Friday, January 30, 2009

Quiet

It is tough to dive in and blog about the trivial things of everyday life when there has been a loss. A dear friend, gone, and being missed terribly by many.

The ducks and chickens and garden are having a break while we all grieve and spend some time in self reflection - little time considering how brief and beautiful a time we have with the ones that we love.

Make the most of your time, my friends.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Winter

It being all cold, and the SB being gone back to the big city, I can see me getting a little more time to blog in the next couple of weeks. Don't get me wrong, I have places to be, but a little more evening time is a nice respite. The SB is sort of on turbo charge when he is home, so there is a lot of work in his vacations. Which is good. For him. Not so much for someone who already feels like one full time job is enough. That said, we did get lots done. Figured out, again, where the ducks are going. Figured out, again, where chickens are going. Put together, leveled and planted two new garden beds and got blueberries planted in one. The other awaits the potatoes in March. Received our first seed order from Southern Exposure. Set up the lights in the basement so that I can start the leeks and onions. Moved in our new old free freezer (thanks Craigslist!). Rearranged the basement, again. The SB rearranged all the stuff in the kitchen cabinets. He also replaced the under cabinet light which has been out since about 3 hours after he left for school, 3.5 years ago. Under cabinet light is an amazing thing when you haven't had it for a while. I also mended the SBs sweaters. I am learning how to pick up stitches and actually replace missing fabric. Thrashing through it right now, but it is coming along. Like most things when you really sit down with them, it isn't rocket science and you can make good progress by just winging it, tearing it out and doing it again.

I'll post some photos soon. Right now I am still reeling with the transitions.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Yum

After working out in the yard for a while today, we went to the country to collect our milk and stop by a friends for a beer. We got home a bit late, but in plenty of time to make Lamb & Apricot Tagine. Or something like it (the original was from Cooking Light, but I modified it. Go figure). SUPER simple and totally dee lish.

Toss 2# lamb stew meat with a teaspoon of salt and one of turmeric. Add 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon and some pepper. Fry this in a dutch oven in some olive oil for about 5 minutes on high heat then add one large onion (I sliced mine) and cook for a couple more minutes. Add 1 cup of stock, a tablespoon of honey, a large bay leaf, a cinnamon stick and either a couple of dried chilis or some adobo sauce. Cover and pop in a 425 degree oven for 45 minutes. Pull it out and add about 3/4 cup roughly chopped dried apricots (I used apricots and dates since I didn't have enough apricots). Cook for 15 more minutes. Feel free to add more liquid if things dry out during the cooking. We ate ours with cous cous and some yogurt and chili garlic sauce. It will probably be even better tomorrow.