Sweet Blog O'Mine

Author: Laren

  • A Plethora of Plums

    Plum torte

    As some of you know, I am participating in a CSA this summer, which means that every week I pick up a hearty batch of produce (and sometimes cheese and eggs) from Norwich Meadows Farm.  Generally, this has been great — I've been eating fruits and veggies galore and I've been cooking more often.  My one problem has been the apricots and plums — I get so many that I can't go through them fast enough.  Last week, I had amassed a ridiculous number of plums, so I decided it was time to make something out of them, rather than trying to eat five plums a day just to keep up.  I ended up making this Plum Torte, which was simple and delicious*.  Of course I ended up bringing about 2/3rds of it into the office so I wouldn't have it lying around the house . . .

    *I'm no Smitten Kitchen with the photos, but I try.

  • Entering the World — Facebook Style

    My friends Michelle and John welcomed their first daughter into the world early this morning.  Yesterday morning, both of them started using Facebook's status updates to let their friends and family know how things were progressing.  All day and night, I'd check in to see the current situation — at the hospital, then back home, then back to the hospital.  There were photos of Michelle looking quite uncomfortable, sitting in a wheelchair, then a few hours later, John updated that Michelle was "on the dope" so they were both doing much better.  When I went to bed, the word was that the little one would be showing up at about 3 a.m., but I woke to find things still in progress.  At about 7:15, John posted a new status update:  "John is looking at his daughter for the very first time."  A few moments later, a name appeared, and pictures were up shortly thereafter.  Congrats to John and Michelle — and thank you for taking the time to keep us all up to date — it was a pleasure to be part of it all in some little way!  And hello to Gabriella Rose — your parents are pretty damn cool.  Let's hope you dance like your momma and cook like your daddy!

  • Fall Cleaning

    Getting a little jump start on the fall cure (although I have no idea when it starts) with some major home improvement purchases.  Thanks to a sale at the Container Store and a re-design of my original home office plan, I spent less than expected on my soon-to-be-delivered, space-saving, wall-mounted desk and shelving.  I spend the leftovers on two other big updates/upgrades/space-savers — a flat-screen TV and an iPod dock speaker system.  The only other purchase to complete my media upgrade is a proper iPod.  I am still using the first-generation iPod I got as a (very thoughtful) gift many years ago — it's only a 4 gig.  80 gig, here I come!

    These purchases will go a long way in helping move my apartment redecorating/updating forward.  Once they arrive I'll be able to sell my old desk and TV, buy a cozy reading chair for the bedroom, and perhaps re-arrange the living room.  Once things are more in place I can re-hang art, shelves, etc. and the place might finally feel like a cozy home again.  It has been in flux too long and I feel it draining me — looking forward to doing some nesting in the cooler weather.

    That said, I've been fully enjoying my Labor Day weekend, with parties and barbecues galore.  Today mght involve a trip to the beach . . .

  • The Omnivore’s 100

    How the Omnivore's 100 Works:

    1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.

    2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.

    3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.

    4) Optional: Post a comment at Very Good Taste, linking to your results.

    My Omnivore’s Hundred:

    1. Venison
    2. Nettle tea
    3. Huevos rancheros
    4. Steaktartare
    5. Crocodile
    6. Black pudding
    7. Cheese fondue
    8. Carp
    9. Borscht
    10. Baba ghanoush
    11. Calamari
    12. Pho
    13. PB&J sandwich
    14. Aloo gobi
    15. Hot dog from a street cart
    16. Epoisses
    17. Black truffle
    18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
    19. Steamed pork buns
    20. Pistachio ice cream
    21. Heirloom tomatoes
    22. Fresh wild berries
    23. Foie gras
    24. Rice and beans
    25. Brawn, or head cheese
    26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
    27. Dulce de leche
    28. Oysters
    29. Baklava
    30. Bagna cauda
    31. Wasabi peas
    32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
    33. Salted lassi
    34. Sauerkraut
    35. Root beer float
    36. Cognac with a fat cigar
    37. Clotted cream tea
    38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
    39. Gumbo
    40. Oxtail
    41. Curried goat
    42. Whole insects
    43. Phaal
    44. Goat’s milk
    45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
    46. Fugu
    47. Chicken tikka masala
    48. Eel
    49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
    50. Sea urchin
    51. Prickly pear
    52. Umeboshi
    53. Abalone
    54. Paneer
    55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal (not sure I'd eat this whole thing, but I'd taste)
    56. Spaetzle
    57. Dirty gin martini (don't like gin, but I've tasted)
    58. Beer above 8% ABV
    59. Poutine
    60. Carob chips
    61. S’mores
    62. Sweetbreads
    63. Kaolin
    64. Currywurst
    65. Durian
    66. Frogs’ legs
    67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
    68. Haggis
    69. Fried plantain
    70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
    71. Gazpacho
    72.     Caviar and blini
    73. Louche (ouzo) or absinthe
    74. Gjetost, or brunost
    75. Roadkill
    76. Baijiu
    77. Hostess Fruit Pie
    78. Snail
    79. Lapsang souchong
    80. Bellini
    81. Tom yum
    82. Eggs Benedict
    83. Pocky
    84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant
    85. Kobe beef
    86. Hare
    87. Goulash
    88. Flowers
    89. Horse
    90. Criollo chocolate
    91. Spam
    92.     Soft shell crab
    93. Rose harissa
    94. Catfish
    95. Mole poblano
    96. Bagel and lox
    97. Lobster Thermidor
    98. Polenta
    99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
    100. Snake

  • Of Sand Castles and Sangria

    P1030075

    It was a gorgeous beach weekend and a perfect Saturday for the 2nd Annual Sand Castle competition.  Although I wasn't part of the artistic or labor crews, I did play a vital role — working on the team responsible for getting the cocktails and the prizes down to the beach.  Mission completed.  Many thanks to Jimmy for coordinating, to Gabe and Sarah for their swordfish chermoula, Caroline for a delicious shrimp curry and pork sate, and to Eric for being a fantabulous guest.  You can find the pictures here.

  • A Glimpse Inside My Head

    Last night as I climbed into bed, this was stuck in my head.  Same when I woke up this morning:

    For those who may not recognize it — it's from The Electric Company, back in the day!

  • Mental Note

    In the future, try not to schedule morning runs on garbage pickup days in the summer.  Blech.

  • The Tastes of Summer

    P1030065

    When the time comes that fresh, ripe, juicy, perfect tomatoes with some salt, pepper, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil become part of a meal at least once per day; you are constantly nibbling on fresh blueberries; and the corn only needs to be cooked for about thirty seconds, you know it's truly summer.  Yum.

  • Dear Universe,

    Got the message — thanks for making it crystal clear.  Off to enjoy a bike ride.  Hope you're doing well. 
    Love and smooches,
    L

    PS — thanks for the awesome friends, and for inventing a good dirty martini.

  • On Strike

    It's YOUR turn to pick the restaurant!!  At least for the next few weeks.  Plus, I get to retain veto power.