Seasonality

It's the 2 year anniversary of living in my current place and so I have had some time to fall into the rhythm of things around me. I've also been reading a lot lately about food. Blame it on a combination of visiting Iceland last June and taking the bus to work this winter. Iceland, because I was exposed to natural tasting Icelandic lamb which put me on the hunt for some locally raised grass fed Icelandic which was so good that going back to the store-bought lamb -- even the New Zealand lamb at Whole Foods -- just isn't the same. The bus is because I filled my time reading and catching up on books I had bought in the past few years and never got around to finishing.
The most important was The Ominvore's Dilemma which got me to really think about where our modern food comes from. This led to reading a lot of other books including Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. AVM brought across the concept of everything has its season.
For me, I'm seeing that the winter months are indoorsy activities - reading, knitting, cooking dutch oven type meals. April and May this year became focused on cyling and getting a garden ready -- with lots of missteps along the way. In the past 2 years the garden was haphazardly put-together and not until June. This year I planned earlier. I fixed the front raised garden. I bought too many plants -- as usual -- at the garden center. Countless seed packets -- but most of the seedlings aren't faring well as I started them too late.
Cycling was different. I wanted to ride to work starting in April. I felled pretty hard on the ice this winter and threw my back off. Several rounds of acupunture have improved it but it will be awhile before I am strong enough to ride in the drops. So, I picked up a bike on Craigslist but found out a month later that it needed an expensive repair. So I brought my trusty old Alfred (a Gary Fisher 7-speed Alfresco) to Ace Wheelworks and had the straightish handlebars replaced with a "cruiser" style so that I could ride more upright. The fancy San San Jos8 is in the basement until I feel comfortable riding that far forward again.
And thus, at the end of May I can say I have fully planted raised bed with too many tomatoes and eggplants plus some hungarian wax peppers that the upstairs neighbors added. I have a compost bin chugging along in the back (again with a lot of support the neighbors). Just finished installing the rain barrel (from the town DPW at a discount). I am riding my bike to work every day and trying to stay down to one car trip or less per week. All of the past month's car trips however were in the name of the garden. (A cargo bike is now on my wish list).
Food wise, the rest of the world has also discovered local and hand made. I joined the Enterprise CSA and have a weekly box delivered via MetroPedal. I picked up canning supplies last week because this wintered I realized that that grass-fed lamb called for home-canned tomatoes. I am pricing out Chest Freezers.
June will be cycling, and travel and the start of berry picking stints. Finish potting all the container plants. Travel to ME. All of the summer will be exploring New England, gardening, learning to cook, and hanging out as much as possible.

rethinking the coffee habit (or bye-bye DD)

I've been thinking a lot about food in the past few months. After making Molly Steven's recipe for 7 hour lamb with the grassfed Icelandic I had bought last fall I went into a food rut. It was also winter where what is available is far less is tempting. However, because I've been taking the bus to work I got to finish reading Michael Pollen's "The Omnivore's Dilemma", which blew me away and got me to think even more deeply about what to eat and where my food comes from.
I haven't been thinking too much about where my coffee came from. I have been excited because a small roaster opened in Arlington, Barismo, and I can get high quality small-batch roasted coffee. Still, I drink the horrible k-cup coffee at work and think nothing of getting a fix at Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks or picking up a can of beans at Trader Joe's.
Until the Scott Weidensaul talk that I attended tonight in Arlington. The topic was migratory birds. I'm not a birder but I know some birds migrate - like the Canada Goose. However, his talk showed how many many species migrate and depend on ecosystems all over the world. Then he honed in on coffee and how the move from traditional shade-grown coffee to partial shade and full sun (monoculture) coffee farming is having a negative impact on the birds habitats. He is publicizing the Smithonian's Bird Friendly certification, which goes beyond Fair Trade and Organic labelling, to ensure that the coffee beans were trully shade grown. Going further, however, is an effort with a coffee roasting company,Birds and Beans , to roast and sell QUALITY bird friendly coffee. The goal is to show that there is a market for bird friendly coffee and to encourage birders to buy it.
Well, as I said, I'm not a birder. But I'd buy the coffee -- I actually did pick up a 2lb bag at the talk, after drinking the sample. One of the few times in recent years that I cup of coffee that stood on its own on flavor without needing milk.
And now, the moral dilemma for me. I think I will have to give up Dunkin' Donuts until that start off a bird friendly coffee. Since Dunkin Donuts is my personal symbol of civilization - if there's a DD there's real people and a hot cup of coffee waiting for me. I'm not a diehard Starbucks fan so saying I am giving up Starbucks has no meaning. Nor giving up the the crap coffee at work. But the DD. That will be hard.

