I had been looking to start a cookbook club but was not getting much interest—but thanks to #hatquest, I found out that some @chipublib.bsky.social branches have cookbook clubs! Off to my first one tonight!
One of my hometown friends was laughing about seeing ice cubes for sale at Aldi. I guess these are special, clear cubes for high-end cocktails and expensive liquors––none of which screams Aldi to me. But I just found them on clearance if any of my Chicago peeps want some!
Meeting a friend from NM and her two teenage sons for brunch near Division/Milwaukee/Augusta and of course I'm suggesting this as the meeting place...
I’m sending my Crystal Entity ice cube to Aldi to kick those fancy-ass four-for-$4.99 cubes in their facets
Speaking of AQI, I’m trying to preserve indoor air quality by not using my gas stove. Cult of the Instant Pot to the rescue!
My spouse sent a photo of the Chicago sunrise from work this morning.
Got invited to a last minute potluck so I made this one again…brown butter banana from the much-missed Fine Cooking #BundtSky
Hedge-podge (non-derogatory) when you have at least four species in there but trim it into a hedge shape anyway. Tickled to see a Rose of Sharon popping out a single flower
I went to a funeral*. Lord, I made a Bundt cake. To force myself to go see all those people I ain't seen, since the last time somebody died. *Memorial #BundtSky
The salt/sugar solution gets mixed in briefly, then the crust gets a triple fold like puff pastry and a good rest in the fridge. Peach pie ready for the oven for example.
Not even here? Right now a mixed bag of feral dill and random garden donations (iris, comfrey, sedum) that manage to tolerate the conditions.
Also he talked about the illegal gardens he planted with native plants when he was living in Oakland. I need to step up my native plant game with the traffic circle my neighbors and I are working on. I bet this native, cold-hardy cactus would do well there.
And since I'm already on the "Wrong About VR AI Crypto Smart-Glasses GLP1 NFTs or Bitcoin" moderation list, let me just say that this is yet another reason I love my rep, @ramirez.house.gov
When your caution tape to warn people off the baby grass came from American Science and Surplus
And now we wait! (Photo by spouse, who loves an unusual camera angle). #Giardinera
Culinary experiment, homemade Chicago style giardinera. Salting veg now, any words of wisdom?
Now is the time, Chicago! (Muffins because my letter carrier has a sweet tooth and needs the energy)
I’m happy to say that this song also addresses plant biology
Bollys Hobbies on Belmont near Central is a great yarn shop. Bonus shop cat and a Polish deli in the same block!
Maples, hey they don't do well in as city trees in Chicago, but coming from New England, I love a good maple tree. There was a sugarbush near my grandmother's ancestral farm and some of the maples there are massive. Mom here for scale.
Look at this gorgeous #cottonwood leaf––did you know that cottonwoods develop special abscision zones in their twigs and the shed twigs can root to form an entirely new cottonwood tree? Totally underrated #tree.