i>pingu</i> has some unusual markings on her face. she loves the out of doors, and is also quite social and affectionate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj-iBnMRZJHSygwf4NA448gV3zAXpztTqHDRbYMb3StPAK19OhNUnvnhniOIPBsNrhVDV3z6IEv-kwgIoz2E9eukiID_fAnzokOJmSX1AypcFDntULyYkskIhjkgm_dVH2kY9/s1600/kittens+-+87.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj-iBnMRZJHSygwf4NA448gV3zAXpztTqHDRbYMb3StPAK19OhNUnvnhniOIPBsNrhVDV3z6IEv-kwgIoz2E9eukiID_fAnzokOJmSX1AypcFDntULyYkskIhjkgm_dVH2kY9/s320/kittens+-+87.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
we tried to get a photo of cosmo with the whole crew, but trying to get them all together is like, well...like herding cats!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-10759988844722839332012-06-11T09:40:00.004-04:002020-08-29T10:28:40.024-04:00Traveling to Toronto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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hard to believe i'm in my mid forties and visiting canada for the first time, but it's true. i've been all over the states, and back and forth to europe a few times, but never crossed the borders to the north or south. it's a reasonable car trip to toronto from where we live, and dear friends living there makes it doubly attractive. it's a work-related trip as well, visiting a fabulous organization called <a href="http://www.thestop.org/">the stop-</a>-an inspiration to all of us at <a href="http://mhcfoodpantry.org/">mother hubbard's cupboard</a>. the drive is easy when you take it in two days, and bracket it with mini-golf outings in toledo. cosmo is a brilliant traveler, entertains himself in the back seat, and manages to keep up with fiddle practice on the road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzBsxbo6ANvbioTiiGYhvgeQB_Gc8Hcwp03qG5TptDMsZxA17wCfDliJBT_OXBoPvg5c1AeY7QpJVU5INY9lkXpUfWT1jAm8mSX9fdHe9EZgK2b7SmMWZD0UqUpKoqrggSnX1/s1600/fiddle_practice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzBsxbo6ANvbioTiiGYhvgeQB_Gc8Hcwp03qG5TptDMsZxA17wCfDliJBT_OXBoPvg5c1AeY7QpJVU5INY9lkXpUfWT1jAm8mSX9fdHe9EZgK2b7SmMWZD0UqUpKoqrggSnX1/s320/fiddle_practice.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">motel room practice session</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAA84sOLV4nrkhlD2yDrTmwSEIdX-Q8UnqDto3VGgArPZIMMaqUP4giPhV6j2akrD6YuMcMiS6byNSFrBiasGCBmMVsSAmpqXKDdXQ4LAzNcQMcYnIjZfFowb7WLhsuUcgx6bs/s1600/par2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAA84sOLV4nrkhlD2yDrTmwSEIdX-Q8UnqDto3VGgArPZIMMaqUP4giPhV6j2akrD6YuMcMiS6byNSFrBiasGCBmMVsSAmpqXKDdXQ4LAzNcQMcYnIjZfFowb7WLhsuUcgx6bs/s320/par2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaT9aE-sGkPpFo3jcQGd6If2Cwr2m94ZzVegLpN0e7GVH3xJZFoi1Z27yHEsviuBVyqzkJSP83mFjqcZKAoh9D8F7sveB4uQLI96MgbLEvciR19nt-YJU8p1cVD80iGo1AUek/s1600/mini_golf3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaT9aE-sGkPpFo3jcQGd6If2Cwr2m94ZzVegLpN0e7GVH3xJZFoi1Z27yHEsviuBVyqzkJSP83mFjqcZKAoh9D8F7sveB4uQLI96MgbLEvciR19nt-YJU8p1cVD80iGo1AUek/s320/mini_golf3.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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cosmo is most excited about the foreign money, but discovers there's much more to canada than loonies, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toonie">toonies</a> and bills with halograms:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">food growing in tiny front gardens (everywhere)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">soundscapes on college street<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">papusas in kensington market (they bring a sleepy boy back to life)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kensington market</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsB7uHyWf1ap41ukf9BpPjdoAmzXAqGYG7oX-rQTdUqowb41p_6aOHo1_bo4lV_OkS3IB0sEB1DPruA6-FQUX1r9tn3qYK04JjBfkQlwYe2fEztLSJjQKekeXAxu6yvGLRVkwK2w/s1600/toronto_12+-+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsB7uHyWf1ap41ukf9BpPjdoAmzXAqGYG7oX-rQTdUqowb41p_6aOHo1_bo4lV_OkS3IB0sEB1DPruA6-FQUX1r9tn3qYK04JjBfkQlwYe2fEztLSJjQKekeXAxu6yvGLRVkwK2w/s320/toronto_12+-+17.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spadina ave</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">watching dumplings being made (by professionals rather than parents)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">exotic fruits</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgce8s7RcnLX455jg9ic_-YGLj4_6psfiZWMbrHQ7LCz3uS1TW8x25LeYzq0Q6gNAsLrF_lgYiuJoZToEGEAwjBkIF4rkY5-pY8kHmUmgcxPpwU8rGmCsztl3bgZZeVuIhl-2T9Fg/s1600/toronto_12+-+37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgce8s7RcnLX455jg9ic_-YGLj4_6psfiZWMbrHQ7LCz3uS1TW8x25LeYzq0Q6gNAsLrF_lgYiuJoZToEGEAwjBkIF4rkY5-pY8kHmUmgcxPpwU8rGmCsztl3bgZZeVuIhl-2T9Fg/s320/toronto_12+-+37.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rambutan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sugar apple, with dragon fruit in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">globe upon chair upon post</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">street car</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">skate park and compost bins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpwtMqsY-judNpgnp2wCS56q58WOr0B7ncggrqbdQ-e1jwWacnLR6j3HNVUAAk2fQYtAoCNf17jf7EFIU671o_YHUPIeRZxtGHqgf22XSQvSwNdjpa6ADhcoPaTO0PczjHcmLIA/s1600/toronto_12+-+54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpwtMqsY-judNpgnp2wCS56q58WOr0B7ncggrqbdQ-e1jwWacnLR6j3HNVUAAk2fQYtAoCNf17jf7EFIU671o_YHUPIeRZxtGHqgf22XSQvSwNdjpa6ADhcoPaTO0PczjHcmLIA/s320/toronto_12+-+54.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">compost bins in the park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pZHLEs96BPF0fb8Wxin72dUb2tGS4QrmdxUbseGNuT0NnSzfCQNWcRHbodqUR9S53CNXie8ZzAxW_jXia0r_KIR7xeOHWKMwMfQ414t1Zx1bAUf2SA_ystz66AvqK7tGADWYYA/s1600/toronto_12+-+58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pZHLEs96BPF0fb8Wxin72dUb2tGS4QrmdxUbseGNuT0NnSzfCQNWcRHbodqUR9S53CNXie8ZzAxW_jXia0r_KIR7xeOHWKMwMfQ414t1Zx1bAUf2SA_ystz66AvqK7tGADWYYA/s320/toronto_12+-+58.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> acrobatic friend in a backyard tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dxfjPZpA0UEehgIS3CTBNqqiiXzjh6-eK78MFsSICBbKXocPZN6GzEG4McrfHJEl33GuUevg08QVBVCsKvC3TDPDi5lfUYMorFMFJEYIjopku_y35JeIKMeUZvSbxgBAqNR8lw/s1600/toronto_12+-+59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dxfjPZpA0UEehgIS3CTBNqqiiXzjh6-eK78MFsSICBbKXocPZN6GzEG4McrfHJEl33GuUevg08QVBVCsKvC3TDPDi5lfUYMorFMFJEYIjopku_y35JeIKMeUZvSbxgBAqNR8lw/s320/toronto_12+-+59.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chard/quinoa rolls from <i>the stop</i>'s <a href="http://thestop.org/good-food-for-all-the-stops-first-cookbook">cookbook</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3X8qiWT8SDP07zO2cu593Uk7zyANUSmfz5moASjCIjWQCf-NKr644vZ7ytFLdM1lv2FyTNAaCRo8ByHYrbVQ9raUNxm-JxI5zD0_hnFTBioIAb9oznuZlJVbYRxBENEYxcxYhNw/s1600/toronto_12+-+61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3X8qiWT8SDP07zO2cu593Uk7zyANUSmfz5moASjCIjWQCf-NKr644vZ7ytFLdM1lv2FyTNAaCRo8ByHYrbVQ9raUNxm-JxI5zD0_hnFTBioIAb9oznuZlJVbYRxBENEYxcxYhNw/s320/toronto_12+-+61.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">double (double) rainbow (rainbow)...so intense <br />
(it is hard to see the second one in this photo)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Sr8MnRZqdk_JSnRPKU5lnSaeODYUU_1eYNeg9iMV13XOd6TJcV_R6f8YL1maShxT6EjmfmgH2_rb38n3CuoocNm6zYmwYA7xnztEoEZJWSM6oWpbwVd7nQACnrcQi-ixkdL8YA/s1600/toronto_12+-+63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Sr8MnRZqdk_JSnRPKU5lnSaeODYUU_1eYNeg9iMV13XOd6TJcV_R6f8YL1maShxT6EjmfmgH2_rb38n3CuoocNm6zYmwYA7xnztEoEZJWSM6oWpbwVd7nQACnrcQi-ixkdL8YA/s320/toronto_12+-+63.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mango slush, pakoras, medhu vadai and many shades of pink...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmiC9PhsOKpouJ4Ig2hJW-QGtlDEwmmoO4TJAmmD2Z-ECz6aqpBKy9cjQOuHr0Sj41J02Aqdpv3MbBwETe8KPfq3Pune_JnV5UkFORGfKQ1Gim3buSPKW8H01gnvCSrE3cFH3_w/s1600/toronto_12+-+65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmiC9PhsOKpouJ4Ig2hJW-QGtlDEwmmoO4TJAmmD2Z-ECz6aqpBKy9cjQOuHr0Sj41J02Aqdpv3MbBwETe8KPfq3Pune_JnV5UkFORGfKQ1Gim3buSPKW8H01gnvCSrE3cFH3_w/s320/toronto_12+-+65.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nut house (a little natural foods shop)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoN4DnXysPrnsSZWhmUAWfZwrlfdANDpAwanCaNHCnIhB5KTQ3WXvZj2gyeAWHcpExTqH9d6QfWriTy3Bg13rernzCf-hJmLdSAZsFUikPjRLhWvpgsyntnXqQy3YsxyRI05iwg/s1600/toronto_12+-+66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoN4DnXysPrnsSZWhmUAWfZwrlfdANDpAwanCaNHCnIhB5KTQ3WXvZj2gyeAWHcpExTqH9d6QfWriTy3Bg13rernzCf-hJmLdSAZsFUikPjRLhWvpgsyntnXqQy3YsxyRI05iwg/s320/toronto_12+-+66.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cat in barber shop window</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCVRA-Mm6kGKLlf01L3r7DLU1aK_r0rOsBGvKzuQmou81bugr2h0YxIIlWd3XQKOW4DgBhqaRIS3nA9UtbUoU_P94qCmSQVrOn2XuZMUUm928Mu6CUWIhuSrYYDUDg6MK0TDY0g/s1600/toronto_12+-+71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCVRA-Mm6kGKLlf01L3r7DLU1aK_r0rOsBGvKzuQmou81bugr2h0YxIIlWd3XQKOW4DgBhqaRIS3nA9UtbUoU_P94qCmSQVrOn2XuZMUUm928Mu6CUWIhuSrYYDUDg6MK0TDY0g/s320/toronto_12+-+71.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">subway ride</td></tr>
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there's a lot to love in toronto. what impresses me most is the multi-culture nature of the city. people from all over the world make their lives here, sharing food, arts and traditions from their homelands. walking down bloor street, near our friends' home, you hear many languages spoken, take in the aromas and flavors of ethiopian, indian, indo-caribean, korean, thai, salvadorian, italian, portuguese and persian foods-- among many others. i was also struck with the way in which children (older ones) travel independently through the city, including the 13 year-old in the family we stayed with. she gets herself to and from school on her own (a good 20-30 minute walk) through dense urban terrain, and goes to lunch with friends in kensington market. the street they live on is quiet and intimate--our friends are close with many of their neighbors, and move freely in and out of each other's homes (as do their kids), like a small-town neighborhood- yet they are less than a block from a bustling city street filled with restaurants, shops, and heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic. the park is a few blocks away, and the library is just around the corner, as is the subway. what a life.</div>
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still, it is always nice to return home, to enjoy the contrast of our life with another sort, to inspect the progress in the garden, and visit with our own sweet neighbors.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">note: this is not exactly the layout i would choose if i could figure out how to navigate the new blogger interface. i post so infrequently these days, i decided to just let it go, and hit "publish."</span></div>
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<br />cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-25999328410263718552012-04-15T16:10:00.005-04:002012-04-15T17:03:20.578-04:00tea eggs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zFFJhK9XOq3euZaPk4_XOzTqMG1cW0Ut9ZQzI7sP3VL43cQvmvzR5kkuE_40D9MSgz4XGLRJvjZDTGVB-M_10Sfe1JUl-n0H5vDCpVPziRqCywq7ILJYj52gHlXDt9YCkysIyA/s1600/tea_eggs_small.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zFFJhK9XOq3euZaPk4_XOzTqMG1cW0Ut9ZQzI7sP3VL43cQvmvzR5kkuE_40D9MSgz4XGLRJvjZDTGVB-M_10Sfe1JUl-n0H5vDCpVPziRqCywq7ILJYj52gHlXDt9YCkysIyA/s320/tea_eggs_small.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731732894638103650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><br /><div>i got it into my head to make a batch of tea eggs. carl tried them a few years ago. the idea and the process appealed to me, but the result was underwhelming. i saw a stunning photo of some online, and decided to give it a try. as usual when i decide to make something, i look through my own collection of cookbooks, and then do an online search, pick the best looking recipe, and then tweak it to my own preferences. this one was a combination of madhur jaffrey's and <a href="http://www.craftpassion.com/2011/10/recipe-tea-leaf-eggs.html">this one</a>. I had some chinese five spice, so i used that, but i skipped the star anise (not a favorite of mine) and did not cook the eggs for as long as recommended. also, i had no chinese black tea, so i just used what i could round up from my tea stash.<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKewtbFq0SEl9IT3FwaDL206yFuIJkpcAGDOR-DZCWxsFK-Db6SnvdJnDegcYNk7vVeeGrfoZ2QhiIo654ICqO3M0wYP3WSEYeeouuH_hVM3tTlAi2QMgLlJCyiRsZeOXm-vaT3g/s1600/tea+eggs+cooking.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKewtbFq0SEl9IT3FwaDL206yFuIJkpcAGDOR-DZCWxsFK-Db6SnvdJnDegcYNk7vVeeGrfoZ2QhiIo654ICqO3M0wYP3WSEYeeouuH_hVM3tTlAi2QMgLlJCyiRsZeOXm-vaT3g/s320/tea+eggs+cooking.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731734014584292594" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>the process includes hard boiling the eggs, then cracking the shells all over, but keeping them on the egg. then you mix up this tea/soy sauce/spice brew, and steep the eggs in that for a number of hours, so that the dark sauce penetrates through the cracks, leaving a web like pattern on the egg.<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq10uEAESxb7T8HXlgFhBZScRMhN77qCjyDyujor_PeVkimqByT7V3gAcCbTtW9YUBMMW_Wwetc0erM3pmgQTxy7t8bLHsAeSi9YxLlCHHS7wFbFyO8bMPhM_TuYrzPxCM_JZQKQ/s1600/tea+eggs+in+dish.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq10uEAESxb7T8HXlgFhBZScRMhN77qCjyDyujor_PeVkimqByT7V3gAcCbTtW9YUBMMW_Wwetc0erM3pmgQTxy7t8bLHsAeSi9YxLlCHHS7wFbFyO8bMPhM_TuYrzPxCM_JZQKQ/s320/tea+eggs+in+dish.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731735193421054674" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; ">this dish is a feast for the eyes. the most dramatic pattern appears on the inside of the shell, which, of course, gets peeled off before serving, but the peeled eggs also look lovely. the taste on the egg is rather subtle, but nice. </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">i arranged them in a </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">beautiful </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">dish (made by my friend libby), took them to a neighborhood potluck, and everyone seemed to enjoy them. photographing them was my favorite part.</span></div></div></div>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-82026332171379662732012-03-23T10:09:00.014-04:002020-08-29T10:24:07.138-04:00fun with fractions<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 100%;">our approach to at-home learning is to follow cosmo's lead. when he shows interest in something, we offer supporting resources and encouragement. when his interest fades, or moves on to something else, so do we.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723096645786329122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniluLHZbLZRLf5jKCCccfXsiN0eVsKBiqfoAp_ZtRlWQimoyPX7Vhz34eI3bgUAjiWXItPMlcmQGnB5AeBP6PKS0UtJqsf9jN8huibc0IUnmyy8FZv4q0GOIaOBFf9gHkMcFeDw/s320/xmas_2011+-+30.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 320px; width: 240px;" /> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZfJcPt9oI5Wi5DYdV7xr5SNdQNR_NKSlwhyphenhyphenv5uW3dCfw6KhoEix96Z6Ilrdv9xLQ_1gv3pnFdBEos29AGue8cYwQwJZ5wmgTaxbZ5zv1AQGAz5ofgEPcZUgXFAept352x017cA/s1600/Jan2012+-+15.jpg" style="font-size: 100%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723096652476842978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZfJcPt9oI5Wi5DYdV7xr5SNdQNR_NKSlwhyphenhyphenv5uW3dCfw6KhoEix96Z6Ilrdv9xLQ_1gv3pnFdBEos29AGue8cYwQwJZ5wmgTaxbZ5zv1AQGAz5ofgEPcZUgXFAept352x017cA/s320/Jan2012+-+15.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 320px; width: 215px;" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 78%;">playing "allowance" first thing, on christmas day. sorting coins for Mother Hubbard's Cupboard</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">money seems to be a sustained interest for cosmo. he has been fond of coins since age 3. At 5 he had his first coin sorter. it didn't last 6 months, but he did get a new one for his 6th birthday. he now wants a coin counting jar, and will not let up about the "my little ATM" he once saw in a catalog. he enjoys coin collecting, especially series, like the state quarters and the national parks quarters. he has a susan b. anthony and a saquajwia dollar, a pouch full of various foreign coins, some fifty cent pieces and a buffalo nickel. he has learned the value of all the coins in circulation, and has learned how to make change, mostly through playing monopoly, life, and a game called allowance. he now gets an allowance, and has opened his own back account. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it was through his interest in money that he first became aware of fractions. i'm not sure exactly how this went, i think he was asking carl about half dollars, and quarters, and somehow the idea of 4ths came up. carl drew a quick pie chart to illustrate, and cosmo made a few on his own. he clearly grasped the concept. the next time we went to learning treasures, he asked for one of the fraction materials they have available. we compared the bar type, and the pie type, and settled on the pie ones, even though they don't have the fraction numbers printed on them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSyXn9nf_nLq42JO201MTpWmkmY1PL5pwGG-IzxsmAanIRsHH-RPsrggZAC5fO9UqV54yfSdJcgU9pei2ei-bLhUhCKukLOZ32oXagUb2JsrRSj7VIyDsh-YPo4TF4YbmrxKA3A/s1600/primary_pie3.jpg" style="font-family: Times;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723095723456760210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSyXn9nf_nLq42JO201MTpWmkmY1PL5pwGG-IzxsmAanIRsHH-RPsrggZAC5fO9UqV54yfSdJcgU9pei2ei-bLhUhCKukLOZ32oXagUb2JsrRSj7VIyDsh-YPo4TF4YbmrxKA3A/s320/primary_pie3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 208px; width: 320px;" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">he enjoyed them as objects from the moment we brought them home, as did the rest of the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 100%;">family.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOEUr01yEwo9LBMellhUSwE72fngZe_RiVQhIUefVoiozptOIX1Yg5L7ffOUj0WU_kFjdZEqhjr15CwMw9Ou1fv7TYgzcAp9YGZPQjtF-VEbK1dTW4ywUl7NV794w4swsrmO1tg/s1600/primary_pie2.jpg" style="font-family: Times;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723095412507430834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOEUr01yEwo9LBMellhUSwE72fngZe_RiVQhIUefVoiozptOIX1Yg5L7ffOUj0WU_kFjdZEqhjr15CwMw9Ou1fv7TYgzcAp9YGZPQjtF-VEbK1dTW4ywUl7NV794w4swsrmO1tg/s320/primary_pie2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 320px; width: 226px;" /></a> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZeVW-cCIbDHk2CdGMYIkM7ryEHRSulq71ge_N60Wn0HGsNmroV382uJyUGDfz4hRrmeIpmjM6G_HHrtfSd89QODr9YW3KgkZmz9ONewH8iaiH3C3YQSGWesr_2UUnU0W6s4Xrw/s1600/early_pie.jpg" style="font-size: 100%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723095744053072482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZeVW-cCIbDHk2CdGMYIkM7ryEHRSulq71ge_N60Wn0HGsNmroV382uJyUGDfz4hRrmeIpmjM6G_HHrtfSd89QODr9YW3KgkZmz9ONewH8iaiH3C3YQSGWesr_2UUnU0W6s4Xrw/s320/early_pie.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 320px; width: 196px;" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a week or so later, the south carolina primary was happening, and carl and i, the political junkies that we are, were tuning in. since cosmo likes games and charts (and always wants to know who’s winning), we thought he might enjoy keeping track of the returns as they came in. i showed him a way that he could graph the percentages as the night went on, and we took a look at the latest polls online. i made a pie chart of those percentages while cosmo was building a lego pyramid. when he saw my pie chart, he wanted to make one too. i showed him how i made it using the fraction pieces, and tracing. i helped him figure out how to combine some of the pieces to make a certain percentage, and then i walked away to watch the primary coverage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">later i noticed he had completed a chart, using a combination of numbers from the poll, and from the early returns. his chart is more vibrant and interesting to look at than mine, and he completely got the legend part. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 100%;">his grasp of basic math concepts continues to amaze me. much like the way he started reading on his own before age 4, he seems to pick up math as if he were born knowing it (this was not the case for his mother, i assure you). he gets the basic idea of multiplication, and can do some on his own. last week he blew me away with how quickly he could calculate scrabble scores “okay, that’s 7, 9, 10… triple word score, so that’s 30 points.”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 100%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 100%;">his spelling is not quite good enough for full participation in scrabble, but he teams up with one of us, and keeps score. fun for the whole family!</span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-7320309097296334882012-01-01T13:20:00.004-05:002012-01-01T13:43:19.357-05:00peas in the new yeari've heard it's traditional to have peas on new year's day, for good luck and prosperity. black-eyed peas are what we have chosen in the past. but this year we went with chickpeas. the dish is called <i>leblebi</i> (took me about a week to pronounce it without getting tongue-tied). Deborah Madison says it's common tunisian breakfast food. we thought <i>leblebi</i> on new year's day would be a nice way to celebrate the arab spring of 2011, and to offer best wishes to all those struggling for a better life in 2012.<div><br /> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7-qcUNs-XXSZlONceHeFhOidTdWZPqQDta7JwrxrvnE9Mh0R90GWAnqL1oPy54AJT8xawzeR4XP9cM_Xlm-z7rY2MNFivlSIKSlDfeFdvq59pEKt-wWBR3tH_YZnB_DvRyHorQ/s1600/food+-+85.