Randomly Timed Update: There Are A Lot Of Us, And We Eat.

Well, I began this blog with the idea of documenting how the work on our big  weird building progressed. And it has progressed, just not in the sense I was anticipating. We haven't been able to do much to the infrastructure beyond last winter's attic insulation, though we will continue over time to nibble away at the huge project that is "greening" this 90+ year old brick building.

So, environmental pioneers we may not yet be. However, we've managed to be pretty busy nonetheless. Our household has expanded from the five of us (me, husband, three daughters) to a homey eleven with the addition last February of the niece of an old friend (age 20), then two of her buddies (19 & 22) by the end of last Spring, and over the summer the return of our Prodigal Extended Family of Choice (parental denizens of Black Rock City and their 15 year old Boy). Plus a naughty cat and three small and enthusiastic dogs. Sounds a lot more hectic than it actually is, largely because we have a lot of elbow room and a lot of wildly divergent schedules and so don't have to run into each other very much unless we feel like it (see following post re. Thanksgiving).

Now that I've managed to sum up the household, let's take a look at some of the things we like to do.  Basically we eat. OK, there's a lot of school involved in day to day life (one in preschool, one in elementary, one in middle school, one in high school, two in college, and a teacher live under this roof). But we eat. And when food turns out especially nice looking and/or momentous, we like to document it. Behold, the beauty that is Food With Heart:

Exhibit A: ShishKebobs, courtesy of The 9 Year Old

These included golden-fried nigari tofu, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and a delicious sauce of dijon mustard, mayonnaise,  horseradish, Italian dressing, and plain yogurt. She stuck them on bamboo skewers and broiled them, though grilling would work too.






Exhibit B: The Great Tomato Fest. It was summer, 'maters were in season, and we went all out.

This feast consisted of

• slices of heirloom tomatoes with salt & pepper
• cherry tomatoes stuffed with fresh basil leaves, perlini mozzarella balls, and a  few drops of  balsamic vinegar (Husband calls 'em Italian Salad Shooters)
• baked stuffed tomatoes, filled with bread crumbs, sauteed onions, & cheese
• sandwiches of  hollowed out hoagie rolls with beefsteak slices and cheese
• bloody marys
• and a fine film: Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (completely dada and inexplicable)

Additional food related exhibits to follow. Stay tuned.