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Post by hwinpp on Jul 10, 2009 9:44:54 GMT
What a difference a couple of days of rain make! Thanks for the pix, Bixa!
BTW, had I been there when they slaughtered the goats all my fibres would have been bristling too!
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Post by spindrift on Jul 10, 2009 14:04:08 GMT
Wonderful thread, Bixa. I really have enjoyed reading it.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 11, 2009 2:39:23 GMT
Thanks ~~ you guys make me feel really good about showing off my little rural patch.
HW, I don't know where that goat meat went -- never smelled it cooking. But when I first moved in there was a fiesta on the property and the cooked goat was beyond divine. There is a town north of Oaxaca where the goat is served on agave leaves, along with cracked corn that cooked slowly in the dripping juices of the meat. Fine, fine food.
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Post by lola on Jul 27, 2009 3:03:57 GMT
Just came across this, Bixa. Lovely photos.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 27, 2009 1:30:17 GMT
Well, we're still having beautiful days in my neighborhood, but it's far too dry. There are rain clouds, but they're all promise and no delivery. The sky is beautiful this time of year, though. I love the way it makes the hills and mountains look closer. It's so tantalizing to look out and see fat clouds and curtains of rain in the distance. We get the nice smell, but alas, no water. This was yesterday evening ~~ The first thing I do in the morning is go outside and look up. *sigh* The same sun that is making those soft pretty shadows in the morning will turn into a cruel death ray by mid-day. My poor plants, with that burning light both above and reflected from below by the quartzy soil. There hasn't been a summer drought like this since I came to live here. Apparently the last one before this was in 1987. The water company, which delivers an inadequate supply in the best of times, has cut water distribution by 40%. A friend who lives in the city said they're only getting water every two weeks. Oh well, enough gloom and doom. Really, every day in my neighborhood is a pleasant day. There was a minor bit of excitement today when Ginger, who's been lethargic lately because of the heat, went into a barking frenzy. When I looked out at the road, I saw the reason: Ginger (or "Jeen-jah", as the little neighbor boys call him) is indifferent to goat on the hoof, but that shepherd had the unmitigated nerve to walk on the road in front of ourhouse with a dog. My landlord was out across the driveway today, working like a fiend in all this heat. He was putting up screens in the eaves of the wooden building he uses for storage, in order to keep the house finches out of there. After that he started chopping grass around that building in the midday sun. Around two I went out and brought him a fruit salad, which he took away as he was going home for lunch. About three hours later I had just made some fresh coffee and was idly wishing I had some pleasant bread object to have with it. There was a tap at the gate. It was my landlord returning the bowl -- along with a freshly made, still warm, bread treat! I don't know what it is, but it was lovely and perfect -- just the tiniest hint of sweetness, and with a subtle flavor of anise. That's it ~~ just another day in my neighborhood. |
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Post by imec on Aug 27, 2009 1:35:40 GMT
Wow! Those first two shots are are stunning! Never seen anything like that bread. Did you have it plain? With butter? With jam? I bet it would be good dunked in a glass of Marsala or Vin Santo...
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 27, 2009 1:52:56 GMT
Why thank you, Imec!
Yes, I love plain bread and it was SO fresh. *sob* I wish you hadn't said Marsala! It's been years. I'll have to remedy that the next time I go to the States. What is Vin Santo, please? I definitely would have dunked my bread in some sweet, nutty wine if I'd had it. Fresh coffee in the afternoon is always a treat, too.
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Post by imec on Aug 27, 2009 2:04:09 GMT
What is Vin Santo, please? Sweet wine from Tuscany...  |
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 27, 2009 3:27:32 GMT
I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!
*drums tiny fists on Imec's manly chest*
Wasn't it bad enough that you waggled Marsala beneath my nostrils, now you must taunt me with almond biscotti?!
*moan*
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 16:58:21 GMT
I was admiring this thread again and thinking that we might need an update specifically on Oaxacan botanicals. We get glimpses of so many different plants in these reports, but it has not yet stuck in my mind what the favourite plants of the region are, apart from the marigolds for the cemetery. Have you noticed that the people of Oaxaca have an affinity for growing certain trees/bushes/flowers in their gardens and totally ignoring other splendid flora?
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Post by htmb on Aug 6, 2014 17:33:48 GMT
Gosh, another terrific thread I had yet to read, though I'm struck by how has changed since this report was made. Beautiful photos of your old place, Bixa. The mountain views were stunning.
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