valentine's recap, food edition

In our house, we don't book a table for V Day. Somewhere along the line, waaaaay back, before offspring, before the age of 30 even... Toby and I decided our V Day, or Night rather, would be a home-cooked affair. We would take turns cooking a special meal comprised of new dishes (to us). It's probably the only night of the year that one person assumes all the cooking and the other one (usually) lounges, checks the Internets or plays a video game. Or sets the table.

There have been simple pleasers: way back, when Toby made toast points topped with steak and parsley compound butter (we were watching a lot of Julia and Jacques at the time). There were semi-flops: A rather novice cook, I thought I'd just whip up an authentic Beef Wellington after work. We ate at 10pm. And, there were elaborate, definitely-pre-children productions: something like 5 courses with wine pairings. Never repeated yet, interestingly.

This year was my turn. Well, actually, it wasn't, but we realized this too close to the date for Toby to work some magic, so I went ahead with my plans. And, dear friends, even after leading you all this way, I'm not about to unveil some breath-takingly composed, conceptual meal.

I'm going to share a meal made for comfort. The only unwritten rule of our V day cooking is the the cook must make something the other eater is going to really, really, really love. Or at least that's the hope.

Toby's a meat guy, and one of his favorite things to eat is a real country ham that's basted with Dr Pepper while it bakes. His mom is from Arkansas, what can I say :) His "people" apparently like this type of thing. (Though I have to agree: it's delicious.)

So, when I came across a Martha recipe for Root Beer Short Ribs, I had my meaty main dish. And, let me tell you, it was outrageously good. Easy, too. I will definitely make it again. And so should you. You know, if you like meat. Saucy, falling-apart meat.

On the side were simple lemony green beans and a baked, crumb-topped mac n cheese. Dessert was a sliver of molten-y flourless chocolate cake. Now in the past, I would've found a way to craft all of this from scratch. This year? Oh please. Not on a Tuesday. Maybe not even on a Saturday. I laughed at myself as I scooped a big lump of mac n cheese from the Whole Foods hot bar and snagged an AG Ferrari cake. Back home, I toasted bread crumbs, sprinkled them on Toby's favorite comfort carb, baked it, and called it a worthy side.

I might not be a fan of Sandra Lee and table-scaping, but this is a type of semi-homemade that I can live with. At least on a Tuesday.

Hope all your Valentine's Days were delicious!

image via Martha

in between seasons

This past weekend, I was antsy. The whole house was pretty listless. It was drizzly at times, simply gray at others, then quite rainy as well. We pitched a tent in the living room. Ugh, Winter. We haven't had much depressingly gray weather yet, I realized.

And, it's funny because I spent a very busy Fall just pining for Winter. You know, when projects would be all done and general hibernation could occur. I was burned out on the garden's needs, I closed up the Etsy shop for a month, I sat inside and relished cups of holiday tea and a mystery novel (my first since grade school?). Eventually, I indulged in thinking about the next year. Work stuff, family stuff, garden stuff. No pressure, because Spring was a long way away. Exhale.... sip tea. Nibble on a cookie.

mmm, lavender shortbread

But now. I'm antsy. I wish the weather would cooperate... you know, break out of the low 50s. I have a pile of seed packets on my desk. I've been buying plants, I've been working again, preschool applications are being filled out, swimming lessons are being scheduled. The year is beginning.

I'm kinda of two minds, though. The gray weekend was depressing, and we couldn't do much outside except plant a lime tree (Jacky's lime tree) on the deck during a break in the rain. So, I kinda want Spring to hurry up. But, then... do I really? What's the hurry? Once the seeds go in the ground, you have to tend them... so to speak. Maybe a touch more of hibernation lite is just the ticket. There's no rush, I suppose. The year will come.

Love this pot.

garden friday | state of affairs

Today, my garden is gray. It's drizzly. But things are happening, the plants are happy (well most of them).

My garden is...

Sprouting | Tahitian Sunset rose

Frondy | Purple artichoke, take two (take one: here)

Happy | The label said kiwis are vigorous, I'm starting to believe it.
It's off to the races.

Fragrant | new Meyer lemon

Sweet & Tart | Kumquat... please oh please do well here. I love you so.

Scratchy | Claw-sharpening in preparation for all-day sun-bathing.
Cats, they have the life.

Broken | I really screwed the pooch this time. Bent an espaliered apple arm too far.
Damn, damn, damn. Set-back of one year, hopefully nothing worse.

Cranky | Or just a little grabby. Or maybe needs a haircut. Or maybe just has to poop.
Or all of the above.

Thank goodness for a nice cup of tea in a comfy chair. Have a great weekend!

get the Knack

OK, so who's engaged out there? Who's registering for all that loot? Who's walking around Crate & Barrel with that magical scanner gun? Ah... power.

Well, not moi. That ship has sailed. But, if I were, I'd be stoked on this new site called Knack Registry. You know, registering for towels and stuff is fine for Macy's, but when it came to more visible (exciting?) home furnishings, I remember being frustrated by not being able to register for really cool, unique, perhaps even handmade things. You know, stuff like you find on... ahem, Etsy.

So, flash back to Renegade. This nice guy named Fred came into my booth and explained that he was starting a registry site for handmade, artisanal stuff. He said he was especially focusing on local, San Francisco-based artists and makers.

I said, sign me up. Think about all the gifts and stuff bought for all the weddings each year. Couldn't hurt to spread a little of that love around to small biz makers, right?

Ah, remember the days when couples would receive three or four fondue sets?

Spread the word to anyone with some new bling on their finger :)

--> My page in their catalog.
--> A 7x7 post from today.

visit Knack

the little things

I was going to do a mealplanning post--you know, to address what needs addressing--but MAN am I in a rut. It seems we went to the grocery store a bunch of times recently, but all that seemed to come of it was Super Bowl Snax. Which were gooooood, but I ate the last of the guac today. Probably going to need additional sustenance. And, more importantly, recipe ideas... ugh. But, that can all be worked out later.

With a space heater at my feet and a cup of tea within arm's reach, how about we just cuddle up with a quick list of some of my favorite little things right now?

:: The tea: Still sippin' on holiday candy cane tea... I bought a bunch of it over the holidays, worried I'd run out. Got plenty.

:: The life: I love not having to leave the house on rainy days. Sorry, office-commuters. It's made me really love a good, cold Winter rainstorm... which is new.



:: The boo-tay: I love that my little dude is happiest when he spends the majority of the day nakies.

:: The awakening: A quick look-about outside and the newly planted raspberries and asparagus are starting to poke little feelers out of the soil. Haven't killed 'em yet!

:: The day bag: Just ordered this beauty from Bookhou's new online shop. Can't wait to get it, as I've been wanting/needing a big, long-strapped bag for, like, ever.

:: The bkgd: OK, so not exactly the latest internet trend, but I still love a fresh desktop background each month. When I sit down to The Machine, my eyes just need something new and inspiring--and most importantly, made by someone else. Lately, I've been visiting Gennine and Shanna for the goods. Got anyone else to check out?



:: The jars: While organizing the basement, I recently found the last jar of pickled asparagus from last year's can plan, plus a whole bunch of homemade hot sauce, jams and spicy pickled kale. Score. You know, all I really want to eat is little snacks... hors d'oeuvres, antipasto, etc. I think I might have found some willing participants.

:: The well: my boy got knocked out on Friday with his second-ever flu. Like before, it lasted just one day. The cuteness of an ultra-cuddly, drowsy, super-needy babe is so strong, but I am incredibly glad when he returns to his spritely, chatty self.

the chin boo-boo just makes it all the more, huh?

:: The participant: Toby has not only joined in on Instagram (finally!), but he's also doing the February challenge. He's @firetoby if you want to see how the other half of this house does it ;)

:: The products: deliciously smelly oils from Weleda (rose, arnica) + a lovely gift for Winter hands (thanks, Kristen!)

:: The dangler: my work was recently grouped into the coolest Etsy treasury, where I fell in love with this mobile. So rad. Nice company to be in.

:: The herbage: Gayla's new book is out! Yay. That lady got me got me into gardening and I love all her books.

And you? What's warming your toes this chilly February? Or, alternatively, what should we eat for dinner tonight??

garden friday | wintry, barren edition

Look who busted out her big girl camera. And look who's committing to a regular blog post (again)! Well... only time will tell. But, the thing is, after a much needed break, gardening is just now getting under way again here. And, last year I did a pretty crappy job of documenting the garden's various seasons and stages.

