San Francisco Sky

A beautiful sky yesterday in this city by the bay. A good wind was blowing most of the day and yet the sun was warm on our faces, calling us to look up, look up. It rained on the drive home down highway 280 south. Fat rain drops hit the windshield, scattering the dirt. Moments later the sun, again. All the drops evaporated, leaving no trace.

Tasty Treats at Samovar

We were in San Francisco today, a mere 90 miles north of our home, enjoying art exhibits at 2 different museums. Of course when one does this kind of activity, rest and refreshment breaks are a must. Our first repast was at a tea house in Yerba Buena Arts Center called Samovar. I couldn't resist the red walls lined with blue jars of tea, so out came the camera.

I am a foodie, I admit. N. is not. I don't know much about tea, but we had a lovely server who helped me pair my squash dumplings with a black tea blend. It's like pairing wine and food, or beer and food. A good pairing enhances the flavor of the food and the drink.

The daughter was game, and she had this marvelous dish of poached eggs, grilled tofu and nutty brown rice. Tofu was covered with the most delicious sauce, and I don't exactly know what was it in.

Poor N. she was voting for the Chevy's down the street. Which does a decent Tex-Mex menu, but R. and wanted something more exotic - and Samovar delivered.

106 Degrees of Pleasure

I'm considering a volunteer position with Hospice. The application asks how I relax and rejuvenate. Well, this is one way, and it is a good one. A morning soak in the hot tub, listening to bird calls and watching the sky. Such a simple thing, yet so profound for my well-being. My own backyard womb.



The black dots on the water are the sun's reflection. I didn't see it when I was filming, only after.

The Gift

This pillow was a gift to me from the children of my friend, Laurette. After her passing, after her burial here, back at the house they gave this to me. It was stitched by her father-in-law, sewn into a pillow by her mother-in-law. I had it with me (perfect back pillow for driving) when I went to her grave site today. I thought it perfect to photograph it with both their names on the headstone -- the pillow that was stitched for them over 50 years ago, by Lazlo's parents, placed upon their graves. The full circle of their wonderful lives. Lazlo died in 1977 when I was a callow youth, unable to absorb the enormity of his passing. He had been a regular overnight guest in my family's home, traveling the way he did in his architectural practice. He had escaped Hungary before the 1956 revolution, having walked from Hungary to France with his brothers. He was a dear man, who enjoyed life and took so many under his wing. Cancer took him when I was 20 years old, and he was only 56 years old. Laurette lived a good long time after that, and she carried on admirably. Had an entirely new life and came into her own after raising 3 children and being a diligent and loving stay at home mom.
Sitting at their grave today, I had a good cry. A cleansing release of loss. A gift that lifted a heavy weight from my chest. A blessing. Even in their death, they keep giving such divine gifts to me.

More Tasty Food

Our dinner last night was great - Robin and Roger made a salad that contained their home-grown carrots and beets; I made an appetizer with fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato, and the squash and beans were first steamed, then roasted in the oven along with the chicken and scalloped potatoes.

When I stopped over at Cooking Schmooking yesterday, Mel links us over to Sher's blog, which has this great recipie (complete with photos). Sher apparently passed away last year from a heart attack. Very unexcpected. Wherever you are, Sher, thanks so much for this great recipe! I'm going to try it soon. Hint to all: Sher substituted cumin for curry powder, since she didn't have any. Also, red lentils would be good.

Lentil And Spinach Patties

Adapted from Vegalicious

Ingredients:

8-10 ounces spinach, stemmed and sauteed
1 cup Puy lentils, cooked
1 tablespoon cumin (I am heavy handed with cumin)
3 tablespoons bread crumbs
1 egg
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons oil

Directions:

Mix the spinach, lentils, cumin, bread crumbs, together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix in the egg and put the mixture in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Heat the oil in a frying pan. Form the patties by forming a ball in your hand, then carefully patting it into a patty. Large, thin patties will not stay together, so make them smallish. Slip each patty into the skillet and press the patty together with a spatula if they break apart. Brown on each side over medium high heat, then carefully remove each patty to a plate, and top with salsa of your choice..

Scenes of Summer

Yesterday, a community garden up in the Santa Cruz mountain town of Felton. There is a sweet little park with a covered bridge, which is not found much in California. I wandered through the bridge and out the back, where I found a very large horse stable and this sweet little garden. Who knew? Embiggen the photo to read the sign.

Today, I enjoyed a lunch of perfectly ripe nectarine and vanilla yogurt. What an combo! I also harvested several summer squash and green beans to go with the roasted chicken for tonight's dinner. Don't you just love summer?

Wowzer

Are you primarily right brain or left brain? Me, I am pretty sure I'm right brained dominant. If you have 20 minutes (oh, come on, of course you do) watch/listen to this doctor describe her own stroke and what it did to her consciousness. This video blue me away.