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7-qcUNs-XXSZlONceHeFhOidTdWZPqQDta7JwrxrvnE9Mh0R90GWAnqL1oPy54AJT8xawzeR4XP9cM_Xlm-z7rY2MNFivlSIKSlDfeFdvq59pEKt-wWBR3tH_YZnB_DvRyHorQ/s320/food+-+85.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692734795308414002" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>it starts with a simple preparation of chickpeas in a thin, garlicky broth (this can be made in advance). serve it over day old farm bread with the following condiments: chopped scallions, sliced hard-boiled egg, capers, pickled turnips and most importantly, harissa. </div><div><br /></div><div>harissa is a beautiful thick sauce, deep red in color, and rich in flavor. the caraway seed sets it apart from other chili pastes. harissa is added to the chickpeas as they cook, but to make the peas more acceptable to kids or others who dislike spicy foods, you can go easy on it at that stage, and just serve plenty at the table for those who like it hot. our bread was homemade, as was the harissa (it is one of carl's specialties) and the pickles came from friends who farm turnips.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqgHHM00hIpF8gmvp-cIxEDkXoHlp19L8WsM0rVRexhHlFWg8k29oM_RUI0tBjpsEPfP5BP6InCG0LFoyDRzHms8NLCkRjAbfaq8CTvfmHrjbbtlqvblZR4fwmltQ6rSkqVfxQA/s1600/food+-+86.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqgHHM00hIpF8gmvp-cIxEDkXoHlp19L8WsM0rVRexhHlFWg8k29oM_RUI0tBjpsEPfP5BP6InCG0LFoyDRzHms8NLCkRjAbfaq8CTvfmHrjbbtlqvblZR4fwmltQ6rSkqVfxQA/s320/food+-+86.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692734801134029346" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>leblebi</i> is fun to eat, a pleasure to look at, distinctive and memorable in flavor.</div><div>happy new year!</div></div>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-60525188732865232222011-11-19T09:29:00.003-05:002011-11-19T09:42:10.799-05:00beyond banana breadi don't actually remember how i came across <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/lemony-olive-oil-banana-bread-recipe.html">this</a>, but the ingredient list and images of the the finished product appealed to me, so i printed it out and waited for some overripe bananas to show up in my life. about a week later, they came-- literally to my doorstep, from a neighbor-- so i knew it was time to try the recipe. <div><br /><div>let me tell ya folks, it did NOT disappoint. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN12A8RmIjDO_byTVeXaM2s9Q-CCuic5J576kBx1IyjHqNAqwb-pGRTerX2PbyNSKneNEzZmDblXhp65_2SqIVKmYYzGuu1jrxVCMU0mNwOiLjM7hzdTbErVaQIutomEv_VDDXQ/s1600/olive_oil_banana.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN12A8RmIjDO_byTVeXaM2s9Q-CCuic5J576kBx1IyjHqNAqwb-pGRTerX2PbyNSKneNEzZmDblXhp65_2SqIVKmYYzGuu1jrxVCMU0mNwOiLjM7hzdTbErVaQIutomEv_VDDXQ/s320/olive_oil_banana.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676716845237779522" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>wow.</div><div><br /></div><div>i am not even a big fan of banana bread. this is no ordinary banana bread. super moist, with a tender crumb, the chocolate makes it decadent, the lemon makes you forget it's banana bread, and the olive oil and whole wheat flour make it wholesome, arguably, possibly even <i>good for you</i>. bake it in a ring pan, and it feels like a fancy cake. </div><div>i urge you to try it the next time you have mushy bananas to deal with. </div><div>i used whole wheat <i>pastry</i> flour, and just used regular choc. chips, because that was what i had on hand. i also used orange zest instead of lemon, which was okay, but i bet it's better with lemon. you can find the recipe <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/lemony-olive-oil-banana-bread-recipe.html">here</a>.</div></div>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-24049265651802421792011-10-10T12:55:00.005-04:002011-10-10T13:16:28.158-04:00make another gardenwe are renters, but we tend to act like we own the place. give us a yard, and we will make gardens! here are some shots of the latest:<div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpWahu1zp1fvD270PDgAMT1Y4XZ2u5E0DlKACvkbSRjRmAKfyjVV9z-omhyphenhyphenc1yBQMdsaeH8FMaSVMN3-SugORXUeEankhJd02WNSwGtPRJhVhdQeFwplvGykxg9KzJFvUXw2Ekg/s1600/garden11+-+107.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpWahu1zp1fvD270PDgAMT1Y4XZ2u5E0DlKACvkbSRjRmAKfyjVV9z-omhyphenhyphenc1yBQMdsaeH8FMaSVMN3-SugORXUeEankhJd02WNSwGtPRJhVhdQeFwplvGykxg9KzJFvUXw2Ekg/s320/garden11+-+107.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661908848255905826" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>we've enjoyed a great fall harvest from these bush beans, started in mid july. we've even had enough for pickling, and they are still coming. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96a5BPp1MSgZt58gBl5aMCD9PeZ5OOC9L8v_40n5llPe4u1J9Wz2e4t3BYt3uVwak7Hz2HLyubA4w_GXG0UIjsg6V1zTrtFdWSwj14CYAf5A1DWYWTCX1S6jz6jkM6JM3FW3KsA/s1600/garden11+-+109.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96a5BPp1MSgZt58gBl5aMCD9PeZ5OOC9L8v_40n5llPe4u1J9Wz2e4t3BYt3uVwak7Hz2HLyubA4w_GXG0UIjsg6V1zTrtFdWSwj14CYAf5A1DWYWTCX1S6jz6jkM6JM3FW3KsA/s320/garden11+-+109.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661908854801611874" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>the chard was transplanted from our old place, along with many perennial herbs and flowers. herbs are something i hate to purchase at the store. those little overpriced packets of aging leaves can't compare to taking a few steps out the door to snip a few sprigs from my own plant. i am happy to finally have successfully transplanted all of mine.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNGWDDobFpZc5wR7FB4yofi8xPO6Gq0rXK4KHwxxm66a4RxER9JNiRvNSpS8cHm2Qyo0fcxVc7YEmcRUZKD6SZGH85bBKCgVnltMn45RrSuOANqkV47tcou8LBIV6DoNxyKTpLg/s1600/garden11+-+106.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNGWDDobFpZc5wR7FB4yofi8xPO6Gq0rXK4KHwxxm66a4RxER9JNiRvNSpS8cHm2Qyo0fcxVc7YEmcRUZKD6SZGH85bBKCgVnltMn45RrSuOANqkV47tcou8LBIV6DoNxyKTpLg/s320/garden11+-+106.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661908909387814370" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdZCbpqUKKzd82peIWs785n6ryWgmNCySHol3RF5crR29mI5271abDNY0s9FY7TvgnZQfgJ7eurq3kOYZLkysQcdOk03vAvJ6-mR-nKepvXS5TpJhYeXKT2YsQ_xpOFum6lHSRQ/s1600/garden11+-+110.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdZCbpqUKKzd82peIWs785n6ryWgmNCySHol3RF5crR29mI5271abDNY0s9FY7TvgnZQfgJ7eurq3kOYZLkysQcdOk03vAvJ6-mR-nKepvXS5TpJhYeXKT2YsQ_xpOFum6lHSRQ/s320/garden11+-+110.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661908862333394994" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>we've enjoyed fresh lettuce and arugula for a good month and a half now, the carrots are almost ready. they always taste sweetest after a frost.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NWjMGqe7t8MjDn0HyDuXoEseWJDbH3N8PK-0VpRhhwcUto1eCD3un24gFTnVgWOrpcYMR2tM__zFI4lfzPrl2tCvuTxAXYKUpGDge22ZN4o2tAJvQtE1OqSdvKo-nk5THGpoGg/s1600/garden11+-+111.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NWjMGqe7t8MjDn0HyDuXoEseWJDbH3N8PK-0VpRhhwcUto1eCD3un24gFTnVgWOrpcYMR2tM__zFI4lfzPrl2tCvuTxAXYKUpGDge22ZN4o2tAJvQtE1OqSdvKo-nk5THGpoGg/s320/garden11+-+111.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661908871267134562" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>i have done everything in my power to have a lush spinach bed in the spring. i got this one started in late august, it is now firmly established, and when the frost comes, i'll cover the bed with a heavy layer of straw. at the first glimmer of spring, i'll pull the straw off, and have early spring spinach. spinach is probably my favorite of the leafy greens. i have never grown an adequate amount to satisfy my craving. hopefully, this is the year!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>next we'll plant the garlic, and start on terracing the rest of the side yard to build beds for next year. </div>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-91940803597238218192011-08-26T19:47:00.008-04:002011-08-27T00:01:51.448-04:00the end of the dayit’s late summer, near the end of the month, the end of the day on the last day of the week. a family comes in, just before closing-- a mom and her two small children. i hear them speaking french to one another, softly. the toddler boy is in his underwear and a t-shirt. he has ruddy cheeks, and a sweaty brow. he and his slightly older sister are at the <i>kid’s cubby</i>, near my desk, looking at books, doing puzzles. the mom has finished the shopping, and i look up from my work to see her squatting down, opening the wrapper on a granola bar-the most ready-to-eat food we have in the pantry at that time, breaking off bite size pieces, and offering them to her son. he studies the food in her hand, she reassures him, and pushes a bite into his mouth. then she opens a small can of kern's apricot nectar, and gives him a drink. the girl is distracted- her attention on a coloring book, when her mother offers her the juice. the mother practically pours the liquid into her child’s mouth. <div>
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<br />maybe it is because her kids look kind of like my son…maybe it is because it’s the end of a long week, and a full moon—i’m emotional… but i look at that blonde, french woman in her early thirties, and i feel like i know her. i know what that feels like. and yet, i <i>don’t</i> know what that feels like. as a mother, that urge to nourish your child is nearly instinctual. the pressing need to get food into the body of the one who is dependent upon you—that need is so familiar to me. and yet, i don’t know what it feels like to not know that you have access to the food your child needs. i don’t know what it is like to not have enough, to run out and not have the means to go get more. to witness this woman- engaged in the everyday act of feeding her young, of nourishing her family, this ordinary gesture, in that moment was so touching, and so heart breaking.
<br />
<br />lately, i have been putting myself through the ringer over my career situation, future prospects, ambitions, and lack thereof. here i am, with this post-graduate degree from a prestigious architecture school, where i devoted many years of study, and accumulated mountains of debt. and i find myself in an income bracket significantly lower than expected, in a field completely unrelated to architecture. i see my cohorts with high paying jobs as architects in big cities, or with successful design firms of their own, professors and winners of high-profile competitions, nationally recognized artists…and i ask myself…<i>have i failed</i>?
<br />
<br />today though, on my walk home from the food pantry, where i help people nourish themselves and their loved ones, i’m thinking about that woman putting food in her child’s mouth. and i know i am right where i need to be, that my work is meaningful and fulfilling—that my talents are not wasted, and that i truly love my job. i love my job, i love my life, and there is nowhere else i’d rather be
<br /></div>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-77507957516557952332011-06-19T13:56:00.013-04:002011-08-02T22:46:32.929-04:00no excuses
<br />oh, i had hoped to at least post once per month, but alas! two months have passed, with nothing. <div>moving. </div><div>that is all i have to say: we moved.</div><div>shortly before we moved, i worked on a draft of a garden update:</div><div>
<br /><blockquote>June 19, 2011
<br />in just a couple of weeks we we will no longer live in the midst of the best garden in the world. i'm excited about our new place, and exploring a different neighborhood, but leaving this garden is a challenging adjustment for me. i have planted a mostly full garden here, even though i knew we'd be moving in the middle of the season. our landlord says we can still come by to tend and harvest our crops. i hope he means that. <div>
<br /></div><div>it has been a great year for brassicas so far. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLmCEAl2TtTSLiOhkW3YalEEDhtNjYG2NSGynr3XVmKeyqlLwaiZZkHkyAYSe6vrC1EuT5CQ0ZNV9TzmM475puD6-pGqL2PpFVts5FBd36_zeacT7GzhBwxwtuuEA5Zij3XbZGw/s1600/garden11+-+09.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLmCEAl2TtTSLiOhkW3YalEEDhtNjYG2NSGynr3XVmKeyqlLwaiZZkHkyAYSe6vrC1EuT5CQ0ZNV9TzmM475puD6-pGqL2PpFVts5FBd36_zeacT7GzhBwxwtuuEA5Zij3XbZGw/s320/garden11+-+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636253373455317474" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><meta charset="utf-8"><div>this cabbage is an <i>early jersey wakefield</i>, and has a conical rather than spherical shape. okra barely germinated, even after two plantings. couldn't get a basil seed to germinate to save my life. i have no idea why. sweet corn looks fabulous. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrZWT8OjmbN676YdiEodx54-lWK6fOxKiiHb9ukXVMiZmhQv6s51_W50DaInV3gJlonin_ARlw10jmcj_MkTBgUWZollZxCoQK_PFCaAS01h4_tiKn6x92KEJLiORvNCiUtN0hA/s320/garden11+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619996675199425394" style="cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 280px;" border="0" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPS8e-h37FLgqMtHrSytT-qyFu5LWNC9hq-yZfTjaE-HNOaUvCFpsUxbdMw_dKNYp89aIZaN8KV4ZS0X9yCoZYl4C-6g_qytlFFDXAIHuVzeayKZ5WSV0wUfpK1D0OQJR-PtJmQ/s1600/garden11+-+70.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPS8e-h37FLgqMtHrSytT-qyFu5LWNC9hq-yZfTjaE-HNOaUvCFpsUxbdMw_dKNYp89aIZaN8KV4ZS0X9yCoZYl4C-6g_qytlFFDXAIHuVzeayKZ5WSV0wUfpK1D0OQJR-PtJmQ/s320/garden11+-+70.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636264829747292898" style="cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 279px;" border="0" /></a></div><meta charset="utf-8"><div>
<br /></div><div>pea harvest has been spectacular, and some cucumbers are ready and waiting to take their place on the fence/trellis. carrots and beets look lovely, as do the onions.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPM0sIJKAxd_HouSos4PqktItgKZJi6kzaZO_l_g5eA-4YF5smDfFWAqcbk3ZvwEOVxdwktBd3IpnUhhONOr0Dk1GkH9NjKdKrXVqTQSki5_qRFltAnWpRo70s7lUUiKMQ_GQoQ/s1600/garden11+-+02.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPM0sIJKAxd_HouSos4PqktItgKZJi6kzaZO_l_g5eA-4YF5smDfFWAqcbk3ZvwEOVxdwktBd3IpnUhhONOr0Dk1GkH9NjKdKrXVqTQSki5_qRFltAnWpRo70s7lUUiKMQ_GQoQ/s320/garden11+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636253355134405730" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>bush beans and edamame everywhere, plus a lot more flowers than i usually plant. since the landlords plan to put the place on the market, i figure the prettier it looks out there, the more likely the garden will be left alone. we've been eating fresh lettuce since late february and still have some coming on. we enjoyed a few radishes before they bolted in the heat, and the garlic has been "scaped." </div><div>
<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqfaiaAiuKllyJUctPcwf8kT1MzmE1QWTPtwwrCWd9XKGnxc4m-T6WJ5LzWA5re_RM7M-MWSbaTvuPHGUIDiXWSyDVb5ZFy_zpLnTMVaEQEn6CAFIddANnWIaCL8mRhaLKuWhqA/s1600/garden11+-+14.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqfaiaAiuKllyJUctPcwf8kT1MzmE1QWTPtwwrCWd9XKGnxc4m-T6WJ5LzWA5re_RM7M-MWSbaTvuPHGUIDiXWSyDVb5ZFy_zpLnTMVaEQEn6CAFIddANnWIaCL8mRhaLKuWhqA/s320/garden11+-+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619996697412394706" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>this year i made a garlic scape pesto, but found it to be a tiny bit too garlicy, even though i sauteed them first.</div><div>
<br /></div><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><div>the tomatoes and ground cherries are off to an optimistic start, in spite of being super tiny when i put them into the ground. i ended up buying two larger plants from the farmer's market, just to be on the safe side. the exciting new thing i am trying this year is sweet potatoes! they are beautiful plants, and i'm curious to see how they do. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbj5-aExcJOYhgtRG1vH8XpX5hucjwaq0H7vLCfTBUqMMB0wKaWedwmEfBpp4lEC5pl-PcPKoGDlCX68LkW7tAGwhPQu_YMYiVm2k45_kUJb8ZBxqw1blR78b8AeE7ONHAh15jgQ/s1600/garden11+-+78.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbj5-aExcJOYhgtRG1vH8XpX5hucjwaq0H7vLCfTBUqMMB0wKaWedwmEfBpp4lEC5pl-PcPKoGDlCX68LkW7tAGwhPQu_YMYiVm2k45_kUJb8ZBxqw1blR78b8AeE7ONHAh15jgQ/s320/garden11+-+78.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636264836334464306" style="cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 320px;" border="0" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>of course i have leeks again, and have tried some eggplant, currently under cover, to prevent flea beetle attack. the soil in the lasagna bed i started a year and a half ago is <i>gorgeous</i>--all dark and crumbly, and (unfortunately) full of tomato seed and violets.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>in the new place i hope to do a bit of terracing, plant a small fall garden, get some garlic in, and prepare beds for the spring (using the lasagna method). the new neighborhood has plenty of experienced gardeners to consult and commiserate with. i will work on letting go, and moving on.</div><div></div></blockquote><div>
<br /></div><div>* * *</div><div>
<br /></div><div>by now we have been in our new place for a full month. we've had to say good bye to excellent soil, wonderful neighbors and the croquet court.
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<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBukp1-T3T8yWPiVPoMMsAEkRnfz3jnp_5ZofpmJUe_T2GRc5KAtBz0ZjTGJ2KRWOjT1K7PF-ePwoEST870yixjEqSoUIzZUjXXv-NsSTBZQcnimGNnCanNQgHmRI1J6swBhRCow/s1600/misc+-+14.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBukp1-T3T8yWPiVPoMMsAEkRnfz3jnp_5ZofpmJUe_T2GRc5KAtBz0ZjTGJ2KRWOjT1K7PF-ePwoEST870yixjEqSoUIzZUjXXv-NsSTBZQcnimGNnCanNQgHmRI1J6swBhRCow/s320/misc+-+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636451157476421250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoMMuWNI-nwfaOE-vO7PHSrVmG8btY7fZqXvlkmWVbb9SaSuDpparjSDKNNqyPW8xBAm28nnJOHeGByDnWdIpRRxhQmZ3PgdCqMn8YB8S8vjCJCwqOFhSl1PGB90dC9NroyARTw/s1600/misc+-+86.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoMMuWNI-nwfaOE-vO7PHSrVmG8btY7fZqXvlkmWVbb9SaSuDpparjSDKNNqyPW8xBAm28nnJOHeGByDnWdIpRRxhQmZ3PgdCqMn8YB8S8vjCJCwqOFhSl1PGB90dC9NroyARTw/s320/misc+-+86.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636265571925831298" style="cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 271px;" border="0" /></a>
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<br /></div> but the new place has nice neighbors, too, plus it came with a cheese hanging hook (over the sink!), and nice colors on the walls.
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<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmws51oKCTHO3LW2dneBbyEEU3MVTrbObkJBVcRA5arEHX7eLcxz5IHLuauxI7mgdXtUYx6SiwA1OpjNtgEHNRXH-dmPwVaGd243mNR8bvab5sv8Ve7pD93zuIhTp0FAuQ35hMA/s1600/misc+-+87.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmws51oKCTHO3LW2dneBbyEEU3MVTrbObkJBVcRA5arEHX7eLcxz5IHLuauxI7mgdXtUYx6SiwA1OpjNtgEHNRXH-dmPwVaGd243mNR8bvab5sv8Ve7pD93zuIhTp0FAuQ35hMA/s320/misc+-+87.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636265573773679746" style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-14emmZNuD8JoKNe-i5PyjijFdg50rRSnr_hghJjpqkgwqYC4PSIJcrHr_4pzCQZ-o5nt_WPbvScm5dHue1j14pZgAZThofjXvL5Xxpv4Z21wAAA2AifgsNOjz83uO9-1itJWw/s1600/misc+-+88.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-14emmZNuD8JoKNe-i5PyjijFdg50rRSnr_hghJjpqkgwqYC4PSIJcrHr_4pzCQZ-o5nt_WPbvScm5dHue1j14pZgAZThofjXvL5Xxpv4Z21wAAA2AifgsNOjz83uO9-1itJWw/s320/misc+-+88.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636266255232683186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" /></a></div><meta charset="utf-8"><meta charset="utf-8">
<br />i struggle to keep a couple of small seed beds moist enough to germinate the fall crops i planted. i have been harvesting from our old place, and attempting to keep up with weeds. we're experiencing a bit of a drought, and record high temperatures for days on end. surprisingly, the old garden is doing well with very little attention. <div>
<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04dtQN2vnXIfKp2hmbU1vXcxj_qNuCSdWbJAnpi_7mV-8ZbgFej9SMGhQJG2hWMNPposFy3kAEmS5YwlFJ_QxnSGsED70YGKlEJBtRtmNMpjVwRKWO5GV9mnyYvJ3DsFPqfMK4A/s1600/garden11+-+102.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04dtQN2vnXIfKp2hmbU1vXcxj_qNuCSdWbJAnpi_7mV-8ZbgFej9SMGhQJG2hWMNPposFy3kAEmS5YwlFJ_QxnSGsED70YGKlEJBtRtmNMpjVwRKWO5GV9mnyYvJ3DsFPqfMK4A/s320/garden11+-+102.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636265558030942754" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nQQet_5TUsCV4d3vJxY7D37wKAb15CJVF4AU_tOQ-lpgHKFD_mBrbPNl9AQnEHh3kk2T-sj2__gLY0qRKSVlKFzqWKUoa9ej8zhHkuMUECTNYR3EUNo7CAMiMK6qHMk3AwM2CA/s1600/garden11+-+100.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nQQet_5TUsCV4d3vJxY7D37wKAb15CJVF4AU_tOQ-lpgHKFD_mBrbPNl9AQnEHh3kk2T-sj2__gLY0qRKSVlKFzqWKUoa9ej8zhHkuMUECTNYR3EUNo7CAMiMK6qHMk3AwM2CA/s320/garden11+-+100.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636265547125794306" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a></div><meta charset="utf-8"><div>
<br /></div><div>i've harvested tons of green beans, cabbages, beets, carrots, onions, kale, cucumbers, ground cherries, tomatoes, herbs...even flowers! last weekend we had the first of the sweet corn!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0wjkvE3OJ6NlqfxLGwLQKVpeFuH8r4Y4dpxWu-g6MxePIbl6JG0c4iboXJKSw_EZpdQEbjsVBpWwEf_pJ4oozlQPBtXb6LeQfFSYMq88_zKZUoYZQP3f1N3OXlsrYBwr3B3QgQ/s1600/garden11+-+097.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0wjkvE3OJ6NlqfxLGwLQKVpeFuH8r4Y4dpxWu-g6MxePIbl6JG0c4iboXJKSw_EZpdQEbjsVBpWwEf_pJ4oozlQPBtXb6LeQfFSYMq88_zKZUoYZQP3f1N3OXlsrYBwr3B3QgQ/s320/garden11+-+097.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636264842999479394" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>it is wonderful. the edamame is nearly ready, and the sweet potatoes are out of control! i am very curious to see what's under all that gorgeous foliage. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>we love our new place, and have had a nice summer, in spite of the brutal relocation. cosmo has been busy with soccer camp, swim classes and montessori art camp.
