baked pies and stir-fries

oh glorious Monday, my day of much-needed rest after a busy weekend waitressing.

I chose today to go food shopping at the co-op, a place where I usually just buy this and that because of the high prices, and tight aisles, but I haven't been there in awhile so I scoot-scooted over there to get some fresh ingredients for a lunch at home.



I cooked rice, short grain, white, the kind that gets plump and stays moist, Chinese style rice.



I stir-fried a simple but tasty dish of Chinese broccoli, grower's market garlic, crookneck squash and homegrown carrots.



I bought a $1.79 package of "Rosie's Soup Bones" for Nina the Pug. I boiled the assorted chicken wings, vetebrae and backs and let a bowl of the broth cool for Nina to drink. I know people say chicken bones are bad for dogs, but Nina has eatten so many chicken bones in China, and she loves them so, so I can't help but give Rosie's $1.79 Bone Special to Nina from time to time.



My biggest and most exciting culinary endeavor today was making apple pie. I picked these little green apples off the tree on the side yard. They are too tart to eat, but perhaps great for pie?! I made a homemade crust, and stuffed it with the green apples, cinnamon, cardamum, cloves, lots of honey, and sprinkled vanilla-almond granola on top for a crust.



My treehouse/loft/studio (I will post pics when I find the cord that connects my camera to the computer) smelled heavenly. I'm the first person to have lived here, so the aroma of apple pie filled my loft for the first time. Nina was patiently waiting by the stove starring at me, because she could smell the chicken boiling.



I had a wonderful afternoon of cooking, baking and eating. The crust of the pie ended up being too salty, but the filling and topping was yummy, so I just ate the filling and discarded the crust.

I ended the eating affair with a small glass of organic whole milk, and then fell into bed for a nap.

what sweet, autumn afternoons are these,


next time less salt in the crust.