Right now I'm running at a huge pink deficit in the garden, particularly in the Rose Department. Pink is my go-to color always, but particularly in the Winter. I find it brings me a big pick-me-up. While I am also infatuated with blues and purples in the landscape, because of their rarity and especially this year, pink tends to be my all-time favorite. The range of shades is really amazing. I adore them all. What do color infatuations say … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2015
Summer Solstice on Steroids; Seared Sea Scallops and on becoming the Vicious Deadheader
in loving memory of my wonderful Mom who would have been 93 today I'm a little disturbed about the pace of things in the garden this year. The peony season lasted all of about 2 weeks and is but a memory now, roses were right on top of them, and now I have large numbers of Endless Summer Blossoms coming along like crazy. Not that I'm complaining about that, but jeez, slow down a little. Becky Daisies and Phlox are pushing right along. … [Read more...]
Martha Does – The End of an Era?
my favorite picture of Martha in the Westport kitchen, Circa 1982 (photo courtesy Clarkson Potter) I read with sadness this morning in the Wall Street Journal, that Martha Stewart is about to sell her Company, Martha Stewart Omnimedia to Sequential Brands Group Inc. While, I was not really surprised, I was sad that the day had come that the house that Martha built and fought for control over, was about to be "let go". Moreover, I felt a … [Read more...]
I’ve Got the June Blues – The Blueberry-Blackberry Scone with Chocolate
Well, I don't have to tell you how I am feeling about this June weather so far here in NJ. I know I am absolutely not the most patient person when it comes to weather. But seriously? Does someone think this is funny? Did I move to London? I'm not exactly sure where the messaging went afoul, but, every year I wait from the prior November for this time of year to arrive. I put in an order for crisply sunny days, no humidity and rain … [Read more...]
In Love with the Julienne Peeler, Loaves and Fishes Cookshop and The Zucchini “Pasta”
Julienne is one of those culinary words I love. (hmm, could you name your daughter Julienne? would that be unkind?) Here is one study on how the simplest and humblest (or is it most humble?) of ingredients can yield something surprisingly amazing. Now I know what I will be doing with all of the overabundance of Zucchini for the next several months. In fact, I could become a zucchini-holic by the time people start bemoaning the … [Read more...]
2015 – 2200 A No-Food Odyssey? – Why I Don’t Want to Be Here if Soylent is De Rigueur
just a little pic of real food snapped at the Union Square Farmer's Market on Saturday - something to live for! vs. Here's your dinner! Is this the sensibility of the advanced-human or the packaging of human diminishment? Their Facebook page says, "free your body" - from what, do they mean???? Should I flood this blog post with a selection of my most beautiful photographs of food? I shall pick just a few that I have handy: … [Read more...]
Blackberries and Blueberries with Orange; Affinities Across the Color Wheel
image courtesy D. Van Nostrand Co. In addition to being an unusual color for food, blueberries are one of the rare foods that are indigenous to North America. Blackberries could be too, although they more likely hail from Asia, Europe, Africa or South America - being of the Rubus genus. I have always been fascinated by flavor affinities across the color wheel. I really don't know what makes me think of these things, but I do. Last … [Read more...]
The Front Seat: It’s a Dog’s Life – The Pivotal Lesson Learned about Aging, Food, Animals and People
Lesson Learned via Kit - and yes, she rides in the front seat Life works in mysterious ways………. Three years ago I wrote the post linked below after having witnessed the lucky dogs of Nantucket flying back and forth on Cape Air. It was fun to see them enjoy "the front seat" of life. And, today, more than ever, I realize how they so deserve it. I'm not going to go into lamenting how one's dog can be a better friend or have more moral … [Read more...]
Obsédé – Roses – The Just-In-Case Inventory; Shades, Tones, Angles
If a word doesn't appear in the dictionary, does that mean it doesn't exist? Like the word "obsessant" - as in a person who is obsessed. I can't take my eyes off of my roses these past couple of days…….. We all know about Just-in-Time inventory, from Accounting 101. Well, today, for posterity's sake, I am making a Just-In-Case Inventory. These are just in case they aren't as gorgeous tomorrow or again this Summer. And yes, about two … [Read more...]
A Most Spectacular Day, Sally Mann; No Further Words Necessary
This is a day to live for, a day to dream of, a day to savor. Today, I imagine I feel a little like Sally Mann. No, really. Well, of course I don't know how she feels at all, I just know what she said and how I interpreted it. Any one who missed her latest interview with Charlie Rose, should consider taking an hour to view it. I found her fascinating. For those of you who feel as I do and just want to indulge in the beauty of this … [Read more...]