Watering Can

I hesitate to write much about this big lifestyle change we've been undergoing at our house (Rob's new job that requires quite a bit of travel for now) because I really am fine, but could totally see someone reading into my posts about this that I am not. Sure my fridge is full of vegetables ready for the compost heap because I bought too much for one person (remind me to define "banana math" for you someday). Although my domestic life is different- less time for creative pursuits, general homey touches- I have this wonderful watering can.



I never owned a watering can before, but isn't it lovely to flit about watering your house plants with a lovely item rather than having them almost die and soak in the bathtub overnight? Watering cans are in that category of household items like housedresses, cream and sugar dishes, quilts reserved for the beach.

(And, yes, it is the IKEA Watering Can seen on Dooce months ago.)

Overwhelm

There's this commercial for the World Wildlife Fund with a polar bear mother and baby on a shrinking ice cap that stabs me every time. Seriously, there's no hope when you think of things in those terms. There's also a commercial with Sarah McLachlan about caring for homeless animals that tugs at my heartstrings and might as well be to the tune of "Love the One You're With," instead, because every time I see it I turn to my cats and give them a little extra pat.

So, now there's all these animals suffering from the floods all over the Midwest, hundreds of them making it all the way to Chicago for new homes. Like this guy. And I'm ready to write the check, and I start to write it and the cats get in the worst fight I have ever seen and they are separated between the upstairs and downstairs door and I think something might be wrong with one of them and they have to go to the vet this weekend. So I think, I could give the check for the dog or the polar bear, right? I kind of feel like the polar bear-WWF fund makes more sense because it's a broader picture, but this dog is close to home, but they are all suffering. And I think we have two cats who cannot live together, after all this time, and no check will help them.

another slow meal

My second slow meal this week was ideal. After a day of carbs and quick peanut butter sandwices, I had a beet salad.

I boiled the beets for a change, skin on, then removed the skin when they were done. I cooled them under cold tap water. I juiced & zested an orange, soaked some walnuts in honey.

I mixed the orange juice with a bit of balamic vinegar and mixed all of these with a bit of gorgonzola cheese.

It was like eating candy for dinner.

artichokes

Having to cook mostly for one for a while now has been different... for the first few weeks my eating was pretty healthy. Then it just went downhill.

I got back from my walk tonight and remembered I had some artichokes from the farmers market. I've never cooked them, but it looks like they'll take a while. It's a nice change of pace to have to wait for my food like this, and to try something new just for myself. I haven't wanted to try any recipes unless I'm cooking for Rob or anyone else, and I got this great new cookbook, The Food You Crave. I'm experimenting with a lot of cooking that isn't cooking. Earlier today I tossed in a handful of trail mix (pumpkin seeds, pistachios, cashews, dried cranberries & dates) with some cooked wild rice left from last night, and squeezed some orange juice over it.

In general, the being home alone more is interesting. I really have just been going with the flow of the extra alone time, enjoying it a bit. However, I have to try to take better care of myself and do nice things for me... my artichokes should be ready soon & I can't wait to try them.

I love diners

I really love diners- the coffee, those "health" plates of cottage cheese with canned syrupy fruit, the greasy food. The formica counters, the vinyl seating.

We stopped at this place last week on our road trip to a family reunion.

I'm there

Okay, it's cheesy, but the whole reason I bother with this blog anymore is because it feels good to make something every (almost) day and keep track of my rather ordinary days. Also, I like Amy's Book about ordinary life.

So, yeah, I think I'll be there.

Flowers, again

I was pretty tickled yesterday when I realized my garden had produced something I could cut and take inside. (Lisianthus, beardtongue, and salvia.)

Also, we did get this print framed and hung a few weeks back. It's wintery.