Review with Painting

On My Blog

Review of a book: The River Midnight

This week I converted my blog to what is known as Responsive Web Design – in other words, the blog should look good both on large windowed browsers and on small mobile phones. You can see what I mean by shrinking the corner of the browser page.

Elsewhere in the Blogosphere

• First, I want to show you Robin’s cherries. This luscious photograph inspired a whole post that is still in my head. I will let you know if the post becomes reality. Speaking of Robin, if you have summery photos, you might want to participate in Summer Stock Sunday.
• Miriyummy reminisces on childhood memories of the Catskills. And be sure to read her interview with Batya Medad.
• Ilana-Davita has written of the 2011 Philosophy exam in France. Which question would you pick? I chose “Can liberty be threatened by equality?”
• Among other books, Rayna Eliana reviewed The Coffee Trader which transports the reader to Seventeenth Century Amsterdam.
• Laura at Pragmatic Attic has some tasty fish recipes.
• Know anyone who runs a small business? They should check out my post Ease of a Facebook Business Page.

Nature Notes: Catbirds + Gardens

My flowers-instead-of-grass front lawn meadow is doing nicely. I believe the last time my husband mowed the front lawn was two years ago? Three?

In our backyard, the raspberries are beginning to appear. This makes our yard even more inviting for the birds.

About two weeks ago the catbirds showed up again in our backyard. They seem to love resting on my tomato plant holders.

Do catbirds like hydrangea? I like this white flowering shrub, even if they don’t notice.

Unlike other birds, such as the cardinals in the winter, the catbirds don’t seem to mind when I get up close with my camera.

I think this catbird is about to take off. They make such endearing sounds, like a meowing kitten.

For more Nature Notes:

Watery Boy

My middle son graduated from eighth grade last night and then left for camp. Today he is flying to camp, which started yesterday, as he didn’t want to miss graduation. I’m a little sad – I miss him! I know it’s a cliché, but they *do* grow up too fast.

This frolic-in-the-waves photo was taken last month at Asbury Park Beach.

For more watery photos, visit Watery Wednesday:

Bridge by Grand Central

The bridge is my entry for Sunday Bridges:

The sculpture is my entry for Straight Out of the Camera:

Curried Chickpeas

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. organic coconut oil
• 1 tsp. turmeric
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. coriander
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. black pepper or to taste
• 1 tsp. sea salt or to taste
• 2 tsp. chopped ginger root
• Optional 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
• Optional: 1/2 tsp. ground cloves (I didn’t add this, but it sounds like a nice flavor)
• Optional: 2-3 chopped garlic cloves
• 1 can of chick peas (or soak dried chick peas overnight and cook before using in the recipe)
• Garnish: Parsley or cilantro
• Optional: chopped red onion
• Optional: lemon juice
• Optional: chopped tomatoes – maybe I’ll add chopped tomatoes when they are season (August) – that’s the only time I eat them

In a saucepan or a wok, warm the coconut oil and the spices. After a few minutes, add the garlic, ginger and chickpeas and coat well. Cook for about 10 minutes. The original recipe suggested crushing a few of the chickpeas. Top with parsley or coriander and optional lemon juice, chopped onions and/or chopped tomatoes. You can serve immediately or reheat the next day. Delicious on rice.

I also made the same recipe with cubed zucchini – I may post that recipe next week.