Author Archives: mourningdove

Loading…Review of Death’s Door

As I sat down to write this post, I was reminded of the Portlandia skit, “Put a bird on it!” Because truly you can get me to buy almost anything with a raven or crow in/on it (or any corvid, really–I’ll take that magpie print and those piñon jay dishtowels, too, thank you). I’ve lovedContinue reading “Loading…Review of Death’s Door”

Ceramics Saturdays: The Crocker Collection

You guys. I had no idea that for 15 years I’ve been living 2 hours from one of the biggest international ceramics collections, and the biggest collection of works from California kilns, in the U.S. True, I should have known, and the Internet would have happily informed me. But it was SO MUCH FUN toContinue reading “Ceramics Saturdays: The Crocker Collection”

Mocktails in Space!

My friend Brooke had her birthday party at our local Planetarium, and as they don’t allow alcohol, she wondered if I could whip up a couple of space-themed mocktails for the event. Challenge accepted. I got out the old specific-gravity tables, ordered up some butterfly pea flower tea, and got mixin’. Of course, either ofContinue reading “Mocktails in Space!”

I Have Notes…for The K2

You may be sensing a theme, and that’s Ji Chang-wook. I’ll admit it—he’s so pretty and talented that it annoys me when a show he’s in doesn’t rise to his level. But truthfully, I get annoyed whenever a story draws me in and then lets me down, whether the particular actors in it happen toContinue reading “I Have Notes…for The K2”

ESC #10: Valentine’s Edition

You just can’t beat Italian for Valentine’s Day. The Sunday Gravy was phenomenal—none of us could believe that so much flavor came out of so few ingredients (basically a couple of kinds of meat, garlic, and Italian herbs added to tomato purée). The semolina gnocchi (aka Roman gnocchi) were really interesting—kind of like rustic gougères.Continue reading “ESC #10: Valentine’s Edition”

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

Not the most inspiring pic, I realize. But for probably very good reasons, you’re prohibited from taking pictures or video in the actual sessions unless you have written permission. So, I figured I’d get a picture of the lines you have to wait in (not very long) to get into the performances at the NationalContinue reading “National Cowboy Poetry Gathering”

Japanese Whole Wheat Milk Bread: Attempt #3

This one’s the ticket: it didn’t make the most beautiful loaf ever, but that’s on me. And despite the operator error, the texture and flavor were spot on. I reduced the wheat flour in this recipe to 50% (because honestly, if you’re going to add barley malt and wheat gluten to your whole wheat toContinue reading “Japanese Whole Wheat Milk Bread: Attempt #3”