First Season

Congratulations to Christie on her acceptance to Cambridge School of Culinary Arts!

Work life update: Christie tells me that I don't complain about my job anymore; Herb tells me that yesterday's class in Lynchburg was the thirty-first I've taught; course participants tell me that I'm accomplishing the only goal I'd set for myself, which is making people feel comfortable in my classroom.

I do believe in synchronicity. Several months ago, Lara brings a mini-fridge to store in my basement. Last week, the Federal Government deposits a windfall into my savings account. Today, my refrigerator dies. Food temporarily goes into Lara's mini-fridge; windfall buys new fridge tomorrow. Net result: break even. ::Sigh:: I had been planning to resist the temptation to spend that windfall, though, just to spite the Feds.

I've enjoyed the first season. Yes, yes.

Double posting day

Walking to work three times so far this week.

New chocolate brown hemp bag to replace the blue one that I've loved so much that I hate it.

Good book club, and Katherine is thankful for her gift of children's books. Also, I give myself credit for "showing up". Still need to finish the book though.

Finally making it to City Hall to buy trash stickers. City Hall - the place that's getting a new green roof.

Paul Curreri adds "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" to his repertoire. The dude's a genius.

Truth be told there's really not much suffery going on, but I sure am tired.

Horse & Buggy Pick Up

Today was my first pick-up with Horse & Buggy Produce. Today's share included:

1 honeybear of maple syrup (maybe 8 or 9 ounces)
1/2 pound spinach
1 pound kale (only took 1/2 pound)
1 head bibb lettuce
1 bunch asparagus
1 bag sprouts
6 eggs
1 loaf bread

I've already eaten an egg sandwich on the fresh bread and all of the kale. A pound of kale seems so overwhelming before you strip the stems and cut and steam it. As it turns out a half pound of kale is about one good sized serving. I added pine nuts and a little bit of redwine vinegar.

I was both overwhelmed and underwhelmed with the pick up today. I couldn't believe how many greens I brought home, but at the same time, it wasn't much food. This is actually a good thing. As I understand it, there will be a bell curve of produce through out the season, as the harvest grows, so I suppose it's a natural break-in period. So far, so good.

Lovely morning

And, I must say that the crisp, cool 50 degree weather on my walk to and from work today was delightful as well.

Stumbled upon a website for The Local - a new restaraunt in Belmont that I walk by on my commute. I'll post a picture soon because I'm as facinated by the space as I am interested in the menu.

Project Implicit - for a facinating psychology study, and endless internet entertainment, if you're looking for some.

Currently reading (and cramming to finish before Book Club tomorrow night): A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith.

Looking forward to my produce pickup and hearing Joe and Paul on Thursday.

Musical Weekend

Dave and I went to Gravity again last night (that's two nights in a row, and we weren't the only ones) to hear a lovely female foursome play an in-the-round show. We went primarily because Dave is friends with Robin Wynn, and I've been wanting to hear her play live. But, I've been a long-time fan of Joia Wood, who often backs Danny Schmidt. I'd heard Mariana Bell open for Vienna Teng at Gravity in the last year, and knew she was worth hearing again. The fourth, the only one I wasn't familiar with before last night, was Helen Horal who was a pleasant surprise with her earthy vocals.

Not only are these four all uniquely talented in their own right, but they supported each other seamlessly by adding backing vocals to their companions' tunes and ended the evening with two group songs, including an a capella version of "Down by the River to Pray," one of my favorite traditional tunes (which you can often find me singing along to with Alison Krauss on long road trips). If they decided to combine their energies, this foursome would have some serious potential; there were a few magical moments in the night that reminded me of the time that I spent in my much younger life singing with groups of women. There is something very powerful to be found in the convergence of voices in tight harmony, both for the singers and their audience.

I should add that on Friday night we heard the incomparable Danny Schmidt. And, equally impressive were Doug and Telisha Williams, whose bluegrassy string tunes warmed us up for Danny's show.

Click on any of the artists names above to have access to some of their music. Worth the time, for certain.

Long time gone

Spring tulips have already come and gone.

New (I woulda sworn they already had one?) myspace site for City Salvage Records, a little record label that happens to host several of my favorite musicians, and a link to a nice little blog article on Paul Curreri.

Saturday night dinner at The Local - Downtown Belmont is about to boom, that is, if we can't say that it has already. And, Twisted Branch and late-night C&O, a good thing.

Taking the leap and signing up for Horse and Buggy Produce. I'm inspired by my Seester, who tells me that she is the host pick-up site for her CSA in her neighborhood this season! How cool! I'm a little nervous: will it be too much, or not enough? Will I feel too much pressure to cook and not eat out? Will I miss an awesome share-week because my pick-ups are only biweekly? Oh! So many questions!

Successful lease negotiations: one down, one to go. Fingers still crossed.

Must fix the screen on my front door.

Attitude Up-do

Clothing swap t-shirt score.

Getting a recap of 600 years of Jewish history, along with a few Mel Brooks references, so that I now understand why Susan didn't want to take any cake home from supper club.

Orzo with Artichokes and Pine Nuts is a hit. A few hints: squeeze the artichokes to remove excess water, add the juice of the lemon along with the zest, add sundried tomatoes, top with goat or feta cheese.

Mindless entertainment.

Walking to work twice this week - it's 14 minutes door to door - mostly because I'm so sick of driving around and around and around the parking garage.

Faithiness

My first try at risotto is successful! Creamy, lemony, comforting, delicious.

Wondering if (accidentally) freezing wine ruins it.

A brief list of plugs, some of my favorite things:
* I love Honest Tea as much for the taste as for the witty, insightful quotes on the bottle caps.
* Stonyfield Farms organic whole milk strawberries and cream yogurt. The cream is heavenly.
* Weehah! greeting cards for all my friends! Locally made, and simply expressive.
* National Geographic Magazine, because from it, I learn about fascinating places like Bhutan.

Cough cough, sneeze sneeze

Dr. Beesknees admits that even Western medicine is sometimes more of an art than a science. And, his instincts seem to have been spot-on.

Introducing myself to James, long over due, and glad to be reciprocating now.

The Vet is thrilled at how well Garrett is doing, and so am I.

Two people (whom I am clearly not the boss of!) have referred to me as their "Boss" this week. Hm. Not sure how I feel about that...

Icky, achy. Even my guilt about not mowing the lawn yet is not making me leave the couch tonight. And, pledging to go to bed super-early tonight.

Mantra/Master's Voice - P. Curreri