After R comes S, as in Sorrel

Being in zone 5, Sorrel just squeaks by as a perennial. I planted it several years ago and it is still going strong in the garden. When the kids were smaller they just ate the leaves out of the garden. It was harvested today to make a lovely Vichyssoise. I just made it without a recipe, but this should be close.

Lemon Sorrel Vichyssoise

* 3 large finely chopped white and pale green part of leek, washed well
* 1 pound potatoes
* 4 cups chicken broth (can you say, "i-want-my-umami")
* 2 cups water
* 1/2 pound fresh sorrel
* 1/2 cup heavy cream
* Bouquet Garni
* a dash or two of Mirin
* salt

In a large saucepan cook the leek in the water over moderately low heat, stirring, until they soften, add the potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces, the broth, and the water, and simmer the mixture, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are very tender. Stir in the sorrel and simmer the mixture for 1 minute. Purée the mixture with a hand blender, strain and let it cool. Stir in the cream and salt taste, chill the soup, covered, for at least 4 hours or overnight, and serve it garnished with chiffinade of Sorrel leaves.

Freshly baked baguette dipped in this soup was heavenly.








I have always known it as Lemon Sorrel, but reading on the subject today it turns out that it is also called French Sorrel. It also appears that there are two types, a broadleaf (the one with the lemony flavour, that I am growing) and a narrow leaf variety (this is the usual kind used in French soups.)

I have found some other recipes to use Sorrel in, you can look for them in the near future.

Since I feel like death warmed-over with this summer cold, it is a good time to highlight my next favourite graffiti artist on the rails. This artist is in the YME crew and hails from Boston. The collection is growing quite large now, but still I am happy to find new and different art from him.

Introducing:

ICHABOD


Something a bit different from ICH.

A whole car is very exciting!


Another whole car!!!!!

ICH in HDR.

Moving Pictures

I have a hobby that some of my friends don't relate to. All the same there are those that do relate. The name for this hobby is called benching (although most of the flicks I get are not moving), I like to take flicks (photographs) of the art I find. I collect these flicks and compare them to what others have found on the freight cars across the USA (usually via Flickr.) I like to see the moving art and the progression it makes through the country. Here is an example of the movement of a car in California, New Hampshire and my flick of the same art in Colorado:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ikeya/2416709413/in/pool-705594@N22/?editedcomment=1#comment72157607077754372

It is also cool to focus on certain artists, and learn where they originate. I have several favourites which I will slowly highlight. My very fav is SOLO of the AIP (Art is Power) crew. This art originates from Minnesota, and I received an email from the artist thanking me for making a group on Flickr of his art. These portraits pop off the cars and the eyes are haunting, my heart races upon finding this particular artist's work!

Introducing SOLO:







I don't do the painting myself, but would like someone to do a BADWOLF mural in honour of Doc Who. Here is hoping SOLO sees this.

Back from Missouri and Harvesting Rs!

We have just recently been to Missouri to visit rellies and attend the wedding of my niece Megan (Who is a year older than my daughter Caitlin.)

Can you say bloody HUMID and hot, but mostly HUMID! It was terrible and it is only June, just imagine how August may be there.....Even though we were driving up I-25 surrounded by tornado warnings and threats of golf ball sized hail and a spectacular 360 deg. lightning show, we were very happy to get back home to Colorado.


A common sight in St. Louis is the Cardinal, we don't see them here in Colorado. This couple was brave enough to get seeds off the deck where we were staying. They are tricky to get pictures of though.

I managed to get a few sunflower pics for my Flickr friend Kathy, who loves Sunflowers:









Kathy these were taken at my sister's B&B, or at her house at Rhineland, Missouri.



...And finally a wedding picture- AHOOGA!




Back home to see the garden that Lucie lovingly watered for me while away- Thanks again Lucie! Harvesting Rs today....Rocket for my British friends (Roquette for the French friends, Rauke for the German friends....What can I say Arugula doesn't work for the theme....) and Radishes. I made some Rocket Pesto and garnished with the colourful radishes. "O" and the onions are from the garden, as well. :-)



I made this much the same way one would make basil pesto, but instead of toasted pine seeds, I used toasted pumpkin seeds.

A few updates with pictures:

First the baby birds.



The last picture is the last time they were all in the nest together....Three of them fly out, as I was taking the pictures.



And then there was one....A day later, there were none. But they are still staying very close to the house. We have seen them in various places in the front garden. A couple were on one of the currant bushes. One on a box my son left on the front porch after a drive-in movie visit (It didn't eat the popcorn). One of them was on an open ladder, it made a cute picture! Within a matter of days they look like the last 2 pictures. I saw a parent feed one in it's outpost. I suspect they won't be around much longer though.

Next update is the garden, just a few of the plants starting to thrive: