preservation project!

street trash

2011-12-09T21:31:00.000-08:00

these were on a contact sheet with pics of the Big Dig, so likely they're from 2000. In order: original; followed by filters/layer styles--halftone; charcoal; photocopy; gradient map; shadows/highlights...

stuffed pumpkin recipe

2011-11-28T20:38:00.000-08:00

close paraphrase of Fred Fullerton's Facebook status update; published with permission

• Hollow out one small pumpkin
• Cook up brown rice, and then some hamburg, fish, or ground turkey in a frying pan with chopped green and/or red peppers, onions, and garlic.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Smear butter on the inside of the pumpkin and add a few of your favorite spices
• Smear butter on the outside.
• Fill the pumpkin with the rice, etc., put the "hat" on it
• Wrap the pumpkin in aluminum foil, and
• Bake it at 350 degrees for 2 or 2.5 hrs.
• Poke it with a fork to check if it's soft enough.

Beverages will be either a hearty red or an amber hard cider, which is Fred's pick.

And don't forget to bake the pumpkin seed! They make a great snack.

good earth mediterranean chicken

2011-11-10T15:47:00.000-08:00

old world style meets 21^st century convenience

Recently I prepared and enjoyed "Mediterranean Chicken with angel hair pasta," a new to me product from Restaurant Favorites, a company that's recently come onto the scene.

This good earth meal starter is such a good deal and tasted so good, I'm going to stock up on a few more to keep on hand. Since you need to provide your own fresh chicken, some milk (I used sour cream, yum), olive or whatever your oil of the moment may be and a cup of water, it's not quite complete off the shelf, but with those additions the kit provides plenty sufficient to feed two people generously. I've given it only 4 instead of 5 stars because it is a bit too salty, but otherwise nicely seasoned with possibly a tad too pronounced on the oregano end--or maybe not, depending on your own preference. I also detected a citrus overtone that blended in nicely with the other ingredients. Not only was the sale price an incentive, this is the kind of meal starter you could vary by making it with pork chops, adding in other sautéed veggies or, as I did, using chicken thighs with the skin still on. "Chef-inspired tips" in a box on the instructions side of the box suggests similar changes or additions. I realize the manufacturer suggests boneless skinless chicken breasts for their purportedly greater healthiness and already-almost prepared convenience, but to me they're also too bland. Whole grain pasta is a nice touch, since it hasn't been bleached into nutritional near-oblivion and offers a classic nut-like flavor and slightly chewy texture that accompanies the other ingredients nicely. What else is a plus? The package doesn't advertise the word "healthy" anywhere that I could see it, but does promote its "not artificial flavors / no preservatives." Try it, I hope you'll like it and return for more.

my amazon review: old world style meets 21st century convenience

gourmet rich!

2011-11-05T20:41:00.000-07:00

Although I didn't buy this cookie mix on Amazon, I needed to write a review and tell the world of cyberspace how outstanding the cookies are! The recipe couldn't be easier, and uses the common ploy of having the baker add eggs and butter that could have been included in the mix so they'll feel they're actually doing something. I tried to underbake them just slightly and they came out moist, rich, and flavorful, tasting and feeling like a high-end boutique bakery product. I stored them in a closed container and they still were moist 24 hours later, which is a real plus. Duncan Hines long has made good products that aren't unrealistically expensive; this is one to keep on your shelves in case of sudden guests or an unexpected potluck or other invitation.

my amazon review: gourmet rich!

pizza salad

2011-10-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

You can alter and improvise this basic recipe according to taste and available ingredients; the main thing is to assemble it - except for the cheese - as least 24 hours ahead of time. This is one of my favorite things to take to a potluck, and I like to save a serving for myself and eat it about a week later, though I'd never take anything that aged to a polite gathering.

•1 yellow bell pepper
•1 red pell pepper
•1 orange bell pepper
•1 green bell pepper (I vary the peppers according to current price)
•1 medium red onion
•1 container cherry tomatoes - cut each into halves or quarters
•1 or 2 4-ounce cans of sliced black olives
•1/4 ellbee sliced pepperoni
•Italian salad dressing

Slice all the above ingredients either coarse or fine, but for appearance and mouth-feel I'd advise being consistent. Pour on Italian dressing, toss, cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Before serving or taking to event, drain excess Italian dressing, add and toss to blend well: shredded mozzarella cheese - I buy it already shredded in those bags and use about 1/2 of the bag (not sure what weight, but not the giant size--maybe 4 or 6 oz.) per regular-size salad 1/3 cup grated parmesan or parmesan and romano cheese.

one day my soul...

