Sweet Blog O'Mine

Category: Travel

  • Jetsetting

    I’m off to Paris for the weekend.  I just love saying that — actually it’s longer than a weekend, but I’ll be back stateside for Thanksgiving.  There may be some blogging à Paris, but I’m not sure yet.  Ideally I’ll be too busy galavanting around or relaxing to hit an internet cafe. 

    I’m hoping my French comes flooding back once I hit Charles de Gaulle, but we’ll see.  As long as I can find my way around town and around a menu, I’m sure I’ll be fine.  Eating suggestions are welcome, although at this point I might have more than I can squeeze in!  Suggestions on where to linger over a glass of red wine and write in my journal are also appreciated.  À bientôt!

  • I’m Drivin’ in My Car

    Well, not my car.  A rental car.  I (and my passagers) survived my first time driving around and out of Manhattan — somehow I managed to make it this far without doing it.  It went just fine, for the record.  OJ was full of friends, fun, food, music, a great run in the pine-scented air, and a fantastic video that Jay made to commemorate our 10th annual OJ. 

    Upon returning home on Sunday, I was able to sneak in a power nap before heading off to my judging duties at the Vendy’s — you can find out who won on Gothamist.  It was an incredibly fun event, and I got to see a cross-section of my world: mom, beach house folks, public interest law folks, food people — they were all there.  I somehow managed to take very few pictures the whole weekend, but I’ll get them up soon.

  • Transition to Fall

    Kismetsunset

    So this weekend was the first time I busted out the fuzzy socks and had the urge to wear a scarf (haven’t busted that out yet).  Then again, it’s cooler at the beach than it is back in the city.  I’m too tired to post the rest of the pictures now, so this sunset will have to hold you over for the time being.

  • Weekend Wrapup

    After going to the FoodCandy meetup and meeting some lovely new folks, I made myself a simple dinner before heading off to Stephanie’s birthday soiree Friday night.  Due to the acoustics at the bar, however, it was a little hard to catch up with anyone or, more accurately, nobody could hear me.  I have one of those voices that simply does not carry in a loud bar.  On my way back home, I got a text message from Luke, and we were able to chat (quietly) over a glass of wine.  Saturday, I was up early to head to Rhinebeck for Yael and Jonathan’s wedding, which was great fun — congrats again to both of you!  The Lovely Miss Katie and I were both in attendance, as were my dad and Joan — I even convinced my dad to dance with me.

    Finally, I spent yesterday relaxing before cooking yet another fantabulous meal with Jimmy.  This time around we made a pumpkin and sage risotto topped with seared scallops and a sage and truffle butter.  To go with we made oven roasted tomatoes with herbed breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese and roasted zucchini and onions.  The grand finale was individual molten chocolate cakes with whipped cream (and the very last of my aged Havana Club rum). 

    Risotto


    Dessert

    I’ve been putting off writing about that meal all day because I’ve been fasting for Yom Kippur, but now I’m off to a breakfast, so I figured I handle it with less than 45 minutes to go until eating!

  • How the Hell Could I Forget the Chickens?!?

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    There’s no way I could have forgotten them since somebody took eighty gazillion pictures of them with my camera.  Then again, I was sort of obsessed with the prizewinning produce myself.  The pictures from Maine are up, including a bunch from the Common Ground Country Fair, an annual event hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.  Between that and reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma, I convinced myself to get a winter share in a CSA so I can eat local farm-produced veggies and meat all winter.  And I will do my best never to eat corn-fed beef again.  Eeeew.

  • Maine, Redux

    Since our previously scheduled trip to Maine was thwarted by a grand conspiracy between Mother Nature, Orbitz, and Continental Airlines, The Lovely Miss Katie and I are heading up tonight for the weekend (assuming all goes well).  We hope to sleep late, eat lobster, go running, eat lobster, and, if weather permits, swim and kayak in the lake.  And eat more lobster.  Have a great weekend, all!

  • Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’

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    Well, I made it back safely from an amazing week in Galicia.  I’ve posted the pictures up quick and dirty, and will spend some time later today cleaning them up (like giving them labels so you know what the hell you’re looking at).  I had a great time, ate my fill of shellfish and jamon, and drank copious quantities of alvarinho.  I biked long and hard (particularly the first day, which was hilly and hot as hell, plus an additional day where I did an extra hill loop), saw some gorgeous scenery, and had the pleasure of some great company — thanks again to Bing, Martín, Joey, Yael, and particularly our fearless coordinator, Carlos, for making the trip so outstanding.  More details to come.

  • Legs Don’t Fail Me Now

    It’s about to get quiet around here for the next week — I’m off to Galicia for a week long bike trip.  Hope to have great stories and pictures when I return!  Pictures from my last bike trip, to Provence and Tuscany, are here.  Was it really four years ago?!?

  • Aloooooooha!

    Tiki
    I’m back from Hawaii and am kicking myself for not scheduling a much longer trip.  I stayed in Waikiki (a.k.a. tourist central) and didn’t see all that much of Oahu, although I managed to go snorkeling (saw some huge turtles) and hiking.  If I go back, I’d love to go to the North Shore of Oahu, Maui, and maybe some other spots that are less built up.  We also went to a luau, which was as terrifying as it sounds (think Disney-fied Hawaii), but it was so ridiculous that all you could really do was just laugh it off and drink Mai Tai’s.  And in case you were wondering when you look at the pictures, we got rear-ended on our way back from the hike.  We were all okay, but I documented everything for the insurance company since I happened to have my camera. 

    Ate two fantastic meals — one at Momomo, a Japanese itzakaya where I had incredibly fresh sushi, and succulent fried baby shrimp, and the other at the Side Street Inn.  I knew we were in great shape when the cab driver asked us if we really wanted to go there.  "It’s local food," he said, hesitantly.  "Perfect."  We had simple but tasty ahi poke, beef poke laced with cilantro, a locally grown salad with a tangy red wine vinaigrette, crab and artichoke dip, and their famous pork chops and fried rice.  I also think I filled my pina colada quota for the next few years.  Enjoy the pictures!

  • See What Happens When I Slow Down a Little?

    I’ve turned into the most anal retentive packer when I have the time.  When I’m rushed, I shove anything and everything into a bag, but when I have time, it’s different.  I make little checkllists of everything I want to bring and all the things I need to do before I go.  I go through all the tasks (water plants; suspend NYT delivery; suspend Dodgeball, etc.), and check off the boxes as I complete each one.  Then I lay everything out on the bed and mix and match clothes until I’ve whittled down to a reasonable amount (lots of black and white, generally).  Finally, I pack just about everything up except for my toiletries and handbag, and set everything just so.  That way, when my alarm goes off at the crack of dawn (car’s coming at 6am), I don’t really have to think; just finish it up and go.  I’m off to Hawaii — will check in when I return!