Barley with Chives; Free laptop computer....
Why do I have such a hard time getting rid of stuff?
I've been cleaning my office; attempting to downsize (I rather hate that word, but it's useful).
In the past 12 years we have moved from just outside Minneapolis to the city, then to Ireland, Andorra, the Vendée, and we are now packing to move to the Lot et Garonne.
We keep hauling all this 'stuff' with us... And it's accumulating!
I should note that I'm using the royal 'We', as mon mari is very, very good at throwing things out. So good, in fact, that before we left Andorra I had to rush down to the local charity shop and buy back the new winter coat and jacket I had just bought on sale. He said he never saw me wear them.....
He threw away my sewing machine once... I digress...
I had a thoroughly enjoyable morning, going through old travel magazines I had saved for the great article on Paris restaurants or the beautiful photos of a drive along the Mosel or the secret tips for finding the best luxury hotel deals....
I had a great meander down memory lane looking at the glossy brochures of all the properties we considered in Ireland when we were going to do our B & D.
I had a delightful chuckle at my past while trying to figure out just why I had thought this article on Einstein or that brochure on making pottery were worthy of space in the packing boxes.
I finally accepted that restaurants, hotels, and properties for sale change: no need to keep all that; pretty drives, Einstein and pottery making don't change: no need to keep all that, either.
The realization that made me finally start carting the whole lot to the recycling bin is this: the only time I look at it all is when I'm packing to move it. And, pleasurable as that is, it doesn't justify keeping it.
For information I can go online and find it faster; for the pleasure of leafing through old magazines, I can go to a library.
I still feel sad... Some of these magazines are 20 years old. Does anyone remember 'European Travel and Life'? How about the annual issues (I think May) of Bon Appétit when they highlighted one country - both food and travel?
It's time to let go.... Please, send me encouraging words, comments of support in this painful endeavor...
Which brings me to on more thing....
Anyone want a free laptop/notebook computer?
I can't bear to throw it away but it doesn't have sufficient capacity for me. I haven't used it in about 5 years, but it would be fine for someone with minimal needs. I turned it on yesterday and everything appears to be working fine.
The specs: Winbook, running Windows 98, 1.3 GB hard drive, 40MB RAM, 56K modem, floppy drive and CD reader (not RW), purchased in the US, it has a QWERTY keyboard (rather than the French AZERTY)
The bad: it has a thin line running down the screen, slightly off center; the sound doesn't work and the battery no longer holds a charge.
I'll send it to anyone willing to pay the shipping, which would be around 75.00 (I think).
I would prefer (since I'm a sentimental packrat) that it go to someone who actually has a use for it. I already have a willing volunteer (guess who?) to take it apart into little pieces to see 'what's in it'.
Anyone interested can either send me an email (thyme2.kate at gmail dot com) or leave a note in the comments.
Anyone collecting old magazines? Smack!!! (sound of someone getting their typing fingers slapped - stop it!!!!)
Because of the impending move (and mon mari's poorly timed hospital stay) I don't have a garden this year.
Instead of a few square meters of 4 of 5 different kinds of basil I have a few lonely plants.
Instead of the long row of parsley, I have one.
The oregano needs trimming and I have to get the dead flowers off the thyme before I can start using it again (project for this afternoon).
But my every-trusty, ever-faithful chives are doing just fine.
It's a very sturdy little herb.
My mother had a clump behind the garage for years that was totally neglected, accept for when she snipped some off to use.
I once dug out a clump of garlic chives (in Minnesota) and tossed them into our back woods. They managed to take root and thrived for years.
All that makes them perfect for the beginning gardener.
Their versatility makes them perfect for the accomplished cook.
Yes, I know I just wrote about them last week... But, really, they are a sadly underused herb and deserve another week in the spotlight.
And remember: like onions, and the other alliums, chives are high in vitamins and antioxidants. They also have been shown to act as a natural antibiotic.
Why not pair them with an underused grain: barley?
For all of the weeks Herb Blogging recipes visit Archana, of Archana's Kitchen on Monday, for a recap of all of this week's entries.
For all of the older ones visit the home of Weekend Herb Blogging's founder, Kalyn, at Kalyn's Kitchen.
Barley with Chives
1/2 cup barley
1 cup (250ml) chicken stock (or more, depending on type of barley)
3 tbs fresh, snipped chives
1 tbs fresh, snipped basil
1 tbs good olive oil
Cook barley in stock until done, stirring occasionally. If all stock is not absorbed, drain. Stir in olive oil, chives and serve.
Wasn't that easy? Good food doesn't have to be complicated....
Here is a Barley Risotto recipe.
For the record: I'm keeping all of my 'Saveur' magazines. I have them all but the very first issue.... I just have to figure out how to pack them so mon mari doesn't notice....
I said I was trying... I made no claims about succeeding...
