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So last Thursday I was invited to ride into downtown Springfield on a bike (not the pedal kind that I usually ride).  I’d never done this, so I figured why not?

Mark and I on bike night, headed downtown

It was a blast.  I’ll definitely try it again sometime.  This particular style of bike would not be comfortable as a passenger for any length of time, but for this short ride it was fine.

Once in town I also rode a mechanical bull.  I’m still trying to get my hands on that video….

J

So life has taken me in several different directions in the last year or so.  My time is now consumed by two jobs instead of one, and by caring for Duncan by myself instead of with a partner.  I am more social outside of my home.  Thus, I have had less time to play with food and to write about it.

Today is a beautiful day in New England.  The sun is out.  There are few clouds in the sky.  It’s 78 degrees outside with barely any humidity.  There is a light breeze.  A perfect weather day.

I finally made it out to my favorite farmer’s market this morning for the first time in weeks.  On our way from parking lot to market we spotted an artist pawning his glass blown wares, street-side.  I bought myself two pendants.

Then I spent almost every penny that I had on me purchasing such wonders as okra, blueberries, butter & sugar corn, fat eggplant, sunburst cherry tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, baby turnips, radishes, yellow & green squashes, cukes, chilies, and onions.  When I got home, I got straight to preparing dishes so that a) I can eat healthfully while on the run during the week and b) nothing goes bad before I get around to cooking it.  I started off my kitchen adventures with turnip kimchi.  Next came ginger pickled radishes.  Then a cider vinegar pickled beet salad.

I’m currently baking off a pan of Harvette’s new granola recipe with a few minor changes.  I took her recipe and substituted maple syrup for the brown sugar, added cayanne pepper to the spice list, and added pepitas & sunflower seeds along with the cranberries at the end.

Somewhere in there I made Duncan’s lunches & dinners for the week as well.  And either tonight or tomorrow I’ll bake off some peanut butter dog cookies too.  Now I’m off to figure out how to wrap up this day.  Maybe I’ll grill off a bunch of veggies and do some yard work now that the sun is going down.

J

Heather, Gerry and I ran the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race yesterday.  For each of us it was a matter of achievement.  We weren’t running for time, or for a sponsor.  We were running to start something and finish it.  We ran for ourselves and with each other.  It was fantastic.

Heather, Jess and Ger after the run

We had a wonderful team of supporters, some at the race, and some at the house.  After the race we all traversed to my place for a cookout, a few beers, and some fire-spinning entertainment.

Pam entertaining us with her mad fire spinning skills

We truly have a fantastic network of friends and family.  I am thankful for all of them.

Next weekend we are off to Enfield, CT to support some of our friends as they take on the Scantic River in their kayaks.

Today is a day for swapping the wardrobe over from winter to spring (not an easy task), and for baking dog treats.  I look forward to both.

J