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<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQSba4xus7UuQF0nDPoEPhjE1kQjAVfbNQy6HJWFrfR4S0t3RtSPa095Lc8JXCV7jMX7yjQAUhwhO_04xJFMB2LjlMJOyVrNpakB_MqYFTbDAJ49Xz2XGhr-_BiJXBBqeDP30Mg/s1600/misc+-+89.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQSba4xus7UuQF0nDPoEPhjE1kQjAVfbNQy6HJWFrfR4S0t3RtSPa095Lc8JXCV7jMX7yjQAUhwhO_04xJFMB2LjlMJOyVrNpakB_MqYFTbDAJ49Xz2XGhr-_BiJXBBqeDP30Mg/s320/misc+-+89.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636266270279280690" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lLV9QYNotmaIOYFdpQuFkWJef2Ne0JN3287bHCYRC5OBIgm9So5aH-2gPHlX_K_2Y86uI4RbByM-qqaOuxUy8Kx-YXGN44GDWUuo-wM2PQrzvkLWi6f-7xY4usNfgpqqA9DAiw/s1600/swimming_11+-+4.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lLV9QYNotmaIOYFdpQuFkWJef2Ne0JN3287bHCYRC5OBIgm9So5aH-2gPHlX_K_2Y86uI4RbByM-qqaOuxUy8Kx-YXGN44GDWUuo-wM2PQrzvkLWi6f-7xY4usNfgpqqA9DAiw/s320/swimming_11+-+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636266260999351266" style="cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 242px;" border="0" /></a>
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<br />we all rode our bikes in the july 4th parade, with our dear friends ann and alan. it was just what we needed after days of schlepping, and one of the reasons i so love bloomington. 5 people can hop on their bikes and become an official entry in the independence day parade! cosmo loved getting to ride around, in all directions, in the middle of the street downtown.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDek6gYrwiXgKCKv2vVhpMIYlt9GFjEZTNpgbZM57VlR8HE4K722aftBLSUZjWbUWeht_qRJ04uEQyZ1pioZweQxwGKCVjC3NejXnG8gkKn0p5TknD9w9yqt4xjefwd7dRUuKPKw/s1600/july4_2011+-+11.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDek6gYrwiXgKCKv2vVhpMIYlt9GFjEZTNpgbZM57VlR8HE4K722aftBLSUZjWbUWeht_qRJ04uEQyZ1pioZweQxwGKCVjC3NejXnG8gkKn0p5TknD9w9yqt4xjefwd7dRUuKPKw/s320/july4_2011+-+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636451173799941746" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06SDKv0KwAOmxsjNvNBgbM1H-oUq07KVDueI3GaDys3tQeMXg1DVTwbHcnjnRdbCXpx6F-ThcNwdO78ETBvu4Cqnw_XBETaLL7UHZXGg7TSsJTbSeqd_qn816tHB-OLwb0Jp_hg/s1600/july4_2011+-+13.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06SDKv0KwAOmxsjNvNBgbM1H-oUq07KVDueI3GaDys3tQeMXg1DVTwbHcnjnRdbCXpx6F-ThcNwdO78ETBvu4Cqnw_XBETaLL7UHZXGg7TSsJTbSeqd_qn816tHB-OLwb0Jp_hg/s320/july4_2011+-+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636451176356322114" border="0" /></a></div><meta charset="utf-8"><div>
<br /></div><div>we are off to colorado to visit carl's parents, and cosmo will start kindergarten (at montessori) by the middle of the month! the summer has flown by, as usual. thanks to <span style="font-style: italic;">they might be giants</span> (here comes science), cosmo's current passion revolves around the periodic table of the elements. our friend diane gave him a poster of it, which he has been studying carefully, and even chose it as a bed time story a few nights ago! he is also into optical illusions, and successfully pulled off his first magic trick (making a coin disappear).</div><div>
<br /></div><div>carl and i have been busy canning, and preserving, and teaching others how to as well. through my job at mother hubbard's cupboard, carl has assisted me in 3 canning demonstrations at the farmer's market. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpusrlijVQ9fPWNtfjqiL5RMgkHpwHTr2R1Fhuze08dPlJ68dGwbGKpdSrIPZYpZWoyUREF4vVAwAIhekE3uu7dB4zFIeygKU0kph20iuoXr_AccCbuWoU_amcSw2KIzUssNNyQ/s1600/DYC+-+08.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpusrlijVQ9fPWNtfjqiL5RMgkHpwHTr2R1Fhuze08dPlJ68dGwbGKpdSrIPZYpZWoyUREF4vVAwAIhekE3uu7dB4zFIeygKU0kph20iuoXr_AccCbuWoU_amcSw2KIzUssNNyQ/s320/DYC+-+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636266273156131650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>i discovered the best pickled carrots recipe--ever! i was looking for something that would closely mimic the spicy condiment i used to find in taquerias in houston. found it. these are probably the best thing i have ever pickled, and i can't stop eating them. they taste great with tortilla chips. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3kdpXa7pmXQB4axeMu-kraUUYmWsSPV9UnTxrAfP4DMPLfnvHOrMe9x71u3-kuR2BpuI9HFImQPqhRbW1WsRljXlxINwZPHO5ePwUxoJL2g_RMbQOT0FNV1ayLMqzUvliHvoiA/s1600/food+-+53.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3kdpXa7pmXQB4axeMu-kraUUYmWsSPV9UnTxrAfP4DMPLfnvHOrMe9x71u3-kuR2BpuI9HFImQPqhRbW1WsRljXlxINwZPHO5ePwUxoJL2g_RMbQOT0FNV1ayLMqzUvliHvoiA/s320/food+-+53.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636264828631530786" style="cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 320px;" border="0" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>here's the recipe (it comes from the TexasBBQRub forum):</div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(88, 88, 88);font-family:Verdana;font-size:13px;" >
<br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(88, 88, 88);font-size:100%;" >pickled carrots taqueria-style.
<br />
<br /></span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(88, 88, 88);font-size:100%;" >It sounds like a large recipe, and it is. trust me, though, you'll be glad you made the whole thing.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(88, 88, 88);font-size:100%;" >Ingredients:</span></p><span style="color: rgb(88, 88, 88);font-size:100%;" > • 2 lbs large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch thick pieces
<br />• 1/2 head of garlic peeled and smashed
<br />• 1/2 large, sweet or yellow onion, roughly 1-inch dice
<br />• 1 1/2 cups white vinegar
<br />• 1 1/2 cups water
<br />• 10 bay leaves, whole
<br />• 1 tablespoon peppercorns (can vary to taste)
<br />• 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
<br />• 1 teaspoon salt
<br />• 6-8 oz. fresh jalapenos, sliced (and seeded to taste)
<br />
<br />Preparation:
<br />Add garlic and peppercorns to oil in a large saucepan, heat to medium heat, and saute until fragrant (just a couple or few minutes or so, depending on your stove). Add in carrots and saute for 2-3 minutes. Carefully add in vinegar, peppercorns, salt, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer for 5 minutes and then add water and jalapenos and bring to a simmer again for another 10 minutes.
<br />
<br />Transfer everything two quart-sized mason jars or other covered container(s) and refrigerate overnight. If you find you need more liquid to cover, boil more water and vinegar (equal amounts of each) to top off.
<br />
<br />Keep refrigerated. Store the carrots in the liquid and use a fork or slotted spoon to serve them. You may leave the bay leaves in the liquid to add to the flavor, but do not eat them. Always remove the bay leaves before you eat the carrots. You can soften the carrots more with longer cooking times, but you want to keep them firm and with a bit of crunch, or it's just not right. <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--></span><!--EndFragment--> </div><div></div></div>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-5252957012522110432011-05-28T07:49:00.012-04:002011-05-31T23:28:44.714-04:00oh, the places we gocosmo has seen the world.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhdwOVGZC1fYKlnPgwnbexVZ9OdgLFu5lQmHllPHjR_55hGIrue6Q2N9kdElCC8cbpFSlsKey7f9YJE0JJxqYX7QLkU6Tm8RJLES7yYtdL-e9y22f-CAv5-z17JR2IojjH9br0g/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+10.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhdwOVGZC1fYKlnPgwnbexVZ9OdgLFu5lQmHllPHjR_55hGIrue6Q2N9kdElCC8cbpFSlsKey7f9YJE0JJxqYX7QLkU6Tm8RJLES7yYtdL-e9y22f-CAv5-z17JR2IojjH9br0g/s320/Disney5_2011+-+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612230157693489058" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMO450Kgaz_e1BrdZNxSaQ3EVW7-xfJpSwVhu5sFWQxF8hjtLJTIW8yKlEeFUjxGSOm8_lz7V5QkG1ZhKSA8kRV5d2Fd7WE4r4hgNsabNki_lSL-oYo0Q9w9EdMF6I1H86iN4Zg/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+076.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMO450Kgaz_e1BrdZNxSaQ3EVW7-xfJpSwVhu5sFWQxF8hjtLJTIW8yKlEeFUjxGSOm8_lz7V5QkG1ZhKSA8kRV5d2Fd7WE4r4hgNsabNki_lSL-oYo0Q9w9EdMF6I1H86iN4Zg/s320/Disney5_2011+-+076.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612231240427330562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />disney world, that is. and he will never be the same again. before his papa in texas generously planned a trip for the whole family (cosmo's aunts, uncles, cousins) i am not even sure that cosmo KNEW about disney world, or disney land. he's watched some disney shows, and a couple of movies...he has even played on the playhouse disney website.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4f_AsmZ-LOrP2d5jfjUFpiif0pjzJvhbkTuAD2g1uQ3ySW_uh25qlza_3SurSMUsT4qGcwtf-lcm2vTg38PZuXTQ_UzyFZiivpdXvJ-PdXqhcfaYZBc3SpoEtsSbUkfprFN79Dw/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+048.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4f_AsmZ-LOrP2d5jfjUFpiif0pjzJvhbkTuAD2g1uQ3ySW_uh25qlza_3SurSMUsT4qGcwtf-lcm2vTg38PZuXTQ_UzyFZiivpdXvJ-PdXqhcfaYZBc3SpoEtsSbUkfprFN79Dw/s320/Disney5_2011+-+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612231225969770466" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNL98MdwuQ4bYeiaPszQBi2fVIemJ_MLl5536FAbQmbNgl36qq6Y0XMYPyBr1QNKHJQV5KPYqX5LGuOzhcC1jyDHgn1uEMVy0oh1kB-0UN9Kj7EpgbCrUI7iM_xyN9Krm4byGrA/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+050.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNL98MdwuQ4bYeiaPszQBi2fVIemJ_MLl5536FAbQmbNgl36qq6Y0XMYPyBr1QNKHJQV5KPYqX5LGuOzhcC1jyDHgn1uEMVy0oh1kB-0UN9Kj7EpgbCrUI7iM_xyN9Krm4byGrA/s320/Disney5_2011+-+050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612231229404646994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />but i don't think he really had a notion of what an amusement park might be like, let alone<i> the happiest place on earth</i>. <div>so, in the months preceding the trip, we did a little prepping, to make sure that he would get maximum enjoyment out of what will most likely be his <i>only</i> trip to disney world. julie helped us find a kid's guide to disney world at the library book sale.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyGS_qDAuOMMyOm3xD1_1Mwa_Lg0oEyLLchEIr-oTPn1P3gkzRvaP59rY4mz_5hfAUhlrPrsERHsUTUYkkiEFEqJA93i3_xmC_KdtGilRHq5s9OkNAFlRaZzxhGBmdTqCY5GWPg/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+108.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyGS_qDAuOMMyOm3xD1_1Mwa_Lg0oEyLLchEIr-oTPn1P3gkzRvaP59rY4mz_5hfAUhlrPrsERHsUTUYkkiEFEqJA93i3_xmC_KdtGilRHq5s9OkNAFlRaZzxhGBmdTqCY5GWPg/s320/Disney5_2011+-+108.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612232645360991762" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VqKtyCAoFdeZvlQ8BUkDzd0rEGXmaxi0fnLt-YQAOPQXkO9eMX2SnfsZVU8TdXBJFWNTI1R4ZRYM5pseG-JNiY29vml9h7ajy-FZFkv3FeD_eb5QWYAw7aeiJm54oWyUH_Bbpw/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+082.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 328px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VqKtyCAoFdeZvlQ8BUkDzd0rEGXmaxi0fnLt-YQAOPQXkO9eMX2SnfsZVU8TdXBJFWNTI1R4ZRYM5pseG-JNiY29vml9h7ajy-FZFkv3FeD_eb5QWYAw7aeiJm54oWyUH_Bbpw/s320/Disney5_2011+-+082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612232632074910466" border="0" /></a><br /><br />though it was from 2004, it was still relevant, and allowed cosmo to read about the place, and plan for some of what he wanted to do while he was there. he read that book backwards and forwards, studied the maps and made lists of rides he wanted to go on, and attractions he wanted to see.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETPGEN5VE6vBnMZpcr5ALK9PF-h3Fyu9bN0QjNV_fQHiJFnTKWrnQjQ9ZqLV2tMSzcXu0FmKRoG_CXpsCa2IK2uIaLiYPyOCtfIUuu9e_zwX1-oSkk17y_JU5dp_G6fDwihTW2Q/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+032.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETPGEN5VE6vBnMZpcr5ALK9PF-h3Fyu9bN0QjNV_fQHiJFnTKWrnQjQ9ZqLV2tMSzcXu0FmKRoG_CXpsCa2IK2uIaLiYPyOCtfIUuu9e_zwX1-oSkk17y_JU5dp_G6fDwihTW2Q/s320/Disney5_2011+-+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612230168619653874" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXR7D041skcloMc2jxMSn3es4jmaJ96KRPpvP0UCz3S45D8V0MtOELW3be_ZcyV-g-NZn7lVx5YpX_-mjBpOFh2DJJWNWru0X83AJnDVA9mUJt2hXjpuYrSIPMXo6I6rcEP5xjg/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+119.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXR7D041skcloMc2jxMSn3es4jmaJ96KRPpvP0UCz3S45D8V0MtOELW3be_ZcyV-g-NZn7lVx5YpX_-mjBpOFh2DJJWNWru0X83AJnDVA9mUJt2hXjpuYrSIPMXo6I6rcEP5xjg/s320/Disney5_2011+-+119.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612233924445109874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>nothing can really prepare you though. that place is somethin' else!</div><div><br /></div><div>though i know cosmo had a blast, and will never forget it, it was also simply exhausting for him. the late night at the magic kingdom, fighting the crowds to see the parade and the fireworks show was difficult for him to recover from, even though we let him sleep in the next day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuaolnoQZt3iFCVjXR9f99chvRcTbsUqU98HXuee0xTTFDi2FmvqCnrBi14-AXAhezY1SiopxQeLLIxonmWQzDf4p81w0OOCbKLANRhNIWc6Xbz5M9kWo-q9DWNybNEbF74-pGA/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+054.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuaolnoQZt3iFCVjXR9f99chvRcTbsUqU98HXuee0xTTFDi2FmvqCnrBi14-AXAhezY1SiopxQeLLIxonmWQzDf4p81w0OOCbKLANRhNIWc6Xbz5M9kWo-q9DWNybNEbF74-pGA/s320/Disney5_2011+-+054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612231229317135186" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsisjnxCiNGcvbaYhug5xJOxTnjefJqjMef7yDBYXZL3rzeOYipZVN3-2WebOrIjFRKmqlBM9cXdmGdW64p-NBUci_G9IJNlCI6bzeKFL7A_lTqq3nTQh00nurCibojAhglYF6rg/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+058.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsisjnxCiNGcvbaYhug5xJOxTnjefJqjMef7yDBYXZL3rzeOYipZVN3-2WebOrIjFRKmqlBM9cXdmGdW64p-NBUci_G9IJNlCI6bzeKFL7A_lTqq3nTQh00nurCibojAhglYF6rg/s320/Disney5_2011+-+058.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612231231872438018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />he fell asleep in the middle of the day almost every day we were there. he was lucky that justin was willing to carry him around because i could not pick him up due to back trouble, and he is just too big for a stroller (though he did at one point find his way into his little cousin's stroller, and attempted to nap at the epcot)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyffYTBAjZI1l47tB3W0wq2zbdkONB7NYuVo87KescHmNi4DhDSkD4sPqCBWKt-Rx0527zS3opODzgFsPsyS06c5wIuuNVOySdGPpB6RBQVJJtzZsBCQ04DYlOwGJ03Cc6iB5UWQ/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+034.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyffYTBAjZI1l47tB3W0wq2zbdkONB7NYuVo87KescHmNi4DhDSkD4sPqCBWKt-Rx0527zS3opODzgFsPsyS06c5wIuuNVOySdGPpB6RBQVJJtzZsBCQ04DYlOwGJ03Cc6iB5UWQ/s320/Disney5_2011+-+034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612230171047387954" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdD9kLNE46lUbJ2H0c8F9AwD_EF_C4LtBp90s0WZQTywGqnU5zLJRJpl7d5EWd2Xpk87Bdd1GQmJnXHHt5F6Nv1gLNeT5wMjRvOZ0Jn0TqokWL4Yuw9MO6tgk_3lnaopScmp7qQ/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+062.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdD9kLNE46lUbJ2H0c8F9AwD_EF_C4LtBp90s0WZQTywGqnU5zLJRJpl7d5EWd2Xpk87Bdd1GQmJnXHHt5F6Nv1gLNeT5wMjRvOZ0Jn0TqokWL4Yuw9MO6tgk_3lnaopScmp7qQ/s320/Disney5_2011+-+062.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612234663706701362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />he also enjoyed occasional breaks engaged in familiar pastimes such as arcades time, and bonding with the littlest cousin over itouch games.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYifKwrOapQJYbs4ew2vA-j71dgHoyZfESY1Oi99lwTppyD193UsFAtcJZ10pzZb9NF5rrU2JlPNjAd5-RYmkcQRJgc5SHHCKt1Av1co5Kol3eiFTNTmAgBFtAxGa8Mc00djs5w/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+072.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 357px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYifKwrOapQJYbs4ew2vA-j71dgHoyZfESY1Oi99lwTppyD193UsFAtcJZ10pzZb9NF5rrU2JlPNjAd5-RYmkcQRJgc5SHHCKt1Av1co5Kol3eiFTNTmAgBFtAxGa8Mc00djs5w/s320/Disney5_2011+-+072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612234670561712786" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3tOTtGGLpWxuRTa5fw9ThxghMvlZb6iI8_vavOn4UpmV3KNg98UB2QESoFzYYNdCHpXG8-IEEZjWG0cU9NrsQNgP_1zfL-Tb_tZu27-_AaZ__JpX2rVy2hdRjH_KgrcCR54wpw/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+116.jpg"><br /></a></div><div>the "wild rides" we went on (splash mountain, mission space, astro blaster) were just right for him, and not too scary.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjZ7rslYm9qrK6biHbwOZql2KvbxOuiw2HfDkWaIKgKt6Bj1z87n4CDVvHa3mmHx4kUsm3HlHyefyguLtmKehCslSVzlyK0xWge53vd7p_1wsQQwZWG9e7a_ObeYMEzSriy3JSA/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+088.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjZ7rslYm9qrK6biHbwOZql2KvbxOuiw2HfDkWaIKgKt6Bj1z87n4CDVvHa3mmHx4kUsm3HlHyefyguLtmKehCslSVzlyK0xWge53vd7p_1wsQQwZWG9e7a_ObeYMEzSriy3JSA/s320/Disney5_2011+-+088.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612232633673107778" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3BYf3-DDvL5tVoPxulXRl1w0fPUD3q5et6fAXq3ocYPiMgR_YMDTcLZAMXqzpLJwRMZ_LtJ-d7SDI6sPgTPgPh4ByS4pkgzWLVC47aLoSUVgZ7cx1fhqunEBJCqx_LFEYs-ybA/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+106.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 354px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3BYf3-DDvL5tVoPxulXRl1w0fPUD3q5et6fAXq3ocYPiMgR_YMDTcLZAMXqzpLJwRMZ_LtJ-d7SDI6sPgTPgPh4ByS4pkgzWLVC47aLoSUVgZ7cx1fhqunEBJCqx_LFEYs-ybA/s320/Disney5_2011+-+106.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612232640563715058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />his favorite ride (depending on when you ask him) was either splash mountain or spaceship earth (the one inside that big ball at epcot). what he liked about that one was the part where it opens up into a sort of planetarium at the top of the bucky ball, and you can see an image of the earth, as if you are in outer space. he was blown away by that.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG3rOZc5m6HZTXKvGUmJI9W3KtFONn2J1CkYv931uazUCSx7lvfvcN9S9JfX3b43Qrnr8l0K2z6fcCugyIhwM3SC9MkwK8OlM40Qy4OCcjkp2ta-HuNROiyQdWy8rjkHByQU2sQ/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+018.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG3rOZc5m6HZTXKvGUmJI9W3KtFONn2J1CkYv931uazUCSx7lvfvcN9S9JfX3b43Qrnr8l0K2z6fcCugyIhwM3SC9MkwK8OlM40Qy4OCcjkp2ta-HuNROiyQdWy8rjkHByQU2sQ/s320/Disney5_2011+-+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612230159661814978" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XXoyzTtsljGaBOyUGVKFhxhMg2fI770t6t4d98It6EpP7In2IOyTg6IojYFTpjWcMRbSVLJI8mtdGjenmS0_2sAt-BHezti5lGxPy-lCfuwmrPnnJSSD__0MXNSCNhJ3RQCAqQ/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+116.