Beams

I didn't live here when the towers fell, but each year I see
the beams that rise up into the sky from lower Manhattan.
Both beautiful and haunting, they serve as a reminder to me
(and hopefully others) that each day is a gift and should be
treated as such.

















photo credit

A Year in Books: August

I felt like I did  a lot of reading in August, but apparently
I just started a bunch of books but didn't finish any!
So I have nothing to show for the month of August.

I've also been doing a lot of studying for my new job
so that is taking up a lot of treasured subway reading time.
I'm sure that for September I'll have finished the 3
books that I'm currently working on :)

Latest Obsessions

*Seckel Pears
Spotted some at the market yesterday and had to have them.
These tiny fruits are so decadent with their flavor. Their season
is from September-February.

*The anticipation of a season change.
The return of scarves and long sleeves, the autumn
harvest at the market, and our backyard becomes accessible
again after the mosquitos disappear.

*I've got a mean travel itch right now.
 This post by David Lebovitz has me desperately wanting to
travel to Chablis. London, Piedmont, Vienna, and Hawaii are also
on the list.

*Focusing on a semi-detox
By detox I really mean more veggies and less cheese.

*Yuck: A 4th Grader's Short Documentary about school lunch
This looks interesting, it's impressive that a 4th grader is taking this
kind of initiative. When I was in 4th grade all I was concerned with was
reading Babysitter's Club and Goosebumps books.

*Morning Hot Chocolate
large scoop of raw cacao powder, sprinkle of cinnamon,
dash of cayenne pepper. whisk into warmed milk and enjoy.
*for an energy boost add a small scoop of maca powder.
(it's kind of expensive so I haven't bought it in awhile)

*Cat and Bunny Cookies

Greenmarket Finds

The Union Sq market is always so wonderful.
At this time of year the smell of peaches, plums, and
lavender is so strong. It's intoxicating.
Seasonal produce at its absolute finest.
















Today was a 3 bag kinda day.

*sourdough bread
*1 pint of heavy cream (not pictured)
*purple carrots
*2 cucumbers
*4 plums
*2 doughnut peaches
*5 yellow peaches
*1 small cantaloupe
*dinosaur kale
*mint
*cilantro
*1 summer squash
*green beans (not pictured)
*crimini mushrooms (not pictured)
*heirloom cherry tomatoes
*heirloom tomatoes
*gigantic okra (I forget the special name for it)
*garlic
*beef cubes (not pictured)
*chicken thighs (not pictured)


And just for an idea of how gigantic the okra is...

yeah, that's a quarter. Ridiculous!!

Cannot wait to grill these up for lunch.

I also noticed that concord grapes were at the market today, 

which means that you should enjoy the peaches and tomato

abundance while you can! Fall is on it's way.

A Small Rant

I watched this video yesterday and it really hit home.
The girl sans smartphone is me.

I'm tired of seeing iphones on tables in restaurants or on bars,
I don't want to look at photos when we could be talking,
there is no need to go right to wikipedia if you
are stumped by something, and maybe watch the event with
your own eyes instead of watching it from behind a screen.

I do see the plus side to it. Having directions to anywhere is a great thing,
so is Fruit Ninja and Angry Birds, but the negative outweighs the positive
for me.

Life is too beautiful and too short to waste so much time
on a little device.

Greenmarket Finds

If you've been thinking about doing
some greenmarket shopping-now is the time!
Whatever you pick up will taste 100x better
than anything from the grocery store.
Especially cantaloupe-yes, still talking about
that cantaloupe.
















*dozen eggs
*loaf of sourdough
*raw wildflower honey
*carrots
*beets
*3 ears of corn
*1 yellow peach
*3 donut peaches
*2 white nectarines
*blueberries
*okra
*dinosaur kale
*2 bell peppers
*cantaloupe
*heirloom tomatoes
*2 small pieces of tuna (not pictured)
*1 large filet of pollock (not pictured)
*1lb andouille sausage (not pictured)
*1lb chicken thighs (not pictured)

I have a friend visiting next week so
I'll be making chicken and sausage gumbo
for our Monday night dinner. It will
most likely be accompanied by jalapeno
cornbread.

In other kitchen news, we put up our world map
and will be filling it with pins of places we've been
as well as places that we want to go.

Latest Obsessions

*Okra
hit it with some olive oil, salt & pepper
and throw it on the grill. Best. Thing. Ever.
Also a goldmine as far as health/ digestive benefits go.

*The LIC Flea
Forget about Brooklyn. If you want awesome food,
nice scenery, and affordable vintage- definitely check
this place out.  I picked up a sailor's shirt from the 40's
(now I can't wait til fall!) and the husband scored this
amazing mexican blanket that probably is from the
50's or 60's. It now resides on our couch.

*Mar's
Finally, Queens is getting some good places.
We had some shrimp cocktail and a sparkling
gamay rose'.  Loved the decor and that it's
right near the Museum of the Moving Image.

*Editors-Weight of Your Love
new album. diggin' it.

*Summer Fruits
Is there a more glorious time than when cantaloupe,
watermelon, apricots, and donut peaches are at the market?!
Cannot get enough of these right now.

*Interesting article about happiness

*Boodapug tumblr
If you like looking at photos of pugs as much as I do.