The Spring Absence

I’ve definitely been absent, floating around in some space between work busy and life busy, all pulling towards that busy-ness vortex. While I try to stay above it, employ clever word tricks like saying I’m “productive” rather than busy, or buy books on how to be more productive, I should just call it what it is: the last month has been a blur. A mix of work blur and life blur, followed by an odd, complacent calm. The erie calm before the storm, as the cliche goes.

Here’s what we’ve been up to during that time — I’ll spare the work details. We all have crazy work days and periods of sillyness we go through and it feels like pretty silly complaining (look at me, I have a job that keeps me busy, that I enjoy, that pays me! feel sorry for me. Rather, don’t.)

We took an impromptu trip to Sedona. After finishing up a Saturday in the office, I came home, finished over packing my bag, and away we went. I feel asleep halfway through a weekend something or other on NPR, with the warm Arizona sun streamlng through the passanger window. Casey was totally feeling it, too. Safe driver that he is, he swtiched us from radio to podcast, and right into episode four of Serial we went. Fashionably behind the times: that’s what we are!

In Sedona, we enjoyed cool crisp air, red rocks; huge veggie filled omlettes; and, a pretty sweet hike. Look at me, taking my life into my own hands and crossing Devil’s Bridge.

I kept the local library in business during my unannounced time off. The public library is a quiet treasure chest, waiting for you to remember it exists and surprising you with goodies when you finally do remember. It smells of books — or atleast, mine does. The staff curates a celection of most wanted items, with cookbooks and book-books just sitting their waiting to be read.

I kept Amazon Prime in business (you’re welcome, Amazon; I don’t think I’m your only customer, but still, you’re welcome). I may have spent what was forecasted to be a rainy March weekend on the couch, basking in film adaptation glory and watching all seven episodes of Outlander, Season 1, Part 1. Consecutively. Parker, on the other hand, enjoyed the late afternoon soon streaming through the windows. Lyla imitated as best she could later that night.

And now we’re at the end of March, where I told myself I would have a few details figured out. And of course I don’t. I do know I’ll be back with food posts soon. Until then, here’s a montage of life through pictures.

Weekend Reads

That’s my weekend and non weekend reading in the photo. I’ve started with the Diana Henry book, “A Change of Appetite.” I’m enjoying the fresh dishes and simple preparations. Can’t wait to cook from it. For reading around the web, here’s a few links I found interesting:

• The realities of creative life, a series from Medium
• A look inside the Consumer Reports testing process. I know that I review CR for big purchases, most recently for toilets. Gladly, that testing process is not discussed in the article.
• A different perspective on fairy tales and bed time stories.

I spent the day in the rain today, enjoying conversation with friends and the occasional golf game at the Phoenix Open. I’m hoping for a wet, rainy Saturday to enjoy some reading and cup of tea.

Weekend Reads – CO Photo Essay

 

1. View of the San Francisco Peaks driving in Flagstaff, AZ.

2. A small treat in Gallup, NM.

3. Fog on the road in Gallup, NM.

4. Sun over the number 8 chairlift in Durango, CO.

5 – 8. Views from the 8 in Durango, CO

9. Coming down the I17 heading towards Phoenix, AZ.

 

Weekend Reading

We’re off to Colorado this holiday weekend for a little family time, skiing, and R&R. This will be Casey’s first year on the “big skis” after over a decade skating around on snow blades. I’m excited to see how he likes them! On the drive, here’s what we’ll be listening to:

– Stuff You Missed in History. We’ve been with this podcast for at least 4 years now. It’s a good way for me to get my history nerd on.

– Serial. This has been all over the internets as of late and I’m eager to find out if we like it. Nothing like an 8 hour car trip to test out something new

And for reading, here are my favorites for the week:

– Bec over at My Bloggable Day posted incredible pictures of blue, serene water. Nothing like beach pictures during the winter!

– I’ve been working only improving my photo processing with Adobe Lightroom and enjoyed this matte Lightroom tutorial over at Eat the Love.

– I just finished Anthony Ryan’s Blood Song. It’s been a while since an epic fantasy style novel has engrossed me — I cared about the main character and his evolution and didn’t want to put the book down.

Weekend reading

This is January in Arizona. Sunshine, patio cleaning, and reading cookbooks in the afternoon sun. Hate us, colder climates. I give you permission to. If you’re reading on your patio, by your fire, on your phone in line, or at the library computer this weekend, here’s stories, articles, and recipes I liked this week.