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XXoyzTtsljGaBOyUGVKFhxhMg2fI770t6t4d98It6EpP7In2IOyTg6IojYFTpjWcMRbSVLJI8mtdGjenmS0_2sAt-BHezti5lGxPy-lCfuwmrPnnJSSD__0MXNSCNhJ3RQCAqQ/s320/Disney5_2011+-+116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613087949465372610" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3tOTtGGLpWxuRTa5fw9ThxghMvlZb6iI8_vavOn4UpmV3KNg98UB2QESoFzYYNdCHpXG8-IEEZjWG0cU9NrsQNgP_1zfL-Tb_tZu27-_AaZ__JpX2rVy2hdRjH_KgrcCR54wpw/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+116.jpg"><br /></a></div></div><div>the one thing that he really had his heart set on, more than anything at the major parks, was the miniature golf course. cosmo is obsessed with mini golf, and the options around here are pretty pathetic. i think this one is called mickey's fantasia gardens, and it is located near one of the resorts, but there is no bus that goes right to it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XT42qWA0l_cFeFuGu_ql0qX2U_Pj0c1twjunVKxLriL1KG8gSFKAxZQoMFy9ClXnhs79EnGcp3uyBx4VDDYYr18brm2Sev6RWkqHfWa9wKIo8YlO71QCatU8rjqAtCbuFFJj7Q/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+131.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XT42qWA0l_cFeFuGu_ql0qX2U_Pj0c1twjunVKxLriL1KG8gSFKAxZQoMFy9ClXnhs79EnGcp3uyBx4VDDYYr18brm2Sev6RWkqHfWa9wKIo8YlO71QCatU8rjqAtCbuFFJj7Q/s320/Disney5_2011+-+131.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612233925199799522" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfg653M80UBQm0ISXXsGnRr0rtfz_teEtHHa53YI09FV0uNjuZqLaM8dM8rv_LR579XgIFBTBSmEN1jeORPlQ3mA_WuWqldhpSjqetEOFs2SuBAm0LG0jDTSndHCoXrJ6Jv_3CVQ/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+135.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfg653M80UBQm0ISXXsGnRr0rtfz_teEtHHa53YI09FV0uNjuZqLaM8dM8rv_LR579XgIFBTBSmEN1jeORPlQ3mA_WuWqldhpSjqetEOFs2SuBAm0LG0jDTSndHCoXrJ6Jv_3CVQ/s320/Disney5_2011+-+135.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612233932196268802" border="0" /></a><br />we had to take a cab (also pretty exiting for cosmo). no one else in our party wanted to join us for the mini golf, which is too bad because it was awesome. no lines, no crowds, peaceful. and, because it's disney, cool things happen on the course--<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iY4HLzvmfOS8wgZ9MUOzmOjAxz3Z7Tek5rJ-icx0N4PWL8SlpmcB-Th_kR9qfl09qVh1vTQLh-9QPWex0czH2u_K5zR9c0hp7aW8EE5p2j2_4HHDl7NNJsXHAvqs80hdpqRyTQ/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+138.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iY4HLzvmfOS8wgZ9MUOzmOjAxz3Z7Tek5rJ-icx0N4PWL8SlpmcB-Th_kR9qfl09qVh1vTQLh-9QPWex0czH2u_K5zR9c0hp7aW8EE5p2j2_4HHDl7NNJsXHAvqs80hdpqRyTQ/s320/Disney5_2011+-+138.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612233935134221538" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixs8Br7tgy2Gh-54Cspbu8olFuKiY1BB0GRiefDJwsTQpT_4aIJj5jQCy1QrjWruj7jjcHFb2CAhUzuBbZomdPe0JQnkqoFRY01i6gMMd43Tfhk2r6sOoNjzkMr58Vq3QxpKYrA/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+140.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixs8Br7tgy2Gh-54Cspbu8olFuKiY1BB0GRiefDJwsTQpT_4aIJj5jQCy1QrjWruj7jjcHFb2CAhUzuBbZomdPe0JQnkqoFRY01i6gMMd43Tfhk2r6sOoNjzkMr58Vq3QxpKYrA/s320/Disney5_2011+-+140.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612234650873029586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />like an elephant shoots water when you make it in the 5th hole, and when you walk under the brooms with buckets, you might get a little splash. it is all perfectly maintained, and well designed to be both challenging, and doable.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zgOBkXljPV1pxOtlYc2QSUU-QTla5ztKzA9OO5FUmcAkzThFNAYyfCBjFsmtd6p64IRt-fdnkcWqn1a4jWh46DjPYXJSkj4PzHmBMTnYjCMWL5JF_NfdYIPrPlHbfagqdQ-xsA/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+141.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zgOBkXljPV1pxOtlYc2QSUU-QTla5ztKzA9OO5FUmcAkzThFNAYyfCBjFsmtd6p64IRt-fdnkcWqn1a4jWh46DjPYXJSkj4PzHmBMTnYjCMWL5JF_NfdYIPrPlHbfagqdQ-xsA/s320/Disney5_2011+-+141.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613086993537886274" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNE-TSyFtRlQOOH3egA6vCBqV1O8IRqDvGZaIgRN_r56-mtHDhnerrLYBdRZg35it23Hrvfmxk4mkswfOpPZFi8IdM-HGky5HtFMZAcia0weDD4yOfOj1_uwWXJ1mrSiPbccQh3w/s1600/Disney5_2011+-+142.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNE-TSyFtRlQOOH3egA6vCBqV1O8IRqDvGZaIgRN_r56-mtHDhnerrLYBdRZg35it23Hrvfmxk4mkswfOpPZFi8IdM-HGky5HtFMZAcia0weDD4yOfOj1_uwWXJ1mrSiPbccQh3w/s320/Disney5_2011+-+142.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612234655588890162" border="0" /></a><br /><br />free passes were included in our packets, so we didn't even have to pay to play. it's the one part of the trip that cosmo is still talking about. i overheard him telling a friend about the squirting elephant just the other day. </div><div><br /></div><div>two weeks ago, we headed out to columbus for a spontaneous sunday day trip. we haven't been to the children's museum there for a couple of years, and it is a nice drive.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ravga_ubrpxK_f32F-5Ll_5F9foHeSVGew6Jv2n6VjuzeEcEVZluyI-JcmC5Yc0p9bpSB2qdmI5Iyl8rxjlMNGNpgB5y4bKuGSyD6QNEGEVzlJyvFO8R2plulbUNT8Oriez-YA/s1600/columbus_11+-+02.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ravga_ubrpxK_f32F-5Ll_5F9foHeSVGew6Jv2n6VjuzeEcEVZluyI-JcmC5Yc0p9bpSB2qdmI5Iyl8rxjlMNGNpgB5y4bKuGSyD6QNEGEVzlJyvFO8R2plulbUNT8Oriez-YA/s320/columbus_11+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612228794266949602" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCkUDr3sPkYw_8ChRlBHAG_YwVRtpP9ySNflEtPHEBFfOzza1E2EOv1dB8fOYxkaxRyqHSxHyBOfHGGi4lPZNd86awmUAmyFtPtbUtMddbYagLAkIf8gAcWyzSTRtviMcxs85Iw/s1600/columbus_11+-+03.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCkUDr3sPkYw_8ChRlBHAG_YwVRtpP9ySNflEtPHEBFfOzza1E2EOv1dB8fOYxkaxRyqHSxHyBOfHGGi4lPZNd86awmUAmyFtPtbUtMddbYagLAkIf8gAcWyzSTRtviMcxs85Iw/s320/columbus_11+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612228796769368290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />we stopped in nashville for lunch and a game of scrabble. the museum was fun, especially the bubble room.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JUq1aT4397cSrzrNCWrpKzuLDf-m_qbbSPee-Hnd88kddQV-3mt3dkat5fpn6MUKSxN5HnQea87gnhdWnOvsH6wN0xQomIHEEkwfADiF4OTMuZ9EAPb-V1onnC-xxA9CMm5asQ/s1600/columbus_11+-+07.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JUq1aT4397cSrzrNCWrpKzuLDf-m_qbbSPee-Hnd88kddQV-3mt3dkat5fpn6MUKSxN5HnQea87gnhdWnOvsH6wN0xQomIHEEkwfADiF4OTMuZ9EAPb-V1onnC-xxA9CMm5asQ/s320/columbus_11+-+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612228804588330482" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbrswKqkHpKC9G2L3SUlLEbZYUWO23wYD8DxuUengLLJQXW2T1IXVS3cxQH_lg_ZRUCFscuBwSfTlbWhZYPvzAeUBPMb7R5tGQKiMFMeWBH1dFKKPF08z9OrQnSOgO5O0UiEFag/s1600/columbus_11+-+14.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbrswKqkHpKC9G2L3SUlLEbZYUWO23wYD8DxuUengLLJQXW2T1IXVS3cxQH_lg_ZRUCFscuBwSfTlbWhZYPvzAeUBPMb7R5tGQKiMFMeWBH1dFKKPF08z9OrQnSOgO5O0UiEFag/s320/columbus_11+-+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612230151981719186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />but after that we ventured across the street to the newly constructed <span style="font-style: italic;">commons</span>. wow.<br />it's basically an indoor public park. high ceilings, flooded with natural light, and all the latest in indoor safe-but-fun playground equipment. there was one of those netted high climbing structures (like they have at wonderlab), and the whole floor was padded. the place was mobbed with kids of all ages running around screaming and having a blast.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVUXyKxZcnWycN5QrLLInfrNs4atuR0_TXhXBE1ydBgXbI5AdwNgfvlzsCzWQF5t_7K-wNjEpYh8Jf1_C8kk0uKDgkfWsmIQ98QMw0eR3E_HEjHckNBYX74lEJ7LEMipEU0UEbg/s1600/columbus_11+-+11.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVUXyKxZcnWycN5QrLLInfrNs4atuR0_TXhXBE1ydBgXbI5AdwNgfvlzsCzWQF5t_7K-wNjEpYh8Jf1_C8kk0uKDgkfWsmIQ98QMw0eR3E_HEjHckNBYX74lEJ7LEMipEU0UEbg/s320/columbus_11+-+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612228808823865906" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MWXLF5zxOvAW3H_FuuSmdQcxfRofXTOH1ApduYjEorG89y-SAFTinpRQYyv6yL-XItIjDs6YORHmQVre6Q53X97o2iFOu9DNqI1xsR2GccbwhRmUW5lRXxKiox2e5Vy-RoLf2Q/s1600/columbus_11+-+12.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MWXLF5zxOvAW3H_FuuSmdQcxfRofXTOH1ApduYjEorG89y-SAFTinpRQYyv6yL-XItIjDs6YORHmQVre6Q53X97o2iFOu9DNqI1xsR2GccbwhRmUW5lRXxKiox2e5Vy-RoLf2Q/s320/columbus_11+-+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613087378528191458" border="0" /></a><br /><br />cosmo jumped right into the fray, and seemed to have a smile pasted onto his face the whole time we were there. it was amazing for lots of reasons: the acoustics were perfect-- somehow all that screaming was not unbearable, though it was really crowded, it never seemed unsafe, and, most surprising, it was <i>free</i>, and there was nothing for sale inside. weird. </div><div><br /></div><div>we'll be moving in july, and will have a whole new neighborhood to explore. other than a possible camping trip to the indiana dunes, and a trip to colorado in august, we'll probably stay fairly close to home this summer (oh, but did i just catch wind of a possible holiday world adventure for cosmo with justin and shawna?)</div><div>what exciting travel adventures do you have in store?</div>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-75612387826168302692011-04-18T20:34:00.011-04:002011-04-20T23:13:13.015-04:00treasure hunting<span style="font-style: italic;">fungal fever, morel madness</span>, whatever you want to call it, we've got it! some of you may recall how i stumbled upon one <a href="http://whistlingleafblower.blogspot.com/2010/04/hidden-treasure.html">solitary morel</a>, at the end of mushroom season last year. that is the only morel i had ever found, and only the second time i've ever tasted one. the first one doesn't exactly count. my mom and stepfather gave me a bite of some they had found when i was about 13 or so. i wasn't sure i liked it, and they didn't exactly want me too, since they had found so few.
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<br />yesterday, cosmo took us out into the woods where his montessori class had taken their annual wildflower walk. he wanted to find a treasure hidden under a board in a bridge, that one of the kindergartners had told him about.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66COy1pONiNR5GTNsQ8EZlVGNETm9Gxer-fSPWvXeCLBYyY6pmXdja3GIKI3pHzqJwT_Av1By4fNERQvrn9JVWoTFTlzTpGydkglWqexjg4j4aM8B3SpFKYECmi0CDZo7k0zKjQ/s1600/misc+-+20.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66COy1pONiNR5GTNsQ8EZlVGNETm9Gxer-fSPWvXeCLBYyY6pmXdja3GIKI3pHzqJwT_Av1By4fNERQvrn9JVWoTFTlzTpGydkglWqexjg4j4aM8B3SpFKYECmi0CDZo7k0zKjQ/s320/misc+-+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597859494232940258" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltR6RD8Fr5geeDNEeK7GWQ7iYX9sst0RXPoYFvs5WbdpQMyOi0rNNEAwIPpkS09oLS2JjEnnkCYKtOmTMQpK1_2hG30eFTwEtMwV_mJwyODG-K5LO2_qspZPEdBpIpsXoDoCRkw/s1600/misc+-+17.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 355px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltR6RD8Fr5geeDNEeK7GWQ7iYX9sst0RXPoYFvs5WbdpQMyOi0rNNEAwIPpkS09oLS2JjEnnkCYKtOmTMQpK1_2hG30eFTwEtMwV_mJwyODG-K5LO2_qspZPEdBpIpsXoDoCRkw/s320/misc+-+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597859487020436754" border="0" /></a>
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<br />turns out it was a <a href="http://www.letterboxing.org/">letterbox</a>, and the first i'd heard of this charming pastime. after we checked that out, we continued walking on the trail, and i started thinking about morels, and mentioned to carl that sky had told me that the deer eat them. "sad, isn't it?" carl mused on the notion of the opposite of <span style="font-style: italic;">do animals feel pain? --can animals appreciate such distinguished culinary delights as morel mushrooms?</span> approximately 2.5 minutes later, i saw one, right there, white stem glowing in the dappled sunlight, just on the edge of the trail! so, we wondered off the trail, looking for more (they say you never see just one). <div>
<br /></div><div><meta charset="utf-8"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGriHqXiyfufewzb_7BDXcwTjAw2zGvZ-pEeKc7qlb4RcDib6qBQB__z_8Kpa3wfnkeYu47tbcMf7joLxYNCXOINeOtDTeFj7E7CL1-vw1xAZYzE5iafW36tYuc7ou0TJU_8j9Q/s1600/food+-+24.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGriHqXiyfufewzb_7BDXcwTjAw2zGvZ-pEeKc7qlb4RcDib6qBQB__z_8Kpa3wfnkeYu47tbcMf7joLxYNCXOINeOtDTeFj7E7CL1-vw1xAZYzE5iafW36tYuc7ou0TJU_8j9Q/s320/food+-+24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597858770243684786" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm-l_sqzS5YAV1EBbdPNe6ZLRlWL404b9LOP0xRb9vVjdySuPdUAg-5WkXh1iOBU42q9ChAS0YqhDaYuVbQAVUjmOmgEueInvIF-9nqbATPm1eAQC-cuCJpU2bIgKZUnvTvw14A/s1600/food+-+25.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm-l_sqzS5YAV1EBbdPNe6ZLRlWL404b9LOP0xRb9vVjdySuPdUAg-5WkXh1iOBU42q9ChAS0YqhDaYuVbQAVUjmOmgEueInvIF-9nqbATPm1eAQC-cuCJpU2bIgKZUnvTvw14A/s320/food+-+25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597858773015956322" style="cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a></div><meta charset="utf-8"><div>
<br /></div><div>i found a couple more, then carl found some. we gathered 16 total! it was all very exciting, though i wasn't completely sure they were morels. later, when we were enjoying our picnic lunch
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVkP2eA0PuxlMexLj8wO0Tg5mPOQ6DgxNNQs9YLOe2yG3RE4sRYt8VeDM2_4Ip8oo-pDAVFbacHNhZOj4gmWdduVBLWwEsbVxVVH_qW3uk_ySExyVggEQ2rYe5cSiBklGqe8EGA/s1600/food+-+30.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVkP2eA0PuxlMexLj8wO0Tg5mPOQ6DgxNNQs9YLOe2yG3RE4sRYt8VeDM2_4Ip8oo-pDAVFbacHNhZOj4gmWdduVBLWwEsbVxVVH_qW3uk_ySExyVggEQ2rYe5cSiBklGqe8EGA/s320/food+-+30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597858780366134418" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />(gawd! how i love purple sauerkraut on a sandwich!) we saw a couple of other folks exiting the woods with laden bags. carl stopped one of them and confirmed that what we had was indeed edible. a variety of morel commonly called "peckerheads" (lovely).
<br />
<br />at home on the innernets, i found what i needed to reassure me that these were not false morels, and were known as some of the earliest morels of the season. sometimes they are called <span style="font-style: italic;">half-frees</span> due to the way in which the cap attaches to the stem.
<br />
<br />we had just seasoned our new wok, to a stunning shade of bronze, and decided the morels should be the inaugural dish prepared in the wok, even though cooking them required more of a saute than a stir fry.
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8t7pLqh6SX9hFT0xSuWc7zoZ9U2WpgK5KTlMGHWfzrGqd7F4d428V4yVDY2rtEy5QkSX7H4Omm5VKInFT7uJgvii7bOO5RXjR_j1ppq0q0_Wj9xB5djAump8xMFVC4BCp760zw/s1600/food+-+32.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8t7pLqh6SX9hFT0xSuWc7zoZ9U2WpgK5KTlMGHWfzrGqd7F4d428V4yVDY2rtEy5QkSX7H4Omm5VKInFT7uJgvii7bOO5RXjR_j1ppq0q0_Wj9xB5djAump8xMFVC4BCp760zw/s320/food+-+32.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597858781892143138" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrC3dM7M88c0vazX38k1h3mrzy3AO4EXzRgd2jOL83JxW5mSy9phEtVO0hFN7tYEZqg1zzRnl-aHwspKHK644xwM5bQns6EjqLKYaNZ9dqgQwNWwp7eGzGYV-y5Xpo4hC406foA/s1600/food+-+37.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrC3dM7M88c0vazX38k1h3mrzy3AO4EXzRgd2jOL83JxW5mSy9phEtVO0hFN7tYEZqg1zzRnl-aHwspKHK644xwM5bQns6EjqLKYaNZ9dqgQwNWwp7eGzGYV-y5Xpo4hC406foA/s320/food+-+37.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597859479166604690" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />it did the job beautifully, and we enjoyed our <i>melt-in-your-mouth</i> foraged feast with a gingered cauliflower dish (also prepared smashingly in the wok). <div>
<br /></div><meta charset="utf-8"><div><meta charset="utf-8"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhyr6zDQhy6oTVN6vPmJnW7H9u1We7XrhyphenhyphenUeXrWpgLh4yOb-mchbUsvBSjo4aHLGnsJ3v4FI7BoYv_w1v_acB4CIHE3MV3Og2sfwjyTe3r1QTDXfDqnFnVDvA43kI8No2D_ORAQ/s1600/food+-+22.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhyr6zDQhy6oTVN6vPmJnW7H9u1We7XrhyphenhyphenUeXrWpgLh4yOb-mchbUsvBSjo4aHLGnsJ3v4FI7BoYv_w1v_acB4CIHE3MV3Og2sfwjyTe3r1QTDXfDqnFnVDvA43kI8No2D_ORAQ/s320/food+-+22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597858764912290146" style="cursor: pointer; width: 347px; height: 260px;" border="0" /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW7QGnjpQME4yw48unHwyODLsTNbLMRWJPlWdbSy5-2AqU88O4a5wEXOHx8BbuKMf3RpOQa8b9VFipECuFxHlEBawdL99yZ5uDmN_VjfEuL3rkeJRiwy6BVwC26WbAw24J1LhFA/s320/food+-+35.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597860047692215906" style="cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 260px;" border="0" /></div><div>
<br /></div><div>who would have guessed that the best woks (hand hammered, carbon steel) can also be among the least expensive. our dear friend, mr. kelty, tipped us off to that (thanks chris).
<br />
<br />weirdest thing happened the next day...i was walking home from work, up an alley, off a busy street, and spotted a perfect specimen, of a different variety (one of the yellows, or creams?).
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26O77KwrrxImynTXGd_2m53HYBe0dqfXwLE40sO5yhyjdsGdJvQqUbaiPvjUud5LHkXh2is32Qe191r_NcDTSBnktYcNVzpn8Gin-B-g6fSz5R8r09nJhoury4f0DXo5voW7-Bg/s1600/food+-+38.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26O77KwrrxImynTXGd_2m53HYBe0dqfXwLE40sO5yhyjdsGdJvQqUbaiPvjUud5LHkXh2is32Qe191r_NcDTSBnktYcNVzpn8Gin-B-g6fSz5R8r09nJhoury4f0DXo5voW7-Bg/s320/food+-+38.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597860780579725362" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />this one had popped up in the unlikely medium of of grass, weeds and gravel. i only found the one, then heard a few hours later that a neighbor had found one in her backyard! we headed back out to the woods that night and brought home 14 more! <div>
<br /></div><div>what came to mind, when i was looking for them the second time, is that it seems i've been training my whole life for mushroom hunting. as a child, i looked down when walking, not because of low self esteem, i've just always been one to visually scour the ground, searching for overlooked treasures. I have been rewarded amply for this habit over the years; i've found cash, earrings, fossils, sea shells, beads, toys and various sorts of paraphernalia. my eyes <span style="font-style: italic;">want </span>to scan a dappled landscape and find a slightly distinct dappled thing, camouflaged within that landscape. it is a great thrill, and i'm good at it.
