Bird of the Day: Baltimore Oriole on the other side of the window

baltimore oriole at hummingbird feeder

Baltimore orioles have been visiting our hummingbird feeder and splashing the sugar-water everywhere. I don’t mind. They’re fun to watch and don’t seem to scare off the hummingbirds—at least not often. Here’s one of the orioles, as seen through my kitchen window in the early evening. You can see the ceiling light’s reflection against the glass, just above the oriole’s head. … Read more

Recipe: Pressure-Cooker Vegan Chili

bowl of chili topped with avocado slices

I made some quick chili based on a recipe in the Moosewood Cookbook, but with some tweaks for the ingredients I had on hand. I also used a pressure cooker instead of slow simmering on the stovetop—quicker cooking means less heat in the kitchen. After the beans and wheat are done soaking, it takes about half an hour for the … Read more

Recipe: Banana-Chocolate Chip Muffins, version #6

Not having baked anything in a while, I figured our first 80ºF+ day of the year was the perfect day to whip up a batch of muffins. I assure you, there is some logic in that sentence. Hot, humid weather gives me migraines. The kind of migraines that make me useless for desk work or going for a walk, even … Read more