domicile

What's for Dinner?

Just when you thought you had exhausted the gamut of pasta preparation techniques, along comes the wonderous Clotilde and the Absorption Method (not that she invented it). I believe we'll be having some version of this for dinner tonight, though I'm going to go crazy and add white beans to round it out a bit. Mmmmmm. Pasta.

Square Foot Gardening Results Are In!

  flourishing squares 
  Originally uploaded by emira.

This year, as I was faced with the task of starting up our veggie garden relatively from scratch, I did a bunch of research into garden design, veggie growing, etc and settled on trying the Square Foot method. I did this for two reasons really. The first being that it gave me a pretty straightforward plan that was easy to follow and had decided boundaries. That made the project of starting a veggie garden from scratch seem manageable what with the working full time and such. Second, that kind of regimented, planned gardening kind of runs counter to my entire gardening nature and I was sort of curious, in an admittedly twisted way, to see what I could learn from trying something kind of outside of my normal pattern.

I picked up the first edition of Square Foot Gardening from the library and surprised myself by reading it pretty much cover to cover. And, I continued to be compelled by all the talk of how easy it was to maintain such a systematically planned garden, once you've put the initial work into setting it up. And so, I pressed on. Martin (my partner) helped me build two 4x4 ft squares, I made a plan (with a schedule!) for what would go where and when I would plant it, and eventually replant as squares became available. And off I went.

As of this weekend I have four squares left to plant and have already moved onto replanting one of the radish squares that has been harvested, and so I figured the time was right to share my thoughts on this process so far.

I love it. Much more than I thought I would. And primarily my reason for loving it is that it is exactly as easy as promised. On the weeks when I've thought that I didn't possibly have time to go out and fuss planting vegetables that won't really give me much return for months to come (so why not wait a few more days... weeks... oops too late), I've remembered that to go out and plant two squares of lettuce will take me about 5 minutes including washing up afterwards. Weeding is a breeze in the raised beds, and watering has also been pretty low maintenance (though here in Vancouver the rain has done much of that for me so far). And I have, somewhat to my surprise, stayed pretty close to my original plans. I've made a few shifts here and there, ditching a scallion square for extra radishes to meet the in-house radish demand, or deciding that one of the kale squares could instead be planted amongst some of my flower beds to free up a square for example. But, overall, I've stayed pretty close to my original plan. And that's the other great bit: going into it with a plan has been wonderful in that I don't have to really think about anything, I just need to remember to check my book each week (which I do every Saturday morning) and make sure I'm on track. If I don't have time to daydream and do web research, or pour over seed catalogues I don't need to worry. Typically any one week's tasks (exclusive of watering) can be done in a few 10 or 20 minute stints, leaving me time to worry and fuss in the flower beds.

In fact, my only complaint so far is that I didn't plan for enough. I should have done three boxes, and I'm regretting that now. In the planning stage I thought that 32 squares (each 4x4 ft box contains 16 squares) would be enough for our family, but I'm not sure that it really is. I had wanted to replace most of my farmer's market produce shopping for the summer, but I'm not sure how realistic that is going to be. I may need to try growing some regularly consumed extras (like those radishes) in pots or in other beds. And now that summer is coming, I'm already regretting the fact that I definitely won't be getting quite enough of some of the staples (tomatoes, cukes, beets) for much in the way of canning or pickling, so would need to go to the market for those which seems a bit of a shame. But really, that's a minor complaint. And I'm already looking forward to setting up a third box next year and may even see if I can maneuver a fourth box for "production" growing of items for canning etc.

I know it is typically a method lauded for small space gardening, and I can certainly see it working well in community gardens. At this point, though I'd recommend it for many folks. It really has allowed me to be pretty utilitarian about my food growing, freeing up much needed time for more creative thoughts about the rest of the garden.

Roses are Fussy!

  Pruning roses 
  Originally uploaded by emira.

Who knew!?! But seriously. Our house came with a number of lovely roses of different varieties. Some traditional pink, very fragrant lovely ones in the front, two of what I believe are dog roses also in front beds and a very prolific climbing rose on the back fence.

Last summer all of these plants kind of took me by surprise in terms of how very much I fell in love with them. Not that I've been harbouring a life long hate-on for roses or anything, but they had just never really caught my eye in gardens in the past. I think it was that each of these different roses (and I've already reserved a book at the library to help me identify them, and figure out just what they need in the way of care) brought back childhood garden memories. Their various scents reminded me of the hot summer days that my best friend Kate and I used to try making "perfume" from flower petals mixed with water from the garden hose in 4L ice cream pails that were then set in the sun to cure. The look of the different flowers from each bush was of such a simple, but iconic beauty that I was pretty much charmed from the get go. I also really loved how old each bush clearly was (you could see the gnarled past branches trimmed down to allow for new growth), and imagined how many years they had been tended and loved by their previous owner (I'm such a sucker for things with history, whether its a history I embellish or one that has some actual legs, give me a "heritage" seed variety any day).

