Day Eighty-Seven

I can't believe I forgot to mention the quilt exhibit at the Leeds Art Gallery, being a quilter and all. I wish I could have taken pictures as the pieces displayed used a technique that I have never heard of in quilting. Just as wood inlay is done, these quilts were wool inlay. Both the background piece and the inlay piece are cut to the same dimensions, inlayed, and then stitched to hold in place with very tiny, almost invisible stitches. Because the wools were felted and of limited colors, the quilts were very dramatic and quite intricate. The designs were small and much embroidery was included as well.

We walked through the open air market in Leeds where you can get just about anything - bakery goods, fresh meats and fish, flowers, etc., etc., etc., grabbed a cup of coffee and a sweet and headed to the bus for Harrogate which is about a 1/2 hour ride. It seemed a good day to move at a slower pace as I have a bit of a head cold and we both felt a little worn, so the Royal Baths were a must. We needed to ask one of our fellow riders where would be the most convenient getting off point and, as always when you get out of London, the locals as so at the ready to assist! It makes you feel rather special and wanted. We made it to the Baths, reserved our spot and then headed to Betty's Tea Parlor. Bob had a tasty chicken caesar sandwich (open faced) and I had a very hot bowl of cream of onion soup which hit the spot nicely. After walking through their park gardens and around the little town, it was time to meet our scheduled appointment for some needed pampering. The baths were fantastic - Tiled underground chambers with different temperature dry sauna rooms and a eucalyptus wet sauna that I'm sure helped my head cold. After about an hour and a half alternating between the steam and dry heat, we were ready for our massage. Caught the bus back to Leeds and sat next to a real character who talked all about the love he had for his England and how much he loved Americans and Canadians. Quite a fellow - he said we "made his day." He was a right jolly bus companion to end ours as well. Back at the hotel we slithered into bed after making bus arrangements to Edinburgh for tomorrow.

Day Eighty-Six

Caught the train from Kings Cross to Leeds. We had thought about renting a car but since the train is so convenient, fast and relaxing, we decided to make the car decision once we get to Leeds. Our hotel was just around the corner from the train station in Leeds so we dropped off our luggage and went exploring. Just about a half mile from our hotel is the Leeds city center. Leeds is a large college town (Leeds University) and is very clean but cold. The trees are all turning and it really feels like Fall here. We made it to the Leeds Art Gallery in the old town hall building which is magnificent in itself with it's completely tiled interior walls and high vaulted ceilings and ended up in the cafe inside for tea and sweets. We sat at a table in the sun just inside a window that looked out over the hall steps where some men were playing sidewalk chess with the large plastic pieces on the cement squares. It was truly delightful and a nice bit of relaxation. The gallery exhibits were wonderful and featured many Yorkshire artists both past and contemporary. I can see why so many great artists came from the Yorkshire area as the landscapes are inspiring.

After walking around for a while and getting our bearings (much easier here than in London), we looked over some activity options, went back to the hotel to check in and get cleaned up for dinner. We went to a small restaurant which is supposed to be a local favorite and had a very tasty and beautifully presented dinner with our bottle of wine. The food here is impressive - we started with beet gazpacho and gorgettes of feta, enjoyed them emmensely with an entree of rosemary and baby leek breast of chicken. We usually try to get different entrees so that we can each have a taste of the other's but the chicken just sounded too good - and it was! Topped of with a glass of port and we were set for a good nights sleep.

Day Eighty-one thru Eighty-five

We arrived in London very tired and went straight away to our hotel and dropped off our bags. Since it was still early, we decided to walk as we've found walking really helps mitigate the jet lag and after sitting for ten hours with little exercise, it helps to start the adventure off with physical activity. Our three days here were full of tube hopping, walking and general site seeing. The British Museum was on the top of our list as it seems one cannot see everything and it's good to concentrate on a special area of interest each time you come. Bob loved the Viking collections and I tarried at the Medieval period displays. It's like being in a history themed candy shop. We included tea at Fortnum & Mason, the London Eye which gave us a wonderful nighttime bird's eye view, a jaunt out to Hampton Court as I'd always wanted to see Harry VIII's digs outside of London and a fortuitous tube hop which brought us out right under the "Wicked" marquee near Victoria. Caught the show that evening and what a show it was! We sat right in the front behind the orchestra about eight rows back and were even commenting on the artistry of the shoes the performers were wearing! It was fantastical.

