She shall live to see another day

Patsy cline has been the only chicken not laying. She has instead been acting like a giant bitch and pooping all over the porch. But, today she left us a gift in the quail (rip) condo. She's so LIKE that, you know??

Seriously Back in the Saddle

Here are some photos from our trip to SF. Dreamy...

The Dawning of Aquarius!

I just got home from an eating marathon in San Francisco. While I was there I visited the Edible School yard with Kevin, my mom and my brother. My auntie Esther works there. It was an inspiring visit to say the least. The kids were making quinoa salad with oranges. The gardens were blossoming and sprouting, the chickens laying and the ducks swimming. The sun was shining and we were together as a family. Really- we all wanted to move to Berkley immediately. I'm guessing this is not uncommon. After our visit to the school we went and had lunch at Chez Panisse. We ate fava beans, sole, beets, even a steelhead roe pizza. We ate dates and honey mousse! We drank wine from alsace! It was a dream.
What surprised me about my visit was that each friend I visited asked me why I stopped writing my blog. I didn't know so many friends cared about it, and I didn't know I missed it until I opened it up on my computer and looked through the archives. The pies! The breads! The animals! I'm back! Get ready for photos!

Holladays, Approaching

Right now in Portland, Oregon, it is snowing. The ground is not frozen yet, instead it is wet and muddy. The chickens are confused, the dogs are restless, and I am coming down with a cold. In short, the holidays are here! Despite my list of seemingly complain-y things, I couldn't be much more excited this year. I am thrilled that it is snowing! I heard Christmas music on the radio today and I turned it up! 

Part of the reason I am so excited is that my brother and his girl are coming to visit for thanksgiving. The other part is all the cooking and being together that I know is about to take place. I love the idea of christmasy cheer and decorations but really it's thanksgiving that holds my heart. No pressure, just eating. No wrapping paper, just pie crust. I need to dig out my eatin' pants.

This year I am making: 

-Roasted cauliflower salad with beets, pomegranates and a broken olive vinaigrette

-Mashed celery root with lemon

-Sparkling sherry punch 

-Ants on a log

and Kevin is making:

-Turkey stuffed with chanterelle and sweet potato biscuit dressing (I'm hoping he will include chestnuts) 

-Boozy pumpkin pies 

I know these dishes are in the works from other family members: 

-Cranberry bread

-Creamed oninos

-Grilled turkey

-Apple pie

-Butter beans done up southern

I'm on tenterhooks wondering what else we will have.

What are you having?

Definitely Not Still In Spain

I'm sorry gentle readers. I have just not felt like blerging since I got home. It has been great getting back into the swing of things- hanging out with Kevin and our doggies, visiting with my friends, cooking, working, working and working. I came home to business cards, so my list of responsibilities has grown quite a bit. It is great, but lots of changes have my head spinning. 

A quick news update (but mostly just a list of things I need advice on):

-The quail were brutally murdered by a rat. We are looking for rat killing options that do not put the chickens or dogs at risk of poisoning or injury. Ideas? Also, how sad is that???

-I just bought that beautiful savoy cabbage! Now what?

-I will write about Spain someday, but not yet. 

I am not sure how this blogging thing will go. I think I will try to write more, but I'm not sure. I thought a lot about it while I was away and couldn't quite decide if it makes sense to me anymore or not. A small voice says, "write!" Then another small voice says "why?". But for now, I'm going to try to at least put up some photos of the glory that is November in Portland (rainy, cold, grey).

Still Spain!!!

Hello! Is anyone out there? I'm on Mallorca- an island covered with olive trees, full of secret beaches and spreadable salami. Today we drove to the west coast and explored some tiny coves and cities. We also drove down one of the most frightening and beautiful cliff roads I have ever seen!
I am returning to the states this week and will share some photos of the food I have been cooking, eating and admiring. I can't believe my trip is almost over, but I am ready to go home. I miss Oregon!

Can you believe this beach? We swam here all day long, even into that cave you can see in the middle of the frame!

spain!

As you can tell I am not blogging much these days. I have made it to spain and am in the midst of my journey. I will be back in October with a full report. Please, eat some fall fruit for me. I am stuffed with blackberries from the trail and chroizo from the markets!