fridge cleaning

We set the clocks forward and lost an hour on a gorgeously unexpected March weekend. Yesterday I brought Alfred the 7-speed Gary Fisher bike that I've had for ages (all the way back to the semi-coop in Somerville). My knee is still recovering from last year's soccer adventures but I had a great noodling ride out to Union Square (looking for the advertised Sherman Market that has opened yet) and down towards the Biscuit. I took a gamble on buying a potato dill loaf and lost. Dryer than I expected and far too dilly. Perhaps if I had had some left over salmon from last week's tasting at Savenor's I could have made a sandwich.
Then cruised down to Porter Square and past to a quiet section of North Cambridge. Capone Foods was open and I've never been in -- and I wanted some creme fraiche. No creme fraiche but some good samples. The entrees were too big for me but the duck and squash lassagne was tempting! I ended up with some grated romano (which I needed as I used most of what I've had in the fridge) and italian pork tenderloin slices with Rosemary -- I am a sucker of rosemary. Still needing creme fraiche I headed to Dave's Pasta -- which was packed. They will be expanding "real soon now" into the old Cimbeline space. In the meantime, it was a dance to look at the cheeses while others tried to order fresh pasta. (Note: I've have yet to have a bad pasta or ravioli from this place). They did not have Fiore di Nonno's fig burrata http://www.fioredinonno.com/products.html so I decided to try their fresh mozzarella instead. Somehow I also ended up with frozen ravioli (who can resist sweet potatoes and marscopone filling?), Barismo coffee, and the creme fraiche.
So Saturday's lunch/dinner were some sweet potato ravioli served over blanched mustard greens and a saute of king trumpet mushrooms and half the shallot from the fridge.
Today's lunch was half a Naan slice, with the italian pork slice, fresh mozzarella and very fresh paneer curds.
As part of fridge cleaning I decided to make paneer from most of a gallon of whole milk that I had bought for another cheese recipe that needed rennet (which I did not have and could not find.) I like fresh paneer but haven't made it for years and my Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian book has been inadvertently but permanently loaned out. In the internet search I came across food articles that whole milk is better than lowfat because it has less sugar. I think Woody Allen was being very prescient in Sleeper.
Anyway, paneer is extremely easy to make. Boil milk. Take off heat as soon as it boils. Add enough acid (e.g., white wine vinegar, lime juice, lemon juice). Stir for a couple of minutes as the curds form. Let sit for about 10 minutes. Strain into cheesecloth. Press. (I took some of the still-straining curds and added them straight to the lunch sandwich).
Now to get something made with the apples and celery root.

Offal-ly Good Tasting at Savenor's Market

Yep a bad pun but it fits. i've been in a food rut and while looking for some reindeer meat came across Savenors Market afternoon class on Offal. In just over the hour we tasted fois gras (domestically it comes from ducks from Bella Bella in Connecticut), sweetbreads (one version simply fried in All Purpose Animal Fat the other wrapped in bacon then pastry then baked), braised lamb heart, steak and kidney pie, and haggis. All accompanied by hearty red wine. I also learned that you can't get lung in the US but it is considered the essential ingredient of haggis. All were new foods for me and tasty.

I also did some grocery shopping and went for some things I never had before (venison, llama, skate, cod cheeks) and things I've had before (like turkey legs). They had Dietz and Watson scrapple which I sadly skipped since I have had it before, but its good to know it is available locally.

Dim Sum and other things I think I've out-grown

Yesterday I went out for Dim Sum with some friends. Though full at the end, I was $25 poorer and re-evaluating the dim sum experience. I use to love it; all the different flavors. Now I am allergic to peanuts and shrimp which meant that entire carts were off limit to me -- even things that shouldn't have shrimp had shrimp in them and the first pork dumplings to arrive had peanuts! Thus, restricted to custard desserts, calamari, clams, and beef foon I managed a meal but with out the satisfaction. I wish I had eaten elsewhere (sushi, deli food?) And I felt that I had put aside a younger-me's entertainments.

And so, a list of other things I use to love and am just not that much into at the moment:
1. Museum going -- I haven't even made it into to Boston to see the new ICA -- 10 years I would have been down several times by now
2. sweet potatoes -- I hope this is a passing fad. I can't bring myself to cook them any more but will eat them if served.
3. chicken -- I've switched to red meats and fish
4. tofu -- I'm sure this is temporary
5. hanging out in coffee shops
6. going to large fiber events

So, to avoid a mental rut I am attempting new things:
1. signed up for a food tasting class at Savenor's
2. had a Tibetan yak dish for dinner last week
3. attempted to make creme fraiche -- it's setting at the moment
4. tried out Alia's Wii -- she just got it and the Wii Fit -- I tried the balance and shalom
5. went furniture shopping in Gardner -- and realized that for many things I'd prefer used or antique
6. cooking things I haven't made before. I have a beef cross cut shin in the oven being cooked Osso Buco style; tried Icelandic Rye Bread (including making the buttermilk); a different recipe for lamb shanks (I usually make it in Icelandic style soup; this time I'm slow cooking it in a sauce of beer and orange juice with onions, carrots, and celery.)

Dinner: bluefish with pomagranite glaze over wilted mustard greens with fresh blackberries.

