tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57949542024-03-23T14:35:27.100-04:00B E B E R EUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3028125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-29206712619219667132018-03-04T20:52:00.000-05:002018-11-09T15:56:04.339-05:00Passer Mortuus Est. *
I'm not one to get all upset over "songbirds" such as the fetishizers on the Audubon websites seem to be: it's a nomenclature based on brain structure (aka passeriformes), like with many things, used for emotional effect. Many of the Songbirds in my backyard, in fact, are what's known as both Nuisance Wildlife and Invasive.
This said: had the upsetting case today, where the black cat brought inUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-82294277699369521132018-03-02T22:44:00.000-05:002018-03-02T22:44:17.554-05:00Stormy Weather.
At its start, the storm didn't feel like it was going to be a terribly powerful one. As the day progressed, however, the wind certainly picked up strength. For the first time in a good while (a decade, at least), lost power for more than a few minutes. After about 1/2 a day, things switched back on. It's still kind of raging out there, though. And the next Spring Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-42232433897931853432018-02-27T23:46:00.000-05:002018-02-27T23:47:27.540-05:00Weighty Issues.
Rang in the New Year overweight, as always, and, as always, Sad. That was the main impetus for Dry January. Well, that, and the fact that, if I shed problems like onion skins, I'd get to the root of Things.
Don't know that that's what's happening, but do know that not drinking alcohol leads to wanting to cut back on caffeine, which leads to a whole bunch of other things.
In one of Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-59474029516411658952018-02-26T21:30:00.001-05:002018-11-09T23:04:53.238-05:00Mating Season?I'm a middle-aged woman, hewing pretty closely to the stereotypical image, at least in appearances, maybe, of the ladies of my area. As such, such banter is rare for me to encounter, especially in this day and age. Still: Spring was in the Monday Afternoon Air, and it Felt Good.Anyway, had been craving a veggie sandwich on (hopefully) sourdough; ended up with a very nice Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-11267165761890457032018-02-16T21:43:00.000-05:002018-02-16T21:43:05.845-05:00Classics is starting to look better and better. Think that the Secret History of Empress Theodora is sounding far more interesting than current postulation onTom Ashbrook's Public History. Maybe I do need to get my Greek Up. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-51627354133761417312018-02-04T23:50:00.000-05:002018-02-05T00:17:56.150-05:00Food for thought.
From my hippie tea tag line tonight: ain't it the truth, though.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-42093398742485117492018-02-03T23:23:00.000-05:002018-02-03T23:23:22.840-05:00As bemusing as it is to see "Game Day" become another merchandising holiday along the lines of Valentine's Day, Halloween, etc, I will admit to appreciating the sales. Since the local grocery store had, among other things, avocados at a ridiculous price, gave in and took a distribution on my 403(b) to stock up.Sitting here, gazing at my pile of Green Gold, cannot help but feel like I beat the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-16578052404053845082018-02-02T23:45:00.000-05:002018-02-03T01:02:31.675-05:00Turd Purrguson.
So, I was sitting here knitting away, minding my own business, when I heard first hissing, then The Charge of the Light Brigade, followed by a loud *crash.* Turned around and saw that, during their wrestling match, the black and gray angels ripped the curtains down from the front window.
Not just the curtains, mind you, but the rod and the fixtures, too. Now, if this had happened in the back ofUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-30624362740576084502018-02-02T23:30:00.000-05:002018-02-03T00:57:13.644-05:00Might be worth it to wait until the latest kombucha's ready if I want something fermented.So wanted a beer tonight, so checked the offerings at the local package store. Slim pickings, indeed, in the non alcoholic section: one bottle of the Fre red wine (did not like their chardonnay), a different chardonnay, some sparkling apple juice, and the last six-pack of St. Pauli Girl. Figured that, coming from Germany, the beer couldn't be too bad. Had a nice head, a pretty amber color. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-52323701343361602442018-02-01T23:26:00.000-05:002018-02-01T23:26:30.090-05:00Dry February.
Dry February is somewhat of a misnomer, as this month's going to be all about hydrating and getting the electrolytes balanced up. I'd really like to reduce the caffeine intake as well.It's interesting how eliminating one item for a good period (in my case alcohol for a month) could cause one to focus on other aspects needing improvement (fatigue, bloating, difficulty sleeping, needing theUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-43504571385068195362018-01-31T22:54:00.002-05:002018-01-31T22:54:54.918-05:00In Vino Veritas.
Day 31 of Dry January.
As it was somewhat of a special occasion, decided to try a nonalcohlic wine, if only for the ceremonial cork pop. I knew the 'chardonnay' was going to be underwhelming; didn't realize it would be so darn sweet.Lesson learned: for the next little celebration, I am going to find a nice bottle of water and make a show of opening that. Will be less expensive, not to Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-64194151946410013672018-01-30T23:00:00.002-05:002018-01-30T23:00:56.945-05:00Dirty.
As in a martini, though this seems more like a savory Manhattan, if you can wrap your mind around that idea. Smoky, with a bit of a bite. Needs a bit more tweaking - bitters, maybe? - but definitely a keeper.
It's just 1/2 iced smoked (Lapsang Souchong) tea, 1/2 club soda over ice with a healthy splash of brine from the pickled vegetables and a couple shakes of hot sauce.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-32393440598497332782018-01-29T22:59:00.000-05:002018-01-29T22:59:04.352-05:00Skål!
A savory, Scandinavian concoction I came up with from tonight's dinner prep leftovers. Who knows? What gets imbibed over the next couple nights could be just as surprising. For now, am going to call this my favorite of the drinks. Aquavit would make a nice addition, but is not at all necessary. Especially if you toss some crushed juniper and caraway in, as I did.
