Fish, Fish

Working at a resturant every Sunday, there is a potential to serve a lot of fish--about 1/3 of the menu on offer comes from the sea. I, myself, have never been a fish fan, but I love me some shrimp it has to be said--although many people look at me in disbelief when I clarify my sea-meat likings. They just seem puzzled.

On my break today, at the restuarant, I read this article in The Times: Chefs grilled over fish menus.

Some 'Fish for Thought' really, and now maybe I'll have a response next time I get those puzzled looks. What's on your plate tonight?

Why I Love Clotheslines

With the weather being gracious enough to allow me to hang my newly washed clothes on the line this morning, I thought I would reflect on why I absolutely love clotheslines:

• Using the clothesline forces me to slow down, enjoy the sunshine and/or wind and take deep breaths in the 10-15 mins it takes me to put up a full load.
• It saves energy, and my electricity bill.
• Sometimes it only takes an hour or two for clothes to be dry on really sunny or windy days.
• My garden becomes instantly colorful.
• It's, like, so European.
• Puns like "Is she hanging out?" or "I'm outside, pegging out!" are hilarious. (Thanks, Andrea.)
• I will always remember one house in Ireland along my bus route that had their family's clothes on the line, every day, rain, wind or shine.
  
• Drying 2 or 3 loads of laundry on the line in one day is so much more satisfying than sending them in through a dryer.
• A clothesline is so easy to put up and use: someplace to hang it from, wire/rope, pegs.
• You can even have a clothesline on a balcony.
• My clothes smell nice.
• I like the wind-blown look.

Urban Homesteader

Somewhere in my longing for Americana, I have this romantic notion of what it would be like to live in the South, proper woman of the house looking over her Southern home, the sweltering air and crickets at sunset.

To be honest, I have no idea where this comes from. I don't even think it's from the movies. I've never been to the South and I'm almost positive that if I actually lived there at any time over the last century I would have real trouble, one way or another. Plus, I don't think it's just "the South" that's in my head, more of a meshing with images and music of the Appalachian mountains and my upbringing in Northern California.

While a past life full of hoop skirts and sweet tea could be the answer, it occured to me today that maybe it's related to a larger movement I didn't even know existed by name. Again, my trusty, wise friend VeggieKnitter got me thinking when she told the story of someone being intrigued by her being an Urban Homesteader. Something clicked: is this what all my cooking, baking, gardening, crafting, sustainability, organic produce, composting-daily stuff is about?

OK, so maybe urban homesteading--working towards self-sufficiency in the "heart of the city"--doesn't really have anything to do with my fantasies about the South, but with the way my brain works, I still think there could be a connection. Even if it's scallop edging with polka dots, glass jars, jam, and fresh mint from the garden.

Dessert of Créme Brulée with Local Raspberry Jam
+ Zubrówka Vodka & Organic Raspberry Apple Juice

Doesn't something about it just make you start dreaming?

Royal Vegetables

When Michelle Obama planted the White House vegetable garden, I was pretty impressed. Just a few months after the inauguration, my hope in the new administration was renewed again as the Obama's modeled the possibilities of practicing one's values--in my case trying to figure out how to work towards sustainability in my every day life. All very American, in some ways.

Living in England, I wasn't expecting Gordon Brown to do anything similiar. But, I'd forgotten about the Royal Family. Ah, the Royal Family--their national and international role as a reigning family is still elusive to me, but when I brought up The Guardian this morning to see that one of the top headlines was 'Queen turns corner of palace backyard into an allotment,' I was duly impressed!

I doubt I'll become a Royalist, but I'm digging this grow-your-own in high places.

Blueprints for the Garden

First, I love hanging wash on the line. Ever since I lived in Ireland and learned that clotheslines were not only prevalent in the rainiest country in Europe, but that they prevailed, in all sizes and forms, throughout the continent. It was while I was hanging out the wash that I started to look around the garden.

We have spearmint, pineapple mint, basil, coriander/cilantro, and a rose bush in ceramic pots. Everything else, from what I can tell of the different shaped bushes and vines, are either shrubs that have been planted for decoration and to take up space or plants that have settled there--blue bells, ivy, grasses, bramble, and a few other wildflowers.

But I want to plant vegetables, lavender and wildflowers, the question is where. I think, slowly, I'm going to start taking back the garden from the landlord-semi-manicured rented garden:

• Move the herbs to the guest bedroom windowsill.
  
• Install hanging baskets for tumbling tomatoes.
• Sow lavender indoors to be eventually planted in the corner nook by the BBQ.
  
• Clear space in the side bed & plant tomatoes and courgettes/zucchini to start.
• Sow wildflowers for the bees.

I'm just hoping June's not too late.