Still no license, but all I need now is DNA from my great-grandmother, my 2nd grade class photo, and a family tree authorized by Dionne Warwick, and I'm sure I'll get it.
Leesil and Barksdale the Wonder Dog were still sleeping when I got back, and I knew she needed her sleep and was looking forward to a late morning lounging in bed. But it was so beautiful outside that I harangued her into getting up and walking down to Big Bear for a cup of coffee with me.
We're making great progress with Barks, and he'll do astounding things like walk across the street now. Believe me, this is HUGE in our world - seriously... death metal in Norway huge.
Step 2 is to get him acclimated to being around crowds of people and sitting calmly while a lot of activity swirls around him. He did well - barked at a few dudes - but for the most part sat peacefully while we drank and read the paper.
This is a big improvement over him dragging half their metal fence down the street when I made the mistake of tying him up outside when I went in for a cup of coffee.
I'm talking Paris Hilton shoe size big.
The frustration of my early morning was fading as we walked back, chatting with neighbors and checking out how everyone's yards fared this winter.
There were construction crews at every other house, and I kept wondering "How did they know it was going to be nice today? Does everyone in DC, except me, know how to get a work crew at a moment's notice?" Because I could seriously use that knowledge.
Then I remembered that there's this new-fangled thing called The Weather Channel. I'm sure it's great and all, but I prefer to take my chances -usually realizing my mistake about halfway to the metro in the morning.
All this industry made me eager to jump into working on the yard when we got back, but mainly I was thinking that I'd be able to soak up some sun and get rid of this wan Victorian pallor I've got going on.
Now, this may come as no big surprise to anyone who knows me, but I don't have many tips on how to sustain a relationship. BUT... here's one that has worked well for Leesil and I: One person gets the front yard, the other gets the back.
I always get the backyard - due to my softness for geranium planted bathtubs and the like - but hey.. that's okay. Just means that I got to add a vintage Scandinavian tealight sconce to the chain link gate.
Before I got started, though, I made the most amazing salad, which I created last week. Beware, if you invite me to a potluck any time in the next 6 months, this is probably what I'll bring.
Summer Kale Salad
Half-head kale, stems removed and chopped fine
1/3 cup chopped scallions
1 cup steamed, cubed sweet potatoes
1 chopped pear
Mix everything together, then lightly drizzle Fig Vinaigrette over it:
2 parts fig infused vinegar
2 parts canola oil
A few squeezes of orange or tangerine
Salt and pepper to taste, but go lightly - you really want the fig taste to emerge
Dash of yellow mustard for (foodie term alert) stickiness
This is best made ahead in order to let the fruit and vinegar soften the kale a bit.
While that was marinating, I pruned my kafir lime tree, which has miraculously survived a tsunami its first week in the back yard, then a frantic re-planting in a pot so that I could control its water intake (where I nervously veered between over-watering and parching it), then 4 months sitting next to the radiator in the dining room this past winter.
I dug up some lily-type plants that never bloomed, but - another miracle - survived being buried under 3 ft. of snow. I weeded the mint bed, rotated the rosemary bush (another winter warrior), and planted some cacti pups in bigger pots in anticipation of some huge growth this summer. Our neighbors were all out at one point or another, the crew working on the new condos were all chatting in Spanish, and I could hear the sounds of dogs playing in the park.
Barks kept me company - hauling off some sticks and sniffing the mint and rosemary with his big ol' snout.
There is nothing as calming to me as gardening - it fulfills both my contemplative and artistic needs. Last year, I was a timid gardener - unsure of the yard's soil, light patterns, and drainage options, and I was oddly reluctant to spend lots of cash on some beautiful plants.
I still have a great deal to learn about gardening in DC, and the smallest thing thrills me. For example, the soil is still soooo cold - I've never had that in Florida. When I was digging up the lilies, I could feel the chill even before I reached the dirt.
Most of the herbs and plants I bought last year came from two sources: the Songkran festival at the Thai temple in Md. and the Nati'l Arboretum's annual plant sale. I played it safe - getting mostly things I'd planted before (basil, lemongrass, etc), but it gave me a bit of non-Home Depot variety, and I'm ready to brach out (ha ha.. no pun intended) even more this year.
I took a break to... make homemade pizza dough.... my first time! I kept coming back in to the kitchen to watch the dough rise.. marveling at it every time. I'm like a kid with food - touchy feelie all the way - and I wanted nothing more than to poke my finger in it. A tiny giggle coming out of it would have completely made my day.
After I'd finished in the yard, and swept, arranged and re-potted to my heart's content, I started on the pizza. Punching the dough (alas, no giggles) and rolling it out was so cool - I felt deeply connected to my meal, something that I've been really relishing lately. The more fresh, whole foods I eat, the more I come to appreciate how a simple, home prepared meal can really transform the way you feel about yourself, your home and the world. It becomes an exercise in self-care and a political statement all in one.
Topped it with a tiny bit of pesto, some fresh tomatoes and basil (knowing that this year's crop would be even better - pick early! Lesson learned.), vegan mozzarella, chopped pine nuts and carmelized red onions.
Delish! The dough was a bit thicker than I would have liked, and it puffed up in one corner, but it was really, really good - much better than I thought it would be. We sprinkled some nutritional yeast flakes on top, had some salad with it, and went to town.
A great day, a newly transformed yard, and a healthy, lovingly prepared meal. Seriously.. it was was a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