For two:- 1/2 c. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-7934376878124414182018-01-28T23:36:00.001-05:002018-01-28T23:36:40.432-05:00Maybe I should treat myself to a copper mug.
Day 28 of Dry January! My version of a Moscow Mule, but without the vodka: Loverly! Does seem a bit naked in this glass, though.Ginger Beer / Lime Juice.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-70090621462438309802018-01-27T23:30:00.000-05:002018-01-28T00:32:12.169-05:00Lassi.
Not quite, but close. Actually, this could have been a meal in itself. (Breakfast tomorrrow, maybe?)
For two:- 1 c. chopped strawberries- 1/2 mango, chopped- 3/4 c. yogurt or kefir- 1/4 - 1/2 c. milk, depending on how liquid you'd like for this to be- splash of lime juice- ginger, cardamom, mint, rose petals, sea salt, sweetener to taste- seltzerBlend fruit with kefir and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-83723847458686869402018-01-26T23:55:00.001-05:002018-01-26T23:55:31.164-05:00Half Measures.
Tired, in the doldrums, so kept things simple with a half-and-half.
(Just iced tea and some bitter lemon soda.)
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-85200432843135357462018-01-25T23:50:00.001-05:002018-01-25T23:50:25.701-05:00Summertime Thing.
Melon, cucumbers, mint and berries go into just about everything we drink in the Summer, from lemonade to iced tea, to even the white wine or occasional rum drink. As it was a dry cold today, felt dehydrated on returning home. This felt so good going down.
Persian melon, slices and juice / lime juice / cucumber / mint leaves / lime seltzer / strawberryEssentially, what I did was chop up Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-91266269245356775152018-01-24T23:30:00.000-05:002018-01-25T00:15:16.503-05:00Strange Bedfellows?
At market once, received a gift of not quite a dozen overripe charentais melons. What to do with them? Make jam, of course. The recipe I found used anise and lime juice as foils to the melon's sweetness. Wow.In a fit of nostalgia for that combination of perfumes, broke out another barquette of frozen Persian melon to mix with lime and Antesite (licorice / anise essence). Not perfect, but not Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-15142095194124650682018-01-24T00:02:00.001-05:002018-01-24T00:02:29.685-05:00Pina Colada.
This would be nice for breakfast.
For Two:- One can pineapple slices in juice (four slices)- 1/2 can coconut cream- A couple good squeezes of lime juice- Ginger to taste- Seltzer- Crushed iceBlend pineapple, its juice, coconut cream, lime juice, and ginger until smooth. Fill two highball glasses 1/4 - 1/3 full with crushed ice. Divide pina colada mixture evenly between glasses, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-3534196581133285692018-01-22T23:47:00.000-05:002018-01-22T23:47:33.561-05:00Matcha Latte.
Neat trick: if you have a French press coffee pot, all you have to do is pour your (NOT hot!) milk in, then pump the plunger a few times vigorously to make it foam. Works like a charm. Your milk will remain frothy while you heat it in the microwave.
For One:
- 1c milk
- 1.5 tsp matcha (green tea) powder
- Sweetener to taste (Am not nuts about super sweet, so used just one packet of stevia)
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-89373832371029790182018-01-21T23:30:00.000-05:002018-01-22T00:21:17.203-05:00Winter Sunrise.
Day 21 (three weeks!), Dry January: Winter Sunrise.When I was a kid, worked in a chain restaurant known for making everything from scratch, on premises. During the school year, I was the night baker, which included both waiting on customers and playing (ahem underaged) bartender. There, the first mixed drink I learned to make was a tequila sunrise. How fascinating it was to watch the grenadineUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-60880562651634772182018-01-20T23:30:00.000-05:002018-01-21T00:09:03.198-05:00Another Egg Cream.Was surprised to learn that my housemate, from around NYC where they originated, didn't know what an egg cream was. Cooksplained it to him, then set to making a slightly more traditional take than the rose perfumed one.
For two:- 2 c almond milk- 2 Tbs cocoa powder- 1 Tbs coconut oil- 1 tsp grated orange peel- pinch of cinnamon, ginger- sweetener to taste (I used 1 packet of stevia)-Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-55028090713225077312018-01-19T23:16:00.002-05:002018-01-19T23:16:50.290-05:00Caesar.
As it's Canadian Cuisine week, thought I'd celebrate with our friendly Northern neighbors' version of the Bloody Mary (my preferred one, too.)
For two servings:- 1 14 oz. can of tomatoes- 8 oz. clam juice
- lemon juice, hot sauce to taste- pinches of salt, pepper, smoked paprika- ice- choice of garnishes. Pictured: skewered pickled vegetables, celery, cucumber. Carrot sticksUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-51926630993705307302018-01-18T23:10:00.002-05:002018-01-18T23:10:38.374-05:00Bien Fruité.This almost looks like a mojito, doesn't it? Minty and sweet, though not saccharine. Doesn't pack a whallop like the rum with sugar would do, either.
It's just Cawston's apple soda mixed with some muddled mint leaves, crushed blackberries, a squeeze of lime juice and crushed ice. Very nice.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794954.post-85833260267443931082018-01-17T23:39:00.000-05:002018-01-17T23:39:58.782-05:00Soothing.
I'd heard of the wonders of turmeric. Put this to test on a day when I was feeling particularly irritated, cranky, annoyed at the world.
Golden milk, or turmeric tea, is peppery, but soothing. Calming. Smells lovely, too. Think I'm going to drop right off and sleep the whole night through, thanks to this little tonic.
Here's the recipe I used. Made enough for two, of course. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0