yes, i'm one of those types that goes goo-goo when her cat gets all cute in the afternoons.
3.31.2010
3.30.2010
Agave Nectar...similiarities with HFCS !??
read on....agave has always been an issue for me. i have blogged about it in the past. it's hard deciding what to believe and what is bogus. you can find anything on the net supporting or refuting an issue at hand. but here are some interesting comparisons that are not all that hard to believe. much of this i've read before in other articles. and living in an area that grows AND produces it, I can say that this article is pretty right on.
thanks mom, for looking out for my health concerns, and always sharing the latest and greatest in scientific, medical, and food discoveries.
thanks mom, for looking out for my health concerns, and always sharing the latest and greatest in scientific, medical, and food discoveries.
3.29.2010
Pedernales Falls
yet another great perk about Austin...a superb State Park only 1 hour away down beautiful, hilly highway 290.
it has been a treat living so close to Big Bend NP, also only 1 hour from home. after living in the high desert for a year i've gained a much deeper appreciation for a damp, spring morning. there's something to be said about traipsing through the desert, rock collecting, arroyo following, dry air alleviating any possibility of sweating. but how refreshing to unzip a tent flap and hearing, smelling rushing water only footsteps away. although i didn't go camping while i was there, i envisioned what it would be like. i felt a deep connection to the hill country. maybe it's my history with the Georgia, Carolina, and Virginia mountains that made me feel so at home here. there are definite similarities, maybe not at first site, but there are resemblances in the trails that are so dense with trees you can't see where the bend in the path goes. and green so green it's an overload to look at. they say that the Pedernales is so clean you can drink from it. there has never been cattle or factories along it's banks, and so the water runs clean and clear. one of the last remaining fresh water sources of it's kind.
i listen to this calling inside, and wonder what it means. one of my life's mottos, try everything at least once. the emphasis on "everything" meaning only as opportunity allows. of course i can't do EVERYTHING. maybe everything to my personal standards is doable. but only in that sense.
so all this talk about Austin and the hill country may be a foresight into the future....
...any place i call home has to have plenty of outdoor things to do.
although swimming isn't allowed in the falls area (above) due to frequent drownings and flash flooding, there are swimming holes further down stream...
it has been a treat living so close to Big Bend NP, also only 1 hour from home. after living in the high desert for a year i've gained a much deeper appreciation for a damp, spring morning. there's something to be said about traipsing through the desert, rock collecting, arroyo following, dry air alleviating any possibility of sweating. but how refreshing to unzip a tent flap and hearing, smelling rushing water only footsteps away. although i didn't go camping while i was there, i envisioned what it would be like. i felt a deep connection to the hill country. maybe it's my history with the Georgia, Carolina, and Virginia mountains that made me feel so at home here. there are definite similarities, maybe not at first site, but there are resemblances in the trails that are so dense with trees you can't see where the bend in the path goes. and green so green it's an overload to look at. they say that the Pedernales is so clean you can drink from it. there has never been cattle or factories along it's banks, and so the water runs clean and clear. one of the last remaining fresh water sources of it's kind.
i listen to this calling inside, and wonder what it means. one of my life's mottos, try everything at least once. the emphasis on "everything" meaning only as opportunity allows. of course i can't do EVERYTHING. maybe everything to my personal standards is doable. but only in that sense.
so all this talk about Austin and the hill country may be a foresight into the future....
