Rib our tummies. Now.

Spices

It has been forever since I have blogged. I blame facebook. I had all but run out of spices and so needed to place a big order. Here is my spicy bounty.

Elias in the lilies.

Lotuses and Lilies

On Friday I went with Dave to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

They were founded after the Civil War by a one armed veteran who planted acres and acres of water lilies and lotuses in ponds.

I really enjoyed the lotuses as you see them so rarely.

When the light hits them they practically glow. We got there early in the morning when the lotuses were completely open and there were still drops of dew collected in the giant leaves.

Columcille

A few years ago while I was in Saint Cloud I became rather interested in alternative building styles. I had helped some monks in the Mojave one summer in undergrad make a few hermitages and come form a family of builders so it's not a surprising interest.While I was researching I found this book.

Which had a reference to Columcille. A collection of megaliths north of Easton in PA. I of course added it to my list of places to visit.

This weekend my friends Timothy, Will, and I finally got there. The stone circle is behind this beautiful wrought iron gate. The entire collection was erected over the course of twenty years by a gay couple who were inspired by the celtic spirituality of Iona.

The two largest stones were "Thor's Gate" , which was roughly 15' by 20'.

And the "Guardian Stone" which was a solid twenty feet high at least.

It was a lovely way to spend the morning. I enjoy admiring the life's work of people devoted to making beauty for others.

Elias on the calvert cliffs.

Baked beans

Soak 2 1/2 cups of beans for 24 hours. I prefer a black or pinto bean. A good soup bean is great.

Change the water two or three times during that day.
Preheat oven to 350
Bring beans a boil in enough water to cover them plus two cups. I use a duth oven for all of this if you haven't got a Dutch oven use a very large casserole for the baking.

Add the beans and water to your
Oven proof covered dish.

Add all of the following
Two medium onions diced.
4T dried basil
3 T white vinegar
Quarter cup mollases or dark brown sugar
Quarter cup real maple syrup
2T olive oil
1/2 lb thick cut ham diced large
2T butter
1 tsp salt
1 T ground coriander

Bake for six hours checking every
Two hours to see if more water is needed and to stir.

This recipe is enough for six people easily and doubles with ease.