Lelo in Nopo

I recently got my hands on some rhubarb for the very first time. And not just any rhubarb. This rhubarb comes from my friend Jean Ann's garden. You need to go check out her blog and her produce site: she's selling produce to local cafes (thank you Evan for connecting us) and is an all-around wonderful person, too. Anywho, rhubarb. This stuff is gorgeous. Seriously. I couldn't stop admiring its beauty. Red metallic? Intense.

The Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler recipe I used is from the always wonderful Kitchen Parade. (Alanna's recipes are always good!) Strawberries and rhubarb are a classic combination, in season at the same time, and their colors!

And with this long grey spring in Portland, these vibrant colors are so welcome.

Such an easy recipe, with no pie crust to roll out, and a whole lot less butter. I had never made a cobbler with cornmeal, but it gives the crust a wonderful crunch.

Did I write about how good my kitchen smelled? But then there was what it tasted like....pure deliciousness. The tart tang of the rhubarb joins with the sweet strawberries, sugar and cinnamon and it's the weirdest thing. I could swear it was carbonated. It bubbled in my mouth like carbonation. Or it felt that way.

Now THAT'S an introduction to rhubarb. Taste-a-liciousness!

Labels: In the kitchen

If you thought the parade was only full of Clowns for Christ, you're wrong. No no no no. The parade is much more than that. Though I've never seen so many Clowns for Christ before. If you are wanting to see more clowns, Steve has some for you. I just have more juicy tidbits and insight into the depth of the parade. And Jess was right in her previous comment: it is an event with no pretension and I love it because of that.

I love the Shriners....has anyone ever seen a young Shriner? I haven't. Wave at my Shriner!

Wave at the Royal Rosarians! They used to scare me, but not anymore. I love them. They are the official ambassadors for Portland's Rose Festival. Now that's a kick ass volunteer gig.

This was a warning to all children who misbehave (and part of the pirate contingent). Right before I took this the pirate girl was actually rolling down the street with her head and hands in that thing. And then the wheels locked up on her and she had to tow it.

And then there were the cars. I only share a few here for you...this is my car. If I could have any of the cars in the parade, this is the one. I'd ride in it with my dog.

I told AdRi she could have this car.

This car was made by carpenters. Could you tell? And, how much you think this thing weighs?!

And finally, there's this group. Whenever I see these banners and stickers, which first came out around the same time we were seeing the One Man + One Woman stickers make their debut, I always wonder to myself if I should hate them. I mean, what are they about? It just doesn't feel quite right. But they were there.

Because marching in a parade just isn't marching unless you march with your bag of KFC.

Until next time, happy St Johns parade everyone.
Don't miss my previous post featuring Clowns for Christ.

Labels: Things I've seen in North Portland

Today was the St. Johns parade. Our local neighborhood parade, but it's a long-time North Portland tradition. The chess club team marches, there are a few bands, little league teams and many candidates running for positions. Of course the mayor, fire chief, etc. It's one of my favorite North Portland activities because it's definitely a slice of life. Scary and delightful all in one. And so I share the scary with you, my dear readers.

There were lots and lots church contingents. Lots. But this one took the cake. Clowns for Christ was their theme, and some of those placards on the van say "Whose clown are you?'" and "We are clowns for Christ." Could it be true? Clowns for Christ?

It's true. There were lots, and lots of clowns for Christ. And really, nothing says thank you Jesus like a bunch of people dressed up like clowns, right?

For more photos and stories of the 2008 St. Johns Parade, I have a new post here.

Labels: jesus, Things I've seen in North Portland

Can you tell which one is the dog and which one is the pillow?
This photo should be titled AdRi's favorite Christmas gift.

Labels: wink

The sun came out this week and I had a moment of zen in my backyard garden. Wink did too. And here we share it with you.

My garden 360 degrees from LeloNopo on Vimeo.
Make sure you stop to smell that wisteria. I swear it smells like Bazooka bubble gum.

Labels: 360

Labels: The Sassy Gardener

Alternate Title: The Oregonian prints my letter, highly edited.
But first, let's have a little humor. Take a listen at this morning's conversation between AdRi and I:

"Brickback? Brokeback? Bareback?"
"No honey, brickbats. I don't know. I'll look it up."

My letter to FoodDay was printed in The Oregonian today, and that sentence there would be a link if they put the article on-line. It's actually 1/3 page with 3 other letters on the same topic, and an opening six paragraphs. But guess what kids? It's not online. Update: It's now online here. Here's the headline:
I believe my letter falls into the brickbats category. Brickbats. The American Heritage Dictionary says:

1. A piece, especially of brick, used as a weapon or missile.
2. An unfavorable remark; a criticism.

Word History: The earliest sense of brickbat, first recorded in 1563, was "a piece of brick." Such pieces of brick have not infrequently been thrown at others in the hope of injuring them; hence, the figurative brickbats (first recorded in 1929) that critics hurl at performances they dislike. The appearance of bat as the second part of this compound is explained by the fact that the word bat, "war club, cudgel," developed in Middle English the sense "chunk, clod, wad," and in the 16th century came to be used specifically for a piece of brick that was unbroken on one end.

No response, but they did print the letter. And today I learned an archaic word rarely used in modern language, and one that stems from Middle English 16th century and as a theater critic reference. The Oregonian continues to prove how in touch they are with their readership.

The original letter and my blogpost can be found here.

Oh FoodDay. I'll still read you, and I'll still make your CousCous with Carrot and Cilantro salad you have on Page 3. Because I'm fickle that way. I just wish you were a little more in touch with the rest of us. Kisses.

Update: Special welcome to all of my new visitors from Slashfood!

Labels: brickbats

I'm not sure what the "Bud" reference is. It could be Budweiser. But no matter what, no knockin' if this thing's rockin'. I hope I have my camera handy next time I see a Calvin peeing on a Ford truck logo. Or praying to a big cross.

Labels: Things I've seen in North Portland

A new column is up, and I only scratched the surface: The Gays, are definitely gardening!

Labels: The Sassy Gardener

My sister homeschools her kids. In Australia, there's all kinds of nature education: even on holiday, they participated in a nature program, and made casts of animal prints. Can you see the paw prints of the kangaroo?

It's getting to be Autumn there. Opposite sides of the world mean opposite seasons. She's thinking of apples and winter is coming. Me? I'm reveling in Spring. Starting seeds in newspaper pots and egg cartons. My Favorite 11-Year-Old stopped by last week and we planted these together. Swiss Sunset Basil, Ponytails Amaranth, Love Lies Bleeding Amaranth, Purple Tomatillos, Ornamental Freak Gourd (not its real name but I'm calling it that, as a lover of all things freaky). Together we immersed our hands in the soggy soaked coconut shell soil, and filled the pots. Then with a chopstick, poked at the soil to bury the seeds. They're sprouting now, the amaranth to be the first up. Today my eye spied the basil emerging. Emerging. I like that word right now. It's how I feel in Spring.

Labels: Sisters + 9200 Miles, The Sassy Gardener

Those are the names of the chickens who provided eggs for tonight's dinner. Make that, tonight's Spinach and Goat Cheese Quiche. And how did I come across these glorious eggs? That, my friends, is the wonders of the blog. A very friendly reader, though sparse commenter, GoblinBee, whom I met in person at an event last fall, sent me an e-mail asking a trade for produce from our garden, for eggs from her lovely girls. Alas, we don't have much produce this time of year, but I do have some tasty Apple Ginger Marmalade and Spicy Honey Dill Carrots. (And come this summer, we'll grow her her very own tomato plant.)

Ready for the small world part? She lives 3 streets away. We're neighbors. And she's a really nice person. How great is that? I love the internets. And I love this quiche. So much I'll even share the recipe with you. I made my pie crust, because it's super easy and I know how to do it with my eyes closed. No sugar though. Whip that up, put one in the freezer to use in the future, and one in your pie pan.

Spinach and Goat Cheese Quiche—From The Culinary Institute of America's book on Vegetables

Preheat the oven to 350.
Heat 2 T of oil in a large skillet, medium heat, until it shimmers. Add 1/2 cup minced onions and saute, stirring frequently, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 4-5 cups washed spinach and saute until very hot, about 4 minutes. You're cooking down the spinach. Put the mixture into a strainer in the sink and let it drain and cool. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on it.
Whisk together 3/4 cup heavy cream and 2 eggs (I used 4 because I think a quiche needs more than 2 eggs). Stir in 1/2 cup crumbled fresh goat cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 2 T chopped sun dried tomatoes and the spinach/onion mixture. Season with salt and pepper and spread evenly over the pie crust. Bake for 45 minutes, or, until a knife blade inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the quiche rest for 20 minutes once done.

Thank you Gloria, Louise, Zora and Georgia, thank you G!

Labels: In the kitchen, NorthPortland, sweet life