8/8/2011 - I live in an apartment that is suddenly too big for me (I know, strange for Chicago). With too much stuff. Including too many critters (but I wouldn't give them up for the world! the stuff, sure.) And too much to do, but still I have a burning desire to blog. I have an urban garden- check out the page "about this garden"-, a deck adorned with annuals, a fabulous courtyard I share with neighbors and a long ass commute to work in the suburbs. Minus the commute, and oh yeah winter, It's a pretty sweet get up. But after this next winter, I will be looking for a new apartment. I hope to find one that has at least some of the cool outdoor features I now enjoy.
What I like: My family & family of friends (really I love them more than just like). And my critters- check out their page "about these critters" which I will update from time to time- 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1 turtle, and a box full of worms (again it's more of a love thing). Good Food. And good beverage to match good food. I am a fan of craft beers, fine wines and fancy cocktails. All things that have to do with striving for a sustainable "green" lifestyle, managing to live on a tight budget in today's failing economy and my high rent, while eating wonderfully home-cooked meals that make me feel oh so good (right, I like food)! And patio gardening for aesthetics and vegetable gardening for food (see a trend?). And bike riding. And the Inter-Web. And photography & art. And all things biology (i.e., life).
I currently make meals mostly for one (me). Recipes I share will then easily be converted to feeding more than 1 because they simply need to be doubled, tripled, etc. to meet the needs of the chef on the other side of this blog (you). I like to eat. And I like to eat well. So buying a bunch of pre-fab-false claims-frozen food-like things is not really my idea of eating food. That's okay because I also really like to make food. I've crafted some pretty delicious dishes over the years and it's high time I share them.
I can't believe I actually started this blog in 2007. So much in my life has changed since then. So much.
As I have attempted in the past, I would like to really give this blog thing a shot AGAIN and create a recipe and other ideas blog. But mostly I will focus on Food- growing it, preparing it, cooking it, facts and topics of health, organic, local, slow and other things I advocate regarding food. I am a vegetarian (mostly- on occasion I eat fish if I know where it comes from and is sustainably harvested). And so my recipes will follow that lifestyle. And my blog may advocate for that, too, every once in a while. I'll try not to be too preachy, though I do think a pulpit is sometimes needed.
I have several recipes saved now, with measurements, procedures and nutritional value calculated (using www.sparkpeople.com). As I continue to make them, I will take pictures and post with recipe.
My recipes don't always come straight from my head to the plate; often times they are inspired by others. So when I should, I will definitely reference the recipe and chef that influenced the dish. Please do the same if a recipe of mine inspires you.
I may occasionally post some art (of which there is some in older posts from failed blogging attempts in the past) that I'm working on or have recently completed. And I might share a comment or two about sewing adventures- I just started learning, so it's really an adventure! And I am sure I will have things to share about the many Critters that share the apartment with me...
That's enough about this blog and me for now.
That's enough about this blog and me for now.
