One Year

I spent the weekend with the best person ever.  Doing some of the best things ever, visiting some of the best people ever.  We saw some of the most incredible flowers and plants (ever) and ate some of the best food ever.  How appropriate to mark One Year!

we stayed right down town -- but drove to Kennett Square and got to hang w/ Jesse 

how serendipitous that they have season passes to Longwood Gardens! 

where there are breathtaking fountains, magnificent flowers and plants and massively impressive conservatory

with much unique flora alongside some simply lovely ones, and pleasant aromas around each turn

in addition, we enjoyed fantastic fare, had our fair share of espresso, and on our way home, plopped down in a little park (Top Left) before we left for NJ. 

On our way home, we took a long detour through Princeton, stopping at Terhune Orchards, the Bent Spoon (whereupon we acquired an old Synesso (!)) and finished off the adventure with the comforting familiarity of deliciously, satisfying gelato.

*win*

Bear Mountain, New York

after some gourmet, Slatton breakfast burritos, we were off with our backpacks for a 4-mile hike through the fog...

5-May 2012, Harriman State Park*

*a.k.a. "the Shire"

contemplating

Springtime! Strawberry Lemon cupcakes

is it just me, or does spring make you want to start drinking lemonade and eat light, fluffy cupcakes like these? :]

Felicity Riehl

Leah's baby shower (Felicity May)

grocery store

we did our apple-picking in the fall and we hope to pick some oranges this summer...somewhere!  But in the meantime, we grocery shop. (photos complements of benjammer)

see food

we don't eat much "meat" at home, but since #1 digs the seafood scene, I whipped up something simple.  It helped that we had incredibly fresh, crisp, fluffy french bread a la Elijah's Promise kitchen to soak up the sauce at the bottom

sewing a letter

of the woods

Slias ~ of the woods

he's going to be one strong, crafty, clever, woodsman!

traveling light

JWell Women's Retreat, Ocean Grove NJ

a slice of bars

Benjamins Winter Bars

so with some extra sour cream (yes) left over, I sought to modified this recipe into a more delectable afternoon snack or morning treat.

A few changes:

• made in a spring form pan and cut into little slices

• 2 c. craisins
• 1/2 c. white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch (mix this w/ a bit of h20 before adding to mixture)
• 1 1/2 c. sour cream
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• slowly mix all this stuff over LOW heat (you don't want scrambled eggs, do you?)

This is the crumble that gets split into bottom (pressed down) and sprinkled on top:

• 1 c. packed brown sugar
• 1 3/4 c. rolled oats (opt: replace ~1/2 c. w/ wheat germ)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 c. mix of AP flour and wheat flour
• 1 cup butter, softened

This is probably one of my top 3 favorite "bar" recipes.  *win*

Morning Glory muffin madness

BenSchellack convinced me to make him the world's largest muffins...so I did!

Frittata di Schellack

A delicious mistake: (serves 4)

Frittata di Schellack

della Cucina Schellack 

serves 4, Oven = brolier-low

• eggs (6)
• spinach (10oz)
• diced tomatoes (4 pealed plum)
• mozzarella
• drunken goat (hard) cheese to sprinkle

whisk eggs. coat spinach in it.   throw into a large cast iron. toss everything else into it.

cook on stove until set. (med-low, ~5 minutes; do NOT overcook! it should still be runny)

move to oven until eggs are just cooked through. (cheese should be ever so slightly brown).

sprinkle hard cheese on top.

enjoy!

nothing beats an overflowing glass of beer

HENNEPIN 

Farmhouse Saison

by Ommegang Brewery

How can it not be good?  It's from the same town baseball was born!

strawberry limoncello sorbet

Thank you, Vitamix.

Boston ICA

2008

Being at the ICA for the first time is better than seeing it in photos and dissecting it to pieces. In addition to the High Line Park, this makes Diller+Scofidio one of my top architects (James Corner/field Operations goes without saying)...

apples, pears, in Disc-form...oh my

momma schellack purchased some especially large apples for this salad recipe...and I got to put it all together!  A simple Pear Vinegarette by the Mr., and dressed the tower of sliced apples and pears, crumbled with blue cheese with arugula leaves intermittently stuffed throughout.

Voila

Providence reminds me of Italy

except, there is an American flag soaring from the building on left!

the narrow streets, the distinctive, vivid buildings, and of course, the roman influence.

Cranberry scones with wheat germ

I never really liked scones, but stepping out the comfort zone after having been inspired after a week of delicious baked goods down in FL, I set forth.  For a decently healthy scone, based on the feedback, they were a success!

(recipe modified from allrecipes "simple scones" and epicurous)
Makes 8, Oven = 400°

mix:

• 1.5 c AP flour 
• 0.5 c wheat germ 
• 1/4 c sugar (this is already decreased sugar) 
• 1 tsp baking powder 
• 1/4 tsp baking soda 
• 1/2 tsp salt 

add:

• 8 tbsp unsalted butter, frozen (just so you can grate it in) 
• 1/2 cup craisins (or dried currants) 
• 1 tbsp orange zest 

whisk together first, then add:

• 1/2 cup sour cream (alt. mix proportions w yogurt) 
• splash of orange juice 
• 1 large egg 

Don't overmix. Once clumpy, make into ball. Place on lightly floured surface (either my counter or silpat <-- best friend) and cut into (8) triangles.

Place on cookie sheet and sprinkle w/ sugar. Pop in for ~15 minutes.
Let 'em cool for a little, then serve warm! with tea or coffee [: