Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Friday, December 27, 2013

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Friday, December 20, 2013

Forest Royalty

Here stands a forest queen, evergreen, and flanked by two consorts.

Silent Moment, #Boise River Idaho

Monday, December 16, 2013

Stopping in a Snowy Wood

The arched branches that frame this image make me feel like I'm in the nave of a cathedral. Indeed, a cross can be seen left of center.

A Snowy Walk by the River

Friday, December 13, 2013

Vintage Ski-Doo and Sleigh

A Forest Spirit

Here are some words for you to look up: eidolon, eidetic, pareidolia.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Ice Textures

I am fascinated by the wondrous patterns and frosty textures expressed in this thin ice over a tiny creek I found on my walk in the hills today. Rather than try to fathom how the patterns are formed, I prefer to focus on the beauty.

Near Lucky Peak Reservoir, Idaho

Fireline

Fire lines were used to contain a range fire near Lucky Peak Reservoir not far from Boise. Here, topography forced equipment used to cut the fire lines to cross a small stream drainage. Willows and other riparian shrubs were flattened at the approach to the crossing. This area is (was?) one of my secret spots to pick elderberries and chokecherries in the early fall.

Last carrots from my garden


Danvers Half Long Carrot. This variety does very well in clayey soils. The flesh is crisp and sweet and keeps very well. Danvers Half is a good canning carrot. My last two pounds made very good, very creamy soup:

Creamy Carrot Soup
2 lbs fresh carrots
1 large potato
2 celery stalks
1/2 medium yellow onion
2 cups chicken broth
2 T butter
1 cup Milk
1 cup half-and-half
1/2 t powdered ginger
1/2 t curry powder
salt and white pepper, to taste

While you peel and dice the carrots and potato, saute the diced onions and celery in the butter in a large frying pan. In a large dutch oven, boil carrots and potato in just enough lightly salted water to cover, until tender. Cool. Puree all cooked ingredients in batches in your blender or food processor and return to Dutch oven. Add chicken broth, ginger and and curry and set to simmer. Add milk and half-and-half. Cook on low heat for a few minutes, stirring to keep the thick soup from scalding on the bottom of the pan. S/P to taste. Serve hot, or cold. Enjoy!

Geese over Albertson Park, Boise.

Boise has endured a week of below-freezing temperatures, with highs scarcely making it into the teens on most days. Still, the weather and winter light have been gorgeous. The geese were returning to the river in late afternoon.