– A reflection on Nigel Slater’s Epiphany Day Soup at The Kitchn. I went straight to Amazon and contemplated buying Mr. Slater’s “Tender” for the 100th time.

– Dear Economist, I am not disciplined enough to keep up. This article on a virtual and accessible workforce = worth my continued effort to keep reading.

– A bright, winter salad from A Girl Named Allyn

– For all you get fit and start running new year’s resolution makers, find inspiration from my BFOWP (that’s best friend on wordpress.com) Annie at the The Little GSP. 38+ races over the past 14 months. I call that rocking it.

Wednesday Web Find: Let’s talk about eggs

Eggs have a mixed reputation. And it turns out they also have mixed handling.

I remember my first trip to the Franprix below my mother in law’s apartment. The eggs sit on a shelf, next to the refrigerated section, not in the refrigerator. While I don’t specifically remember thinking, “That’s odd,” it did spur a memory I have of my Omi leaving an unopened glass jug of milk on the counter. When this article arrived across my inbox, specifically about eggs (not ultra high pasteurization, which is often used for milk), I couldn’t help but share it with you.

 

Wednesday Web Find: “It’s a bookbook”

When I was thinking about sharing the below, I didn’t think to realize there was little (factually speaking no) food related content. Rather, it really is a true Wednesday Web Find. Ikea holds a special/strange place in my memory and the collective memory of my family. Growing up in Europe, Ikea was the place we went for furniture – much of which is still functioning and intact these 27+ years later. Ikea is also where we played while my mom picked things up for the house. Unlike today’s US stores, one could actually climb up those bunk beds and slide down the slide attachment. (PS: not sure they make bunk bed slides anymore). 

As an adult, I find Ikea trying at times. Sure, there are the environmental concerns. But really it’s the crowds that irk me more and more when I visit the store. I liken it to going to Trader Joe’s in any major urban location: lots of crowds, crazy lines. Despite all this, I can’t help but share the creativity in this recent Ikea add for their 2015 catalogue. When I received this bookbook in the mail, I sat down with my cup of coffee and enjoyed the pure tactile touch technology and pre-loaded, high definition pages. I even book marked and circled “particularly inspiring pages.”

 

I’ve also shared my second favorite Ikea advertisement. Look at all those happy cats!

Please note, this post was not sponsored by Ikea. These are my own thoughts and opinions. 

Source: Ikea Singapore Youtube channel

Wednesday Web Find – Cookbooks Edition

Have you ever made a quick stop by Amazon.com only to realize 45 minutes (or more) later you’ve been reading through all the recommendations Amazon’s super smart and slightly creepy algorithm provides you? No? For some reason, I don’t believe you. It happens regularly to me. Until I remind myself to snap out of it and do something better with my time.

Because I recently did this, I wanted to share three exciting cookbooks that are happening this year.

1. Dorie Greenspan is delivering what is sure to be another delicious, recipe filled and crave worthy photo filled baking cook book. She’s been active on her blog talking about the process. The book is just around the corner.

2. Mimi Thorison is launching a cookbook based around her experience cooking in the French countryside. I’m always intrigued by the rustic and captivating photos on her blog, Manger. Can’t wait to see all of this translate to print.

3. Yotam Ottolenghi is releasing Plenty More in early October. I’m excited for luscious vegetable dishes full of color and flavor.

When these books do come out, the below is how Parker will appreciate them: as pillows.

PS, Parker is laying on Dinner, a Love Story. Another excellent book, by an author who also has a second book out. Check that book out as well. 

Wednesday Web find

I don’t always web binge on the best articles or ones that have a bigger purpose (like last week’s web find). I did find this mildly entertaining and worth the two minute read. It even struck a cord for me, because kinder überraschung (Kinder Surprise) are a favorite childhood goodie.

10 Banned Foods

This is me, pouting about the ban on kinder überraschung. Kidding. It is really me, but that’s not why I’m pouting.

Wednesday Web Find – Fruits & Legumes Moches

This recent video is making the rounds on social networks. I watched it just this week, and its message definitely sticks with me. Do I believe this is a panacea for food waste? No, of course not. There’s more to food waste than just buying the “ugly potatoes” and “failed lemons” of the world. Do I believe this is a marketing and promotion campaign with some altruistic downstream impact? Yes. And it’s highly clever. My one hope in posting this is that it also makes you stop and think about the food you’re potentially wasting.

Real world example: this morning, as I packed my lunch to go to work, I made use of some older, slightly softening at the ends carrots that had been languishing in my fridge. I peeled them, chopped off the slightly soften bits, and ate the rest with hummus for a mid afternoon snack.