what I discovered in 2008

well, maybe not a big discovery -- and why did it take me so long? very useful anyway!

when making oatmeal, cornmeal, couscous or any grain type food like a porridge, add the dry grain to the water in the pot BEFORE heating to end up with way less lumps, especially if then stirred while cooking. way better than the traditional method of adding grain/oat flakes to boiling water

thanks to Denise who always asks thoughtful questions and is herself a gourmand

in considering chance & choice

art board: the size of laptop screen
photo: captured without looking through the viewfinder
time + space: postage stamps from switzerland
found: 4'33" no. 2 by john cage
stripes: the back of an old maid playing card
text: 4'33". ring-a-door-ginger
one of a series of 11 sketches
to be viewed in one horizontal row

corner grocery

always beautiful changing colour compositions

braised fennel provencal

when in the grocery, I was asked how to cook fennel...
here's my absolute favourite recipe

3 small fennel bulbs
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1 pound plum tomatoes, peeled & diced
2/3 cup dry white wine
12 Nicoise olives
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
Pinch of sugar
Salt and pepper

1. Cut fennel bulbs lengthwise into 1/2 inch slices.
2. In a large skillet, heat oil. Add fennel slices and garlic; cook 6-8 minutes on each side or until golden. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Add tomatoes and wine to pan and boil rapidly for 5 minutes. Stir in olives, herbs and sugar. Add fennel slices. Cover and simmer for
20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot or at room temperature with pasta and/or bread. Good with parmesan cheese.

Makes 4 servings
Adapted from The Book of Vegetarian Cooking by Louise Pickford

an apple orchard

lovely spartans on the tree
smell so sweet






lovely spartans wet by the rain
taste so good




I really enjoyed my visit to the orchard. A chilly, wet autumn day! Yes, I'm going back in the early fall for the sunshine and more apples!

I highly reccommend the orchard tours at Kelowna Land & Orchard. :) You might even see the black bear that loves apples!

okanagan field tomatoes

looks so great

beautiful tomatoes
in my favourite bowl


bc made bowl found at The Country Mouse in Steveston