2011-10-18T17:45:00.000-07:00

One Day My Soul Just Opened Up: 40 Days and 40 Nights Toward Spiritual Strength and Personal Growth, by Iyanla VanZant. "About Iyanla" at the back of the book describes her as a Yoruba priestess, an ordained minister, best-selling author, workshop leader, lecturer, who has been a criminal defense attorney and hosted a radio talk show.

It seems as if most of us spend most days going through times of transition, doubting, planning and wondering, anticipating that "one day" everything just might come together for us. On Christmas Day 2001 the person I shared dinner with gave me her extra copy of this book partly as an after thought and partly because she'd read it and discerned it might help me during that particular time of transition, doubting, planning and wondering what now. Since then I've read and journaled through this excellent handbook and I've seen Iyanla VanZant on TV. She impresses me as smart and savvy and someone I might relate to as spiritual director, therapist, counselor, or life coach (a type of intervention I've never pursued). The person who gave me this book is someone else who now is out of my life and comparing oneself to others or even to our former selves and states of being isn't usually a great idea, but said person commented she believed both of us were more spiritually advanced than sage and guru Iyanla. Be that as it may or maybe not, this seemed like a good book review for this blog, preservation project, though it would have fit desert spirit's fire!, my main theology blog almost as well. Providentially i've blogged quite a few times there this month, so here it is.

I journaled through One Day My Soul using a board cover, prettily designed, non-looseleaf notebook and found the readings and exercises settling, centering and helpful. Although there are places in the book to write, even if I didn't have the hardcover copy I definitely would have journaled separately, but some people like an all in one arrangement.

The biblical number of 40 days worth of chapters include topics such as creativity, choice, compassion, disappointment, fun, surrender, lonely, authenticity (you get the general idea), working definitions, a short commentary on each topic, what to remember, some fairly direct advice, and writing topics related to emotions, realizations, affirmations and resolutions. It's divided into ways to honor the Divine, honor yourself, honor others and honor the process, in which hopefully others, God and self will be intricately interwoven and involved. Although it's somewhat New-Agey, nothing conflicts with the great Abrahamic faith traditions and I imagine working and feeling through One Day My Soul Just Opened Up could benefit almost anyone of any age or gender, any religious of spiritual practice or tradition or maybe even someone who claims none, though it feels oriented toward women.

I appreciate the daily workbook format, but definitely would like a table of contents. Especially if you were working through the readings and exercises a second or third time, it would be very helpful to be able to go to the section or subject you needed at that time. Possibly later editions have included a ToC or an index, I don't know. Quotes from scriptures of different traditions or from writers known for their great wisdom would be an asset, but you can add your own choices as you go along. In any case, One Day My Soul Just Opened Up is a keeper!

my amazon review: that one day might be any day now

steve jobs, 1955-2011

2011-10-06T17:53:00.000-07:00

As I sit here trying to write a brief blog about Steve Jobs, I'm trying to fathom the incalculable debt I owe him and remembering some of my own design- and computer-related histories.

Back in the day someone might announce, "Whoever goes to Charette, we need knockout paper and coated Pantone paper." And later on sitting at an Apple computer in my first ever computer layout class, PageMaker, and saying to the instructor, "These look like Pantone colours!" and she replied, "They are Pantone colours!"

These days a lot of my life is a pastiche of Adobe software and Mac computers. I'm typing this at my iMac with OS Snow Leopard and just whipped out the mini-memorial graphic in Adobe InDesign. When I'm working in InDesign, I can choose the image alias to display as typical, as high quality or as "fast"--fast looks like that familiar old-time ruby red knockout!

Right now I can say no more, except to offer gratitude and thanks and to look forward to Apple's technological future that never would have been possible if not for Steve Jobs. Thanks, Steve, thank you Apple, hello again, World!

dino's gyros

2011-10-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

Dino's Gyros, "Centrally located in the heart of Clairemont Towne Square."