Anyway, aside from needing to learn the basics of rose pruning last year me and the roses got on famously. No real problems. No real fuss. In exchange I enjoyed beautiful cut blooms and scent in the house for months. A perfect arrangement. And I will admit, I had a few passing thoughts about how much easier roses were to care for than people seem to think.

And then the problems started.

When Inspiration Strikes

  Amy Butler's Reversible Apron 
  Originally uploaded by emira.

Lately I've been in a bit of a funk. Not entirely sure why, but I'll hazard a guess that it has to do with not spending nearly enough of my limited time off actually resting and rejuvenating, in favour of things like ripping out drywall. Anyway. I'll admit that I've likely not been the most fun to be around. Not really grumpy per se, just kind of going through the motions, while Martin pushes forward with project after project around the house turning ideas into real live results in his wake. Meanwhile I'm left in the dust, or more correctly curled up on the couch cramming in the first season of the House of Eliott on DVD.

And maybe it was all the divine 20s fashion and talk of dressmaking, or maybe it was a fateful recent browse at Reprot Depot on a lunch break this week, but I've suddenly been struck with the mojo again. Huzzah! And so it is that I've placed orders for a couple of Amy Butler patterns and am seriously considering making a rash trip to the Fabricana 20% off sale (that's 20% off everything kids!) tonight to feed the frenzy. Dare I go fabric shopping in this state? I've already started making mental lists of all the things I could make for gifts this Christmas, and really that kind of ambition at this stage in the year is almost never comes to fruition.

We Don't Want It, Maybe You Do?

It always seems a bit strange advertising the fact that you've taken the time to dig through those boxes in the basement, and unused cupboards in the kitchen to compile a sizeable enough bunch of stuff to stick on your lawn, but nevertheless. This weekend we're joining forces with some friends who are moving to sell some stuff that falls into the category of either: things that will not be moved (them) and things that have yet to be unpacked since we moved (us). The sale will be happening at their place in the 2500 block of Oxford Street (Vancouver) from 10-2 and apparently some other families are getting in on the fun times, so come on by!

Day Dreaming

  Dutch Tub! 
  Originally uploaded by emira.

design*sponge has all kinds of fun from recent design shows, in particular some beautiful typography from the Stationery Show. That said, this Dutch Tub is just too delightful. Years ago I rented a basement suite that had a hot tub and I have some friends who I don't think will ever forgive me for leaving that hot tub behind. This dutch tub may just be a way to make amends. They hail from Arnhem, NL which is rather convenient as we'll be very close by on our trip in the Fall. They claim that it is very portable. I wonder if I can take it on the plane?

Let the Veggies Begin!

First Radish Harvest
Originally uploaded by emira.

We had some of the first batch of radishes with our lunch today. The veggie garden has really been loving the heat we had this week and the lettuces, which until now had been a bit pokey, and radishes really took off. I've nearly planted half the squares in my two 4x4ft beds now, and will rotate something else into the radish square once we've eaten the last of this batch. I'm mildly concerned that I didn't account for enough space for our kitchen needs and there isn't much room to add another square in the back (which is the south facing yard) this year without some fairly serious landscaping undertaking. So I may have to use some of the side beds for things like extra lettuces, or maybe even for a round of pole beans. We'll see.

Picnic Salads

  Summer Salads 
  Originally uploaded by emira.

I was asked to include recipes with this photo to submit it to the Recipes to Share Group at Flickr (fun times to be had over there by the way), and in so doing thought I'd share this with y'all as well, just in time for the unofficial first day of summer up here in Canada: the May long weekend. Of course, here in Vancouver it is shaping up to be a rainy one after a truly gorgeous week, but what can you do?

It may be a bit early for these salads yet anyway, as they are really best made with the freshest ingredients, including the first early potatoes of the season. But just writing out the recipes got me excited for summer, picnics and fresh produce. So, if you're feeling the same, take note and as you start to see creamy young potatoes, fresh bunches of arugula and juicy tomatoes at your market, come back and give these a try. Despite my long rambling descriptions, they are very easy to make and also very open to personal interpretation. Both are (or can easily be made) vegan.

** New Potato Salad with Cannelini Beans **

* 2lbs of fresh young new potatoes (approximately... this amount will make enough salad for two people for probably two evenings and maybe still some left overs).
* 1 can of organic cannelini beans, well rinsed.
* 1/2 small red onion diced quite finely (you can also use fresh spring onions, or garlic shoots for this in place of the onion, just adjust your quantity according to the strength of the ingredient).

* 1 large clove of fresh garlic
* 1/2 tablespoon of grainy or dijon mustard
* 1 tbsp of red wine vinegar
* 1/4 cup of nice fruity extra virgin olive oil (if you don't have a particularly flavourful olive oil on hand, then try mixing some cold pressed walnut oil in with your olive oil to add a bit more flavour)
* good pinch of rock salt
* A few good grinds of pepper

1. Chop your potatoes to roughly 1" sized cubes and steam them over fresh water until cooked through but still quite firm (maybe 10 minutes? sorry I typically just keep an eye on them). Once they are done (just test with a fork), give them a quick rinse to stop them from continuing to cook. I typically don't plunge them into a total ice bath as I actually like the effect of the slightly warm potatoes softening the onion a bit.