...any place i call home has to have plenty of outdoor things to do.
although swimming isn't allowed in the falls area (above) due to frequent drownings and flash flooding, there are swimming holes further down stream...
still too cold to get in
i got lucky and witnessed a river urchin, a phenomenom
that no one has been able to explain
3.27.2010
oh, Austin...you're so much fun !!
we rolled into Austin thinking we'd go camping at Pedernales Falls State Park, but after checking the weather and saw that there was torrential down pour in the forecast...well, at least 40% chance of rain...we decided to roll down Congress Ave instead. and did it rain!! we woke to crispy air that woke up our chill bumps, soaked sidewalks with puddles that begged to be jumped over, chirpy birds, trees rustling the left over dew onto our foreheads, people brisking by on their way to work, and the smell of great coffee wafting from Jo's next door, filling our nostrils. wow how i've missed the city, and convenience, and sensory stimuli.
original plans to stay at some friend's house fell through so we wanted to find the cheapest hotel possible, without going too far away from cool ole congress...south congress, to be exact...also dubbed SoCo. The Austin Motel was our only choice. i crossed my fingers for a $69 room all the while thinking "yeah, right, more like $269 in downtown Austin". but it was my birthday and all things great happen when you turn 30. we got a single bed room for $69, tax included brings it to $80. yippee! the next morning we walked next door to Jo's Coffee for an Americano...is was about as good as the coffee as El Peppercorn...and booked another night at the motel. they moved us to a double double bed room for only $100, tax included. next time i come to Austin, which will be in 3ish short weeks, i'm booking here. it's got history with the local prostitutes before this area cleaned up it's act. i've heard lots of stories already. now considered the hip street, tourism row, place to go...The Austin Motel kept some of it's quirks while sprucing up the place...
an apron for a window curtain
flamingos in Texas
the Oregon coast
local art
cats on roofs
junk yard gardens
next door is The Snack Bar...Diner by day for breakfast and lunch. Lounge by night for eclectic snacks, discerning wine, beer and organic coffee. open late late. i had a weird cocktail of grapefruit juice, topo chico and a shot of sake...oh so delish.
other places worth my time:
Prototype Vintage
Allen Boots
Maya
Bohemia - vintage clothing for men and women. i picked up an adorable red button down adorned by blue prairie flowers for $15
Guero's Taco Bar - great happy hour specials, like $0.25 tamales and $1.00 al pastor mini tacos. also decent margaritas and sidewalk seating.
there were too many places for me to go into every single one, and to be honest i was tuckered out from all the window shopping. but you can check out the neighborhood for a complete listing of boutiques, eateries, and others.
original plans to stay at some friend's house fell through so we wanted to find the cheapest hotel possible, without going too far away from cool ole congress...south congress, to be exact...also dubbed SoCo. The Austin Motel was our only choice. i crossed my fingers for a $69 room all the while thinking "yeah, right, more like $269 in downtown Austin". but it was my birthday and all things great happen when you turn 30. we got a single bed room for $69, tax included brings it to $80. yippee! the next morning we walked next door to Jo's Coffee for an Americano...is was about as good as the coffee as El Peppercorn...and booked another night at the motel. they moved us to a double double bed room for only $100, tax included. next time i come to Austin, which will be in 3ish short weeks, i'm booking here. it's got history with the local prostitutes before this area cleaned up it's act. i've heard lots of stories already. now considered the hip street, tourism row, place to go...The Austin Motel kept some of it's quirks while sprucing up the place...
an apron for a window curtain
flamingos in Texas
the Oregon coast
local art
cats on roofs
junk yard gardens
next door is The Snack Bar...Diner by day for breakfast and lunch. Lounge by night for eclectic snacks, discerning wine, beer and organic coffee. open late late. i had a weird cocktail of grapefruit juice, topo chico and a shot of sake...oh so delish.
other neat-o stores up and down congress...my favorite:
Uncommon Objects, no website for samples, but take my word for it...they have a great selection of costume jewelry, stuffed animals (as in taxidermy), lamps, 1930s yacht deck lounge furniture, art deco vanities. the Uncommon Object of my desire, but will have to wait for another (un)birthday, is an antiqued brass chain necklace with glass Czech beads and a tiny pocket knife inlaid with mother-of-pearl dangling from the end. i've never seen anything like it, and there were tons of them! they don't allow photos inside otherwise i'd have stolen a shot.other places worth my time:
Prototype Vintage
Allen Boots
Maya
Bohemia - vintage clothing for men and women. i picked up an adorable red button down adorned by blue prairie flowers for $15
Guero's Taco Bar - great happy hour specials, like $0.25 tamales and $1.00 al pastor mini tacos. also decent margaritas and sidewalk seating.
there were too many places for me to go into every single one, and to be honest i was tuckered out from all the window shopping. but you can check out the neighborhood for a complete listing of boutiques, eateries, and others.
ta-daaa
3.25.2010
3.23.2010
meep, meep!
happy birthday to meep!
there is no shame in celebrating life.
my life.
everyday is my day.
happy to be alive.
happy to be me.
what do we all have in common?
harry hudini
steve mcqueen
spike lee
clyde barrow
peyton manning
tommy hilfiger
roscoe "fatty" arbuckle
edward weston
charlie daniels
fanny crosby
chloe peppercorn
.....
our birthday is tomorrow !!!
happy birthday to us !!!
....
30 is such a sexy age. really, i'm quite excited about it. so excited, that everyday this year is a celebration. some cool little trips are on the horizon in honor of 30...when my Jupiter returns to it's original point on it's axis, where it was when i was introduced into this life...a little something from me to me, a long awaited body adornment, the art nouveau chloe peppercorn mermaid. there were only two other birthdays that were as rad as 30 is going to be. my 15th: i got a lava lamp, a cd player with two cds, Juliana Hatfield and Nirvana, an ice cream cake, and later all my besties piled in two cars, smoked some green, and headed to St. Simons Island at dusk for a skinny dip in the murky waters of southeast georgia. and my 27th: big bon fire out on the homestead, baby keg, people i didn't even know, people making out in MY bed...ew...laugh, laugh, laugh...it made being back in georgia worth it. thanks friends. i love you. i miss you. all my jesup folk, jessi, nick, mandy, ariana...every boody...but y'all especially. my adopted blood sis, Ev. and my home slice, Kristen.
wouldn't west texas be so much more fun if y'all would all show up on my doorstep for a ho-down?!
steve mcqueen
spike lee
clyde barrow
peyton manning
tommy hilfiger
roscoe "fatty" arbuckle
edward weston
charlie daniels
fanny crosby
chloe peppercorn
.....
our birthday is tomorrow !!!
happy birthday to us !!!
....
30 is such a sexy age. really, i'm quite excited about it. so excited, that everyday this year is a celebration. some cool little trips are on the horizon in honor of 30...when my Jupiter returns to it's original point on it's axis, where it was when i was introduced into this life...a little something from me to me, a long awaited body adornment, the art nouveau chloe peppercorn mermaid. there were only two other birthdays that were as rad as 30 is going to be. my 15th: i got a lava lamp, a cd player with two cds, Juliana Hatfield and Nirvana, an ice cream cake, and later all my besties piled in two cars, smoked some green, and headed to St. Simons Island at dusk for a skinny dip in the murky waters of southeast georgia. and my 27th: big bon fire out on the homestead, baby keg, people i didn't even know, people making out in MY bed...ew...laugh, laugh, laugh...it made being back in georgia worth it. thanks friends. i love you. i miss you. all my jesup folk, jessi, nick, mandy, ariana...every boody...but y'all especially. my adopted blood sis, Ev. and my home slice, Kristen.
wouldn't west texas be so much more fun if y'all would all show up on my doorstep for a ho-down?!
