thoughts on a cloudy day

I've just started a book called A Declaration of Interdependence: Why America Shound Join the World. It's pretty interesting so far, disussing the turn in our society to a mass separation of class, privatized living, and a loss of community. Interdependence is something I'm working on in my own life--- it's often hard to put trust in others, or to make sacrifices for the greater good. But I also think these actions are pertinant to a building healthy communities, maintaining functioning societies and achieving a global awareness.

It's interesting even talking about these kinds of topics at times, because I know that 2 years ago I could have cared less. That's not entirely true, but much of my life and actions revolved solely around myself and my immediate surroundings. It's very exciting to be learning so much and to be constantly striving for more a more open-minded thought process. And though I live my life here and now in Aberdeen, I find myself striving for thoughts and actions friendly to a global scale. Much of which I have yet to learn, but it's so important!

Ooh I tried out this super tasty recipe last night:
Vegetarian Borscht Recipe: A Vegetarian twist on a Ukranian/Russian soup yum!

Ingredients:

6 cups water

2 carrots, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

2 stalks celery, sliced

3 medium beets, skinned and chopped

1 large can whole tomatoes, squished with hands

2 potatoes, chopped

1/3 cup butter (can use a lot less for low-fat recipe)

1 cup chopped onion

2 cups chopped cabbage

3-4 sprigs fresh dill chopped

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

serve with dollop of sour cream or yogurt on top and some fresh dill sprinkled over it

serve with a good hearty sourdough bread

Directions:

*Place water and a couple pinches salt in a large stock pan or dutch oven – over high heat. Add carrots, pepper, celery, beets, and potatoes and bring to a boil.

*Melt 1/3 cup butter in a separate skillet over medium heat. Saute onions in butter until tender, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir cabbage into the skillet with remaining sauce, and continue simmering until tender. *Add onion-tomato mixture to the stock pot. Reduce heat and simmer about 10 – 15 minutes more. Season with salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Top with sour cream/yogurt and more fresh dill for garnish.

SOOO tasty. <3

whimsical weekends in washington

new life calls for a new blog. extraordinary happenings, & ordinary ones too. thoughts, ideas, recipes, music, sights and sounds.



3/21

Cross country skiing in Snoqualmie (an hour east of Seattle) avec Isabel (co-worker and friend), Lorena (boss) and 2 boys. good fun, great workout, fresh snow!

Later that evening, met up with Justin and went to a music festival called Honk Fest West -- a gathering of street bands with horns, drums and dancers to celebrate community and to peacefully protest the war. woot! Saw Adam (previous WJH and the Gloomadeers drummer) from Denton. His band, Hungry March Band from NYC was playing. Actually found out about the fest from him.

3/22

We had the most excellent crepes and tea at a restaurant in Ballard (a neighboorhood in NW Seattle). yummm! Out for a bike ride around and to a park on the Sound (Puget Sound). Did some pilates in the grass, was a beautiful day!

That evening had drinks with Ashley, a gal I met at a WSC (Washington Service Corps)conference who volunteers with Cascade Bicycle Club in Seattle (and who we were staying with for the weekend) and some of her friends. Then we were off to The Baltic Room on Capitol Hill for I Heart Shiva, Bollywood Hip hop dance night oooo ooo! We also hit up Chapel, a bar around the corner that opened as a mortuary in the 1920s! super cute and amaaaazing martinis. Cucumber, chocolate, banana creme, ginger infused, pepper... more than you could dream.

3/23

Walked in the rain to the Ballard Farmer's Market. Got soaked, but also got fresh organic leeks and beets, freshly made peach/raspberry pie and some delicious veggie tamales.

Stopped for dinner in Olympia and found some rad murals!