Weather was perfect - only rained on us once for about 10 minutes - and the food in London is truly a gastronomic's delight. We had said we would, of course, do Indian and ended up at Delhi in Soho. The food was aromatic, hot and full of the essence of East Indian flavors. We really felt we stumbled on a good find (actually having my iPad with a London area app was sooooo very helpful). We also ate one evening at our hotel, the Windermere near Victoria Station, which ended up to be an above-average London B&B considering the city is notorious for bad B&B's. I had chicken with bubble and squeak - Bob had a rib eye that was perfectly cooked lightly flavored with a delicious black pepper sauce. We did have a rather marginal and quite expensive meal at an Asian restaurant called Bam Bou in Soho. I had sea bass which wasn't bad, but the chef had chopped up lemon grass which were like fish bone shards over the top of it and the cilantro was so tough you couldn't even pull the leaves off the stems. The bok choy it was crowning was tough as well, in fact, so tough you couldn't even eat it. I should have known what the food was going to be like when my champaign cocktail arrived at room temperature. I would not recommend this place to anyone. We always had a full English breakfast at the B&B, would end up skipping lunch in lieu of tea, and make our dinner meal the star attraction of the day. Two meals a day is quite enough for the two of us.

Our next stop is for two nights in Leeds.

Day Seventy-Nine and Eighty

News Flash - Today's headlines: "Is it possible that while you're asleep tonight, thieves will be stealing your tires?" OMG, just one more thing we have to worry about!

Day Seventy-Eight

Yesterday a grizzly scene of mayhem, murder, and death presented itself in an insidious instant while I sat peacefully at my backyard window gazing at the tranquil scene of birds coexisting for one purpose - to fatten themselves up before the impending cold of Winter. That's when it all happened, and within seconds, there would be one less bird. No, it was not the neighbor's cat, as I have seen it lurking in the background several times during my morning viewings but have not seen it actually attempt to snatch anything. A warning - this story is not for the faint of heart. Here I am sitting, sipping my tea and marveling at the number of quail in the backyard, big fat ones, all pecking away at the seed I had just thrown in the "viewing area." There were probably more than four dozen. I was also surprised to notice some of them mating (in the Fall?). Here is creation happening right in my yard and I am feeling that my backyard paradise is facilitating more little critters being brought into the world, when all of a sudden the peace is shattered. The young Peregrin Falcon frequenting the neighborhood swoops down out, I guess from the powerlines, and plucks a young quail from the feeding grounds. At that moment it was quail mayhem. Three of them hit my big picture window trying to get away...boom...boom.......boom. These were big thuds as I thought the window would surely not hold up and as it's happening, I'm still just sitting there with my tea cup still poised in my hand. If you sneezed, you would have missed the theater! It happened so fast. They were gone in a flash of time and they haven't been back since. I think a few unsuspecting quail ventured in this morning to eat but were probably soon warned by spectacle goers of yesterday and summarily left - none have returned this afternoon. Now my yard is probably known as the killing field. I haven't had the nerve to go on Facebook yet and see if any of them have made some posts. At least I have the Sparrows.

Day Seventy-Six and Seventy-Seven

Someday I'd like to thank that Earl of Sandwich guy who, I believe, developed one of the most unique concoctions in gastronomic history - the sandwich of course. But leave it to the Italians to take the idea of an English Earl and perfect it; as I would also love to meet Mr. Panini. I was so overwhelmingly excited when my oldest son presented me with my beloved Panini Press for Mother's Day. Ever since, I have been relishing the unique sandwich inventions dictated mainly by what's in the refrigerator and what I need to use up, and then taking those rather lowly ingredients to another height by toasting them between two slices of bread in this wonderful Italian invention. Today was perfection. A ciabatta roll sliced open from Schaat's Bakery, a healthy swab of blue cheese and chive spread on both sides, a good helping of roast beef slices, my homemade pickles and topped off with sliced tomatoes from the garden (which are put on after the sandwich is liberated from the machine)! I'm already thinking of what's for lunch tomorrow - my creativity knows no boundaries.

Day Seventy-Three, Seventy-Four and Seventy-Five

It's amazing what a little rain can do to the waining harvest season. The temperatures are still hovering around 70 degrees but the leaves have begun to turn and the vegetables are beginning to shut down. After raking a few leaves - there are many more to come - and taking our walk this morning, we've made the realization that Fall is definitely here. The grasses and trees along the river walk are all turning that telltale yellow and beginning to thin out. The shadows are long, making the colors of the landscape intense. The contrast between light and dark is measurable against the vividness of the sky dotted with a few feathery clouds, and the haze that is indicative of humans desiring the reassurance of a warm fire at night. Everything points to the season to come. It seemed Bob and I had the same thing on our minds once we rounded the last corner to the car - I began thinking about brunch at the Cafe Del Rio and Bob ended up verbalizing it before I had the chance to even finish the thought. So, we headed up and dined by the open window as we admired the view down Six Mile Canyon. We both ordered the Jack, spinach and mushroom omlette smothered with roasted red pepper salsa and the best shredded hash browns (nice and brown and crunchy). Afterwards, we took a stroll down Virginia City's Main Street relishing the warm sun. We were both a bit sleepy when we arrived home but jumped into the yard as we need to tidy up a bit before our vacation. Dinner is looming and the leftovers from breakfast will do nicely wrapped in warm corn tortillas.

I picked all of the tomatillos which feels close to 20 pounds and pulled up the squash plants and picked a few tomatoes. I'll have to make sure I pack all the tomatoes in boxes before we leave to preserve them for our return. I'm sure we'll get a frost while we're gone and I don't want to lose any to the cold. They will store nicely in the shed and will begin to ripen. The carrots can stand even the snow which is quite satisfying in the winter when you can go out, brush the snow off and pull out the beautiful orange, crunchy treats. The pumpkin is still maturing - it's bright, bright orange now - and is being reserved for the boy down the street.

Five more days!

Day Seventy-One and Seventy-Two

I am convinced that Anthony Bourdain needs a sidekick and it's me. After all, I can be just as sarcastic, if not more. For instance, while at a locals market in Australia during season 7, Tony and his guide were purchasing breakfast (spicy bratwurst and saurkraut) at a market stand absolutely packed with breakfast goers. After purchasing their breakfast of champions, Tony commented on the tight fit between customers and food by explaining they would eat their purchase in a place where collisions between humans and sausage could be avoided. Now, I would have added that I actually enjoy an occasional collision between human and sausage as long as I've been wined and dined first. I'm sure my warped perspective would be a good fit along side Tony's rather twisted one. I wouldn't necessarily have to be on every episode, just the ones where the accommodations are five star. Now, I am in big trouble having found the No Reservations season episodes available on Netflix for instant play! I am at this moment rehearsing by adding my comments as I watch.

As always, inspired by food, I picked a butternut squash from the garden, peeled and seeded it, chopped it up in a glass pan with herbed butter, a little brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, and have it in the oven for soup this evening. I wish I had of been born to be thin instead of just beautiful and smart. I guess two out of three isn't bad but what I could have done with that third attribute!!! Oh well. I am definitely ready to do some major consuming damage in Scotland, especially after watching Bourdain in Edinburgh. I've already printed out the info for The Kitchin near the Commercial Quay in Leith which is the dock area of Edinburgh. I have reservations at The Witchery and am not only looking forward to the food, but also the company as my best friend's cousin will be there to dine with. Oh my, I'm being reminded of how much I have to do yet to ready myself for the upcoming trip (I'm gobsmacked). Better get ripping!

Day Sixty-Seven, Eight, Nine and Seventy

It's been a few days as you can see but I do have a good excuse. On Saturday we began laying the driveway in pavers and have been working little by little each day, despite the rain which actually made it more enjoyable. At least we weren't sweating in the hot sun which has been rather relentless for the past month or so. I guess someone finally told the weather gods that the Fall season is upon us, so, with a flurry of trying to make up for their neglect, it's now raining cats and dogs. I can't complain though, I love the rain and the temperatures are supposed to climb again so the vegetables still have time to mature (I have loads of tomatoes still on the vines).

I don't know what it is about the rain but it sure lends itself to contemplation. It's as if ideas and thoughts become visual. A backdrop of grey must present itself as a nice canvas for profundity. Or maybe it's similar to dreaming while awake. Everything is in a state of darkness and yet light enough for guided thoughts that may be the basis for the dreams we have while asleep. For me, the rain magnifies the ancient nature of the world. After all, I do believe everything sprang from the water. Maybe it's a reminder of our origins and the power of nature to give and take away life. Mother Nature at her powerful best.

Definitely a day to spend in the kitchen. I've got a loaf of bread started and I just diced up some Aidele's habanero sausage to brown in the pan with some onion, diced tomatoes from the garden, diced green chili peppers, chopped carrots from the garden, and a bit of fresh cilantro. Once that's browned and leaves those nice browned bits on the bottom of the pan, I'll pour in some beef broth and a little seasoning to taste. Once the carrots start to soften, I'll add some fresh corn and a can of pinto beans. With a few pieces of corn bread I made the other night and froze, it'll be lunch! I also like to put some grated queso fresco and broken tortilla chips on top (you know, the ones that are always at the bottom of the bag that most people throw out).

Bring on more rain - I'm prepared!

Day Sixty-Six

I have resigned myself to the fact that I believe the United States' greatest threat is not what is out there trying to get in, but what is already here and has been for a very long time. It has nothing to do with bombs, guns or foreign terrorists - it's intolerance for one another's ideas and views. The divisiveness is palatable. The displays of hatred are numbing. This country is on a course of implosion if we don't stop harping on our differences instead of focusing on the ideals we agree on. The fear mongering and power grabbing is taking so much away from us. I don't know how I'm going to vote in this next election. I do know there are people that I surely don't want in power, but what a statement of our times to think the only choice is the lesser of the two evils. I used to get excited about voting.

Day Sixty-Five

Quite a beautiful morning. The temperatures have been incredibly warm and the nights crisp and comforting in the knowledge that the season is soon to change. That's the true beauty of living in the high desert, you tend to experience the seasons more intensely than in other areas were the weather and temperatures are more consistent. I do love the Fall, and this easing in weather we've been having is a delight. It prolongs the sense of change. I don't think I could do without it - it's wonderful knowing that nothing stays fixed in time and that we too are capable of embracing the passages in our own lives as something that is natural and found everywhere in nature. Even our backyard bird families have somewhat moved on. There are a few stragglers - a dove that seems to hang around, a couple of finches and the always present sparrow, but most have gone. We did enjoy the birds even more this year.

The mild weather also produces another bonus - more vegetable harvest. I have so many tomatoes, including some wonderful heirloom varieties which will provide us with some very fresh meals to wind down the season. It seems I put tomatoes on everything these days, but no one's complaining. My pumpkin is still growing but not in leaps and bounds as was the case for the last month or so. It's beginning to get the familiar bright orange tint as it matures and has a nice shape to it as well. I told our neighbor's son that he could have it for Halloween as Bob and I will be gone for the holiday. The butternut squash are maturing nicely as well. I'm still harvesting pattypan squash and have many tomatillos still on the vines. The carrots always weather nicely even when it snows. Yesterday, I picked some, steamed them and made a puree with a little butter and some sage that I had crisped in a pan with a little grapeseed oil. I had cut up an Aidele's pineapple sausage and pan fried it with some Fuji apple slices which made a healthy lunch with the carrot puree. Delicious. We're still pouring the grape syrup over vanilla ice cream for desert each evening. The only thing I wish I had better access to is fresh fish. I could really go for a piece of salmon tonight.

For anyone who loves to cook, I would strongly recommend the magazine Donna Hay. I believe it's one of those magazines that steps good cooking up a notch. The ingredients are simple and focus on fresh produce and other seasonal ingredients. If you're a good cook to begin with, these recipes will help you go to the next level. In the most recent issue (51) the How to Cook section features polenta which is one of my very favorite foods because it is so versatile and, in my book, is a true comfort food. There's a speck and maple beans with thyme toasts recipe that I'm going to put together one of these evenings. Soup, stew and beans are my main Fall repertoire. So easy and quick.

Day Sixty-Three and Sixty-Four

I think I'm way too excited about our upcoming trip to Scotland as it's three weeks away and I've already packed - a new record. I still have a lot of stuff I need to do. I want to get all the ancestry information together on our Scottish ancestors so that I can do a little snooping while there. I haven't uploaded all the DC photos yet pertaining to the Burges/Howell descendants onto Ancestry.com yet either. There's so much to do and every time I think I've accomplished something with regard to the research, it just ends up opening more doors that need to be walked through! Sometimes it can be overwhelming and such a daunting task. In fact, I don't even think it can be classified as a "task" anymore - it's more like a full time job. And, with all the things on my "to do" list, writing has become a chore as well. I didn't want that to happen. Writing is so much a part of my self induced therapy and very important to my peace of mind. When I don't have a lot on my mind, the words and thoughts just flow. Unfortunately, the words and thoughts are taking a back burner right now to all of the self induced tasks I taken on, and now with the Scotland trip looming, I just want October 16th to get here! Remember, enjoy each day as it comes and ultimately goes. Sip your tea, sit by the window, bask in the unseasonably warm, crisp weather before it slips away.

Day Sixty, Sixty-One and Sixty-Two

The days go by so fast. Each one blurring into the next. During the last year of my father's life, I can remember commenting to him how quickly each day passes. His comment to me was, "Wait till you get to be my age." I felt sorry that his good years had concluded so quickly. The last two years of his life was a constant struggle to just to breath. I think of my father often and have many regrets at not asking him about his life - growing up in Oklahoma, his life prior to WWII and his service in the war, his parents, and just generally what it was like when he was young. I so want to know now and putting the pieces together without that direct knowledge is so challenging.

After we came back from Washington DC, I noticed

that the grapes growing on the back patio were beginning to smell wonderful so I pulled a couple off and popped them in my mouth - wow. This is the first year they've actually be edible. They have quite an intense flavor. It would be difficult to just eat them one by one so I cooked them down and made a light syrup to pour over ice cream. Really, really tasty. I didn't use much sugar and the creamy sweetness of a scoop of vanilla along side makes a refreshing dessert. Bob loves it (of course, he loves anything involving vanilla).