Especially now that they have a website, it's high time I gave a shoutout and review to Dino's Gyros. For several years I've loved to pick up their 1/4 Lemon Chicken Plate on Fridays--no special reason for the day of the week, except my Friday afternoons frequently are unscheduled. I've enjoyed their trademark gyros a few times, too...

Dino's Gyros opens onto a food court on the side of Clairemont Towne Square that includes a multiplex cinema as well as discount fabric/home textiles and hardware stores. There's inside seating for maybe a couple dozen, with outside tables and chairs for at least half that many. Large art prints of characteristic coastal Grecian scenes decorate the walls and help set a Mediterranean mood; everything about the place always is bright, light and uncluttered. You'll find the counter staff essence of politeness and hospitality and being able to observe the chefs cooking and assembling adds to the ambiance. Although there are no rest rooms, there's a no-cost community loo next door that's always clean and well maintained.

My favorite meal, the Quarter Lemon Chicken Plate, includes choice of white meat (breast and wing) or dark (leg and thigh). I always order the moister, more savory dark, except for the rare times I'm not there until after 4 and only the half chicken plate is available. I also routinely choose the simply perfect French Fries rather than the flavored rice option. Each order includes a small cup of tzatziki sauce, pita bread cut into 8 triangles and a tossed salad: tomatoes, lettuce, onions, black olive and pepperoncini, all lightly coated with tangy vinaigrette. At less than $7.00 including tax, the quarter lemon chicken is comparably priced with other offerings on Dino's Gyros mostly Greek bill of fare. They also have a wine and beer menu and specials for kids.

This definitely is a casual, come-as-you-are and enjoy-who-we-are venue. If you're in the Central San Diego area, I hope you'll visit Dino's Gyros and maybe even tell them Preservation Project sent you!

house 275

2011-10-01T16:21:00.000-07:00

(re)coloured, bright version restored original

home sweet home 5

2011-09-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

Today Songbird hosts a home sweet home 5 and tells us, "I've got home on my mind: what it feels like, how we make it, what we carry from the past and how we separate other people's leftovers from objects that really reflect our identity. So here are five questions about home."

A few minutes ago I did something interesting and a bit unsettling... since this far by faith, my testimony blog where I used to Friday 5 currently is inert, I've been playing on desert spirit's fire!, my main theology blog. However, this one, my "urban" blog was at the top of my blogger page since that's where I'd last posted and automatically I clicked "new post" and when I thought I'd made a srs mistake, navigated away from it, but it looks as if this 5 indeed is part of a retrospective preservation project that's a necessary piece of a prospective one. So here it is.

intro: A short while ago Christine/ Abbey of the Arts Poetry Party was about homecoming in a sense that could be simple, complex, multilayered or other. Though I never finished or really began an entry for the party, I commented "in this town military homecomings are on TV on a regular basis... all the too many times I believed I was going home in a very physical and total sense and as it turned out, instead I was turned away. Now what?" But today I'm playing in a simple way, recalling Erik Erikson's observation that to lose the sum of your possessions is to lose evidence of who you are.

Five For Friday

1) My very first home was in Bay Minette, AL, and I left at such an early age I've no recollection of it. But as much as I love the desert, I've always felt most at home, the greatest all-around comfort when I'm near the water, whether ocean, lake, river or alongside the bay.

2) Every now and then I dream about places I used to live, in most cases I'm with former friends (okay, many were acquaintances or "casual friends,") doing fun things like attending a party, putting together a meal, riding on the trail, out at the mall.

3) If again I could enjoy a meal with one person from my past, it might be Torie, my cousin I thought I'd reconnected with very well and quite thoroughly, but who again disappeared from my life and world some time during fall 2005 after we'd been emailing some and talking on the phone now and then.

4) I don't really have a favorite room in my current living space but I really like the way they're all in progress, and all reflect some of my history as well as my color and style preferences, generally light, bright, natural and casual.

5) Where I currently live I actually have quite a few material objects that represent home as a place and time and as a way of being. I'll single out the furniture I've either repainted or refinished. A few pieces are from my grandparents' abode, a few from yard sales or thrift stores, and several were ground scores found by myself or an acquaintance just waiting to be claimed.

Thanks, Songbird! I needed to remember and recall, so thanks once more.

Bill of Rights

2011-09-27T08:39:00.000-07:00