Last night my sister and I were walking around the neighborhood and window shopping at Naadam Ultra Thin on Bleecker Street. Cashmere and silk store. “Responsibly Sourced Sustainable Mongolian Cashmere Clothing” – The sign says soft, soft, soft world.
Can you find the two of us with the goat’s reflection? And the goat is not a taxidermy specimen but a large replica, like a giant stuffed toy.
This is a photo from a July 2010 blog post. Ellen R and I used to teach together.
Ellen in known for the delicious signature cheesecakes she bakes.
When she opened the fridge door (all those years ago) I saw Beer and Cream Cheese and Eggs. I think it was basketball tournament time. I saw the photo tonight and read the 2010 blog post and thought I would repost it and ask you, just like that old newspaper column used to ask interviewees-
What three things can one always find in YOUR fridge?
It seems I always have old condiments, eggs, and butter in my fridge.
Even at half volume, the anniversary party tent captures the downpour at a deafening level. No this post is NOT a Silent Sunday today.
The rain didn’t stop the festivities, but most partygoers took cover inside. Tables laden with food taken into the open garage.
A short video captures the sounds of the deluge.
Neville Island Pennsylvania.
Back to the serious business of partying outdoors, once the rain stopped. Of course, it stopped and started several times throughout the afternoon.
The perfect beginning to a lovely birthday dinner.
Greens and beans. “Escarole, Northern Beans, Garlic, Shallots, White Wine, & Parmesan”
My friend V and I shared this delicious appetizer. You might have seen it from our last visit to this restaurant on the Southside, Cucina Vitale. Know it’s cash only, BYOB and reservations are necessary for dinner.
Bon Appetit article
Travel with Intent blog sponsors Six Word Saturday
“Sabina’s opening monologue from Thornton Wilder’s 1942 Pulitzer Prize winning play The Skin of Our Teeth: “The whole world’s at sixes and sevens, and why the house hasn’t fallen down about our ears long ago is a miracle to me” – Wikipedia
Today I’m sixty seven. That number seemed to come up quickly! Sixty seven isn’t exactly at sixes and sevens -which is defined as “a state of confusion or disarray”- but the phrase certainly came to mind when I thought of my new age for the year. I looked up the origin and meaning of the phrase and you can click the blue phrase for more details.
In light of a recent conversation I was asked, “what would your seventy seven year old self write in a letter as advice to heed now?”
Hmmmm, I didn’t start writing the actual letter yet but here’s a start-
Dear 67 year old Ruth,
What can I tell you from the vantage point and wisdom of 77 years of age?
Are you living your life to the absolute fullest every single day? Come on, be honest.
Tell me how are you coming along with your practice of that Golden Rule? Be kind.
Are you making a point to learn from past mistakes or are you repeating them? What did you learn today? You can still increase your vocabulary.
Be sure to become less judgmental, less critical and always choose to take that elusive high road. Difficult, isn’t it? It will be no easier when you’re 77 years old. Trust me. To whine and complain is tiresome and unattractive. Don’t do it.
Work on your listening skills. Hear what others are saying. Ouch.
You know you should really commit to doing serious physical exercise, eat more dark leafy greens, drink lots of water and by the way, what’s with all that cheese? Take good care of yourself and avoid the sun.
Be sure to clear out all those possessions you’ve accumulated all these years so your grown up kids aren’t burdened later. Just remember- no one wants your stuff.
Becoming 67 today doesn’t mean you’re at sixes and sevens for the year.
Anyway have a good birthday-and be grateful you have one.
Love ❤️.
Multiply it to the nth power.
My baby cup.
Wordless Wednesday
Happy Go Lucky Hearts Hotel (and Hostel) In Berlin’s Charlottenburg neighborhood.
Mural Art by Dom Browne, artist from Kildare Ireland. This is a LOT of mural painting, Dom.
Click here to see a gallery of the details of Mr. Browne’s Happy Go Lucky Hearts painting. You will find lots of recognizable iconic images- Bruce Lee, Rich Uncle Pennybags, Mary Poppins, Jack Nicholson, Curt Kobain, minions, emojis, Batman, to name a few
The colorful Happy Go Lucky Hotel really stands out- right next door are regular buildings.
French Fries, Pommes Frites, Chips, Fries. These are fresh cut fries, fried to perfection.
The frozen, thinner ones from the freezer have been around since the 1940’s, You can find these frozen fries in plastic bags in the grocery store freezer section and they are served in most diners and fast food restaurants. There is no comparison to fresh cut potatoes, plunged into hot oil, drained and sprinkled with salt.
Sometimes fried twice for that extra crispy exterior and light creamy interior. Soggy and limp is the worst. The type of potato will affect the end result. Russet/Idaho potatoes are mentioned in many recipes and if you want to become a student of types of potatoes click this Guide to Every Potato You Need to Know
Eating fries may clog your arteries and make one fat, but they can certainly satisfy the palate. Some people accompany them with ketchup, vinegar, mayonnaise and slather them with cheese or gravy and even tomato sauce. You’ve probably heard of the famous Pittsburgh Primanti Bros sandwich with the fries and slaw right inside the sandwich. (photo of one here)
Here’s Bon Appétit Magazine’s Kelly Dobkin’s “culinary school method” for fail-proof, perfect French fries Secret to Perfect French Fries recipe
Need less fat, you can bake crispy fries in a 450 degree oven (recipe here)
Silent Sunday
Along Grandview Avenue 