3.20.2010
3.09.2010
RAW foods and agave nectar
living in far west texas, agave nectar is native and plentiful. so naturally, i like to eat it. but even outside of it's native territory, agave nectar is a great substitute for those who watch their sugar levels, or want to stay away from refined foods such as conventional white sugar.
i've been exposed plenty to raw food diets, and even tried it on an occasion. once specifically to detox. but i failed miserably because so many things i thought were considered raw, in fact were not. of course, agave nectar goes much farther for me, being a baker and quasi cook person, i like to mess around with alternative ingredients, staying away from conventional foods and super refined things.
read about one raw foodie's research on agave nectar, the truths behind it's production, and some other interesting facts about sugary things.
i've been exposed plenty to raw food diets, and even tried it on an occasion. once specifically to detox. but i failed miserably because so many things i thought were considered raw, in fact were not. of course, agave nectar goes much farther for me, being a baker and quasi cook person, i like to mess around with alternative ingredients, staying away from conventional foods and super refined things.
read about one raw foodie's research on agave nectar, the truths behind it's production, and some other interesting facts about sugary things.
the absolute most best cookies i've ever made. hands down!
some people say my lemon poppy seed cookies could make even the citrus hater fall to their knees in pleasure. or drive a toothless old granny to munch on those poppy seeds in her sleep.
the dough rolls all covered in crystalized lemon zest, with a little vanilla ice cream on the side, could even surpass Ben and Jerry's famous chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. maybe this is a little embellishment on my part, but i have heard certain rumors floating around.
so here's the latest and greatest, adapted.
they don't have a name yet. so if anyone thinks of anything grand, or makes them, tastes them, and some extraordinary name comes to mind, please share. they don't look like much, but everything is said in the flavor.
3/8 cup Agave Nectar (you can easily find agave nectar at any health food store. these days most regular grocery stores carry it too. if not, then substitute with 1/2 cup Honey. plain ole refined sugar would ruin such lovliness. but if you must, the measurement is 1 cup)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup unsalted salted, unsweetened, peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup brown rice flour
3/4 cup Quinoa flakes
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup nuts (i used pecans)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
heat oven to 350f.
if butter is still cold, beat until broken down. add agave, brown sugar, peanut butter, and vanilla until creamy. combine rice flour, quinoa flakes, baking soda and salt in separate bowl whisking so all dry ingredients are incorporated. add dry mix to butter mix until well blended. fold in chocolate chips and nuts. drop by spoonfuls on a parchment paper lined cookie tray. bake 12 to 15 minutes. cool for a few minutes before removing from tray. letting it cool first is very important. since these are gluten free they are VERY crumbly when hot.
the only thing i can suggest doing that i didn't do is to add about 1/2 tsp of xanthan gum. the lack of eggs, and what little peanut butter there is, does not create enough of a binding agent. xanthan gum will help them not be so crumbly :)
for future recipes:
- quinoa flakes act like oatmeal. a great sub!
- conversion for alternative sweetners
3/8 cup agave = 1/2 cup honey
2/3 cup agave = 1 cup sugar (compensate for the added moisture by subtracting any other liquid ingredients by 20%, or 1 fluid ounce per 2/3 agave)
for other cool facts and info about agave nectar check out Madhava Agave Nectar
the dough rolls all covered in crystalized lemon zest, with a little vanilla ice cream on the side, could even surpass Ben and Jerry's famous chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. maybe this is a little embellishment on my part, but i have heard certain rumors floating around.
so here's the latest and greatest, adapted.
they don't have a name yet. so if anyone thinks of anything grand, or makes them, tastes them, and some extraordinary name comes to mind, please share. they don't look like much, but everything is said in the flavor.
3/8 cup Agave Nectar (you can easily find agave nectar at any health food store. these days most regular grocery stores carry it too. if not, then substitute with 1/2 cup Honey. plain ole refined sugar would ruin such lovliness. but if you must, the measurement is 1 cup)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup unsalted salted, unsweetened, peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup brown rice flour
3/4 cup Quinoa flakes
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup nuts (i used pecans)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
heat oven to 350f.
if butter is still cold, beat until broken down. add agave, brown sugar, peanut butter, and vanilla until creamy. combine rice flour, quinoa flakes, baking soda and salt in separate bowl whisking so all dry ingredients are incorporated. add dry mix to butter mix until well blended. fold in chocolate chips and nuts. drop by spoonfuls on a parchment paper lined cookie tray. bake 12 to 15 minutes. cool for a few minutes before removing from tray. letting it cool first is very important. since these are gluten free they are VERY crumbly when hot.
the only thing i can suggest doing that i didn't do is to add about 1/2 tsp of xanthan gum. the lack of eggs, and what little peanut butter there is, does not create enough of a binding agent. xanthan gum will help them not be so crumbly :)
for future recipes:
- quinoa flakes act like oatmeal. a great sub!
- conversion for alternative sweetners
3/8 cup agave = 1/2 cup honey
2/3 cup agave = 1 cup sugar (compensate for the added moisture by subtracting any other liquid ingredients by 20%, or 1 fluid ounce per 2/3 agave)
for other cool facts and info about agave nectar check out Madhava Agave Nectar
3.05.2010
today's photos
spring time in the high desert.
i can't wait.
prickly white poppy
this year i'd like to try my hand at making prickly pear jam
blooming agave
3.04.2010
photo of the day
another beach day, south padre island.
Indiana Lantana after crashing after a football into cold January waves.
jorge's beach trash sculpture
i've discovered the toyota sunrader
i know my mind is hard to change when my heart is set. i'm just as in love with living in a bus as i ever have. but here's an idea...80's something toyota rv. there are two models to my liking: sunrader, and dolphin. the sunraders are so totally late 70's, it's got my name written all over it. here's a taste.
81 sunrader
86 sunrader
85 dolphin
a couple of stats that make this vehicle so awesome. nothing says reliability like toyota. and this particular rv gets 16 to 19 miles per gallon.!! i can't say that about any other rv/house-on-wheels/bus that i've come across. also, a lot of these come with roof racks and/or back racks. which means bicycles and Honda Passport scooters can be easily adhered.
the gypsying possibilities are endless.
3.03.2010
polaroid(s) of the day
missing the good ole days
three naughties
nothing nice
bar scene #1
Jessi
bard scene #2
Nick
bar scene #3
Chloe
3.02.2010
polaroid of the day
yes, i'm still polaroiding around. picking up an expired pack here or there when i'm so lucky. taking advantage of winter light, when i'm so lucky.
it's so cold. all i can think about these days are the beach.
3.01.2010
school bus news update
originally, we were going to close the coffee shop to make another visit out to La Linda to do all the nitty gritty on the bus out there. instead, we're just closing for the day.
i've decided that a smaller bus would be much more conducive. i don't have all that much stuff. and the pets and i don't mind be cozy. also, it's much easier to find a diesel ford e350 or e450 engine within my price range. i could settle for a gas engine, but that would mean that i'd be settling. my research and the hear-say i've come across say diesel is the way to go. many of them have that lift i mentioned before too. but with a smaller bus it wouldn't be necessary to put the scoot inside. i could just tow her.
it would be like driving one of those smaller rvs.
just enough room for a double sink and toilet, possibly a stand up shower, some book shelves, a mattress in the back end, some storage, enough floor space left over for the pups, and a window with a shelf in it for especially for Ruby's sunbathing needs.
i've decided that a smaller bus would be much more conducive. i don't have all that much stuff. and the pets and i don't mind be cozy. also, it's much easier to find a diesel ford e350 or e450 engine within my price range. i could settle for a gas engine, but that would mean that i'd be settling. my research and the hear-say i've come across say diesel is the way to go. many of them have that lift i mentioned before too. but with a smaller bus it wouldn't be necessary to put the scoot inside. i could just tow her.
it would be like driving one of those smaller rvs.
just enough room for a double sink and toilet, possibly a stand up shower, some book shelves, a mattress in the back end, some storage, enough floor space left over for the pups, and a window with a shelf in it for especially for Ruby's sunbathing needs.
example: 1
example: 2
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