Archive for the ‘Davis’ Category

Getting a Late Start This Morning

Saturday, July 20th, 2013

Fresh Tuscan Melon, Blueberries, and Raspberries

Originally I had planned to be out on my bike by 7am, but sometimes you just have to sleep in and sleep won out this morning. It would have been nice if sleep had won out over insomnia at about 2am, but it didn’t quite work out that way.

There may be a quick trip to the Davis Farmer’s Market this morning, but that might have to wait until Wednesday at this point. I need to get some miles in today!

Happy Monday!

Monday, July 1st, 2013

I hereby declare 2013 to be Yolo County's Year of the Sunflower.

It is an absolutely gorgeous morning for a ride. With temperatures expected to reach well over 100-degrees today, I hope you have a chance to get out early on your bike. If you’re out there riding in the heat, please remember to stay well hydrated.

Heading into a 3-day work week … a very happy Monday, indeed!

Lovely Morning …

Thursday, June 27th, 2013

If you're in the Davis / Woodland / Winters area you're in for a Tour de Sunflower. They're in full bloom - still bright & full.

I hope you have a chance to ride on this absolutely glorious morning. There’s a light breeze, lots of sunshine, and if you ride early today it won’t be too hot. All in all, I’d say it’s a perfect day for a ride!

Enjoy!

 

Still A Pretty Super Moon!

Monday, June 24th, 2013
The Night After the Official Super Moon

Super Moon Tonight

Sunday, June 23rd, 2013

Grateful for a beautiful, clear night!

The Sunflowers Are Blooming!

Monday, June 17th, 2013

Just a few scenes from yesterday’s ride …

Can you find the honey bee?

Along the country roads between Davis and Woodland

The honey bees are very active right now.

Fields and fields of captured sunshine

Don't you wish you could bottle that sunshine?

Do be mindful of the honey bees if you’re cycling near these fields. They are very active right now foraging for pollen, but honey bees will only sting if they feel threatened. If you stop to take photos, the bees will leave you alone, but if they do fly by they’re just checking you out to see if you’re a threat. Just calmly leave and you should be fine. This is when it’s good to have a zoom lens so you don’t have to get too close. Besides, you really don’t want to trespass in someone’s field; that’s just impolite and unsafe.

Hope You Get To Ride Today!

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013

It’s another lovely morning here in Davis. Finals are in full swing and by this time next week there will be lots and lots of easy parking on campus.

I hope you get the chance to get out on your bike today and enjoy this simply gorgeous weather! I enjoyed 15.5 miles this morning on my pre-work ride and hope to grab a few miles after work, too.

Glorious Morning!

Tuesday, June 11th, 2013

Beautiful morning sky in Davis.

I am so completely and utterly grateful for such a glorious morning. This is one of those days when I wish time would stand still for just a few hours so I could get a longer ride in. It’s cool, with a few clouds in the sky, not much traffic, and very little breeze … I feel like I could ride forever when it’s like this.

I didn’t stop to take any pictures until I got home and just snapped a few of the sky, but I rode past fields and fields of sunflowers that are just beginning to bloom. What a lovely start to the day!

Farmers Market, Breakfast, Ride, Pizza

Monday, May 27th, 2013

I’m quite behind on posts! Here’s a quick summary of Saturday:

Whole Wheat Rye Fennel Pizza Dough

2 1/4 teaspoon yeast
1/2 cup room temperature water
1/4 cup rye flour

1 1/8 cup room temperature water
3 cups flour (I used 3/8 cup high protein whole wheat, 3/8 cup rye, 1 1/4 cup whole wheat, 1 cup all purpose unbleached)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons fennel seeds

Bench flour for shaping

Make the sponge: pour 1/2 cup room temperature water into the mixing bowl, sprinkle the yeast over and allow to dissolve, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup of rye flour. Cover with a towel and allow to rest about 15 to 30 minutes.

Add the remaining 1 cup water and begin mixing in the flour on low speed. Mix in the olive oil on low speed. Check the consistency and if too dry, add a little water or olive oil.

You want to make sure this dough is pretty wet when it finishes mixing – the fennel seeds will absorb water as the dough proofs.

Continue to mix on low speed about 10 minutes, then add the salt. Turn on high and mix on high for 2-3 minutes. Add the fennel seeds in the last 30 seconds of mixing. Turn the dough out onto a floured board. If you are making pizza, divide the dough into two pieces and gently shape each into a ball. Place each dough ball into an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. The dough is ready to use once it has doubled in size. I like to use the dough within 2 days of mixing it. This batch makes enough dough for two 15-16 inch pizzas.

Note how wet this dough looks

Turn the dough out onto a floured board.

Gently shape into a ball.

 

Davis Farmers Market

Peaches

Plums

Apricots

 

Cherries

 

Our bounty!

 

Lemonade

 

 

Breakfast at Cafe Bernardo

Breakfast burrito

Oatmeal with Bananas & Pecans

 

A rare treat

 

 

Ride

A nice jaunt to Winters and back, with a quick stop for some icy cold refreshment.

Homemade pizza for dinner

Mushroom, Grilled Veggies, Golden Tomato Sauce

A nice, light sauce of golden tomatoes gently cooked down and run through a food mill, then reduced over low heat to just the right texture, with a touch of fresh thyme and rosemary, was just the right base for mushrooms and grilled veggies. We used a combination of mushrooms we picked up at the Farmers Market this morning: oyster, maitake, and beech oyster mushrooms. I picked up a few shiitakes at the store, too. We had some leftover grilled veggies from Friday night: eggplant, zucchini, and summer squash.

We fired up the grill and cooked the pizza outside, to avoid heating up the entire house. I placed my baking stone on the grill, and turned the heat up as high as it would go. The end result was a light, airy crust, but the bottom was a little dark and the top not quite done enough – I like the cheese to bubble and brown a little. But overall, it was a success and a nice end to a nice day.

Coming soon … reporting on foodie adventures in Ohio!

 

Close Call Today!

Monday, May 27th, 2013

I had a very close call today riding in Davis. I was in a roundabout and a car to my right tried to rush in to get ahead of me. I had to swerve to avoid a collision. I went up over a median divider, lost my balance, and down I went. Fortunately, I think everything is OK – no broken bones, no broken bike parts, and no ruined cycling clothing. I am bruised and sore, but hopefully will feel better tomorrow.

This driver looked right at me, but told me “Oh, sorry. I didn’t see you. I was looking at him.” He never even asked me if I was OK.

DRIVERS – PLEASE, please be aware of your surroundings and watch for pedestrians and cyclists! And, PLEASE drive safely – follow the rules. These rules are there for a reason:

ROUNDABOUT RULES

1. Slow down. Obey traffic signs.
2. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists.
3. Yield to traffic on your left already in the roundabout.
4. Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in traffic.
5. Keep your speed low within the roundabout.
6. As you approach your exit, turn on your right turn signal.
7. Yield to pedestrians and bicycles as you exit.

For complete article, “GOING IN CIRCLES: The rules of the roundabout road,” please click here.