my neighbors garden wall
I'm really loving this monthly goals thing because I'm getting it done. Nagging things that are so easy to put off are getting checked off and that's amazing. This here's my list from last month and below is what has gotten done.
1. Working in the garden, check. It is actually looking quite ravishing. All the salvia is in bloom and so are the mums. I've even had some roses bloom. The back and side yards really are nothing to brag about right now tho. 😬
2. Thanksgiving table and menu ideas. Check. I shared my ideas for an outdoor thanksgiving here and tested/cooked up two dishes I plan to share. One was a big hit and the other was 50/50 but I loved it so I'll post the recipes this coming week.
3. Clean, polish and store summer shoes and bags. Done. I always love doing this while taking stock of what I've got. I did wind up returning the beautiful Frances Valentine Bee bag because it was just too big for me. I really loved it but in the end I think I made the right decision.
4. Yoga Wear. I haven't done anything about this. I'm just using what I've got and it's ok. I have my eye out tho.😉
5. Listing things on eBay. I have listed a few things but I have many more to do. The things I've listed are somewhat high-end/high price for a collector or someone passionate about vintage. These things take longer to sale than normal so I will be patient.
November is a busy month right? So much to do on top of the dailies. I'm working on my list and I can't wait to share it with you. How did you do with your goals/lists this month?
How nice - you’re inspiring me to tackle my lists.
ReplyDeleteCan you please link your ebay shop?
margaret these lists have been great for me! also, i added the link to ebay but these are not my average listings:) x
ReplyDeleteDidn't you do well?! I'm taking a different approach than previously - one day at a time. I start the day declaring "if I do nothing else today, I will do ... " then I try to limit t he day's goal to no more than three. I'm getting somewhere with these bite size pieces and I feel like I'm meeting goals. Now, I love that curvy corner of your garden, Janet, so pretty and enticing. Happy week, hugs, x.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your method mary. i'm amazed at how much i'm getting done here since the goals thing. yay! x
DeleteYou are very motivated Janet!
ReplyDeleteLists are my motivators...they keep me focused and I need prodding with jobs that I think are tedious...
your neighbours' garden wall is lovely especially with those pink roses!
thanks leslie. you should see their garden! it's a california landmark! x
DeleteThree cheers for your to-do list success, Janet. Mine has pretty much been focused on cooking and baking. I've made Ciabatta, rosemary, and honey wheat artisan breads (the last one my own recipe). I also just created an original soup recipe because I couldn't find leeks for a potato leek soup. I'm calling it Vegan Rustic Potato Soup. It calls for an unsweetened almond milk base, roasted garlic, sautéed green onions, and yellow potatoes (plus thyme, Marjoram, nutmeg and olive oil). I'm absolutely thrilled with the results. I'm now tackling a sweet potato Tikka Masala recipe I need to make sans tomatoes. Cheers to all, Ardith
ReplyDeleteoh ardith i'd love to make your soup! i adore potato soup and this one sounds fabulous. do share your recipe! x
DeleteWell, here is the recipe in all its unformatted glory, Janet (I couldn't figure out how to attach a pdf version I have).
DeleteVegan Rustic Potato Soup
My original intention with this recipe was simply to blend two existing recipes I found online for a vegan potato leek soup. Instead, and partially due to the lack of leeks at the market, I ended up creating my own recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Total Prep Time: Approximately 15 minutes
Total Cook Time: 2 hours (1 hour for roasted garlic, 1 hour for the soup)
Ingredients
2 lbs of yellow potatoes, cubed approximately 1 inch (I kept the peels on)
1 head of garlic, roasted
1 bunch of green onions, sliced thinly (white and green parts)
1 cup of water
4 cups of unsweetened almond milk (I used Walmart’s Great Value Unsweetened Almond Soup Base)
1 tsp dried Thyme
Pinch dried Marjoram
Ground fresh black pepper to taste
Ground nutmeg to taste
1 tbsp virgin olive oil
Optional: Salt (none, 1/2 tsp, or 1 tsp, depending upon taste/diet)
Optional: Dash of Tabasco sauce
Equipment/Tools
6 qt casserole pot or equivalent (I love my Chantal version)
10” frying pan (mine is cast iron)
Cutting board
Potato masher
Large soup serving spoon
foil
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Remove outer layer of skin of head of garlic, trim off top to show top parts of raw garlic. Center on small sheet of foil, drizzle with about 1 tsp of olive oil, pull up sides and seal like little parcel. Place in oven with rack just above middle of oven. Bake at 350 degrees for at about an hour, or until the garlic is caramelized and very soft. As soon as you can handle the garlic, remove from the skin and set aside in small bowl or ramekin.
Wash and dry potatoes, cut into 1” cubes, set aside.
Turn large burner on to low medium heat. Place 6 qt pot on burner. Pour 1 tbsp of olive into bottom of pot. Add the Thyme and Marjoram, grind in some pepper. Add the potatoes. Cook the potatoes with oil until they begin to soften, at least 10 minutes, and stirring regularly.
Meanwhile, add a bit of olive oil to the 10” pan and heat at low medium. Pour the thinly sliced green onions and sauté until just turning brown. Set aside.
Add 2 cups of water and continue to cook the potatoes until very soft. Use a potato masher (I have my mother-in-law’s 1960s version) and mash potatoes until they’re close to mashed potato style, but not smooth. Remember, this is intended to be a rustic soup.
Pour in the 4 cups of unsweetened almond milk and blend well with the potatoes. Stir in the roasted garlic and sautéed green onions.
Check flavorings and add additional herbs and spices to taste, if desired.
The consistency for the soup I wanted was thick, but still soup (as opposed to a heavy stew-like body). I ended up adding in one rounded tbsp of cornstarch (stirred thoroughly with just enough water to liquidize the cornstarch).
Turn down burner to low, aka the lowest setting, and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
Taste test and adjust seasonings and soup thickness as desired.
Serve hot with fresh bread.
How cool is that Rolling Stones t shirt!
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of monthly goals, mine are really prosaic and I could never share them, but completing them gives me such a feeling of satisfaction. I promise you, that 'brush teeth' isn't on there but they are almost that basic!
On yoga clothes, I need two long ish cover ups, I have two bobbled Zara jumpers that look like rags, I look like a scarecrow heading to my Pilates reformer lesson.
i'm laughing because the long sweater i wear to yoga has 2 holes in the back left shoulder! i really need to fix that.:)
DeletePS. I so want to go to a Thanksgiving dinner in the US one day or at least to Ralph's in Paris, I always feel like I'm missing out
ReplyDeleteoh let's meet at ralph's one year, wouldn't that be so fun?! i think larry would order the cheeseburger tho. !!! xo
DeleteJanet I do hope that my story about the 'Manchester bee' didn't put you off that bag ? xx
ReplyDeleteoh no elaine not at all. the bag was stunning and i'm afraid just a little to big and heavy for me to use as an everyday bag. i was quite torn bc it was gorgeous.......i hope i don't regret it.:)
DeletePhew ! xx
ReplyDelete