<br />
<br />i hear it's a good year for mushrooms. and a <span style="font-style: italic;">great</span> year for amateurs.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>p.s. even cosmo likes the taste of morels.</div></div></div>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-82052005349507119912011-03-20T18:13:00.009-04:002011-03-20T22:54:03.902-04:00spring first<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKA-hWWNGOA59YJeNN14hw0uAUkhmUpGX9lDz3DwDUlS-CsPGD7q4gY7ENoEaarTFTn5-q_zqDfOBtLByQUeq0PxdyaNQsRc7kbMsMtjAowVWUncyPd2Tc5SUg8Mcm10zp4gzrQ/s1600/garden11+-+03.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKA-hWWNGOA59YJeNN14hw0uAUkhmUpGX9lDz3DwDUlS-CsPGD7q4gY7ENoEaarTFTn5-q_zqDfOBtLByQUeq0PxdyaNQsRc7kbMsMtjAowVWUncyPd2Tc5SUg8Mcm10zp4gzrQ/s320/garden11+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586351362451478930" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><i>happy first day of spring! </i>was the first thing out of cosmo's mouth this morning. then he dashed over to his calendar to check the date. he's been waiting for this day. we've been telling him that when spring arrives, we can go out in the yard and look for ants for the ant farm we picked up this winter at a swap. today was the day! luckily, the weather cooperated, and it really felt like a spring day. and (bonus!) there were ants! <div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaF-xVXdF6ceSNN0hbFuhet67yBoP7nI2P2AiqwNFqgDIqQ3R7mYCNMcQXGG-Ai3dLwy-Rpvnu5BWi77Baeiz65GzHZ9AaoWO7sGoeRdc9l9K2MpS-vLX04KrEsHDCc7UkHwX8Q/s1600/antfarm+-+04.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaF-xVXdF6ceSNN0hbFuhet67yBoP7nI2P2AiqwNFqgDIqQ3R7mYCNMcQXGG-Ai3dLwy-Rpvnu5BWi77Baeiz65GzHZ9AaoWO7sGoeRdc9l9K2MpS-vLX04KrEsHDCc7UkHwX8Q/s320/antfarm+-+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586351351832638066" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7D7mo1QG5yvzDreZslfi6plS4rvtFizV5G4dY1B41BsLL5dMaxY0QHjaM5hsjDtz7xgYeClxx6SBqdaTqkIWM-NSmLjl_W0U4KSG88Lvy2WRpwQKAOxXQJpupZGaAVj5g7qJjXw/s1600/antfarm+-+03.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7D7mo1QG5yvzDreZslfi6plS4rvtFizV5G4dY1B41BsLL5dMaxY0QHjaM5hsjDtz7xgYeClxx6SBqdaTqkIWM-NSmLjl_W0U4KSG88Lvy2WRpwQKAOxXQJpupZGaAVj5g7qJjXw/s320/antfarm+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586351345933934450" style="cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 238px;" border="0" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>he and carl set out some bait (honey) on a piece of paper, and after the ants gathered around it, they quickly, and carefully dumped them into the top of the farm. after that it was just a matter of feeding them some cracker crumbs, dropping water in, and watching them go. ants are endlessly entertaining to watch. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnN5zjVLnHsEqbHtV60_dOXoFJYzoPR7AxvAdM5SZPhZPqwrxMDm-tLJJaXvT18nHLqQv-k48kSmPzs5YZUpCH9CIBP7-f-zAW0XHTyMg-dyidVTcwG5UK922j89FWFLACm38Ybg/s1600/antfarm+-+14.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnN5zjVLnHsEqbHtV60_dOXoFJYzoPR7AxvAdM5SZPhZPqwrxMDm-tLJJaXvT18nHLqQv-k48kSmPzs5YZUpCH9CIBP7-f-zAW0XHTyMg-dyidVTcwG5UK922j89FWFLACm38Ybg/s320/antfarm+-+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586351354533296322" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-lSEf3HN0bNvH9QS4xDLK975iLnynP5BT8HapNtjcOil8W8S8_MDRkqPkf9DApVzErrcNDimBcGDjJSJoaTjohGdrERGcd4i96Vqv66yifZYn3by5SBRlLHpGj91fCnCnAy07A/s1600/antfarm+-+18.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-lSEf3HN0bNvH9QS4xDLK975iLnynP5BT8HapNtjcOil8W8S8_MDRkqPkf9DApVzErrcNDimBcGDjJSJoaTjohGdrERGcd4i96Vqv66yifZYn3by5SBRlLHpGj91fCnCnAy07A/s320/antfarm+-+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586351357285029090" style="cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 245px;" border="0" /></a></div><meta charset="utf-8"><div>
<br /></div><div>for carl and i, it's the new TV. cosmo is fascinated with them too, but then again, he's fascinated with a nearly deflated old balloon, so his gazing at the ant farm window comes and goes. but he's been interested in the habits of ant colonies for a couple of summers now, so i foresee much educational fun in the months ahead.<div>
<br /></div><div>of course, spring means gardening. the cold frame managed to keep a number of lettuce and spinach plants alive all winter, plus one hearty chard. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0ScYiaOb6aMKO_irEFs3Bic7phNt0dQ3c-m5ZHTwPvulM7ffqdbAez3gWlbaDM6Ex1Rd9K1OfVDZ2cAWTSEaqif8sqEXWk34YTMVtKbPYq8KhU7QRM2vInamFNfoZVZBm9-VIA/s1600/garden11+-+05.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0ScYiaOb6aMKO_irEFs3Bic7phNt0dQ3c-m5ZHTwPvulM7ffqdbAez3gWlbaDM6Ex1Rd9K1OfVDZ2cAWTSEaqif8sqEXWk34YTMVtKbPYq8KhU7QRM2vInamFNfoZVZBm9-VIA/s320/garden11+-+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586352407849397394" style="cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 290px;" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKD7fM7b-M-80egIDBhFtLTUgF5D1ztQufzBH9dFtC-__Iotn3jDPuIBr6j6W7uEuNsJesUQuCTbGwktCz_lOHzZLpXxp-u1PjBAa9LM2fusuf1JbYurtxfocRmRIuFaGrg92yQ/s1600/garden11+-+07.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKD7fM7b-M-80egIDBhFtLTUgF5D1ztQufzBH9dFtC-__Iotn3jDPuIBr6j6W7uEuNsJesUQuCTbGwktCz_lOHzZLpXxp-u1PjBAa9LM2fusuf1JbYurtxfocRmRIuFaGrg92yQ/s320/garden11+-+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586352411725271650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 290px;" border="0" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>they are nearly full sized now, and we enjoyed our first garden salad last weekend when carl's parents visited, along with the last of the fall carrots. i've transplanted some lettuce, spinach and brassica seedlings from the basement grow-light area to the cold frame, and scattered a few plants around the garden as well.</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzFKYgG5Ye93ze2lBMjhuaCnIIbiGrdNCERh4Oar1MxFPXYW_c155Vsf2m8C4DawEtjyxH7d21xVmU81Vc7eyN1emRJfwH9FbT2bEWpaELBH23xO1t4d1UdCvf5hbwfNZl1QCOA/s1600/garden11+-+02.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzFKYgG5Ye93ze2lBMjhuaCnIIbiGrdNCERh4Oar1MxFPXYW_c155Vsf2m8C4DawEtjyxH7d21xVmU81Vc7eyN1emRJfwH9FbT2bEWpaELBH23xO1t4d1UdCvf5hbwfNZl1QCOA/s320/garden11+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586352404122265810" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIck3idK_400EZz3Tq8TegEuvO4ME1uTpPaTMZ6mIUO87PKUIfEvvQ41kufXfLI6jrnFfNngnZymLCfO40Xz2EKtnwUCRHslef7jso3Lv5ifcJQJdDRDO2nxXBuCbpoCqAzp_GQ/s1600/garden11+-+08.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIck3idK_400EZz3Tq8TegEuvO4ME1uTpPaTMZ6mIUO87PKUIfEvvQ41kufXfLI6jrnFfNngnZymLCfO40Xz2EKtnwUCRHslef7jso3Lv5ifcJQJdDRDO2nxXBuCbpoCqAzp_GQ/s320/garden11+-+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586352414626884994" style="cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 239px;" border="0" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>it is perhaps a bit early to expect much growth, but most of them are hanging on. arugula is up, and already making my mouth water! peas are in the ground, but not yet popping up. the garlic is looking good, as are the chives, and perennials and spring bulbs are coming into their own</div><div>
<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHKTsGFYgMuz-ETzUZrHcBohuE22HL6B2uEp0amHi4mztv273kZDz-FMHqroupTZVddXaiCgtdaYzVP4NC7xOBVxhWlmOcMwPRslsNK-XvFMNgYyEzFp-A4m-spAbONzqtxNSWA/s1600/garden11+-+11.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHKTsGFYgMuz-ETzUZrHcBohuE22HL6B2uEp0amHi4mztv273kZDz-FMHqroupTZVddXaiCgtdaYzVP4NC7xOBVxhWlmOcMwPRslsNK-XvFMNgYyEzFp-A4m-spAbONzqtxNSWA/s320/garden11+-+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586352641485585522" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_2w_47syCYsn_u8roF5Y_xRgBDhFgOrGxKITmQY2Soz7dPaMhKl6yZfD864n3WpnFMJmbXc5zz13o4PxXSOafnhAvErHkv6Znrh94DB0FUiRAg0mzZzuLagY7RryyUg2u5Z69Q/s1600/garden11+-+09.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_2w_47syCYsn_u8roF5Y_xRgBDhFgOrGxKITmQY2Soz7dPaMhKl6yZfD864n3WpnFMJmbXc5zz13o4PxXSOafnhAvErHkv6Znrh94DB0FUiRAg0mzZzuLagY7RryyUg2u5Z69Q/s320/garden11+-+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586352645777110082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" /></a></div><div>
<br /></div><div>on this vernal equinox, i turned the compost (the most back breaking chore of the organic garden), started weeding some perennial beds-- with the enthusiastic helping hands of a certain five year old, who triumphantly shouts <i>oh yeah...johnson grass!</i> when he successfully rips up a long trail of that pesky weed. it takes a little one to remind me that weeding can be extremely satisfying.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0ZOIFrl2kKsYvrDKH0G8KEBGowA45VvsvmzHg1ktvmJcOPEwHgyGFXDHR2s07OzdMPqRADAwqin-EPSJvqXTXS67TVXhqeRYx0EHnPTOe3FJOK2PgmNWjVDeR5JrfdE-WoTKyg/s1600/garden11+-+13.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0ZOIFrl2kKsYvrDKH0G8KEBGowA45VvsvmzHg1ktvmJcOPEwHgyGFXDHR2s07OzdMPqRADAwqin-EPSJvqXTXS67TVXhqeRYx0EHnPTOe3FJOK2PgmNWjVDeR5JrfdE-WoTKyg/s320/garden11+-+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586357115245190306" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaJyduxXUyOTUKJq8nsqQGzk6HZZCQAhOobrlEgJVKRBu7Uwo6Ir18CEFPLdYAWZIjrn0kgxaIwEOcfNjubjNszFt-2SGcFjzOj1KEDffeQPoWsIjWB2JnZp_DeRLEg6x29AgeQ/s1600/garden11+-+14.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaJyduxXUyOTUKJq8nsqQGzk6HZZCQAhOobrlEgJVKRBu7Uwo6Ir18CEFPLdYAWZIjrn0kgxaIwEOcfNjubjNszFt-2SGcFjzOj1KEDffeQPoWsIjWB2JnZp_DeRLEg6x29AgeQ/s320/garden11+-+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586357109575587154" border="0" /></a>
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<br /></div><div>dinner was enjoyed on the porch (including fresh baked bread, and homemade butter), and we capped off the day with a symbolic torching of last year's christmas tree plus various other woody garden debris from the previous season.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T0DMA2zoSWNdLFV1sj_RUzFmUcUXExbuN7TolqXCxEeAn3imyaBd7l4XUiP6xIWfu6PP5VfYtPH0Xj7XlLmS8MZt9c7VCKdfIrusI51KJJPra4Pcgdej_zaUBuKsSkZw0IVsew/s1600/garden11+-+15.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_T0DMA2zoSWNdLFV1sj_RUzFmUcUXExbuN7TolqXCxEeAn3imyaBd7l4XUiP6xIWfu6PP5VfYtPH0Xj7XlLmS8MZt9c7VCKdfIrusI51KJJPra4Pcgdej_zaUBuKsSkZw0IVsew/s320/garden11+-+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586357102224874738" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PVSH3zSkfwzgiB8bA4QD-GhbqOQPhnltKuJCtSI2q0OkkyferCl8swRHlxMTa42kiY8vAcRcCEhu_I2MCdCsQDquKTMj8r76Q1ITqBdzrmAaoXL3QflOneWA_ql2CLj1X149rA/s1600/garden11+-+16.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PVSH3zSkfwzgiB8bA4QD-GhbqOQPhnltKuJCtSI2q0OkkyferCl8swRHlxMTa42kiY8vAcRcCEhu_I2MCdCsQDquKTMj8r76Q1ITqBdzrmAaoXL3QflOneWA_ql2CLj1X149rA/s320/garden11+-+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586357097955952050" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />at our little rented urban homestead, spring has officially been ushered in!</div></div>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-4128117676798050802011-02-13T07:55:00.011-05:002011-02-13T11:09:52.320-05:00winter is for winterit's safe to say that one of my pet peeves is people complaining about winter weather. especially in, well, winter! if it's spring, and you're getting winter weather, okay...i can see how that's disappointing. but in january? and february? in the midwest? it. is. winter.<br />and i, for one, want winter weather in wintertime.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBc8DcpKw6WOhs-OqmyH21h-cWXaJfIjiKIQH3vc_YVCgtroMolkJagwLQ6yuJez-o8Mjfv-VFIqs01O5aZgjPFrKQzPXxzwTTQzHqDGRfz8j9YfPzB9JjbMT-ZLQrtqJX-3UWA/s1600/winter+-+36.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBc8DcpKw6WOhs-OqmyH21h-cWXaJfIjiKIQH3vc_YVCgtroMolkJagwLQ6yuJez-o8Mjfv-VFIqs01O5aZgjPFrKQzPXxzwTTQzHqDGRfz8j9YfPzB9JjbMT-ZLQrtqJX-3UWA/s320/winter+-+36.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573160931162112978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4Wj9woJ0FPz4YmFiy0Bs0rMNPbJ_-IDV_Qxj0Teda43KiOSSMpB0oeii04RrPcSK_WXpFpFeJV31rS_U86UpB098SKW9S1VnLOCRtAgZlGOu1hbgc80AjEFxTSZmV0RN3HpEgg/s1600/winter+-+44.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4Wj9woJ0FPz4YmFiy0Bs0rMNPbJ_-IDV_Qxj0Teda43KiOSSMpB0oeii04RrPcSK_WXpFpFeJV31rS_U86UpB098SKW9S1VnLOCRtAgZlGOu1hbgc80AjEFxTSZmV0RN3HpEgg/s320/winter+-+44.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573160934536676354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i grew up in southern california, in the san bernardino valley. not even <span style="font-style: italic;">once</span>, in the 12 years that i lived there, did it snow in my town. the white capped mountains towered over us all winter, and if we were lucky, once the roads were cleared, we might get to take a drive into the mountains, to play in the snow. but i didn't see snow falling from the sky until i was thirteen years old, and we had moved to the midwest. the first time i witnessed it, i was standing in an old, 3 story brick school house, looking out from large, wood-framed, double hung windows (the kind that operate on those sash cords). i remarked that it looked like angels were having a pillow fight.<br />as an adult, i happily spent a year in fargo, and lived many other places with proper winters.<br /><br />then, there were those 7 years i spent in sub-tropical houston. while it was an intellectually, artistically, politically and socially exciting time in my life, i never appreciated the weather. there were about 2 months of the year when the air wasn't hot, thick, sticky and stifling.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiek6juyKZM7YYav5VRLDiQcqmq2doA_7bJFGeKsrj2anR-I9TWOQocTFMzGKgvxI_EMw2-PBDn_a8pLB2_SRkaZWPsmKGNKhJK48lsSon0WrI25LmsQ8zB0KWUKg6RkYudbEQ7sg/s1600/winter+-+60.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiek6juyKZM7YYav5VRLDiQcqmq2doA_7bJFGeKsrj2anR-I9TWOQocTFMzGKgvxI_EMw2-PBDn_a8pLB2_SRkaZWPsmKGNKhJK48lsSon0WrI25LmsQ8zB0KWUKg6RkYudbEQ7sg/s320/winter+-+60.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573160945474347938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2BjIwJZjNyrrzxcc-Uighl-9tGlakjFSCGhXYPr9nWBijASZorSqN8YSl4-GmNCCelpU_nd89dzoGMQP5EHjJUPTaFqIMiUIk8Oiy0DVUEgqOVwSlzDP4DngoXbLUiZBYhYORw/s1600/winter+-+59.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh2BjIwJZjNyrrzxcc-Uighl-9tGlakjFSCGhXYPr9nWBijASZorSqN8YSl4-GmNCCelpU_nd89dzoGMQP5EHjJUPTaFqIMiUIk8Oiy0DVUEgqOVwSlzDP4DngoXbLUiZBYhYORw/s320/winter+-+59.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573160955381311538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i am the sort of person who needs four distinct seasons. there is something comforting, and ordering about that pattern for me. waiting for the last frost date to pass, before planting certain crops, is an exercise in patience and planning. those first crisp days in october, when the leaves begin to change, are a welcome relief from a sweltering summer. snow covered fields, and ice encrusted branches are visual delights that i relish. i like having routines disrupted by blizzards. keeps us in our place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FplZpsXUFxGHTNRGlJ8YZ1URROvuc6-UL5qnt6BFLyoCqVtJtq8zjMrcGcamoUtCAzRHtGwAQHO3I9iH3685v7SS2cHEekOkVwgINK6eS0EQ_ResxHRnsc7CzN_156wgxEKAyg/s1600/winter+-+04.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FplZpsXUFxGHTNRGlJ8YZ1URROvuc6-UL5qnt6BFLyoCqVtJtq8zjMrcGcamoUtCAzRHtGwAQHO3I9iH3685v7SS2cHEekOkVwgINK6eS0EQ_ResxHRnsc7CzN_156wgxEKAyg/s320/winter+-+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573158475727722546" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAPN2v33wStM9QHGlzplScif4_mFJElpUCApJ1__7FIkVL0Tp4DSmj8dgObilcdyy066zp3hwIWI9PdViZU79N-8EqMgeRsChOdrlWtitKyAUtUNKaAr1AmJrHlmQW3uWW0h_UQ/s1600/winter+-+54.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAPN2v33wStM9QHGlzplScif4_mFJElpUCApJ1__7FIkVL0Tp4DSmj8dgObilcdyy066zp3hwIWI9PdViZU79N-8EqMgeRsChOdrlWtitKyAUtUNKaAr1AmJrHlmQW3uWW0h_UQ/s320/winter+-+54.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573160941139194178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i enjoy the change in family life, too. finding things to do in the colder months can be challenging. but, we have those seasonal holidays to occupy us, and valentine crafting for 30 kids takes up a lot of time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCTVM6FSTqsyY1P5w_SbEB8CNFX9kr28FEXI1N_i2gCfzw6-6wWvU4WLDt89mWtSgox-U1uNEuJdfempKemNC5H-kK4-2727F4y_MIPw0lbh5IjNGvc6F1gzFLCOAPxddkfcZeQ/s1600/winter+-+08.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 361px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCTVM6FSTqsyY1P5w_SbEB8CNFX9kr28FEXI1N_i2gCfzw6-6wWvU4WLDt89mWtSgox-U1uNEuJdfempKemNC5H-kK4-2727F4y_MIPw0lbh5IjNGvc6F1gzFLCOAPxddkfcZeQ/s320/winter+-+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573159280476087426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDMHfpRqlPkFjCyvl5HJPDJrIurlXotEtcfM7F10Qrl7NHkfNPIadwJHjDWSAvEsvGSOBqp_X8DqCBci35qPECYUG03TElL4yVttuYeEoDdZO70fQPc9KphITjWpIq7iEVfSTRw/s1600/valentines01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDMHfpRqlPkFjCyvl5HJPDJrIurlXotEtcfM7F10Qrl7NHkfNPIadwJHjDWSAvEsvGSOBqp_X8DqCBci35qPECYUG03TElL4yVttuYeEoDdZO70fQPc9KphITjWpIq7iEVfSTRw/s320/valentines01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573203913065754034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />sledding, and snowball fights are always welcome outdoor activities. on christmas day, we took cosmo's new arrowcopter toys out to the park, and chased them down in the snow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2huI64iKUE6gUVrzZy3ffzGqZwomubhY-mFjbQ9Yhq42r_1ccNftKd1bfSGR49AwPTzB37FofIXlwmLqkIaODKj3G2aoo3cdPQ9PvRa9qRsHQz23rxPvLrqrPyRdbiLDc0O9ww/s1600/winter+-+24.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2huI64iKUE6gUVrzZy3ffzGqZwomubhY-mFjbQ9Yhq42r_1ccNftKd1bfSGR49AwPTzB37FofIXlwmLqkIaODKj3G2aoo3cdPQ9PvRa9qRsHQz23rxPvLrqrPyRdbiLDc0O9ww/s320/winter+-+24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573159292757986626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWQJh2n1-xkBWGm-sYbm5bN9jNDz448zt1mZdTNcszz0MaCDYDYk-TdPQbsUS966JLTtFEhMRIoz9LDOas8octe9b3dxfPt1EtF07Pylpt6P8KTm2qgivmpxkSPToS4g6x85REw/s1600/winter+-+18.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWQJh2n1-xkBWGm-sYbm5bN9jNDz448zt1mZdTNcszz0MaCDYDYk-TdPQbsUS966JLTtFEhMRIoz9LDOas8octe9b3dxfPt1EtF07Pylpt6P8KTm2qgivmpxkSPToS4g6x85REw/s320/winter+-+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573158495822117714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />this doesn't mean that i don't look forward spring. i do. i have already begun sowing seeds down in the basement, under a grow light. by mid march, i'll be antsy to get out there and put my hands in the dirt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWIONlSGNJYrwUM2EKOAkRYQzIsv4Eog8u5vua7N-UvyNHZpEr177KN1FZAN3wLyNrQ8wqss63BrFuZestsWaRf5es5ZN8NESsh_vERvP9jhTXcDN-gNchtGdscmXpvbmRsaEtw/s1600/sprouts.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWIONlSGNJYrwUM2EKOAkRYQzIsv4Eog8u5vua7N-UvyNHZpEr177KN1FZAN3wLyNrQ8wqss63BrFuZestsWaRf5es5ZN8NESsh_vERvP9jhTXcDN-gNchtGdscmXpvbmRsaEtw/s320/sprouts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573203924402094770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />a long cold winter makes the first signs of spring so sweet.<br />until then, winter is for winter.<br />i'll savor every snowflake and single-digit morning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNjw29lWLbgNWG0-FENVMHfPRe0Ki4iNQbdxqONNjab88uK2_8_nH7W4aRXujIguKP88wzUHDXIrYk64DHYPof4_XMhjlBh0zGMcvqeKKS6bM56xQ_rVMlHDldN-xfNB_DrVcNA/s1600/winter+-+64.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNjw29lWLbgNWG0-FENVMHfPRe0Ki4iNQbdxqONNjab88uK2_8_nH7W4aRXujIguKP88wzUHDXIrYk64DHYPof4_XMhjlBh0zGMcvqeKKS6bM56xQ_rVMlHDldN-xfNB_DrVcNA/s320/winter+-+64.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573162505620842354" border="0" /></a>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-61453170570410728492011-01-30T13:35:00.004-05:002011-01-30T13:43:31.128-05:00burst of color...in the dead of winter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgs0-heJ_sj5jGoWlVs6BtV0T4i0mXG1ydW7yw0Z8cxy9BXvAAdYXfU9AiCK-xSvlSgTpwXoxy7IaZiAUFiARi0n40z8ZMo8orhyphenhyphen8mDBQrueuPriHIN0kplNTmp14uFXjg3eqVg/s1600/carrots.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgs0-heJ_sj5jGoWlVs6BtV0T4i0mXG1ydW7yw0Z8cxy9BXvAAdYXfU9AiCK-xSvlSgTpwXoxy7IaZiAUFiARi0n40z8ZMo8orhyphenhyphen8mDBQrueuPriHIN0kplNTmp14uFXjg3eqVg/s320/carrots.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568049707997937794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i dug these carrots up from the garden yesterday, and i swear, they are actually growing under there! the ones i dug up a month ago were much smaller.<br />hard to believe really, when it's overcast and cold for weeks on end.<br />plants are amazing things.<br />i cannot get over how crisp and sweet these beauties are.cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-37079287970918753172011-01-23T21:38:00.004-05:002011-01-23T21:58:41.456-05:00architecture as play thingwhen it's this cold outside, some of the running around needs to happen indoors.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWre31JYeBGV7A2S8hq5dk2cwxaJMw4HBwIXSTiOWMhLNylBkQjZbMWXxA3Cv-VJy0axRCYT2tq29Bnbt_FB8kskit9KRor1Oy0paLU2a7eG4SHyNBaln2_KCN5dbpWVw3Zxlrw/s1600/fun_stair+-+06.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWre31JYeBGV7A2S8hq5dk2cwxaJMw4HBwIXSTiOWMhLNylBkQjZbMWXxA3Cv-VJy0axRCYT2tq29Bnbt_FB8kskit9KRor1Oy0paLU2a7eG4SHyNBaln2_KCN5dbpWVw3Zxlrw/s320/fun_stair+-+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565577236417457666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYejXHYynW9Lvd_ubEBGqQJHGo8syN3hyphenhyphen3CKUhDSDtBMfWFpefObqogBftAxvXQyswZIncClhhj9zLZcmn2pSaEGABT_FsoFOHo2nsdpYp6W-EvIzFhkrhaCeu7hgiE9EzVmSCQ/s1600/fun_stair+-+05.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYejXHYynW9Lvd_ubEBGqQJHGo8syN3hyphenhyphen3CKUhDSDtBMfWFpefObqogBftAxvXQyswZIncClhhj9zLZcmn2pSaEGABT_FsoFOHo2nsdpYp6W-EvIzFhkrhaCeu7hgiE9EzVmSCQ/s320/fun_stair+-+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565577233837907218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />cosmo and one of his pals made good use of a double stairwell in the fine arts building at IU <span style="font-size:85%;">(just down the hall from the beloved <span style="font-style: italic;">friends of art bookshop)</span>.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMePdDEVPixiG0Ikgo6O3591ITnaZSeFL3uP0gFKM1R4McXK9cDVEpJfrWJqKw5Z5IfDohYlef0gSAJinSkImKZ6s-xihzplvuWQKIELuRGWdzJ5T37aoktnPBGuwELpNulqf9uw/s1600/fun_stair+-+07.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMePdDEVPixiG0Ikgo6O3591ITnaZSeFL3uP0gFKM1R4McXK9cDVEpJfrWJqKw5Z5IfDohYlef0gSAJinSkImKZ6s-xihzplvuWQKIELuRGWdzJ5T37aoktnPBGuwELpNulqf9uw/s320/fun_stair+-+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565577241031059730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGONCEnAV-UTLJHFbi23bgAdNpDogVpZ5VQ0omdXCSjCFra110uFl5KbmPeEhem-oOAmF5WndUWQlKsGTfEOj1-3KVANCB9ucFm1a2Q2lmFBJTqTePDMjVvS5vOa1m3vhT7oHiA/s1600/fun_stair+-+08.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGONCEnAV-UTLJHFbi23bgAdNpDogVpZ5VQ0omdXCSjCFra110uFl5KbmPeEhem-oOAmF5WndUWQlKsGTfEOj1-3KVANCB9ucFm1a2Q2lmFBJTqTePDMjVvS5vOa1m3vhT7oHiA/s320/fun_stair+-+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565577247543599714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />one would wait at the top while the other went downstairs. the trick was to walk back up so quietly, that the one at the top would not know which stairway had been chosen--- SURPRISE!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBnfsbTqrGz4xRaNC6HZt2xikwf0NeGp7V53_P1gdbfeQr0yOc-_m4abSc75sPEcoSZ6d0e1LR2wjHgctLbqaZZ5C3FLUWdl81efQsR9yUiKHLbeWipofXmeBgvn0C-u6IMdkhw/s1600/fun_stair+-+09.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBnfsbTqrGz4xRaNC6HZt2xikwf0NeGp7V53_P1gdbfeQr0yOc-_m4abSc75sPEcoSZ6d0e1LR2wjHgctLbqaZZ5C3FLUWdl81efQsR9yUiKHLbeWipofXmeBgvn0C-u6IMdkhw/s320/fun_stair+-+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565577920088091026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyqHP_S9e9g5AqYNa9I4NN2W_WpBn08PDXzSTMUYzGSKwqcpaIHqpqczpx3wiI6G9gcH8qrHHGlsDjqa71QcL4lrxoM_hjVlKjUShSNHYcFe18jcmruRBCoB_twU1IaVDOtaa-Q/s1600/fun_stair+-+10.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyqHP_S9e9g5AqYNa9I4NN2W_WpBn08PDXzSTMUYzGSKwqcpaIHqpqczpx3wiI6G9gcH8qrHHGlsDjqa71QcL4lrxoM_hjVlKjUShSNHYcFe18jcmruRBCoB_twU1IaVDOtaa-Q/s320/fun_stair+-+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565577926351034258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and...repeat.cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-25899570110212859632010-12-23T11:17:00.005-05:002010-12-23T16:20:26.723-05:00hard crackwe made lollipops!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShrCH6qawrTwmt0iC2CJFOpfxETM5ixXGxqCz-XAc7PK3fr5GiBg5nrXAPbd6zCZn903w5SX0DOuEHz8GYS8WryzD4dSWHdHUI6oDYA8w6IhQ9l7Mn2pqIjq1Yk3spoF8L66JXw/s1600/CIMG8123.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShrCH6qawrTwmt0iC2CJFOpfxETM5ixXGxqCz-XAc7PK3fr5GiBg5nrXAPbd6zCZn903w5SX0DOuEHz8GYS8WryzD4dSWHdHUI6oDYA8w6IhQ9l7Mn2pqIjq1Yk3spoF8L66JXw/s320/CIMG8123.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553913681709342162" border="0" /></a><br /><br />making hard candy is pretty simple. just a few ingredients, brought to the "hard-crack" stage (300 degrees F) and then poured into a candy mold.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOprbqSKLPVA4rsCKME4M2hyCYAlMnsvIb9rppFKgor2TUa5N5FhOJmk0SI7_GITCQ5LYYv0dtiPnxDTKbXrMGi25T3oi36FVM4_uNtQl8Cf4BJm9tD-BscmOR2YgBU6fOslx7Fw/s1600/CIMG8109.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOprbqSKLPVA4rsCKME4M2hyCYAlMnsvIb9rppFKgor2TUa5N5FhOJmk0SI7_GITCQ5LYYv0dtiPnxDTKbXrMGi25T3oi36FVM4_uNtQl8Cf4BJm9tD-BscmOR2YgBU6fOslx7Fw/s320/CIMG8109.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553913441247665762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTHaGey-bwJxjSlSZehShx7XraMDj95d6aT3fOIS3vTB7Z-EQWeJwy-OcDOim4pA9EC_OLesti2zR5P7CQ36B6WC3oC6xRpx19fizcaeDOLDcfe5T5AU5WO03v1mEIi1tQO3B0Q/s1600/CIMG8119.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 447px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTHaGey-bwJxjSlSZehShx7XraMDj95d6aT3fOIS3vTB7Z-EQWeJwy-OcDOim4pA9EC_OLesti2zR5P7CQ36B6WC3oC6xRpx19fizcaeDOLDcfe5T5AU5WO03v1mEIi1tQO3B0Q/s320/CIMG8119.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553913452575465266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />the trick is to avoid stirring the mixture, once it starts boiling (something do do with sugar crystals?). just let it sit there and bubble until it gets to 300. it does take a while. once you get there, remove from heat, add your flavoring (in our case, vanilla-cosmo's request) and then pour before it cools down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj73XjcM2VzQ1inWG-1RHk5rcmQVqdLtESsbaOJLxaAFOu2fJRNa4LOB9uijg_fbos7RATXT53SF3Am8Uq7CkV09u-Jvph66Mkq8f21tV8GpHQeC0VNrvb5AGupov_h7_BLAPGKQ/s1600/CIMG8118.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj73XjcM2VzQ1inWG-1RHk5rcmQVqdLtESsbaOJLxaAFOu2fJRNa4LOB9uijg_fbos7RATXT53SF3Am8Uq7CkV09u-Jvph66Mkq8f21tV8GpHQeC0VNrvb5AGupov_h7_BLAPGKQ/s320/CIMG8118.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553913448861394370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lpnNHREsjkTG-O_6ZwrdQshriDHusbHQ3le8X0XrggfzDuYk-9VzqmTFRNBbzS4ZB86Y1up6RscsbQu4Z4oA6IbFZiP5AXPpwlPv7nHjyL8d5LGHpSplQ6m4ClLpbHLlU6sRAw/s1600/CIMG8122.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lpnNHREsjkTG-O_6ZwrdQshriDHusbHQ3le8X0XrggfzDuYk-9VzqmTFRNBbzS4ZB86Y1up6RscsbQu4Z4oA6IbFZiP5AXPpwlPv7nHjyL8d5LGHpSplQ6m4ClLpbHLlU6sRAw/s320/CIMG8122.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553913474092144594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />homemade hard candy that looks, feels and tastes like store-bought, makes for one happy little boy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1N_7-elZ4YgVNDJaFRQCELY6a-i_TAfYNRk8Unslem-zZpj78Irhcn6TrF16qe5E4thbHQGfFtQWQZ6yryzvbs29zfiQvgQUXPIFXPnnFxuZUBFqF_GjzHXGz8UehgO3ypClwrw/s1600/CIMG8125.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1N_7-elZ4YgVNDJaFRQCELY6a-i_TAfYNRk8Unslem-zZpj78Irhcn6TrF16qe5E4thbHQGfFtQWQZ6yryzvbs29zfiQvgQUXPIFXPnnFxuZUBFqF_GjzHXGz8UehgO3ypClwrw/s320/CIMG8125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553913686976085010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv26kUGVohA28IBWjKa7suCAgXG4fE7n4La2ZiM7wP7ME6Jh_foQbYhOtIiK1atbOnpfuPMMOsnOIo6YMeGxojibgMYLoGxKCcvprCoCHb_BgyZrS80TrR9196qK8WqWwGUyxzWQ/s1600/CIMG8127.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv26kUGVohA28IBWjKa7suCAgXG4fE7n4La2ZiM7wP7ME6Jh_foQbYhOtIiK1atbOnpfuPMMOsnOIo6YMeGxojibgMYLoGxKCcvprCoCHb_BgyZrS80TrR9196qK8WqWwGUyxzWQ/s320/CIMG8127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553913695381537362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />certainly not nutritious, but tons of fun for everyone.cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-45084939343500063832010-12-16T21:02:00.005-05:002010-12-16T21:34:56.624-05:00five<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoVJQsZmXEgaLbI6WPaF3Ck0yuIa3ulpYNETGuEHt99pp3GdQQ1NHw4r7Xhz5R_d33VEFQKqI0rrg2fXbrHweP16xmgd1lIttAtwj7QEpBdK-kuZBIL09h1y5hEyTixXGC8e5FQ/s1600/bday_5+-+06.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoVJQsZmXEgaLbI6WPaF3Ck0yuIa3ulpYNETGuEHt99pp3GdQQ1NHw4r7Xhz5R_d33VEFQKqI0rrg2fXbrHweP16xmgd1lIttAtwj7QEpBdK-kuZBIL09h1y5hEyTixXGC8e5FQ/s320/bday_5+-+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551470839950625586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />oh dear. the holidays are upon us, and i had really hoped to post something about cosmo's birthday before now. he turned five in november. that number always loomed, in my mind, as a huge milestone. it's the point where they move into official kid-ness. not a baby anymore, not a toddler anymore, and barely even a pre-schooler.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut7W9TNmVmBY9tE2XNncWPUZ2Thje6uErekxIqb9UMXMrSuzn8FP5udgxvKtVdtUT3MOshmj641brEV6JlsloXFYZZ71l1LCm7-nonb6PmuhAuP2ZCqFxW3XNTWDS_jRVeVfs1g/s1600/bday_5+-+04.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut7W9TNmVmBY9tE2XNncWPUZ2Thje6uErekxIqb9UMXMrSuzn8FP5udgxvKtVdtUT3MOshmj641brEV6JlsloXFYZZ71l1LCm7-nonb6PmuhAuP2ZCqFxW3XNTWDS_jRVeVfs1g/s320/bday_5+-+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551470833389306594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc5F4lusIgYVDtu7HFYbH-R-ADs6mbnY2P846mG9WWLXyu2NNOgYKT7dUidSGjK0r1l_QjhEtkJaSKKaiJtHCDX9jLju7vV0crc-BXDUX2_6-KgQfu1nxVe1tsqPS6Xc67SlNxA/s1600/bday_5+-+03.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc5F4lusIgYVDtu7HFYbH-R-ADs6mbnY2P846mG9WWLXyu2NNOgYKT7dUidSGjK0r1l_QjhEtkJaSKKaiJtHCDX9jLju7vV0crc-BXDUX2_6-KgQfu1nxVe1tsqPS6Xc67SlNxA/s320/bday_5+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551470845602884978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />cosmo had a wonderful birthday. we had a nice after-school party for him, with 5 kids he chose to invite. it was hard to let go, and let him decide, but since he had opinions, and he doesn't always express preferences, i thought it was important to honor his choices...even if it meant some of my dear friends' children were not invited. gulp.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpR8LWEt-E2-PwYEog12Xdkiupd8SVC0t7R_0Oc6xwtevUPh9CPF-HsXDeA_ZHsFqD4QmmFe1FsJIbo_aJWDdPLCx9tZw4FwaPND8IpL7uRo9znJSKKpXIJZPgvRc11GeAbNgugg/s1600/bday_5+-+27.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpR8LWEt-E2-PwYEog12Xdkiupd8SVC0t7R_0Oc6xwtevUPh9CPF-HsXDeA_ZHsFqD4QmmFe1FsJIbo_aJWDdPLCx9tZw4FwaPND8IpL7uRo9znJSKKpXIJZPgvRc11GeAbNgugg/s320/bday_5+-+27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551471987696391906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuAhVVe19xAU7nAyIJ2NK3so5y-6yNWB4Zwx3NTN4eMNw_XxsjMDcVthxQ_rKSQrU4ULi5yau47yuGkfaNxwYsV3THYeW-yz3l5Kjon3wnucATrTPsk-5uy8_motgX6fHDeMQuw/s1600/bday_5+-+16.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuAhVVe19xAU7nAyIJ2NK3so5y-6yNWB4Zwx3NTN4eMNw_XxsjMDcVthxQ_rKSQrU4ULi5yau47yuGkfaNxwYsV3THYeW-yz3l5Kjon3wnucATrTPsk-5uy8_motgX6fHDeMQuw/s320/bday_5+-+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551471985079357394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />we had a low-key party, where the most exciting part turned out to be chasing each other around with blow-out noise-maker-party-favor-thingies. talk about cheap thrills! the next day, he came down with strep. the scarlet fever strain. poor little thing. he was mostly couch-ridden through thanksgiving, but was all better in time to go to TX, for an early xmas with nani and family.<br /><br />this also marks the fifth year of this blog.<br />five years.<br />sigh.<br />'nuf said.<br /><br />so far, my favorite thing about five-year-olds is the helpfulness. i was expecting this, or at least hoping for it, and, remarkably, it arrived, like clock work. cosmo has a new found interest in helping out, and the competence to actually BE helpful. i will savor this while it lasts.cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-76702917411043591582010-11-21T19:55:00.005-05:002010-11-21T20:38:56.335-05:00bugs bummin' me outthe <a href="http://www.hortnet.co.nz/publications/hortfacts/hf401048.htm">grey cabbage aphid</a> is destroying all my brassicas! the kale was hit the hardest, but now they are going after the beloved brussel sprouts, the young cauliflower, and i even saw a few on the arugula! it makes no sense. i had never seen them until this fall, and they came on strong. my russian kale was lush just a month ago. they attack the young, tender, new leaves, which basically stunts the growth of the plant, and eventually kills it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAL7DkVnoFt81r5cxg-udQ8VDQPUPmjDCxSfVqDg1yOtR7fhG9Cnq1oM8JsfpJ7qvgXp5dlBs8FhPHKZeqsnEpLff8E_y2CZUSRR1Eqnr7DPL5y5bZ-MjOdYTpA7A1iB8fbyOz0g/s1600/garden+-+09.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAL7DkVnoFt81r5cxg-udQ8VDQPUPmjDCxSfVqDg1yOtR7fhG9Cnq1oM8JsfpJ7qvgXp5dlBs8FhPHKZeqsnEpLff8E_y2CZUSRR1Eqnr7DPL5y5bZ-MjOdYTpA7A1iB8fbyOz0g/s320/garden+-+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542180865997120914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />since i garden organically, i am used to hand-picking pests off of my plants. it is one of the benefits of having a small, back yard garden--a person can usually notice and keep up with pest problems. i started by removing these vile creatures with my bare hands, sort of sweeping the leaves with my thumb. but now i just blast them with a strong stream of water from the hose.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXW9dWjhTHSFFpq012CpO-xtmuZtr31YuyCAwZA2-VCg2QVBxqvoHZnLQtzVw2CW9fC2ExXOALV8jU9D780Ct_fcoTQ4AyWOHmXkWdvHZicgZv9Mofkyc3F3m9NxzqtUe7DHiolA/s1600/garden+-+10.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXW9dWjhTHSFFpq012CpO-xtmuZtr31YuyCAwZA2-VCg2QVBxqvoHZnLQtzVw2CW9fC2ExXOALV8jU9D780Ct_fcoTQ4AyWOHmXkWdvHZicgZv9Mofkyc3F3m9NxzqtUe7DHiolA/s320/garden+-+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542180901975040066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />it gets them off the plants, but i have to keep doing it, every day. i finally gave up on the kale, and pulled it today. i hope to save the brussels sprouts and califlower, but i don't have a whole lot of hope.<br /><br />in other bug related news, fruit flies have found my worm composting bins--both at home, and at work. again, this is a new phenomenon for me, and started in the fall. at home, they migrated to the kitchen, too. we have tried everything, including removing any possible food sources cleaning meticulously (and drying everything), plus trapping them with vinegar. we have reduced their population immensely. lately, we "vacuum" them up with the back of a hair dryer. it is strange, but effective (and secretly satisfying).<br /><br />so far though, i'm not really finding any answers about the worm bin problem. experts say to bury the food scraps in the bedding, or to wrap them in newspaper to avoid attracting fruit flies. i always do one or both of those things, and have never had a problem. now, i still do those things, and i have a fruit fly infestation, and it is not going away. it is especially problematic at work, as i am trying to get the vermiculture system established, and this is a huge set back.<br /><br />your suggestions and/or commiserations welcome.cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-79927364332223673112010-11-10T20:21:00.005-05:002010-11-10T20:53:06.452-05:00for the love of brusselthis is what i was dreaming about on february 12, 2010.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtCicjE-eiJJxIvT5hExf4JRwf0PCa0hqiz2DNMM8JjU0KxMFhHmJ4-4bFpEpacmIJ23kLsYfG3Td3tzL2OHpm2f6-IXRGBJg1wisUI6K6U7t6IyOINvlJEBMPg4SOmcI3jiNGw/s1600/garden+-+206.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtCicjE-eiJJxIvT5hExf4JRwf0PCa0hqiz2DNMM8JjU0KxMFhHmJ4-4bFpEpacmIJ23kLsYfG3Td3tzL2OHpm2f6-IXRGBJg1wisUI6K6U7t6IyOINvlJEBMPg4SOmcI3jiNGw/s320/garden+-+206.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538097749245994322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />that's when i planted the brussel sprout seeds, under a grow light in the basement.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZGaeoNeUMjW231XPNv1_D61RRYc_mv2zVBBw0wPEeOCFn08c9OoBDPdpJLr5NQzZWVl3ajFLxbAzsZOvoI-uC94_8A4pDyuSWK2qQRc9M2mQU7aGH9IzY67RpcK0Lprs1huA7A/s1600/garden+-+39.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZGaeoNeUMjW231XPNv1_D61RRYc_mv2zVBBw0wPEeOCFn08c9OoBDPdpJLr5NQzZWVl3ajFLxbAzsZOvoI-uC94_8A4pDyuSWK2qQRc9M2mQU7aGH9IzY67RpcK0Lprs1huA7A/s320/garden+-+39.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538097775342435090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxZknfden_l2e6Jxf2IrR89AM2gINrqrlRh3W3txNio043QBSnIt4S8y8K1NNn5gEcpvovqLnOKumbCh7t6fkZI20g8NMuo3BIr6g5sbV1VWbmWCz7pM9GloUAHIgOgphubb1dw/s1600/garden+-+078.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxZknfden_l2e6Jxf2IrR89AM2gINrqrlRh3W3txNio043QBSnIt4S8y8K1NNn5gEcpvovqLnOKumbCh7t6fkZI20g8NMuo3BIr6g5sbV1VWbmWCz7pM9GloUAHIgOgphubb1dw/s320/garden+-+078.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538102820132224946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />we finally had some for dinner, two nights ago--almost 9 months later!<br />how they made it into those little tiny, tightly-packed cabbage balls, considering all the pests and drought the season thew at them, is a mystery to me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZjtcq8k0CxnlJHqw3_ymws9Mfn_kmSyP1JTpePeiiFDo7Q4kEaGVFBSScfv-e2waRisdzTGxmrQqCXKYUS6lx93-EMzhbJPwx-tNfcl-HDVDtGCtr9E884h97xdjd78wnCgO5g/s1600/garden+-+208.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 356px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZjtcq8k0CxnlJHqw3_ymws9Mfn_kmSyP1JTpePeiiFDo7Q4kEaGVFBSScfv-e2waRisdzTGxmrQqCXKYUS6lx93-EMzhbJPwx-tNfcl-HDVDtGCtr9E884h97xdjd78wnCgO5g/s320/garden+-+208.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538097771202312978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBCLUY-6yhMbJGxLFVoupuNUE0vkv8f_IkLXrqXpMBHFCkQMxsTvQqzq2w9ZmM-wQrvQEOA1qbLOZgjEeYpzclU5hbS_5NZI7BcAJIQYcTVdCLBDolPH4NKOwqUHr6eC1DQC6zg/s1600/oct_10+-+15.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBCLUY-6yhMbJGxLFVoupuNUE0vkv8f_IkLXrqXpMBHFCkQMxsTvQqzq2w9ZmM-wQrvQEOA1qbLOZgjEeYpzclU5hbS_5NZI7BcAJIQYcTVdCLBDolPH4NKOwqUHr6eC1DQC6zg/s320/oct_10+-+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538102813778634738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i have a few wasps to thank, for keeping the cabbage caterpillar population under control (plant dill & fennel to attract them to your garden).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS88hV_tfBuP5NT7tFxv7Dh4V0ovNjkgLBqyZhNeQ-2IzJVdhOEAk6apP560GUrjRin46rMMbAXVolSIbviYqQnKWWPyXG0gUWZ4BZLUM4UiyZtjBQiOdnAlWMnCCtAyddpE0WA/s1600/garden+-+209.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHS88hV_tfBuP5NT7tFxv7Dh4V0ovNjkgLBqyZhNeQ-2IzJVdhOEAk6apP560GUrjRin46rMMbAXVolSIbviYqQnKWWPyXG0gUWZ4BZLUM4UiyZtjBQiOdnAlWMnCCtAyddpE0WA/s320/garden+-+209.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538097767394211170" border="0" /></a><br /><br />they are so yummy when they're fresh, and i've heard that the ones that come from california aren't as sweet, because they never go through a frost. ours have, and you can definitely tell.cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-87844303280257015812010-11-07T19:41:00.016-05:002010-11-10T20:21:36.970-05:00NYC [in a day, on a shoe string]my dear friend from grad school is getting married.<br />it's a big deal.<br />they live in brooklyn.<br />the wedding is in jersey.<br />we are flat broke.<br />we go to the wedding.<br />we drive.<br />we camp in the hills of western new jersey.<br />there is miniature golf and an arcade.<br />the wedding is lovely.<br />cosmo cuts a rug on the dance floor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6XXeek75CHOMgbRKb8fHJVf1GPViH7N7R2bnP6byO2IhiPxQiomc8lum70NTjdazoGqNRHHlYlze9M7mCEtfDQTw3jJW_Hs4_yVGBOyQ58iHBAiNQrtgR8AL6oKlR_AwM0UFew/s1600/wedding05.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6XXeek75CHOMgbRKb8fHJVf1GPViH7N7R2bnP6byO2IhiPxQiomc8lum70NTjdazoGqNRHHlYlze9M7mCEtfDQTw3jJW_Hs4_yVGBOyQ58iHBAiNQrtgR8AL6oKlR_AwM0UFew/s320/wedding05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536978753086300402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyakYGx4stBYEk6Ujrq_-UJRG_r0eJO3h35m5BY1pwWOA2ZtG9XJAqMjEVJeHaoVCCAo_8u192ecIKapzVeH_AbXbnglq_AybQ7YKRXKDwSJH2OotmnCP0BTW_F2vVhk6ZE_2MaA/s1600/NYC_10+-+11.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyakYGx4stBYEk6Ujrq_-UJRG_r0eJO3h35m5BY1pwWOA2ZtG9XJAqMjEVJeHaoVCCAo_8u192ecIKapzVeH_AbXbnglq_AybQ7YKRXKDwSJH2OotmnCP0BTW_F2vVhk6ZE_2MaA/s320/NYC_10+-+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536975672340391138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFn-qSeBAzlKdykvY23sgUbMeS8dckIiKwBg_1D77_snQxGxfqOGHSIBhEkR0jMb2PcUB_QipgbBtsLCNCnmEeyHLsGV77EUdT1dwcQc7JCdpIGrSmpWdEeWSFJ8nXbpjPfpCYA/s1600/Library+-+5945.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFn-qSeBAzlKdykvY23sgUbMeS8dckIiKwBg_1D77_snQxGxfqOGHSIBhEkR0jMb2PcUB_QipgbBtsLCNCnmEeyHLsGV77EUdT1dwcQc7JCdpIGrSmpWdEeWSFJ8nXbpjPfpCYA/s320/Library+-+5945.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537010538521339906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHjyNEOysPj9MiFO9bS4jon2K7uFPLscB46ikLNE6HIJa0AE_Bhf0NUDl6dbapfIkDEo81QyjjHzee3bkFvzgWWo3b2gLO9GVqWL0EytYAwyKZSFjJkQJzmULhbLxXQB0qcwG6w/s1600/wedding06.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHjyNEOysPj9MiFO9bS4jon2K7uFPLscB46ikLNE6HIJa0AE_Bhf0NUDl6dbapfIkDEo81QyjjHzee3bkFvzgWWo3b2gLO9GVqWL0EytYAwyKZSFjJkQJzmULhbLxXQB0qcwG6w/s320/wedding06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536979523270250450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-rt0rNNFEo90utE_GM2MTbyGDuFYcdItuBhc1TncEbTtCLbrNIjjOcx2GiAXPf5GQDnrcLr7BTNHZK4LGCl43cQHxrocw8CDgK5vLcIfiH4LviXof7NGyikZzh0_xMLWpiM3lw/s1600/NYC_10+-+01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-rt0rNNFEo90utE_GM2MTbyGDuFYcdItuBhc1TncEbTtCLbrNIjjOcx2GiAXPf5GQDnrcLr7BTNHZK4LGCl43cQHxrocw8CDgK5vLcIfiH4LviXof7NGyikZzh0_xMLWpiM3lw/s320/NYC_10+-+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537011770688902130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkTQ1MwCOgO18vmYu7t3Mln1Z1xn9mkZOIf-6Mu19apJTycC8RQ_sEvv9kNt_AkJb5eQL3qkCfZgU-ChLObCkVAVk83k6J2pZ7x2U4CGQg6MEwIBtLY-aommGbM3W5-IOBbzXvw/s1600/Library+-+5867.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkTQ1MwCOgO18vmYu7t3Mln1Z1xn9mkZOIf-6Mu19apJTycC8RQ_sEvv9kNt_AkJb5eQL3qkCfZgU-ChLObCkVAVk83k6J2pZ7x2U4CGQg6MEwIBtLY-aommGbM3W5-IOBbzXvw/s320/Library+-+5867.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537010547356746770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(not our campsite)</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><br />next day, we take a train to the city.<br />it rains.<br />there is a long elevator ride to a foggy view.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzXnc1-9Hr1H3mVO75fOf9iWyBCxJ0tj_BviYesNsjmEMOVnPCrfOw4kE4tKoIfRncK8XJ7hqELX8VrUbJJGJKqpYOFUkUxzGt_ngbtrCpGFHpRjLEbLy9UTWi8SGeO7qRJR67Q/s1600/NYC_10+-+15.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzXnc1-9Hr1H3mVO75fOf9iWyBCxJ0tj_BviYesNsjmEMOVnPCrfOw4kE4tKoIfRncK8XJ7hqELX8VrUbJJGJKqpYOFUkUxzGt_ngbtrCpGFHpRjLEbLy9UTWi8SGeO7qRJR67Q/s320/NYC_10+-+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536975679028983362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqL83aLhH4BvM_MI7Glc1_-GMHHYx2CCopYfFiJeld8WBQS_Nl35BfMKIvurK20L6uFas3z1RoKYQzWZIzbZsVnuV43DDefULtPdYxuzjAPEeuNJlzytJc-0ySGmn1UB4I7M4iA/s1600/NYC_10+-+16.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqL83aLhH4BvM_MI7Glc1_-GMHHYx2CCopYfFiJeld8WBQS_Nl35BfMKIvurK20L6uFas3z1RoKYQzWZIzbZsVnuV43DDefULtPdYxuzjAPEeuNJlzytJc-0ySGmn1UB4I7M4iA/s320/NYC_10+-+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536975690788414402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(like a seasoned commuter)</span><br /> <span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwb7xrBuKcv4-hf4i8rBSLHYdIu0qZPajEeCNVAExIvkIUnEZKJkd_vBrpVH6VK9_JxdGo29ssL2fNs1N2r9Dwytpji52aE_abp2gNGXf9-FIYJIkoBGiVNQ9GEXKMmRem3RABKg/s1600/NYC_10+-+27.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwb7xrBuKcv4-hf4i8rBSLHYdIu0qZPajEeCNVAExIvkIUnEZKJkd_vBrpVH6VK9_JxdGo29ssL2fNs1N2r9Dwytpji52aE_abp2gNGXf9-FIYJIkoBGiVNQ9GEXKMmRem3RABKg/s320/NYC_10+-+27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536976100327236994" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHREh1lFa0cY6Zd4CU4pSlcF4eKYOIKedpx36rk-haKLGk4px9oW2kQAvTzfKLEdtgPXIj8cmx3qxDhlrcHrwMTMIhP2ALMLJST46ZdwLi8XbPfBJmADJcwAnJKU8SyUzAa3vaXg/s1600/NYC_10+-+33.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHREh1lFa0cY6Zd4CU4pSlcF4eKYOIKedpx36rk-haKLGk4px9oW2kQAvTzfKLEdtgPXIj8cmx3qxDhlrcHrwMTMIhP2ALMLJST46ZdwLi8XbPfBJmADJcwAnJKU8SyUzAa3vaXg/s320/NYC_10+-+33.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536976429261549730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LEVba80ecrLVOnpisVsqkm45B9hU4k0L7XJr3BwSIn8xrwpbE6DmwrM-EOaE4-fKjNkRexEG6cIqV_KwBivk5wkf42jr86gOyENmW-o4Deci6QHu0zLbJdhu8O68EF1Wxf0V-w/s1600/NYC_10+-+30.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LEVba80ecrLVOnpisVsqkm45B9hU4k0L7XJr3BwSIn8xrwpbE6DmwrM-EOaE4-fKjNkRexEG6cIqV_KwBivk5wkf42jr86gOyENmW-o4Deci6QHu0zLbJdhu8O68EF1Wxf0V-w/s320/NYC_10+-+30.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536976109216619938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1muW1jP1lkwUCpc3VHlK_GbtDwd0_-7VQ-fbK50drdPiITUthuHjXToQMJ9nWY4NXoC0FtBXgh0coYFUlhByK8o4EoxFFl_e_4NCUNtespX73xg40_SDsfKN6eF13gFh2jv2WQ/s1600/NYC_10+-+35.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1muW1jP1lkwUCpc3VHlK_GbtDwd0_-7VQ-fbK50drdPiITUthuHjXToQMJ9nWY4NXoC0FtBXgh0coYFUlhByK8o4EoxFFl_e_4NCUNtespX73xg40_SDsfKN6eF13gFh2jv2WQ/s320/NYC_10+-+35.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536976119704127826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />the MOMA is mobbed.<br />never mind, there is art all around.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2GTML7_szTup0lm7FwgBimN7SW9aIPkAg7lCNZX4dLNUOX_PFxp6JzOWHvU7Z3SrpEg7YneSZG5IekrRd1dyxfP4NtBPQajTePg1054JtPhkeET-p36AR2q3s98hn14A5Sqa0g/s1600/NYC_10+-+48.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2GTML7_szTup0lm7FwgBimN7SW9aIPkAg7lCNZX4dLNUOX_PFxp6JzOWHvU7Z3SrpEg7YneSZG5IekrRd1dyxfP4NtBPQajTePg1054JtPhkeET-p36AR2q3s98hn14A5Sqa0g/s320/NYC_10+-+48.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536978309143112978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_RGgNR3nxawJFuGoSkbTboXPb1WhZCHd-JOPxNwoKhIba0GLZriiQHMnOnn4vNjBj8K7seQgaccHVVi80_u1VJWsX7VAqphbdbLZi-dGiioJWkzqMLxdDypPk6i3EuV-uQ0m6g/s1600/NYC_10+-+49.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_RGgNR3nxawJFuGoSkbTboXPb1WhZCHd-JOPxNwoKhIba0GLZriiQHMnOnn4vNjBj8K7seQgaccHVVi80_u1VJWsX7VAqphbdbLZi-dGiioJWkzqMLxdDypPk6i3EuV-uQ0m6g/s320/NYC_10+-+49.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536978311377742658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ic6MsPYay2MQVKVbI1CKMV2kbLlw4AuapAUBlh0hb60ziS2iIPBUB6Rc3hyphenhyphenytKnJRLwtoka6bkwiRjow2etHkXs48Fgd_o__KZsK0X_bBN6xH-qY8AuU9xhUY294Hx4UFmK0PA/s1600/NYC_10+-+53.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ic6MsPYay2MQVKVbI1CKMV2kbLlw4AuapAUBlh0hb60ziS2iIPBUB6Rc3hyphenhyphenytKnJRLwtoka6bkwiRjow2etHkXs48Fgd_o__KZsK0X_bBN6xH-qY8AuU9xhUY294Hx4UFmK0PA/s320/NYC_10+-+53.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536978323674593346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFw55ELH6EUBk8D4dSqSMe969l3SqcSQ6M8GI4xZg4IPmzdEA3imSDwJrUIILkRzTge6h8KN5S9vypR1sN17GCXaumGwD2JXV81GNcCIXGOU9LrvuWRhC2z8z5o8pY1mNRliv-w/s1600/NYC_10+-+56.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFw55ELH6EUBk8D4dSqSMe969l3SqcSQ6M8GI4xZg4IPmzdEA3imSDwJrUIILkRzTge6h8KN5S9vypR1sN17GCXaumGwD2JXV81GNcCIXGOU9LrvuWRhC2z8z5o8pY1mNRliv-w/s320/NYC_10+-+56.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536978739154494258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and subway rides.<br />and hot dogs.<br />deli counters.<br />news stands.<br />a small dog in a rain coat.<br />a bike made of bamboo.<br />and a long car ride home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiE_qJzGIqejTLIyCo89atAx3cJKAAL0Z5_368ijjY6S4ckYo9xe1n_pUH4IdcE_BNw8E_iHf9ll_W9vBO2ShFAP0kJQOw8Tru2lBUqp0E9-rmJzYeeYcODLvEc4Py1HOw7gsZw/s1600/NYC_10+-+40.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; 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width: 354px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OnL2x-r2ieeEDtV_4QG7aj7reZltBnMypAQQvp_CjDBE5i9ciB1q7U7uxWYtbxvSZ-aOWqOl_JVoIJ6szGL_dlHnlTbj3ZiL7KBMvOggsaA9nROVEF05YaPQqi4S6iLdp9ucPQ/s320/NYC_10+-+41.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536976442698432658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3lmbdByxEr-3w7uCw3wZ_ZhyphenhyphenoQvzTPBLpegFdeL0ymLbkz9RLJKwoctXzcAtw4IX-VtBu_O0gnEHdRaSgP0VJ0HT0o7qwxAdhv2UL8hBELiRwD2xRDwgO3FeXD6JUPMGxIzwjg/s1600/NYC_10+-+21.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3lmbdByxEr-3w7uCw3wZ_ZhyphenhyphenoQvzTPBLpegFdeL0ymLbkz9RLJKwoctXzcAtw4IX-VtBu_O0gnEHdRaSgP0VJ0HT0o7qwxAdhv2UL8hBELiRwD2xRDwgO3FeXD6JUPMGxIzwjg/s320/NYC_10+-+21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536976101465795874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nX_fDZOs8ob6NvDX0SxxYeRR-ywX7iwerQEQfqoodNhHhs-piCf0RCYHEO6zPdSQWLd_KoMl4ihLh-u-N83615y3tx-Tca27JO3mIfI3elWPQF4uNljDDhmKBKXiFyfVG7Dgkw/s1600/NYC_10+-+18.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nX_fDZOs8ob6NvDX0SxxYeRR-ywX7iwerQEQfqoodNhHhs-piCf0RCYHEO6zPdSQWLd_KoMl4ihLh-u-N83615y3tx-Tca27JO3mIfI3elWPQF4uNljDDhmKBKXiFyfVG7Dgkw/s320/NYC_10+-+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536976095181553138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6e5VkTdfl9n6vr2i8rQTaAocAyZLdN-ctg9MOy6K_z4HGzo0Z6EoxvfaZb7mUpTE8_1OHNNGGTsrGQ_zDnjLgjll5lr1tnako3Lho5IMqe7P-LawWmq915itRXbddqSdz1kTag/s1600/NYC_10+-+52.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6e5VkTdfl9n6vr2i8rQTaAocAyZLdN-ctg9MOy6K_z4HGzo0Z6EoxvfaZb7mUpTE8_1OHNNGGTsrGQ_zDnjLgjll5lr1tnako3Lho5IMqe7P-LawWmq915itRXbddqSdz1kTag/s320/NYC_10+-+52.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536978318927529762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJh8PmgwjPfFu0YobHZuFSzhENp29ZjE2D0Kj_8HAluAMWVAKd5k7k_BQwEhocNTyHJQyZffjUJWBChpMQX6xKOsVCz3QsLCNDxkxEAzngpsdIdCmawQ-rwIiT9HIyokHMx9g_g/s1600/Library+-+5873.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJh8PmgwjPfFu0YobHZuFSzhENp29ZjE2D0Kj_8HAluAMWVAKd5k7k_BQwEhocNTyHJQyZffjUJWBChpMQX6xKOsVCz3QsLCNDxkxEAzngpsdIdCmawQ-rwIiT9HIyokHMx9g_g/s320/Library+-+5873.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537010540829710018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfkAQ4xzqFt57u_FiCPE4wyPdISRzk684doHJTVSEFVwlJz3JNvhnOmrmOQw7Me6ZXWO-iTp4ZeQifdwyCCS9TjF8N86hho-UM5jQ8vfO3afb3qm7ckhrgJZaLdhqODOM70mA8g/s1600/Library+-+5881.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfkAQ4xzqFt57u_FiCPE4wyPdISRzk684doHJTVSEFVwlJz3JNvhnOmrmOQw7Me6ZXWO-iTp4ZeQifdwyCCS9TjF8N86hho-UM5jQ8vfO3afb3qm7ckhrgJZaLdhqODOM70mA8g/s320/Library+-+5881.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537010537941551682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVUkkUC-CAHF3SbZvumAm7gsBO8iikHdxtD8RN2QQ2zFwaY8ZzCSQQUJPOu-XqtTdM5nk8o0nQVAciJeUBxI5j7rSenVlTpHuU_F2pLCOJKgbPROs7rrUfPPvmk8u5zLELHudxw/s1600/NYC_10+-+37.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVUkkUC-CAHF3SbZvumAm7gsBO8iikHdxtD8RN2QQ2zFwaY8ZzCSQQUJPOu-XqtTdM5nk8o0nQVAciJeUBxI5j7rSenVlTpHuU_F2pLCOJKgbPROs7rrUfPPvmk8u5zLELHudxw/s320/NYC_10+-+37.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536976433615935490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YVzWfqN-gxb6DDntaM85MUG-Y7-WdSmBDKFgJ_nOVNX_7JPzpHhcae4T2iEiACKMKv1_l8KYaYXjN77WVIqxk05EKhIki78NmzuisddIagTxXk4hQvMTESz24e6m7Rlp914NHQ/s1600/NYC_10+-+29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YVzWfqN-gxb6DDntaM85MUG-Y7-WdSmBDKFgJ_nOVNX_7JPzpHhcae4T2iEiACKMKv1_l8KYaYXjN77WVIqxk05EKhIki78NmzuisddIagTxXk4hQvMTESz24e6m7Rlp914NHQ/s320/NYC_10+-+29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536976433363055490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsK1zXa3HgcchQZjfYTq76Tv-51mCIqqRXfetEF3Ig3Ou1wj1xnoap9sHI4SUT_qIGKnAzlvINsXLy4gk3r6wzpmz9mEpCcxaIWO6q1Z_jK3MeX7r13ktQ4OunlNmJ6XwU3GzQw/s1600/NYC_10+-+61.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsK1zXa3HgcchQZjfYTq76Tv-51mCIqqRXfetEF3Ig3Ou1wj1xnoap9sHI4SUT_qIGKnAzlvINsXLy4gk3r6wzpmz9mEpCcxaIWO6q1Z_jK3MeX7r13ktQ4OunlNmJ6XwU3GzQw/s320/NYC_10+-+61.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536978739468789378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TgdgKAtBhJ5U_4IV3tFrXywCn9gaykJnyaY0bs1UqS2NtBoZGVaVHTgd0J-7BHX3zsv8kMs3I_0fLCd-pL8j9lU6gUVI3ZVPP8auA2_NxQmgf1cq1JSUJJp6wbYM-Wpaa6tFUA/s1600/NYC_10+-+68.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TgdgKAtBhJ5U_4IV3tFrXywCn9gaykJnyaY0bs1UqS2NtBoZGVaVHTgd0J-7BHX3zsv8kMs3I_0fLCd-pL8j9lU6gUVI3ZVPP8auA2_NxQmgf1cq1JSUJJp6wbYM-Wpaa6tFUA/s320/NYC_10+-+68.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536978744861545314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />(congratulations l + s)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(special thanks to alan, for loaning us the iphone, so cosmo could play <span style="font-style: italic;">doodle jump</span>. it came in mighty handy.)</span>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20158627.post-58143765906477449892010-10-23T21:46:00.003-04:002010-10-24T10:53:29.372-04:00geez...well, apparently i cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. ever since i got this full time job, can't seem to manage to keep up with things like blogging, and cleaning the house. i know that many of you moms out there have been doing it ALL, all along. i admire you, and feel truly privileged to have had this time away from the work-a-day world, to focus on cosmo, our home and family, and to pursue the things i love.<br /><br />the good news is that i still get to follow my passions in my new job. i'm working for a non-profit, and i get to do things like set up a roof-top kitchen garden, build rain barrels, raise worms for compost, design edible landscaping, and do space (and even menu) planning for a small take-out cafe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn59wL3ZTUgPFSINjmBvAELyifvOYndxwvf7GYNwJPhESDUI7UF2l7HyZOYh5gdQJjeXHUaoOWJKDnCaBQrKJiydIfS5DxFQYlGWNUm8VQnLcI6I8ruiKfM3DlkbaM4TD7yrX5UA/s1600/roof_garden+-+7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn59wL3ZTUgPFSINjmBvAELyifvOYndxwvf7GYNwJPhESDUI7UF2l7HyZOYh5gdQJjeXHUaoOWJKDnCaBQrKJiydIfS5DxFQYlGWNUm8VQnLcI6I8ruiKfM3DlkbaM4TD7yrX5UA/s320/roof_garden+-+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531590798875418946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOHcXIELXDodnh9ttgYJ-uLd1ub-SMN9hEQSql-mRgTW1hZq2nruF6GqQctCDTqdHJI8Sxe-MbP2bBC7Uc3Niv1HsfVwr0dV_Gq6j1zBZPe9Nfycs1GqducC9-kbeVZ-X2CcGIQ/s1600/food_works+-+15.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOHcXIELXDodnh9ttgYJ-uLd1ub-SMN9hEQSql-mRgTW1hZq2nruF6GqQctCDTqdHJI8Sxe-MbP2bBC7Uc3Niv1HsfVwr0dV_Gq6j1zBZPe9Nfycs1GqducC9-kbeVZ-X2CcGIQ/s320/food_works+-+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531607368886921458" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i am not complaining, and am thrilled to have work. there is an adjustment period though, for all of us. cosmo is handling it all pretty well, and carl is uber-competent in his stay-at home-dad role. mostly it is difficult for me to accept that i cannot do every. single. thing. that i did before. i still try to, and am reminded about how much more efficient i become, the busier i am. but i have been forced to prioritize, to let go, and to say no. i'm <span style="font-style: italic;">sure</span> it's good for me.<br /><br />we have had our share of fun times lately, and i think i'll just go photo-essay-style to catch up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPXuW2mm96_1GBc3E8EV854UQCVZG7S-QomUSJ7NVBGrwYoz6EzrYN7o5cqJsPSQlRuq6YOIndmYv3kzuYWLtr-7Btqpa81Wp0lHemQt0zC8wBMoiZQunvsjo-wJ5rsb8Ob8AGQ/s1600/portrait10_03.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPXuW2mm96_1GBc3E8EV854UQCVZG7S-QomUSJ7NVBGrwYoz6EzrYN7o5cqJsPSQlRuq6YOIndmYv3kzuYWLtr-7Btqpa81Wp0lHemQt0zC8wBMoiZQunvsjo-wJ5rsb8Ob8AGQ/s320/portrait10_03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515735295150684418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />cosmo started montessori in late august. he loves it, we love it. it seems to suit what kind of kid he is, and he took to it readily. this week is <span style="font-style: italic;">children's evening </span>(open house) and i can't wait to see what he chooses to show us in his classroom. at home, he is into games: board games, card games, computer games, and ones he makes up, with, say, over 500 wooden poker chips i found for him at the free swap. he reads almost anything now, and has lots of interesting questions, like <span style="font-style: italic;">why do spirals go round and round, and never end?</span> or, <span style="font-style: italic;">how do you think about nothing?</span> makes me wonder if maybe his <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> a bodhisattva, after all. he has crossed over into a delightful stage, of being almost helpful, often cheery, chatty, and thirsty for knowledge. he started doing a little reading to himself, in the car (mostly he reads with us, to us--does not yet curl up on the couch with a good novel), and the books he chooses for this are not usually stories, but non-fiction books about subjects like geography or outer space.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLkZtU63KN9LAehIYmyZfEjYFwbxGE5Ytj7Kn7WjjWjlE-WCqMww37sXI4d6kHTjFiZHPRR-VDRowSKhF6qy0QeEqQW-hTGi2svsm_Ealh1_hjNS2QrPEgJun8ffng3jNRHWzDg/s1600/sept10catch_up+-+02.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLkZtU63KN9LAehIYmyZfEjYFwbxGE5Ytj7Kn7WjjWjlE-WCqMww37sXI4d6kHTjFiZHPRR-VDRowSKhF6qy0QeEqQW-hTGi2svsm_Ealh1_hjNS2QrPEgJun8ffng3jNRHWzDg/s320/sept10catch_up+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531590803140492706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWEojMWcfeHGuEDIsRforiSJT99NmELCpH5E_JvlKRrW-QoVUhxVIs-K2ZFF2BBv8wA1TxX-Kuj0eMEEA1mudoxIg8GSP8kkJHfqIcrOdhAeDtZ6ifw3jcy-66sXo5jBO3BxUow/s1600/sept10catch_up+-+05.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 361px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWEojMWcfeHGuEDIsRforiSJT99NmELCpH5E_JvlKRrW-QoVUhxVIs-K2ZFF2BBv8wA1TxX-Kuj0eMEEA1mudoxIg8GSP8kkJHfqIcrOdhAeDtZ6ifw3jcy-66sXo5jBO3BxUow/s320/sept10catch_up+-+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531590823833203410" border="0" /></a><br /><br />here he is with carl's 12 year-old nephew, clem. he like to say "i'm a lot like clem," and by that he means, reading to himself. luckily, he still loves being read to, and is currently absorbed in the <span style="font-style: italic;">magic tree house</span> series.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLuHYnVQI4QJD3bZprB86EWi7dCIMucRDv4_0j5XmmQVkawJaZDelwc7wnj8NXFA1KismX_O_ntqmYM9K2gka91ROTNnvFcRlwbPlFeoHrxkinjZ23Ui7izjvH7WvDrkBR33YHA/s1600/horse01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 370px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLuHYnVQI4QJD3bZprB86EWi7dCIMucRDv4_0j5XmmQVkawJaZDelwc7wnj8NXFA1KismX_O_ntqmYM9K2gka91ROTNnvFcRlwbPlFeoHrxkinjZ23Ui7izjvH7WvDrkBR33YHA/s320/horse01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515735260817458386" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Xr5ZMuj9zQc88mVksblYvzbA2crNX5j0BsqEfMKiNAsTVIvj47J3zmLjQOA_Wzxog8Ks3fyNOIhTT2yTBZRjIU7mm-aNMdu_dpgHmq7Rc7aIFfsCTj811tlewRdVi9LsgxQjPg/s1600/mini_golf01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Xr5ZMuj9zQc88mVksblYvzbA2crNX5j0BsqEfMKiNAsTVIvj47J3zmLjQOA_Wzxog8Ks3fyNOIhTT2yTBZRjIU7mm-aNMdu_dpgHmq7Rc7aIFfsCTj811tlewRdVi9LsgxQjPg/s320/mini_golf01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515735269628732562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />he got to ride a horse for the first time, at a birthday party, and is crazy for miniature golf. here he is pictured, putting, in the beauty and serenity of the jellystone campground and RV park, just south of town.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbakBEnnzhiFGO-vZanBFwumo5n_co6cCWriBHGZ8XUG1DRrxGbLT5zHq2hPM4KHPUggITpbxPTWt5-rKJq9ZIzK3nZpVmbwUNb_FPxDtukTW6KXLeKk52Po8vRctdTFjiOw-R9w/s1600/sept10catch_up+-+09.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbakBEnnzhiFGO-vZanBFwumo5n_co6cCWriBHGZ8XUG1DRrxGbLT5zHq2hPM4KHPUggITpbxPTWt5-rKJq9ZIzK3nZpVmbwUNb_FPxDtukTW6KXLeKk52Po8vRctdTFjiOw-R9w/s320/sept10catch_up+-+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531594633949926498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2fWpjoei-xpS9JKlaRQBjdRiU5cpGWa8hqkKiKjcPQWPVpvbJW60btMi4xd5KYayjX1WCqhhRrHxsZoMOKFRBAW4vhVWWm5RjFGGCgfO5FXRqRsPpkNwpoXJrSF7Hu8gvHNNIA/s1600/sept10catch_up+-+12.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2fWpjoei-xpS9JKlaRQBjdRiU5cpGWa8hqkKiKjcPQWPVpvbJW60btMi4xd5KYayjX1WCqhhRrHxsZoMOKFRBAW4vhVWWm5RjFGGCgfO5FXRqRsPpkNwpoXJrSF7Hu8gvHNNIA/s320/sept10catch_up+-+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531594640128635778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />we visited the <a href="http://www.thechilewoman.com/">chili woman's</a> farm, where cosmo fed a llama, and complained about wanting to <span style="font-style: italic;">go home</span>. we participated in the annual <a href="http://www.mhcfoodpantry.org/indexhubride.html">hub ride</a> fundraiser, for mother hubbard's cupboard. even though we took the shortest (4 mile) route, it was a bit rainy, and there were some hills.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5naJGicsSguyfs-z-n3oVef45qgmHm0tsxRaBgN0vB-YTqqp7slGY9129vwvoaxy0nIqaHZ3UjJgsLx3uHOGo0MIhzjM-6PQ75HBwJflSlE_QezfJMmelJVZ6wpEgzvzUKqWocg/s1600/sept10catch_up+-+14.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5naJGicsSguyfs-z-n3oVef45qgmHm0tsxRaBgN0vB-YTqqp7slGY9129vwvoaxy0nIqaHZ3UjJgsLx3uHOGo0MIhzjM-6PQ75HBwJflSlE_QezfJMmelJVZ6wpEgzvzUKqWocg/s320/sept10catch_up+-+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531594640919873058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhos-m2nALmJFQHJnsAYw93CV2cRfKozMdWMW2IEjDWeqRYEVsdOTq1U5FVZS9Jke-tA14v0NvWlSXONiN_QQ28EMB9UcicC0VTA1KKZRTJHKpi1Vkx_XCkA6vUpv8BTl5J968i9A/s1600/sept10catch_up+-+15.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhos-m2nALmJFQHJnsAYw93CV2cRfKozMdWMW2IEjDWeqRYEVsdOTq1U5FVZS9Jke-tA14v0NvWlSXONiN_QQ28EMB9UcicC0VTA1KKZRTJHKpi1Vkx_XCkA6vUpv8BTl5J968i9A/s320/sept10catch_up+-+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531594643052668002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />so, we did a lot of walking of the bikes, and coaxing cosmo to find the strength within himself to finish. i was nervous about being out on roads, where <span style="font-style: italic;">cars</span> are, with such a new rider<span style="font-size:85%;"> (truthfully, i thought i might have a heart attack).<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinneN3_3GXUTXGqivNO2yjyce0yrxPuzeNUEgX_KhH1C972AlwYUIHL-Ep7e9ME0oASVSjqTLOudnmXFdnZW9NGkoVYckEIJwsw6vLPDy8rdXCInA1mcBbTO9S1VQahAyhR0b9FA/s1600/sept10catch_up+-+16.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinneN3_3GXUTXGqivNO2yjyce0yrxPuzeNUEgX_KhH1C972AlwYUIHL-Ep7e9ME0oASVSjqTLOudnmXFdnZW9NGkoVYckEIJwsw6vLPDy8rdXCInA1mcBbTO9S1VQahAyhR0b9FA/s320/sept10catch_up+-+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531594653936522306" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEhgPzXxSrFmhtNf8iIVtH24ApCF0y2ZB8VVKGCE-NjRqzhFkgRU11bPghMTtfdhiTGXA8UsecqLFp4ZMixyuOSm9aVGnss4guKXfBRfqt7bXS6lb9unfy1PcoMVESoav9N1uVw/s1600/sept10catch_up+-+19.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEhgPzXxSrFmhtNf8iIVtH24ApCF0y2ZB8VVKGCE-NjRqzhFkgRU11bPghMTtfdhiTGXA8UsecqLFp4ZMixyuOSm9aVGnss4guKXfBRfqt7bXS6lb9unfy1PcoMVESoav9N1uVw/s320/sept10catch_up+-+19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531606642031530354" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span> by the end though, i think we were all glad we persevered, and didn't have to call the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycling_terminology#SAG_station">SAG wagon</a>. plus, cosmo got to meet a parrot, who also went on the ride!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdD4iZRucrB53guHWy-Oa5Rt76giKvgz8v1J1wuwMZIZrv5DldmKc4gBnW2E_fpyYZ6VSjS5vHEZnRioO6e0j3PafZ19e64D6q4S6KxuyfyK_fee2U2OQaKTIMx8Wn82aIyZNZ2g/s1600/sept10catch_up+-+55.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdD4iZRucrB53guHWy-Oa5Rt76giKvgz8v1J1wuwMZIZrv5DldmKc4gBnW2E_fpyYZ6VSjS5vHEZnRioO6e0j3PafZ19e64D6q4S6KxuyfyK_fee2U2OQaKTIMx8Wn82aIyZNZ2g/s320/sept10catch_up+-+55.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531606652153653682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59nqsPolUaQWPBmKRtsoVrBzqki_NKtLwyhYI39Z8CAbk4qfGO-hoRqPGPF0GFHVqf0lgayptmqlCVZWY74f8uXvm8kdJeBFZYlSRVaXDS798n9Xn8NZom709OX6lAyIz19ohJg/s1600/sept10catch_up+-+49.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59nqsPolUaQWPBmKRtsoVrBzqki_NKtLwyhYI39Z8CAbk4qfGO-hoRqPGPF0GFHVqf0lgayptmqlCVZWY74f8uXvm8kdJeBFZYlSRVaXDS798n9Xn8NZom709OX6lAyIz19ohJg/s320/sept10catch_up+-+49.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531606649894342482" border="0" /></a><br /><br />cosmo accompanied me for some tabling at a sustainability event on campus. i got to strap a rain barrel to my bike rack, and cosmo got to dye a silk scarf with indigo leaves. cosmo also demonstrated, at that event, that he is beginning to overcome his shyness. he made friends with a group of young men, all on his own, and cried when they left without him. he also kicked a ball around with a kid and his parents.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbAbvxCoqzx77EwJLSxlYhk3G_cuVsjdFTOCIbBVVJTEBHSfKsgoUEUOl8x6SJdQFjjVGdEr845S6yL6NYgHO4agvy71jtOULf2Pfk8fVbWxA86axJwFuQiZk07lOEf544Uez8Q/s1600/carl_pearson.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbAbvxCoqzx77EwJLSxlYhk3G_cuVsjdFTOCIbBVVJTEBHSfKsgoUEUOl8x6SJdQFjjVGdEr845S6yL6NYgHO4agvy71jtOULf2Pfk8fVbWxA86axJwFuQiZk07lOEf544Uez8Q/s320/carl_pearson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515735282054961938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikJDhy8HINjNjyZA6rlG-lCtA9gaT24LgmtSwCmuSPy4d2CR1V7cdKhi5ie1qMUJ_orDESAAaaZXbEpSqujuEJ7TfoNUrAwspS_ThqpJllTQyGQg7fJNspz41TEWiVB0wDc6c5w/s1600/food+-+53.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikJDhy8HINjNjyZA6rlG-lCtA9gaT24LgmtSwCmuSPy4d2CR1V7cdKhi5ie1qMUJ_orDESAAaaZXbEpSqujuEJ7TfoNUrAwspS_ThqpJllTQyGQg7fJNspz41TEWiVB0wDc6c5w/s320/food+-+53.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531430606927843138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />i entered the salsa contest again this year, hoping to hold steady with another <a href="http://whistlingleafblower.blogspot.com/2008/08/bringin-home-bronze.html">third place</a> ribbon. but this year was carl's turn to shine. he made a<span style="font-style: italic;"> hoosier harissa</span>, from our own dried chili's, and it was to-die-for. i can't believe he didn't get first in the specialty category (he won third).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb613r5bWEPh3c4te0FuwGH5kkdOozLcDbz9OijBjltGD_p3XF6pSPD-o6IuxKaYz6Uh1uHRs_FxGls8rI132uV7QTcfua2dT1udCQyxaFhQ0Uv10ryVc0mRXf6ZW51GzYNuY_g/s1600/food+-+66.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb613r5bWEPh3c4te0FuwGH5kkdOozLcDbz9OijBjltGD_p3XF6pSPD-o6IuxKaYz6Uh1uHRs_FxGls8rI132uV7QTcfua2dT1udCQyxaFhQ0Uv10ryVc0mRXf6ZW51GzYNuY_g/s320/food+-+66.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531430616775921714" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Zo6BpvfEaR-9Xto1dWRAtTfBRJTWluj00Ob3-mkZn_L2DyfTATSu24E6E_yndqQG2RGbMwUwr59Qs7cNabTub1HGHqEkPkkKB-VT6pn7-HIslw_lparzTUDsfCFg-Cd9T4slzw/s1600/food+-+67.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Zo6BpvfEaR-9Xto1dWRAtTfBRJTWluj00Ob3-mkZn_L2DyfTATSu24E6E_yndqQG2RGbMwUwr59Qs7cNabTub1HGHqEkPkkKB-VT6pn7-HIslw_lparzTUDsfCFg-Cd9T4slzw/s320/food+-+67.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531430621030019474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />the following weekend, i convinced him to make more, and serve it with some other middle eastern/north african specialties, plus homemade pita bread, baked on the grill! they cook so fast, and puff up beautifully, without fail. so simple, even a child can do it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwup_nmNMzmuKHQCVyhRqGq_-YzRiWihQFlSZkNXGrVzoThCzvMbzcQdqlFpOnaCkuGYjuoZBemRoCEblN4T8abG9BMAeEuJ-SPaMFGi5pmg8hkNfGOyG0qLdouUrGUDiTc0Wsg/s1600/food+-+68.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwup_nmNMzmuKHQCVyhRqGq_-YzRiWihQFlSZkNXGrVzoThCzvMbzcQdqlFpOnaCkuGYjuoZBemRoCEblN4T8abG9BMAeEuJ-SPaMFGi5pmg8hkNfGOyG0qLdouUrGUDiTc0Wsg/s320/food+-+68.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531431227878865522" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">dear friend, alan, shows off a perfectly puffed pita<br /></span><p><b></b></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><b></b></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Pita Bread</b></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Makes 8 pitas</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">3 cups flour<br />1 1/2 teaspoons salt<br />1 Tablespoon sugar or honey<br />1 packet yeast (or, if from bulk, 2 teaspoons yeast)<br />1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups water, roughly at room temperature<br />2 tablespoons olive oil, vegetable oil, butter, or shortening</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"> Mix the yeast in with the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the olive oil and 1 1/4 cup water and stir together with a wooden spoon. All of the ingredients should form a ball. If some of the flour will not stick to the ball, add more water. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Once all of the ingredients form a ball, place the ball on a work surface, such as a cutting board, and knead the dough for approximately 10 minutes (or until your hands get tired). If you are using an electric mixer, mix it at low speed for 10 minutes. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">When you are done kneading the dough, place it in a bowl that has been lightly coated with oil. Form a ball out of the dough and place it into the bowl, rolling the ball of dough around in the bowl so that it has a light coat of oil on all sides. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and set aside to rise until it has doubled in size, approximately 90 minutes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">When it has doubled in size, punch the dough down to release some of the trapped gases and divide it into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, cover the balls with a damp kitchen towel, and let them rest for 20 minutes. This step allows the dough to relax so that it'll be easier to shape.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">While the dough is resting, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. If you have a baking stone, put it in the oven to preheat as well. If you do not have a baking stone, turn a cookie sheet upside down and place it on the middle rack of the oven while you are preheating the oven. This will be the surface on which you bake your pitas.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">After the dough has relaxed for 20 minutes, spread a light coating of flour on a work surface and place one of the balls of dough there. Sprinkle a little bit of flour on top of the dough and use a rolling pin or your hands to stretch and flatten the dough. You should be able to roll it out to between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick. If the dough does not stretch sufficiently you can cover it with the damp towel and let it rest 5 to 10 minutes before trying again.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Open the oven and place as many pitas as you can fit on the hot baking surface. They should be baked through and puffy after 3 minutes (illustrations and more info <a href="http://www.thefreshloaf.com/recipes/pitabread">here</a>).<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Or, put a baking stone on the grill, and cook them outside. as long as there's enough heat, it should work fine, since they cook so quickly. we closed the lid, and checked on them every few minutes. we have an inexpensive charcoal grill, nothing fancy.</span></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGKOwYTzwvPY_R6XhyphenhyphenoctRbGI983mhVYgY0ccfC3VKzFbca1qF3M7kWXVTg7sf5_Hvm1iwMkfoTigO9KtCIi7KfNSdPBZz0Fy8QDwJVOjBujHOxiNJA-eeanC-fbFcEvCNulU2Q/s1600/garden+-+203.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 352px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGKOwYTzwvPY_R6XhyphenhyphenoctRbGI983mhVYgY0ccfC3VKzFbca1qF3M7kWXVTg7sf5_Hvm1iwMkfoTigO9KtCIi7KfNSdPBZz0Fy8QDwJVOjBujHOxiNJA-eeanC-fbFcEvCNulU2Q/s320/garden+-+203.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531431232722549138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8ASAtQD8NoNy0v0yMDgHf4frVR86oiJBu6fiJf_c3Rd6Wc05v_nawKub9wT0qgkGdDxmoIiG2H-el4BcgKb3fhDAcNnkhQSC_sSjOTCkQM0aFNytkEicFKqPvnTHlOhJT2FBAw/s1600/garden+-+204.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8ASAtQD8NoNy0v0yMDgHf4frVR86oiJBu6fiJf_c3Rd6Wc05v_nawKub9wT0qgkGdDxmoIiG2H-el4BcgKb3fhDAcNnkhQSC_sSjOTCkQM0aFNytkEicFKqPvnTHlOhJT2FBAw/s320/garden+-+204.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531431238530361010" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p>the garden has done well, despite the drought. did you know that okra can reach heights of 13 feet? we have pickled it, fried it, made bindi masala, and many other yummy dishes with ours. you <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> get rid of the sliminess, trust me, and it is delicious.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfcGIGh_sB3g2B8qiblcFuQWvCSv5KAz8dZ1SdXh5neyDtoBBMYN57AdDi1vhMUr7KwIcBFMfrcxcQcZAiQqXIjgtyHUT7Xxn5sOjfT_nXzWboC_lOqKGne0hXZ2SsZ2F2GWaFw/s1600/garden+-+205.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfcGIGh_sB3g2B8qiblcFuQWvCSv5KAz8dZ1SdXh5neyDtoBBMYN57AdDi1vhMUr7KwIcBFMfrcxcQcZAiQqXIjgtyHUT7Xxn5sOjfT_nXzWboC_lOqKGne0hXZ2SsZ2F2GWaFw/s320/garden+-+205.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531431245528011090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1tqXRKkKQetDWftMX_fMSpm-MT4EyOS-5uc8pPHLX9_q859yFKTwqny3h5LtNO-xnyM5t-gmRUPZyawODHXtoXGeBOC8hWNubnaBr6M1KXLMvV9cbOVLcQW7yemVtvUSeT_5YQ/s1600/sept10catch_up+-+01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1tqXRKkKQetDWftMX_fMSpm-MT4EyOS-5uc8pPHLX9_q859yFKTwqny3h5LtNO-xnyM5t-gmRUPZyawODHXtoXGeBOC8hWNubnaBr6M1KXLMvV9cbOVLcQW7yemVtvUSeT_5YQ/s320/sept10catch_up+-+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531590812824101906" border="0" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">note: the okra pictured here are pretty, but <span style="font-style: italic;">way</span> too large to eat. you have to pick them when they are under 2 or 3 inches long</span>. <span style="font-size:85%;">they grow quickly, it's difficult to keep up</span>.<br /></p><p>some seeds refused to germinate in mid-summer, which made for a weak fall garden, and some crops (like red-russian kale, for instance) flourished, only to be recently attacked by strange, gray aphids like i have never seen. the plants are strong enough to recover from it, and my brussel sprouts have been defended from cabbage worms, by the predator wasps that buzz around the garden. i learned in the <span style="font-style: italic;">grow organic educator series </span><a href="http://bloomington.in.gov/home-and-garden">(GOES)</a> class that i am taking this fall, that those wasps are attracted to umbel flower sets, like dill, fennel, and queen ann's lace. i'm taking the course at a discount, since i volunteered to take care of the refreshments for the class each week (basically, coffee and tea). it pushes me to bake something every wednesday, not because it is expected, but because i enjoy it. truth be told, i don't need much prodding to bake.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-oz6UFNhyviZPU1VZ1hDLnCdeOqkowundXV9CXKxwrkXlNZOXsbJNeAxU8wQqbRP2X7l1U_biYfi2o4kQvtFMatFyIPM9jAYHyA5lhiWZ76fywxIabdBjxesZk2kr0sAsXYQ0A/s1600/food+-+61.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-oz6UFNhyviZPU1VZ1hDLnCdeOqkowundXV9CXKxwrkXlNZOXsbJNeAxU8wQqbRP2X7l1U_biYfi2o4kQvtFMatFyIPM9jAYHyA5lhiWZ76fywxIabdBjxesZk2kr0sAsXYQ0A/s320/food+-+61.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531430612225544290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8LrWH2iUGHM6l2p5a47bfE4nTIR1dcVT2e-k67IXljdVpZtYZKMlGS5MYcidlNwwD2mWdPQvaob6E8GEREP1_N7t2MKc6-wwRhxar5sKHuu_mzpBHLiLlvImBX9h0La4XBqbvA/s1600/oct_10+-+23.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8LrWH2iUGHM6l2p5a47bfE4nTIR1dcVT2e-k67IXljdVpZtYZKMlGS5MYcidlNwwD2mWdPQvaob6E8GEREP1_N7t2MKc6-wwRhxar5sKHuu_mzpBHLiLlvImBX9h0La4XBqbvA/s320/oct_10+-+23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531617805737688770" border="0" /></a></p><p>i made a lattice-top apple pie last weekend, and a lovely pumpkin persimmon pie today<span style="font-size:85%;"> (the pies are for us, not the class)</span>. sometimes i bring cookies <span style="font-size:85%;">(pictured: currant jelly thumb prints)</span>, or a sweet bread that carl has made. the class is fantastic, and can lead to a <span style="font-style: italic;">master gardener</span> certification. more importantly, i am learning a tremendous amount. it's the perfect time to take such a course. after three years of hands-on in the garden, now i am ready to hear from some experts about specific techniques and approaches, and to find out what makes a compost heap do its thang. it's fascinating stuff, and i find my self buzzed and energized after each class, though it makes for <span style="font-style: italic;">such </span>a long day.</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfU_53nOFN9-MRtfxUIM2GCZqWLPPGuq-clLl6buZAPB2_sNP-E7xGRKaadHTPn412WDSC-joP6gWe1F5F0gvTrfeUv3MsPmq5P9_5tI0xL6jSOIx0sevmplV0kW3S1L9IzYVkQ/s1600/oct_10+-+04.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfU_53nOFN9-MRtfxUIM2GCZqWLPPGuq-clLl6buZAPB2_sNP-E7xGRKaadHTPn412WDSC-joP6gWe1F5F0gvTrfeUv3MsPmq5P9_5tI0xL6jSOIx0sevmplV0kW3S1L9IzYVkQ/s320/oct_10+-+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531607372298372258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2nUJ3YfnKXmzYt-r-gvgwGk9ppQYREgMALXO9Ng5xa1QTrahWC4Se_1Bdil8MqOK_BwkgektYF9wIP5cw6XbF8fFlvD9qqZdFtpDxnif6XIX-FWn0cUDKHY_4SleYb6DuT95jw/s1600/oct_10+-+07.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2nUJ3YfnKXmzYt-r-gvgwGk9ppQYREgMALXO9Ng5xa1QTrahWC4Se_1Bdil8MqOK_BwkgektYF9wIP5cw6XbF8fFlvD9qqZdFtpDxnif6XIX-FWn0cUDKHY_4SleYb6DuT95jw/s320/oct_10+-+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531606655471589986" border="0" /></a></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJJpPmHZYv0ZYe2NPzp7AEq8F6GLKQe_VB6edjQhSg_W65xo3nEHsfMmH6MKvyw_r3qUl7KN2vULrLQgWhdtUy63Ys8BqdQHSxwTHfxXEirR9lrRFHozIO3TPGYVgmR7jNMUmaQ/s1600/oct_10+-+18.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJJpPmHZYv0ZYe2NPzp7AEq8F6GLKQe_VB6edjQhSg_W65xo3nEHsfMmH6MKvyw_r3qUl7KN2vULrLQgWhdtUy63Ys8BqdQHSxwTHfxXEirR9lrRFHozIO3TPGYVgmR7jNMUmaQ/s320/oct_10+-+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531607383487398802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn4WjEhb0ILVv5IxUP_2YrSEqPpfL97RZUGmzj6jKZO0U34rt2Cqy3YGwg0VZea6LXHrSI2pLDviYba9tMtYyWnc-5d2bM0eKoj_rWpjTjhJeBlKODsrtlC3G8EMgV27fL7TMFg/s1600/sept10catch_up+-+20.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn4WjEhb0ILVv5IxUP_2YrSEqPpfL97RZUGmzj6jKZO0U34rt2Cqy3YGwg0VZea6LXHrSI2pLDviYba9tMtYyWnc-5d2bM0eKoj_rWpjTjhJeBlKODsrtlC3G8EMgV27fL7TMFg/s320/sept10catch_up+-+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531617823262565570" border="0" /></a></p><p>we're in full-on fall mode here, saving seeds, drying peppers, gathering persimmons, and apple picking. cosmo's doing his part, putting dry leaves in the compost bin.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJZW2OiiCS4oUQe_orfcSY6FQ09Zt_a2XkwUz0asO6G7oZLPRW2wIBIOYNZHte9x7iHegIKjDQB1L3CKfRog1n7J1bKAy3MTWBVRiOaBNeghDqnLUwy-TESzR1u9NOkTy6tn_2w/s1600/oct_10+-+09.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJZW2OiiCS4oUQe_orfcSY6FQ09Zt_a2XkwUz0asO6G7oZLPRW2wIBIOYNZHte9x7iHegIKjDQB1L3CKfRog1n7J1bKAy3MTWBVRiOaBNeghDqnLUwy-TESzR1u9NOkTy6tn_2w/s320/oct_10+-+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531607376875836962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkyfm-08rAegH8SRRVR3Wta2cbslkFi_tMtYQNj_YWn4-mQ7f9yjfmmB3y57kipEhOoYnSjOQflv6z7JhUXFRTB22Z_mg44Ruj2GLo-crSq2hzmDTcsopai84S6b9695Q1KatBA/s1600/oct_10+-+12.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 378px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkyfm-08rAegH8SRRVR3Wta2cbslkFi_tMtYQNj_YWn4-mQ7f9yjfmmB3y57kipEhOoYnSjOQflv6z7JhUXFRTB22Z_mg44Ruj2GLo-crSq2hzmDTcsopai84S6b9695Q1KatBA/s320/oct_10+-+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531607380212635714" border="0" /></a></p><p>i'm trying to put the garden to bed, but it keeps producing. after at least 100 lbs of tomatoes harvested, there are still more coming. we have a nice crop of lettuce, arugula, and carrots for fall, and i'll be planting the garlic any day now.</p><p>there's more to tell, but i must stop here, to make sure this gets posted. i hope to write about our road/train trip to NYC, next time. oh, and i want to post about this awesome outdoor pizza oven that our friends built...so, stay tuned!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote>cakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18022650911172987454noreply@blogger.com3