My Darling Dear

From this funny site.

Quandry: The Carrot (aged)

I don't like it when people tell me I am too old for something.  I rarely believe it's true, especially when we are discussing an activity like rollerskating or a certain favorite tshirt that says "QD Mufflers" on it.  However, this theory of mine does not apply to food and it's a double standard I will act quickly on.  For instance, if I even think that milk has been in the fridge to long, if the thought even crosses my mind, I have to get rid of it.  Same with produce. Gone. Later broccoli. Sorry, slightly mealy apple.  As a result, I tend to buy little and often.  Anyway.  Old. 

Which brings us to today.  I'm up in the air about carrots-- when are they too old?  Where is that line?  Is it when they are dried out?  Is it when they start to shrivel?  Is it when the ones in the bottom of the bag get slimy?  Case in point:

It's dry.  There are creases.  I ate one of this carrot's friends, begrudgingly, and there was some bitter (but that may have been the inevitable "one bad carrot").  Is this carrot too old to eat?

Anna says no.

Tribute: Hunger Games.

Moment.

Just Dance with my nieces.  I am very focused and perhaps slightly concerned.  Thank you, sister, for snapping a photo of this finery.  

Brentwood, California.

(this post could also be titled "Update your blog so I don't have to stare at the damn frittata.  Everydayyyyy Friiitattta:  A Response")

2012 New Things: Make a Frittata

Frittatas intimidate me.  I have always known they are inherently easy, but for some reason they seemed too complicated to figure out and the idea of putting a pan from the stove INTO THE OVEN blew my mind.  I mean, can you do that?  (you can.  as long as it's oven-safe, duh.)

Starting 2012 simply, I made a frittata.  I am fond of Mark Bittman's recipes and he has a "more veggie, less egg" take on frittatas.  Loaded up on asparagus, leeks, peas and spinach, the frittata came out very green.  Green is good. 

yum.

Keep It Going: 2012 New Things List

My 2011 Bucket List has, thus far, been my most favorite list I have ever made.  Throughout the year, the list reminded me of things I wanted to try and, as a result, I backpacked to Sykes Hot Springs and the Desolation Wilderness, went to the Legion of Honor, made awesome paella and failed mince meat pie, canoed with my family, went snowshoeing and took a tap dancing class.   The spirit of trying new things lead me to ride my bike 27 miles, build a counter on my backporch, and meet up with friends more than staying in.  In general, I definitely learned that saying yes is way more fun than saying no.  

And so, I'm going to continue this idea, this mantra into 2012 and creating a "new things" list (apparently 'bucket list' is morbid to some).   Here we go!

2012 New Things

1. Visit Angel Island
2.  Make a frittata.
3. Learn to crochet an afghan.
4. Learn Prelude in C by Bach
5. Go to a meditation session
6. Go lazy inner tubing on a river
7. Watch the Godfather
8. Read Moby Dick
9. Visit Mono Lake
10. Hike to the Tourist Club
11. Backpack the Lost Coast
12. Ride a horse
13. Make tiramisu 
14. Publish in a scientific journal
15. Eat raw foods for a week
16. Have an epic crafting party
17. Take a paddleboat out on Stow Lake
18. Visit the Pleasanton Ridge
19. Partake in a fancy tea
20. See a Great Lake

Yes is more fun than No!

Wolf (never cry)

Journey.  He wandered into California last week, has a webpage and is a young bachelor without buddy or mate.   You won't find him on match.com but he may be checking out your herd.  As you would expect, animal enthusiasts are yelling about shooting wolves and ranchers are worried about their livestock.   Unless this wolf gets all immaculate conceptiony, I'm thinking he's just neat. 

If you feel like reading about saving the wolves, check out the Defenders of Wildlife site.

If you want to read more about the history of wolf issues, check out The Wolf That Changed America (PBS).

While looking for the above links, and sadly searching"kill the wolves" in an attempt to find some anti-wolf material, I came across some terrible, glorifying blogs about hunting wolves and different ways of trapping and shooting them. Ugh. So, here's a quote from Jack London's White Fang, which I shall now go read in its entirety to cleanse my soul. 

Much of the Wild had been lost, so that to [other dogs] the Wild was the unknown, the terrible, the ever menacing and ever warring. But to him, in appearance and action and impulse, still clung the Wild. He symbolized it, was its personification; so that when they showed their teeth to him they were defending themselves against the powers of destruction that lurked in the shadows of the forest and in the dark beyond the camp-fire.

kayaking in Marin

Saturday, I had to get out of the house.  Too much sleep caused by a cold, too much television, too much being in a small space.  So, we went kayaking up in Marin with Anna and Chris.  It was a wee jaunt to the bay and back from San Rafael.  Beautiful, crisp day (but,seriously, rain, where are YOU.)

 off the prow (bow?) of Anna's Kayak.  That's China Camp State Park on the right.

 Steve and I.  This is very much the same position we were in when the tour guide dropped Steve's camera into Monterey Bay, so we were nervous, especially since Anna was using her phone.

I was using Anna's kayak and felt really comfy and sturdy.  On the other hand, Steve was using a really really sensitive kayak that would probably become unbalanced and tip if you coughed. 

Perfect.

If a jolly airedale in a field doesn't make you smile, nothing will.  I am home from work, nursing a cold, and this literally made me gasp with joy. Happy Friday. 

2011: Top 5 Firsts (as documented by iPhone)

 First time taking the family canoe out in about 20 years.  July, 2011

First race ever run, Wharf to Wharf in Santa Cruz, California.  July 2011

 First time Brinly ever slept outside; we had a sleep out on the cabin deck.  September 2011

 First time at the mystery spot and first time being unexplainably almost as tall as Steve!  October 2011

First time ever riding the ferry from Larkspur to a Giants' game.  The ride was incredibly awesome and reminded me that exploring my own city and the Bay Area in general is an amazing, eye-opening thing.  September 2011.