Category: Blog

Spring

coraldrake March 20, 2018

In Gainesville Fl Spring is literally in the air. Pollen showers down from the oak trees like fine yellow snow. New leaves burst from the branches and push out the old leaves that had clung on all winter. From the leaf and pollen strewn earth new grass shoots up like tiny green swords. The azalea, salvia and dogwood are bursting with flowers, and the orange tree is sweet with blooms. Peaches grow slowly fatter and pinker on the branches of the young peach tree every day.

Three weeks ago I brought home seven tiny speckled sussex chicks from the feed store.

Bonsai: The Passion and the Pitfalls

coraldrake February 12, 2018

I became obsessed with bonsai while I was in college, growing tortured shrubs in cheap square pots in the yard. When I lived in Taiwan the obsession grew, but I was frustrated trying to grow the beautiful specimens I saw at the weekend flower markets.

I never thought to use a grow light in our tiny apartment, and there wasn’t enough natural light for the kinds of trees I tried to grow. Those that survived the light conditions inevitably lost the battle to dehydration when they were abandoned for vacations.

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Oven Dried Apples

coraldrake February 9, 2018

Dried apples are insanely easy to make. Whether you prefer your apples dried to a crisp or left a bit chewy, bare or powdered with cinnammon, tart or sweet, the principle is the same. The thinner and more even the slices the better. Firm, less ripe apples work better than softer ones. Read More

What Your Dog is Telling You

coraldrake February 9, 2018

We all know the frustration of trying to communicate something to our dogs that they just don’t seem to get. Whether it is a training goal, a behavior you are trying to change, or something interesting on a walk that you are trying to point out, sometimes your dog can’t seem to understand. Other times, it seems like she knows what you are thinking before you do.

Our dogs also have the experience of trying to communicate something that seems obvious to them that we just don’t get. Sometimes our requests seem ridiculous to them, sometimes incomprehensible.

We ask them to deny impulses which come intensely and unbidden, and we ask them to resist their instincts, sometimes constantly. Meanwhile we disregard the important information they communicate to us about the approaching danger represented by the mailman, or the infringement of our territory by the neighbor dog sniffing our fence. Many times, the miscommunication we have with our dogs comes down to a difference in perspective. Read More

Kale Chips

coraldrake February 9, 2018

Kale is affordable, extremely nutritious, and when dehydrated, makes an excellent crunchy alternative to potato chips. Dehydrating kale is not difficult, but if done incorrectly the resulting product is not very appetizing. Kale that is not dried well enough before baking or has too much oil is steamed instead of dried, resulting in a soft, slick leaf. Kale that is dried too quickly burns on the edges while remaining tough in the center.

Kale that is dried just right, however, is crisp at first and then a little chewy, making a satisfying snack. I have seen recipes for kale baked at a variety of temperatures, and have had good kale chips baked in a number of ways. In general, however, the longer it takes to dry your kale chips the better luck you will have. Read More