Farm Finds

While walking the beach of northern Michigan summer of 2012, I was looking for a Petoskey stone so I could have a souvenir.  I came up empty handed.  I almost bought one as saw some being sold in souvenir shops that we checked out.  But just like wanting a sand dollar -- I want to find it myself.

This past summer, after planting some oak sapling and cleaning up the front yard of the farm, we found a Petoskey stone!  And then B found another one as he was clearing some sticks near the road!  Now all I have to do is get it polished -- although I like the raw look.

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Cedar Springs, MI

Katydid Visit

Marigolds grew rather slowly this year.  Maybe it's because the soil in the planter is rather old.  Maybe because this is the 3rd generation seed.  Its presence in my porch is indicative of summer -- and planting this has been part of summer routine with B.   And seeing the flowers also makes me remember a scene in an Indian movie I saw (I cannot for the life of me remember what the title of the movie was, but I do recall it has something to do with wedding): the scene of a man eating marigolds.    Maybe it wasn't even marigolds, but it certainly looked like them.

 Just like the previous summers, there will be a time when a katydid is around.  I have never seen more than one and I was surprised to see this one right at the flower that I grabbed my camera for a shot.  I remember a night three summers ago that I heard it before I found it in the morning glory vines.

Perhaps this will be the last summer in the condo.  Maybe the katydid will know where I'll be next summer.

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Porch at the Condo
September 2014

Summer Herbs

Three summers ago, I brought home two little spearmint herb for planting.  I had been unsuccessful the previous year to start it from seeds.  I planted the mint in a big 5 gallon planter and it had bloomed the next two summers.  This spring though, I knew it didn't survive the long and harsh winter that I decided to plant a new sapling.  I figured that the $7.99 tag of the plant is worth it, since mint sprig at the grocery is about $4 and if I get lucky, this new plant could last longer.  It's been about 4 weeks since I planted it and it's doing great.

I have learned to use mint on certain dishes -- primarily when I cook lamb or when I make some tzatsiki sauce.  Or when I make tea (mint-infused tea is something will always remind me of the Moroccan restaurant in Paris).  But in the summer, I have mint syrup ready to go in the fridge for mojito!  With fresh limes, vodka and club soda - viola!  Summer drink is served.

Lights Out

On our fourth night in Paris, we came over at a friend's house where she served us champagne and some biscuit before we headed out for late dinner.  F brought us to Place d'Italie area, which was about 8 blocks (my estimate) southwest of where the flat we stayed at and into her and her son's favorite Basque restaurant Chez Gladines.  I got the classic Confit de Canard and B tried the duck with Roquefort sauce (both excellent!), and F got the cassoulet which she graciously let us try as it's one of the classic french stew (and I made a mental note to make sure I ask for a recipe!).  Fun conversation, splendid  food & wine and great company make an unforgettable night.  After dinner, F asked if we wanted to see the city at night and offered to drive us around.  Who would say no?

It started raining just as we got out of the parking lot and she headed to the Eiffel Tower first.  We got there around 10 minutes before 2AM and noticed the light show of the tower.  But she got a spot to park on the sidewalk just as the lights stopped -- and B got out of the car to shoot this photo.  She then drove to Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, the Louvre, Notre Dame before she dropped us off. I can't recall the last time I was out that late and had so much fun!

We definitely plan to be back.  And I have to start experimenting on french dishes!

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Paris, Ile-de-France
May 6, 2014

Pancit With A Twist

After eating crackers and smoked salmon for two consecutive nights, I wanted real food.  Although I don't usually cook when B isn't around, I decided I will.  And I also missed chopping stuff, not to mention I have to use up the veggies I have in the fridge and the onions which are starting to sprout!  I was craving for pinoy food, so when I checked if I had rice noodles, I decided to cook pancit.

Only I didn't have any meat.  Well, I had shrimps, but it's frozen and I don't line fast thawing it.  The chicken I have is also in the freezer.  Then I realized that I have some form of meat in my chiller -- the venison salami.

And voila, I have pancit with venison for dinner, and for lunch tomorrow.

Calamansi

In a few weeks, I would probably get a grown plant from the local plant and flowers store just to see if I could always have supply of these citrus at home (provided the one I pick would have fruits).  But growing them from the seed is quite amazing to watch.  It took most of them about 6 weeks before it started to sprout that I thought we would only have one viable plant.

But it started sprouting!  We are not unsure on how to handle all these if they thrive.  Giving some away is certainly an option.  We finally placed the peat in a pot - and we have 10 calamansi saplings.   Once it's completely thawed outside, these should stay out and get all the sunshine they could get!  And perhaps, in time, they can be in a greenhouse....

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GR Condo, March 15, 2014

Late Valentine Post

We got an amaryllis as a Christmas present and planted it when we returned from our Philippine trip.  And it was blooming at its peak right at Valentines day.   I think I appreciate flowers more when I start seeing it grow from the plant!   Now I wonder if we can let the bulb "hibernate" and re-bloom next year....

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February 14, 2014
GR Condo

NYE 2014

It's freezing outside and we had decided to stay in for NYE.  B didn't have to work, and I don't have to round the next day.  So we would have a quiet dinner at home.

I sauteed baby carrots with some chopped candied ginger and onion to serve as a side dish to the tequila lime roasted chicken thighs.  B opened the spanish sparkling wine that has been sitting in my fridge for special occasions like this!  Dinner is served.

Dessert course was an experiment: flourless chocolate cake.  The texture was very similar to the chocolate pistachio cherry tart that I had made before sans the crust, and the raspberries served as finishing touch.    

Welcome 2014!

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GR condo

31 December 2013

Visitor

We were at the range for B's rifle sight-in the weekend before opening season.  This little fellow just happened to be cruising around and landed at the scope.  I wish I had my canon with the macro lens...

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November 2013

Pasko na?

I don't think I've ever wrapped Christmas presents this early.  But the purchased presents for my friend's kids and my sister-in-law's daughter has been sitting on my chaise that when I realized I had left over Christmas wrapper, I decided to just wrap it.  Maybe I'll surprise my friend and deliver the presents and give the children a lesson about patience.  Ha!

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This weekend.  My condo.