weekly wanderings: red, white and blue

This week K and I were out running errands just before the USA/Ghana World Cup match. We live by so many bars and people were out drinking in the early afternoon, sporting their patriotic colors, parading down the streets with fireworks, and waving American flags from their cars. It was such a sight to see! I immediately started looking for things based on this red, white and blue theme and suddenly I was spotting these colors everywhere.

This was the first time in a long time that I have been sorely tempted to drive instead of walk to complete nearby errands. K and I had already walked a couple of miles to and from the farmers' market that morning and it was so steamy outside that I just wanted to drive the rent check the short distance to our landlord's office. But I couldn't help thinking of the oil spill in the gulf and how reducing the amount of oil I use is always a good thing. When I think of the oil spill I feel so helpless and small; I just don't know what to do. Walking instead of driving to nearby places is something immediate that I can do for my own health and the health of the environment.

Where have you been wandering lately? What have you been spotting?

this moment: i had some dreams they were trees in my coffee...

a lovely moment of sipping that i'd like to remember.

this is part of a series inspired by soulemama. for more moments, visit her blog.

csa day: sweet onions are here

CSA produce for the week of June 22, 2010 from Finger Pickin' Farms:

Hmm...my arrangement of the vegetables this week is kind of jumbled. So let's play a little matching game. I'll list off what we got, and you can match it up to the item in the photo you think it is. 

Orange and Purple carrots 

Zephyr bi-color squash

Pattypan squash

Swiss chard

Golden zucchini

Beets

Arrowhead cabbage

Walla Walla onions

White and green cucumbers

We also got:

Flowers

Someone waiting on me

* * * * * 

Weekly Menu:

* Japanese Curry with Potatoes, Onions and Rutabagas served over rice

* Tofu and Vegetable fried rice

* Japanese Curry Bread (kare pan)--this sounds kind of involved, but it's really just baking our leftovers into bread. I didn't bother with frying the bread.

* Couscous with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, feta, and yogurt dressing

* Falafel served in homemade pita bread with tzatziki sauce and lots of vegetable toppings

* * * * *

Hope you're eating well this week! 

Thrifting + giveaway winner

 Lately I've been finding lots of good things at thrift shops.  Here are some things I found last week. Most all are from my favorite vintage shop, Tickled Pink. If you live in Louisville, I highly recommend stopping there sometime. The guy that runs the shop is so down-to-earth and passionate about vintage things. Plus, the prices are really affordable and the stock moves fast, meaning that each time I go in it's like entering a new shop.

I found some great textiles--a bit of old feedsack cloth, a scarf, and cloth map of New Zealand, which I have vague notions of someday incorporating into a travel quilt along with reminders of all the other places K and I have traveled. A scrapbook quilt, if you will.

I picked up quite a few doilies (the owner of Tickled Pink said they sell around 5,000 doilies a month!), some simple egg cups, and a pretty tin. We'll get back to the tin in a minute...

K and I have also had a lot of fun shopping for used records. There are actually lots of places in our neighborhood to find records, but we spent hours this weekend hunting for some real bargains at a peddlers' mall. K is very selective in the records he buys, while I want to buy everything cool I find. 

Lately I've been looking for older stuff and I scored quite a few good albums. The Nat King Cole one from 1963 is just perfect for summer--so carefree! The back cover reads: "So break open the popcorn, fill up a giant-size pitcher with root beer, and listen to some of the happiest music in a long, warm century of summers." When K saw that line he said the record sounds like it was made especially for me. And yes, I love it. I also like the super sweet 1937 sounds of the Andrews Sisters. Their music is absolutely perfect to listen to while baking a pie. 

The record I'm most excited about finding is the Crosby-Clooney one from 1958, which I recently read was Rosemary's favorite recording.  I had my fingers crossed that I'd find one of Rosemary's albums and am so happy I did!

Now back to that tin. I typed up the names of everyone who left a comment on my giveaway post, put the slips of paper in this tin, and had K pick one out.

The winner is Chrissy! Congrats Chrissy, I'll get your goodies in the mail soon. 

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway. I appreciate all of your comments so much, and I especially liked reading what you like and dislike about blogs. 

Thank you again for reading my blog! I love getting your comments and emails and reading your blogs, too. I have been so inspired and encouraged by all of you who stop by this space and take the time to read my posts. Thank you!

weekly wanderings: flowers and fruits

my neighborhood walks are becoming a habit that i love. my "weekly wanderings" series and my husband keep me motivated to get out and walk even on very hot days. i love slowing down to a walking pace and taking everything in. there is so much to see if only i take the time to look. this week summer fruits and blooms caught my eye.

what have you seen on your recent wanderings?

k and i happened upon an elaborate birthday picnic at the park on one of our walks and saw two hawks on another. 

* * * 

the giveaway winner will be announced tomorrow! thanks to everyone who entered.

this moment: summertime reading

a moment from the week that i want to remember.

* * * * *

inspired by soulemama, where you can find more moments.

csa day: green and yellow edition

What's in the CSA box this week? (6/15/2010)

From left to right, top to bottom.

Column 1: Fennel

Column 2: Kale, squash, lettuce

Column 3: Cucumbers, arrowhead cabbage, green beans, squash and a golden zucchini

This week is the start of something a little different with our CSA. Our CSA is going to home delivery, so instead of picking up our vegetables at the farmers' market, our box now shows up on my dad's front porch. Nick, who owns Finger Pickin' Farms, explained that home delivery will allow him more time in the fields picking, and hopefully more produce for us. We did get something unexpected in our box this week--flowers! It's the first time for flowers from our CSA, but I hope not the last because I love fresh flowers. 

My half of the CSA flowers

* * * * * 

Weekly Menu:

--Leek and Potato soup. Just the thing you want on a hot, humid day: a steaming bowl of soup. We had all the ingredients on hand, so I made it despite the weather. I'm glad I did because it tastes wonderful. Plus, I just got Mastering the Art of French Cooking from the library and discovered that if I stir some cream into my soup and eat it chilled, it's vichyssoise. What fancy leftovers I have.

--Blue cheese and Squash Pizza. I used this pizza dough recipe, but it was too salty for my tastes. I'll probably try it again with less salt, but if you've got any pizza dough recipes you love, send them my way.

--Cook out at Mom's. Meat and vegetables on the grill (and veggie meats for me), Mom's famous potato salad, and peaches

--Skillet Nachos with Black Beans and Squash. A one pot meal. Saute about 2 cups of vegetables--in my case squash--in a skillet until crisp-tender. Add 2 cups of beans and 1/2 cup of salsa. Cook until warmed through. Remove the mixture and wipe the skillet clean. Toss in tortillas chips and top with the vegetable/bean mixture. Add some shredded cheese. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with your choice of: olives, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, jalapenos, etc. (Adapted from Betty Crocker's Quick and Easy Cookbook)

--CSA hodgepodge. Green beans, cabbage casserole, and baked beans.

--Dinner out. Maybe the Swan Dive. 

--Kale chips for a snack. I have to try them after so many of you highly recommended them.

* * * * * 

What are you eating this week?