Highlights
and it made us blush.
Our living room has two big windows. They function as the main cooling element for our whole apartment. Last June, one of the screens fell out (and Margot went with it!). It is hard to describe the process of getting that screen back, but I will do my best.
But first! Let’s talk about the functions of screens and windows. Our apartment has outside walls mostly on the South side of the building so we get direct sun pretty much all day. And living in LA it gets fairly hot in the summer, like really hot. So all summer when we were less one window, we were burning up. And because we are energy conscious badasses, we are totally decided against buying an A/C.
But you may be asking, why didn’t you just open the window anyway? Well, let me tell you. We have a paralyzing anxiety about opening that window. What happened is, one night we were reading downstairs and we were so hot that we had to open both windows. While we were reading a HUGE COCKROACH FLEW IN THE WINDOW AND INTO LAURA’S FACE. That’s real, a true story. It was deeply traumatic.
So, since opening the window equals shepherding Margot and weird subconscious anxiety, we haven’t, for about 6 months. Well, that’s a lie. Sometimes we have to, like one night when we were sauteing chilies and couldn’t stop coughing. But it’s rare… and for < 5 minutes.
But now, today, six months and a day from when the screen fell out, we have two screens again. Let’s hope this is a metaphor for our country.
*Highlights
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
– President Barack Obama, in his Inaugural Address
Our new president mentioned today in his Inaugural Address supporting poor nations through farming and clean water. I am very moved by this idea. It is symbolic to me of all the change that is happening. Giving everyone access to their rights as human beings seems to be a priority for Obama. It is good to see that food justice is being recognized as a tactic for spreading peace and equality, instead of starting wars with every country in the Middle East like our previous president.
“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.” Hope over fear guys. We did it. Hope, farming, equality, peace. We chose this. We want to heal the disproportionate distribution of wealth in the nation and the world. And you know what the best way to start this is? Through clean water and sustainable crops. People have been trying to get the White House to join the sustainable farming train for a while, but it is very meaningful for it to be finally coming from the commander-in-chief.
And this is just the beginning, day 1, there is so much to do and so much that can happen.
Highlights
And a happy cake year!
What better way to send off the holiday season then with a petite (and delicious) apple cake. After the generous and epic christmas gift from M’s parents, a professional Kitchen-Aide mixer, we have no more excuses for making complicated desserts.
Now, I’m not much for sweets; I like flavors to take me on a journey, starting off in one place and ending in another. Most cakes that cross my path can be avoided due to their stationary, sickly nature. Why even bother, right? Pass me the sourdough toast.
But it’s nearly my last day on vacay! And how I do love a good challenge.
M and I got to discussing a version of red velvet cake (a long standing tradition in his family) and we were nearly set on making it until I remembered this apple cake that I had been dreaming of since Bea posted it back in September.
We are shameless apple fiends… It sounded perfect.
Did we make any alterations? Why, only a few. We don’t have a 9″ baking dish, so we split it up into two 6″ ones. Instead of yogurt, we used homemade buttermilk; instead of vanilla bean, whiskey. Oh, and we did not have any almonds for the almond flour, so when substituted a combination of cashews, sunflowerseeds, and black sesame seeds (hence, the greyish color of the cake).
(sidenote: one of the best features of the Blendtec is being able to make our own flour – what a difference!)
The sesame seeds really worked their magic. The cake is moist, salty, and nutty – the apples mushy and tangy. Man, you should make it. The recipe is here.
Report back with your successes!
Highlights
Lowlights
You’ve had a taste of our Feats and Eats, but how about Streets? How do we get around?
Well, we use our legs! We put the pedal to the metal, shake our thangs, and (in a pinch) hop on the bus. We have been officially car-less since November 2006. That’s when my car died. Goodbye burden and hello endorphins.
Where would we be without our bikes? No freaking where. Our bikes have really revolutionized our lives and made things like this blog possible. Going to Farmer’s Market? Carrying all of our food? AS IF! We are restless creatures – walking and waiting for the bus gets OLD. So, we ride.
Now this may seem like no great feat. We hear you. However, we live in Los Angles where the concepts of time and distance are skewed by cars and edge city syndrome. The bike lanes/shoulders are scarce, the roads are a sorry mess, and drivers are moody. Yeah, people in these parts think commuting cyclists are lunatics, but that’s just cause they’re jealous. 
We didn’t start riding long distances in traffic overnight. We started gradually increasing distances back in college as we moved further and further from campus. We partook in the vintage bike club… We rode beaters with no lights and no helmets… (Ah, youth.) L’s bike was stolen outside of my house and she had to use an old mountain bike… I converted to fixed gear. We moved, got married, time passed and here we are. Most of the time it’s less than 10 miles to get where we need to go (a distance that had once been a luxury event) – close enough to make it reasonable and just far enough to keep us out of trouble.
The more we ride the more serious we get about bike safety. I couldn’t imagine riding without a helmet now (It is scary enough to ride in LA traffic with drivers who don’t see you or don’t care (or want to brutally murder you)) and we are constantly questioning if we have enough lights. We invested in quality bags that will allow us to carry more with our breaking our collar bones. Heck, we are even thinking about getting bicycle licenses!
The point is that you can get around Los Angeles without a car, even if you live more than 5 miles away from your job. We do everyday.
Learning balance through participating in cyclical processes