New Year's Resolutions

Yeah, its February, but I am going over my New Year's Resolutions. It was a hasty and haphazard list this year. I like to write it up on New Year's Day but was in the middle of looking for a job and considering a job offer so not in best frame of mind for the diversion. My only "rule" is to just include things I *know* I can achieve and want to achieve. In the past I've always included a habit I want to create (e.g. wear sunscreen). So in that vein, this year's list includes remember to floss and getting my nails done regularly (at least through the winter). A more global item: no unfinished business.
I have also been thinking about this past Christmas and the ban on gifts. The economic news has gotten worse. I realized how important was to maintain a spirit of generosity -- to give what you can. For most of us, no matter how bad things get there will be other people who have it worse.
So, this past week, I've added: 1-day of charity knitting a week. I have the bus ride which has proven a boon for getting knitting done. I realized that I could start my charity projects now and have things for the various drives that come up. At the moment I am working on a garter-stitch scarf in Plymouth Encore for a charity that requires "warm and washable" garments.

it's still cold outside and the white stuff is not going away but I've got errands to run

This has not been the best of weeks, especially after falling on the ice Wednesday night. Especially because I fell while salting the walkway because I had seen how quickly the sidewalks were icing up on the way home from the bus stop.
Nothing broken - this time. But my bad knee was not happy by the shock nor my lowerback. I somehow made it into work on Thursday and worked from home Friday. Then tried to spend Saturday catching up on errands.
First to Footstock in Concord in search of tall leather boots. I had called ahead to see if they had dressy leather boots but their version of dressy and mine were not the same. However, I checked out their loft and found replacements for my Haflinger boiled wool slippers. Unfortnately, I was parked at a meter which limited my other shopping as I had to climb a snow bank each time I had to feed it and my knee what not happy with that arrangement. I did get a good ham sandwich at the Cheese Shop and the at the leather goods store attempted to look for a wallet. Then downtown to find yarn for a sweater. No luck at Windsor Button but the place was pleasantly busy. Then over to Copley to look for jeans and boots and a wallet. Nada. Also, the Simon mall free wifi was a pain. It took me 10 minutes to find the accept terms on my iPhone screen (its over to the left) and I couldn't figure out how to override the Simon system and just use the ATT data network. Sigh. So back to Alewife to pick up the car (yeah, I wimped out and parked there).
Determined to have some success today I drove to the Natick Mall. What a revelation. Carpet, wood, modern furnishings. No annoying muzak type music. Calming. I hate malls but there was something in this mall that makes me want to come back. The shopping was not perfect. Rockport shoes did not have my size in boots, Levi's did not have my size in jeans, and I did not see any boot styles that I iiked at Nordstroms.
I took a risk and walked into Lucky Jeans. They did not have my size in women's but they had the exact cut that I was looking for in Men's. the saleswoman helped me find a perfect fitting pair of dark rinse jeans -- so comfy that I didn't not want to take them off. Another thing off the list.
I've been looking for a leather tote, a clutch, and a wallet. I checked out Coach just to perpetually frustrate myself. I have not forgiven them for buying out and killing the Mark Cross brand. However, I was pleasantly suprised: they are moving away from the classic suburban teenage mallrat style that they have been showing for umpteen years in exchange for some more 21st century classic combos. I don't like overly logo'd products and it was nice to see some more subdued styles. Even a cute tiny wallet (a bit pricy at $98) and basic clutches (though most had too much of the "C" logo for my taste).
I wandered around Nordstrom's handbags --- very disappointed in Dooney & Bourke. They have some great looking leather bags with a major design flaw: heavy metal zippers positioned to rub against you or your coat or shirt or sweater if carried any closer to the body than arm's length. What were they thinking?
From there, I looked at the wallets and came across a great collection of Lodis in tan, black, and red. I always get my wallet in a color (this is so that it does not get lost or accidentally left behind). Sure enough, Lodis had a small "just big enough" wallet. I couldn't decide on a color then saw another display of pink and green leather combos. They were out of the small one with the green leather exterior so I opted for the the pink with green leather interior. Retro preppy. I love it. It doesn't go with anything else I have at the moment. I will not lose it easily.
So, the local shopping/errand take:
1 ham sandwich (from locally raised pig no less)
1 container of fresh-made Carolina style no mayo cole slaw
1 pair of dark rinse jeans
2 pairs of wool slippers
1 pink leather wallet
1 bus pass for February

For the leather tote, I wimped out and ordered one on sale from Zappos. And just ordered several pairs of tall boots from them as well with fingers crossed that one fits. It sucks. I'd like to buy shoes locally but more and more find myself relying on Zappos because of the 2-way free shipping. Like getting a mini private shoe store in your home.
It's sad though because I tried to buy at a great local shoe store, Janiak's But they usually were out of my size and would not be able to order or be able to order and not know how may weeks. Not their fault. Just the way the shoe biz works. But sad because it was the sort of store I'd like to shop at and in this bad economy they too are going out of business.