So, this year, I just want to get out there, shoot stuff, document stuff... both for the fun of sharing what's growing, and for the obvious benefit of record-keeping. Not all crazy Thomas Jefferson-style, but a little data from one year to the next would help. Ya know? Hopefully it'll be somewhat interesting to observe. Expect at least one garden-y photo here on Fridays.

So, right now... Winter is still in its (albeit Californian) full effect. Some beds are empty and covered with chicken wire/sticks (oh kittehs), some plants are hibernating and others are slowly getting their game on. The regular (non-espaliered) apple tree is, as usual, of two minds: it's still dropping its leaves for winterizing (it's a late one) but some of its buds are swelling for Spring too. It'll get pruned into its Year 3 shape soon... actual apples are getting closer and closer.

Gravenstein apple espalier, year 3. I'm starting to get the hang of the pruning and training. Don't you love the freckles? I adore these beauties.

Blueberry bush, one of three. Thinking of getting two more this weekend. Last year's harvest was meager, but they suffered some transplanting. They're all in the ground now, so this year looks pretty good so far. Lots of buds.

Pretty Girls Make Graves... asparagus graves, that is.
I couldn't get that band/song name out of my head while digging a few asparagus trenches. Not much going on here yet, but my IG friends will remember the crowns pre-planting? So weird.
The 8 or so crowns I planted are part of the plan to put more perennials in the garden. Also added, and even less photogenic than a trench: 5 'red heritage' raspberry roots/crowns/whatever they're called.

Another perennial addition: Kiwi vine, mostly for Jacky. He loves 'em, Toby & I can leave 'em.
It seems happy and is coming to life.

Trimming and whacking back the 40'-long perennial herb strip, containing various lavenders (including Provence, above), thymes, sages, geraniums.

A couple of weekends ago, we did a bit of exploring in the final frontier of our property: the back 8 or 10 feet. Which had been consumed by monster blackberries and the neighborhood thugs (jasmine, nasturtiums, morning glories). If you consider our yard is 25' wide, that's a lot of space to give up. We found some pottery shards (nothing ancient, unless you consider the 1950s ancient), a rotted tree stump, and lots of roots to dig and vines to bag for the friendly compost man (20 bags and counting). Sooo, the takeaway: Jacky's finally getting a long-promised Playhouse. Up here, with the best view in the garden, right by the kiwi vine and mama's veggie beds. He CANNOT wait, obviously.

And, from the dept of keepin' it painfully real... here's what my winter mess garden currently looks like, including complimentary toddler pot "rearranging."

I really do have to remind myself that Summer always comes. Those exuberant pictures shocked me the other day, when I dug them up randomly. Californians are so used to the accepted wisdom that we don't have much in the way of seasonality. But, my frigid feet and the difference in these photos tell another story.

And you, anything growing in your garden this week?

dead simple garlicky kale salad

I have a busy day ahead, but I thought I'd break into my regularly-scheduled blog neglect and post this salad. It's delicious and it's easy: Jacky made it with me last Sunday in probably 5 minutes. I've even pulled it together in the backyard before, with hose-rinsed, just-picked kale (ah, summer). This salad is so healthy I'd dare care it medicinal. All that cruciferous goodness and tons of raw garlic. This one's for you, Jora and Desi.

And, just to be clear, you must like pretty assertive flavors, and you really must like garlic. Still with me?

OK. Here's what you do. This isn't so much a recipe as a methode... ahem. Adjust quantities to what you have on hand and your desired sharpness of flavor. Here's what I did with what I had on hand:

Stem, wash and dry one bunch of kale (dino/tuscan/cavolo nero), chop crosswise into wide strips. Place in a bowl and sprinkle in a healthy pinch of sea salt. Using clean hands, massage the kale for a few minutes, until it's all slightly wilted (it gets darker). Kind of a natural kid-participation step.

Make the dressing: 1 t dijon mustard + 2 pressed/minced cloves of garlic + juice of one lemon (reg not meyer) + pinch of salt + few grinds of pepper + enough glugs of good e.v. olive oil to make a good emulsion but not blunt the lemon too much. Shake the dressing up in a jar and pour over the massaged kale. I think this is a salad where a lot of dressing is a good thing; you're going for big flavor.

Grate a copious amount of real parmigiano over the salad and toss to combine. Taste. Adjust acid, salt, pepper, cheese, etc.

You could go super caesar style and add croutons, but I never have. I usually whip this up in a hurry and have never missed the bread. Which is saying something!

PS: this salad keeps for days in the fridge.