Sweet Blog O'Mine

v. 2.0

  • Make New Friends, But Keep the Old . . .

    Next Wednesday morning I'm heading down to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail, a multi-day party conference revolving around all things boozy (and in my case, of course, food). I was looking at a Facebook event that someone set up to see who's heading down, and looking at those I know on the list — about 30, give or take – I didn't know almost any of you last year.  It's kind of amazing how many new and wonderful people are now part of my world, and I feel incredibly lucky to have met you all.  I can't wait to have fun in NOLA with you all (although I'm a little nervous, I'll admit)!!

    PS — I'm bringing my gym clothes and do plan on working out at least a little while I'm there.  Announcing it here so that you can all laugh in my face when you see me.

  • A Touch of Beauty

    P1000278

    for this otherwise gloomy and humid day.  More to be found here and at the 9th Street Community Garden on 9th St and Avenue C.

  • Same Time Next Week

    This morning I biked up along the West Side bike path all the way up past the GWB, into Inwood and beyond.  At the same time next week, I will be done with my swim in the Hudson and riding a parallel path up the Henry Hudson Parkway.  I won't, however, have the luxury of taking the subway home, but instead will head off to Central Park for a 10k run. 

    I feel ready, but nervous, which seems appropriate.  And at this time next week, I'll hopefully be celebrating my successful triathlon with friends and family!

  • Comfort Food

    Yes, I'm the idiot that was roasting a chicken last night even though it was 8 billion degrees out (using this awesome recipe).  The good news?  Now I have leftover chicken so I don't have to cook much, if at all, over the next few days.  Now that's comfort food for hot weather.

    I'm also the idiot who went running this morning in the 99% humidity.  Bleh.

  • Finding Happiness

    I stumbled across a quote recently from Bob Dylan's memoir.  Speaking about his wife, he said, The one thing about her that I always loved was that she was never one of those people who thinks that someone else is the answer to their happiness. Me or anybody else." This truly resonates with me.  I firmly believe that we often spend too much time looking to (or for) others to make us happy.  I am doing my best to focus on all the happiness I have within myself — and there is a great deal — the rest will follow.  The only person who can make YOU happy is YOU. 

  • Weekend Wrapup

    Flowers

    Quiet night on the couch, early morning brick workout, errands, punch party, Mayahuel, block party, a late afternoon cold beer outside, rooftop BBQ & fireworks, oysters, mussels and a lobster roll at Pearl Oyster Bar, Toy Story, two visits to Rye House, Momofuku pork bun, chili crab goodness and leftovers from Fatty Crab. Plus friends, laughter, sweat, and air conditioning. Many thanks to Karen, Hal, Dan, Kathryn, Jenn, Emilia, Lauren, Tara, Dave, Lindsey, Lincoln, Carmen, Rob, Caroline, and everyone else I saw along the way, particularly at Rye House last night.  An excellent long weekend all around.

  • A Boozy Taste of Summer

    Maraschino Cherries!

    What you see here is a jar of homemade Maraschino cherries — got the cherries at the Greenmarket last weekend and put them in to macerate on Monday morning.  Perhaps I'll taste them this weekend, but I'm sure they just get better with age.  Recipe from the New York Times:

    Time: 20 minutes, plus 2 days' macerating

    1 cup maraschino liqueur

    1 pint sour cherries, stemmed and pitted (or substitute one 24-ounce
    jar sour cherries in light syrup, drained).

    Bring maraschino liqueur to a simmer in a small pot. Turn off heat
    and add cherries. Let mixture cool, then store in a jar in refrigerator
    for at least 2 days before using, and up to several months.

    Yield: About 1 pint.

  • Ode to the Central Park Hills

    Oh mighty hills of Central Park

    How well I know your curves.

    The downhills I love so much going counterclockwise by bike

    I enjoy somewhat less when I travel clockwise running

    and vice versa.

  • Dinner Recap

    Well, I didn't take any pictures (idiot), but Saturday night's dinner was a success.  Here are the recipes:

    – Thai-spiced watermelon soup (chilled) with crabmeat (the hands-down winner of the evening, in my book)

    – Vietnamese pork salad (not bad; needed more heat/dressing.  Will be eating leftovers for lunch all week!)

    – Mussels with Thai red curry

    – Thai coconut pineapple rice (yes, this is a WW recipe! was much improved w/sriracha)

    – Strawberry basil sorbet

    The evening started out with a tasty bourbon/amaro punch, and we progressed to gruner veltliner and reisling.  A lovely summer dinner — thanks to my guests!

  • Weekend Agenda

    – Volunteer Friday night at Astor Center Summer Cocktails in Film class

    – Early morning BRICK (bike/run) in Central Park

    – Greenmarket/shopping for dinner party Sat night

    – Make punch/ice cream/dinner prep/nap

    – Dinner is served!

    – Sunday light workout — run, swim or yoga

    – New Amsterdam Market

    – UnFancy Food Show

    – Cocktail column research (Painkiller? Cienfuegos? Dutch Kills? Anfora? WD-50?)

    Sounds like a great weekend to me!