Summer Daydreams

This is my favorite time of year.
I cannot get enough of the heat and sunshine,
the magical warm breeze that makes the leaves rustle,
a summer harvest that is always worth waiting a
whole year for, and the simple pleasures that summer always brings.




















This is just the beginning of tomatoes, which
means that all I want to eat are caprese salads.
I splurged on some fresh mozzarella at the market
last Saturday and I've nearly eaten all of it myself already.
No shame. This happens but one month out of the year.




















Our backyard at sunset.





















By the lake in Central Park, where I hide out during my breaks.





















Last week at Rockaway Beach. I found the most perfect
beach pebble to add to my collection of shells and things.

My boss brought me back some raw milk
from his weekend upstate. Had a glass as soon as
I got it home, there is nothing quite like it.  One taste
and you'll be hooked, it puts all other milk to shame.

Latest Obsessions

Hello again! I'm back from my 2 months of radio silence.
Much like exercising in the morning, blogging regularly
takes a certain amount of dedication.  I don't always have the
motivation or feel like I have interesting things to say- but
I'm going to just jump right back in and see where it goes.

Lately I have been obsessed with...

*My Central Park Spot.  On my break I rush over to the little rowboat lake,
and bask on the rocks for about 10-15 minutes. Staring at the boaters,
watching for turtles, and marveling at this beautiful space that
exists within a sprawling concrete jungle.

*Chats with Mom Mom. I was briefly in Jersey this week and those visits
 always include stopping by my Mom Mom's house.  Sometimes she will
rush you out, claiming that you have other things to do and she doesn't want
to keep you- but not this time.  We had a nice long chat about everything
from family history to the importance of taking the time to really
cream the eggs and sugar for cake recipes. And thanks to technology I was able
to use my newfangled  iphone to show her what I've been up to and what
the husband and I have been cooking. It's so nice to be able to share
those things, I'm extremely thankful for the time I get to spend with her.

*Summer Fruits. I wait for this moment all year long. When I can finally
gorge myself on cherries, strawberries and raspberries- not to mention
all of the fruits that have yet to appear at the market.
Is there anything more magical than the summer harvest??

*Creating. Collaging, stamping, cooking, baking- always want to be
creating something.  And nothing gets you out of your own head like looking
at what other people have done or are doing.  A few weeks ago I picked up
a book about my favorite artist-and biggest collage inspiration, Hannah Hoch,
and just looking at her images inspired me to be a little bit more free
with my own. I've also been going to the Met, letting whatever
catch my eye, and then coming home and making something
based on the new favorites. It doesn't always turn out so good
but it's been a fun exercise to get into.

*Wines from the Savoie. A small region within the French Alps
(not too far from Valle d'Aosta in Northern Italy) that seems to be
showing up more and more on by the glass lists and in
boutique wine shops. The common grapes are Jacquere, Altesse,
Roussanne, Mondeuse and Pinot Noir. The whites are fresh,
minerally, and dry. Sometimes they will have a salinity that feels
similar to Muscadet, and a savory quality that is reminiscent of
parmesan rind.  The reds are fairly light, with dark fruits,
delicate tannins, and a gamey quality. I like them best with
a good chill- yes, you heard right. Chill.yo.reds.  The best part
about these wines is that they are ridiculously budget friendly
and are generally between $13-20 on the shelf.

Latest Obsessions

*War on Drugs-Lost in the Dream
Put it on, open whatever window is closest to you,
and just enjoy (and dance a little).

*The L.I.C Flea
We've gone twice so far and always find some great food.
Our current favorite is the vegan soul food stand. It's pretty spot on.

*Asparagus
It's bordering on desperation. I really try to wait until everything
is available at the farmers markets and stick to my "eat seasonally"
campaign.  But the spring harvest is a few weeks behind this year so
 I bought it from the supermarket....twice.  Hi,  my name is Jess
and I'm addicted to spring vegetables.

*Celebrations
So many changes happening in 2014, most of them good.
But so many reasons to celebrate! Engagements, weddings, new jobs,
old friends, new friends, new dogs, babies, fresh starts, Sunday mornings- it's
all reasons to be grateful and happy and to celebrate.

*Doctor Who
This has been an obsession for awhile but the husband and I recently
watched through the David Tennant era. and my goodness, I definitely
cried for an additional 20 minutes after his regeneration. You become so
invested in these characters, and the end is just so overwhelming.  I'm back
where I began now, with Matt Smith.  Curious to see how I feel the second
time around after really understanding why people loved David Tennant so much.

The Epiphany

"We always remember it: an unusual moment; the temperature of the room
was just right; one was somehow more receptive, open to the unexpected;
 a moment when everything in the rush of experience is briefly stilled.
You taste and at that moment you know the difference between this
experience of drinking and all those that you have had before.  The senses
are dazzled. You are stunned by the intoxicating power of the experience;
the pleasure is exhilarating and hypnotic.  The velvet feel of the wine
in your mouth, the lingering flavours and aromas when you swallow.
It is an intensely hedonistic moment, an encounter with a fine and elegant
thing. There is a desire to be still and to focus on what is happening.
There is the swoon of something great entering your system.  The body has
no struggle in accepting this harmonious liquid-it feels good for us, like a
blood transfusion with several vital elements in it.  You delight in
your experience, and in that of those with who, you share the bottle.
The moment is fleeting, ephemeral and transitory, yet utterly memorable.
And you know, at that moment, that you want more opportunities like this,
not to drink this very wine again,  because this is an unrepeatable experience.
You want more opportunities to drink other wines as great as this because
now you know great wines exist and that you are capable of responding
to them. At that moment you learn something about wine and something
about you. You are astonished that wine can reach such great heights,
provide such a complex and yet harmonious experience, and in understanding
that wine can do this, you want to know more."
-Barry C. Smith- Questions of Taste: The Philosophy of Wine

Latest Obsessions

*Popcorn
We've been popping our own and experimenting with different
fats to pop it in. We used duck fat first and last night used a really
fragrant olive oil. It blows all microwave popcorn right out
of the water in terms of flavor.  Next step is to pick up some
truffle salt.

*Buttermilk Biscuits
I'm pretty sure that I made my finest batch ever this weekend.
I think they key was using my own buttermilk (which you get when
you make butter) and a little bit of yogurt because I was just short
of a cup of the buttermilk.  The yogurt added a nice tang to them and
they came out flaky and delicious.

*Seeing Green
I finally spotted some little green leaves sprouting
on some of the smaller trees and the first flowers breaking through
the ground.  I am so ready for spring, for shoes without socks, pretty dresses,
lively cocktails, bocce matches, and the delicious vegetable harvest.

*Getting to the Neue Galerie
I desperately want to see this exhibit, and a little
stop in the cafe is always welcome.

*Grand Budapest Hotel
I love Wes Anderson's style and whimsical world, this movie is
up there with the best of them.  Ralph Fiennes is fantastic.
I also found a recipe for Mendl's Courtesan du Chocolat,
which I will definitely make in the near future.

*"You are not IN the universe, you ARE the universe,
an intrinsic part of it. Ultimately you are not a person, but 
a focal point where the universe is becoming conscious
of itself. What an amazing miracle."- Eckhart Tolle

Minimal Continued...

I wouldn't say that I adhered to the rules of this
challenge, but I didn't really dismiss the whole thing either.

I've been slowly amassing a pile of items
to donate to Goodwill, and thrown away/recycled
a fair amount of things as well.  I didn't go along with the
certain number each day but tackled different areas
of the house and got rid of the unnecessary.

Some of the items for donation are:
*2 coats
*a huge bag of clothes
*rice cooker
*cupcake stand
*boots
*decorative pillows
*purses
*books

Some of the items I trashed/recycled:
*Cards (I hoard way too many of these, it was time to let some go)
*Numerous clothes/accessories that were way past their prime
*Sketches and studio junk.

The husband and I have decided that we'll continue to add to the pile
for the rest of March, and then take it all over to Goodwill in April.
It will feel like some serious spring cleaning once that pile goes!

The biggest things I've gotten out of this so far are:
- I own A LOT of stuff
-I need to start using what I already have

So in this next phase of the project I'll continue to subtract,
but I'm also making a point to be more mindful about
using the things that I already have.  (especially art supplies and
kitchen ingredients)

Has anyone else been doing the minimalist challenge?
How has it been working for you?

Latest Obsessions

*The Met
My heart beats for a few places in this big city and the Met Museum
is one of them.  I've been trying to go more often and leave with a few
sketches or photos of the pieces that inspired me on that trip.  The amazing
thing is that something different always speaks to me.  The most
recent trip I was taken by Matisse, Giorgio di Chirico, Picasso,
the Jewels by JAR exhibit, some of the architectural watercolors,
a Qing Dynasty vase, and some Paul Klee pieces.  Sometimes it's
so beautiful it moves me to tears and then there I am, a total weirdo,
lightly crying at the Met.  If I could live there I would.

*A 7th Grade Revivial
Lisa and I have been friends since 1996, in 7th grade we started
a journal that we would pass back and forth.  We ended up
with about 4 or 5 books filled with hilarious 7th grade thoughts
and when I read it now it partially makes me cringe (mostly at the
schizophrenic stream of consciousness style of writing) but even more
than that it makes me laugh hysterically. Lisa makes me laugh hysterically.
Our lives could not be more different at the moment but our friendship
has not changed. So for her birthday this year I sent a new journal for us
to start,with a couple pre-paid envelopes to send it back to me.  We've already
filled it with our normal inside jokes that have been standard since the late 90's
and that still make us crack up.  But it's so nice to read about her
day-to-day and what she's thinking about.
I hope this project lasts through several new journals.

*New Mexico
I am finally visiting my friend Lauren in New Mexico, she has lived there
for a few years now and a visit is long overdue.   I'm excited to explore a
new citybut also to sit around with her and Dan, maybe watch
'Play Misty for Me', eat snacks, and just catch up.
I miss seeing her on a regular basis.

*Pedralonga Do Umia
I have a lot to learn about Spanish wines, and I'm slowly finding things
that appeal to my palate.  Most recently I've fallen for this wine, a blend of
Mencia, Caino, and Espadeiro.  It reminds me of a Cab Franc from the Loire-
which is a serious favorite.  There is something so enticing and crisp
about this wine. It's soft, earthy, and perfect with a light chill. If you're
not typically a fan of Spanish wines I promise that this will change your mind.

*Plantain Tortillas
My tortillas did not look quite like the picture, but I'm blaming that on my
food processor more than anything.  The taste, however, was delicious and the
whole tortilla process took about 30 minutes from start to finish. I topped mine
with a guac, radishes, grilled cod, thinly sliced red cabbage and lime juice.
Super easy dinner, and a new way of thinking about tortillas.

*Erik Satie
I'm reading The Banquet Years by Roger Shattuck, it's about la belle epoque
in France between 1885 and WWI.  It focuses on Erik Satie, Henri Rousseau,
Alfred Jarry, and Guillame Apollinaire.  Naturally I visited a Rousseau painting
on my last visit to the Met, now I'm listening to a lot of Satie and Debussy.
I find it to be very soothing.