2. Which lead us to our next point! Transfer your steamed and rinsed potatoes to a bowl (this can be the bowl you will serve the salad in if you don't want to make too many dishes) and add the finely diced onion and rinsed beans. This salad is at its best when the onions are still very young and sweet, if you have older stronger onions you may want to lessen the portion you include or dice them even more finely. Stir that all around so that a bit of the heat radiating from the potatoes gets through the onions and beans.

3. Now in a separate small bowl or mason jar mix the remaining ingredients (excluding the pepper). The one slightly fussy thing I do here is to crush the sea salt into the garlic as I'm chopping it. I seem to remember being told that was a good idea in some cookbook, and ever since I've always done it for vinaigrettes. Otherwise just stir it all together until it is combined (or shake in your jar) and then pour over the potato mixture.

4. Add a few good grind of fresh pepper and you're done!

5. (OPTIONAL) Fresh herbs are also wonderful in this salad. Everything from italian parsley, to fresh dill, basil or even some chopped sorrel. But it also stands up well as described here.

Typically we'll eat it at room temperature the first night and then chilled from the fridge following that. It is one of those dishes that is even better the next day, though I never remember to make it ahead of time.

** Arugula and Tomato Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette **

1 bunch arugula
2 tomatoes or a generous handful (or 2) of cherry tomatoes

1/4 cup of olive oil
1 tablespoon of pesto
1 generous tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
small pinch of salt (optional)
healthy grind of black pepper

1. Wash and tear the arugula and place in bowl.
2. Wash and chop tomatoes into bite sized chuncks (as you'll see here that was simply halving cherry tomatoes).
3. Combine remaining ingredients to make vinaigrette. If you use a store bought pesto you may not want to add any salt to the vinaigrette as I find those are already quite salty, if you use a homemade version (as I do, that doesn't include cheese) then a pinch of sea salt will help bring out the flavours. I've really guessed at the ingredients here, as this is one I typically do by taste. I do try to let the pesto take centre stage and not be overwhelmed by the vinegar, so do be a bit sparing there.

No Mom, This Doesn't Mean I'm Pregnant

The every charming Claire of Loobylu and her husband Phil have started up a kid themed site for parents (or keen aunties, uncles etc). Everyday Ideas for You and Your Kids is the tagline at Kiddley and so far it seems to be filled with plenty of good ideas. I've been a longtime reader of Claire in her Loobylu venue, and as she's had a daughter and peppered her content with information about parenting I've always really enjoyed her perspective. Not that I don't have oodles of examples of this in my real (read: not online) life, but to see a smart, creative woman doing interesting things with her kids, coming up with fun projects and still going through the regular struggles of parenting has been a real treat. I'm very much looking forward to reading more from the two of them on Kiddley. Beside, who says adults don't want to grow pineapples on the window sill?

(Oh and speaking of launching new online ventures, those of you who know me from Soapboxgirls.com may be interested in finding out about Bosslady.ca, a website that is part of a larger book project on women in business. The site launched this week, and if you're interested in women in business, keep your eye over there too.)

Perennial Delights

  Looking back at the sale 
  Originally uploaded by emira.

I'm pleased to say that I survived the UBC Botanical Garden Perennial Sale on the weekend. I survived. I had fun. And I came home with a pretty tidy haul of lovely perennials to pepper the garden with.

I'm somewhat embarassed to admit that I was a bit nervous. Actually, really nervous. This was the first time I had been to this very popular sale, and I really didn't know what to expect. I had been told to get their early, and that there would be a contingent of hardcore gardeners there with lists, wheelbarrows and defined purpose. And there were. But they weren't as intimidating as I had feared. I'm relatively new to this hardcore gardening addict life, and I have to keep reminding myself that gardeners are really a special breed of lovely. Looking back on it, I think I was thinking the atmosphere would be more like the clothing sample sale world (a universe in which I'm definitely a seasoned participant). And while, I would never knock a good sample sale, the feeling at one can sometimes be a wee bit competitive. By contrast the feeling in the line-up outside this sale was very friendly and welcoming. Laughs went up and down the line as people shared tales of plant woe and successes. The folks around me took me under their wing to give me the lay of the land and the overall sale protocols as well as to give me advice about some real winners they've acquired from sales past to be on the lookout for.

In the end, I arrived about an hour early, with my red trug and some canvas bags to hold plants. There were maybe 30 people ahead of me in line, most of whom had indeed brought wheelbarrows or wagons. While my trug was handy, it wasn't enough and I'll admit I had to make two trips to the holding area before I was done. Next year I think I'll definitely be bringing some kind of wheeled device to save my wrists and make browsing more pleasant. (In fact, I may just ask Martin to construct some such thing, as he does love a challenge, especially anything that involves castors).

My haul was modest by some standards, but it feels like a party out in my yard right now! Click the "more" link for a full list of what I brought home: