Spring Cleaning

I spent a luxurious 6 hours this weekend outdoors working in gardens.  At The Free Farm in the city (seen here in the new greenhouse), I helped secure clotheslines on pulleys, amongst other things.  I knew all those years of knot tying skills at Girl Scout summer camp would eventually come in handy!

Then on Sunday, there was plenty to be done in my own garden.  I took full advantage of the sun.  Hope this orchid is happy in its new container!

 Or how about some new blooms?  I've never grown Gerbera daisies before.

It only looks like complete chaos.  

Baby arugula window box.

New improved chive planter!  The old classic is back.  This was one of my garden originals.  I've added purple violas and pansies, and moved the parsley, sage, and thyme (no rosemary though) to join the chives.

So pretty.

Oh, spring, you cad.  I thought you'd never come.

At the end of a workday, I don't mind coming home to a greeting like this:

Mid Winter Bliss

 Signs of a successful mid-winter break?

Lunch beer as much as I please.  Look at that, you can see the bubbles in the picture--can you stand it?  Eating lunch, period; now that's a luxury.  And on break I can take the careful time necessary for something really savory and fantastic like a burger on green onion focaccia with spicy beans on the side (because when you're craving a burger there is nothing--NOTHING--else in this world that will satisfy).  I don't have a barbecue to cook burgers like my dad, but I must say that searing hot iron and salt does nicely.  That's my grandmother's cast iron grill pan that my father passed down to me.  And as many condiments as I want.  Three different mustards in my fridge and I'll use them all if I want, thank you.

I'll take small victories this year.

Things I can hold, things I can make, things I can change.

I can make lunch.  I can sit down and enjoy it.  I can call my mom while I'm eating.  I can watch foot traffic outside.  I can think about my plans for the day, for the year, for the rest of my life. 

So much in this world is out of my control.  As far as I know, lunch is still mine 

(at least when I'm on vacation).

Sweet Nothings

There was one holiday season back in the late 80's when my sister desperately wanted a Salad Shooter, possibly because the commercial jingle was so catchy.  Of course, my father is the king of appliances and once bought a second blender at Costco after an enthusiastic demonstration--true story.  I am not judging either of them.  Rather, I am giving in and accepting my genetic predisposition for culinary gadgets, an admission that clearly justifies the purchase of my new toy.   Behold:

I swear I didn't pose him like that.

 And now, let's go in for the closeup.

Ah ha ha ha ha ha!  I know, right?  I've wanted one for years and now it's mine--ALL MINE!  I cannot wait to dive in and try my hand at delicious homemade frozen treats.  I thought I'd start with this:

Chocolate sorbet from Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa At Home (my favorite cookbook of all time, by the way).

 

You just need a little of this...San Francisco's own Ghirardelli cocoa, cinnamon, salt and vanilla...

 ...and a little of that...wait, what is that?

 Turns out the secret ingredient is two shots of brewed espresso.  The friendly, tattooed folks at Dana Street Roasting Co made mine for me!

 Sorbet mixture and ice cream machine core are chilling overnight.  Stay tuned for the taste test tomorrow!  And if you're in driving distance of my house, you may want to stop by and taste for yourself.

Pesky Critters

To whichever pesky neighborhood critter ate the leaves off all 3 of my potato plants: 

 

My cat and I are watching you.

 

Well, looks like Max has that one covered.  Nothing left to do, really, but drown my woes in a hot tea and piece of fresh blueberry coffee cake.  Ahh...that's better.