Denise Goldberg's blog

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

warmth

Today was a gift of a January day. It started with a chill in the air and ended with what felt like spring warmth. It's 62 degrees outside right now, a very nice temperature for a fast-paced walk. I'm happy!

Yes, I know, winter chill will return soon. I'm enjoying the warmth while it's here.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

moonlit

Tonight's sky was decorated by a full moon and sparkling stars, pulling me outside for a late day walk. Beautiful...

a good soup day

The temperature outside today was not quite as chilly as it was earlier in the week but it still felt like a good day for soup. The soup I make most often has a red lentil base but it was time for a change. Today's soup was a good change of pace, starting with a split pea base and then loading it up with vegetables. Yum!

A recipe of sorts:

Split Pea Vegetable Soup

Preparation & cooking time: about 2 hours

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
3 cups split peas
12 cups vegetable broth
1 pound of tofu, diced
1 pound carrots, sliced
3 small potatoes, diced
2 zucchini, sliced
1 bag frozen white sweet corn
1 bag frozen edamame
cumin
garlic powder
red pepper flakes

Combine the onion, split peas, vegetable broth, tofu, and spices in a large stock pot. Bring to a boil, then lower heat. Cook over low heat for 1 1/2 hours or until the peas are soft.

Place the soup in a blender (in batches) and blend until smooth, returning the soup to the stock pot.

Add (your own mixture of) vegetables, continuing to cook over low heat until the vegetables are cooked to your desired consistency. Usually 15 to 30 minutes is the right amount of time for me.

I know, I know, that's a lot of soup!

I had a big bowl of soup for dinner, placing the rest of the soup into serving size containers. Five servings went into the refrigerator for lunches this week, five went into the freezer for meals on days when I don't feel like cooking.

Did I tell you I like soup?

Thursday, January 24, 2013

brr...

It's cold out there!

Low temperatures and strong winds have combined to give us some very chilly days. Right now it's 15 degrees with the wind chill making the air feel like it is -3 (Fahrenheit). Cold, but still walking weather for me. Layers and layers kept me feeling toasty even though there were moments when I was fighting the wind.

Hey weather wizard - would you accept a request for slightly warmer weather for the upcoming weekend?

watching

watching

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

recommencement

A new word, from a conversation with a colleague in France: As we say in French "Life is an eternal recommencement".

Recommencement, a new beginning...

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

a life celebration

Last Saturday was the day of a gathering in Utica to celebrate the life of my dad. It's been two months since his death; it was time for a goodbye from the people he interacted with daily, his friends and work acquaintances.

It was a day to share stories and memories, tears and smiles.

Friday, January 18, 2013

waves and snow

Waves crashing behind a snowy shoreline at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, NH

snow and crashing waves, Odiorne Point State Park, Rye, NH

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

patterns

Snow this morning followed by an afternoon combination of freezing rain and light snow left interesting patterns in the trees. I love the contrast of white on brown, snow decorating the branches of trees.

patterns in snow and branches

happy feet

My feet decided I needed a new pair of winter walking shoes. They insisted on comfort, warmth, and oh! they asked for waterproof shoes too. I looked (online, of course!) and found a gift for my feet at L.L.Bean.

Today was the first time I could test my new snow sneakers in winter conditions. I walked through snow and slush; my feet were very happy.

snow sneakers

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

lone tree

A tree, branches bare, standing by the sea

bare branches by the sea

Monday, January 14, 2013

a winter's spring day

The sky showed a bit of bright blue today. It was accompanied by a bit of wind and a warm for winter temperature of 60 degrees (Fahrenheit). What a nice treat!

I enjoyed a mid-day (warm) walk knowing that winter temperatures will be returning soon.

reflections

Looking across Chauncey Creek to Gerrish Island, Kittery, Maine

reflections

Sunday, January 13, 2013

fog descending

My wandering destination today was Gerrish Island in Kittery, Maine. I walked along the mainland side of Chauncey Creek before crossing to the island and heading to Fort Foster Park, entering the park by ducking under the gate and walking down the road.

It was possible to see across the harbor when I first arrived but the fog dropped quickly, obscuring far away landmarks.

fog descending

More photos from today can be seen in the gallery South coastal Maine - 2013.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

a walk in the woods

It was a gray day, a day with temperatures edging into the low 40s, a good day for a walk in the woods.

a path through the woods

Friday, January 11, 2013

looking back for color

Such a gray day... A need for color sent me back to photos from several months back.

It was mid-September, almost autumn. (Some) summer flowers were still standing and showing bright colors.

petals of salmon pink against a background of yellow

Monday, January 07, 2013

bare branches

I love the patterns drawn by these bare branches.

patterns drawn by bare branches
captured on the grounds of Phillips Andover Academy

Sunday, January 06, 2013

a long(er) way home

Do you usually follow the same roads each time you drive to the same destination? Sometimes a change is good.

Today I chose a different path as I drove home from a visit with Mom in central New York, leaving the Mass Pike at West Springfield. I followed I-91 north then picked up route 2 to continue to the east. I was a bit surprised to find that for the first 20 miles or so that route 2 was a two-lane road but given the population in that part of the state it makes a certain amount of sense. It was two lanes with a speed limit changing from 30 to 45 and back to 30. Then it became a limited access road that was still only 2 lanes wide. A bit later it widened to four lanes, matching the configuration of the road closer to the Boston area.

I was looking for an alternative to the Mass Pike for days when there are (known) long delays in the Sturbridge area. I hit one of those driving home from Utica on December 26th; that day the extra half hour of my route 2 alternate route would have taken less time than staying on the pike.

I'm glad I drove route 2 today. The area of the state I passed through was beautiful - it's now on my list of places to visit with my camera.

Friday, January 04, 2013

blue and white

On the inland side of the Parker River Wildlife Refuge, icy waters create a study in blue and white.

icy, blue and white

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

snow and sand dunes

At the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge...

snow and sand dunes, at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on a very cold January day

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

windy day at Parker River

The sky was blue, decorated with clouds. The temperature should have been reasonable for walking but the wind made for a cold, cold day.

It's always a good day for a walk at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, and that's where I headed this morning. I walked, listening to the ocean and the wind.

footsteps on the beach, glistening waves, snow

More photos from today can be found in the gallery Parker River - 2013. This will be a running gallery for the year, with newer photos shown first.