A Week in Photos: May 13th

I’ve been in a bit of a cooking slump for the last few months which has been most unfortunate since I tend to find cooking quite relaxing. Baking, not so much. But chopping vegetables, frying onions, making something delicious out of random ingredients, satisfying a craving, it’s an important part of me.

Last week the clouds parted, certain things aligned, I had a long awaited bounce in my step again, and I found myself more excited than I’d been in months to get into the kitchen. Now I am not one who is drawn to super intricate recipes, not that I never will be, but at this point I tend to gravitate toward simple, no frills recipes that rule. Perhaps it’s a result of my upbringing, four kids, two adults and no dishwasher, so the more dishes you dirtied, well, the joke was on you.

When I was about eight or nine, my mom, the brilliant woman that she is, in an effort to even out the dinner making duties, told each of us kids that we could cook any meal we wanted to once a week and by doing so, we would be relieved of dish duty that night. She was speaking my language. I don’t remember too much of what I made during that time, a lot of Macaroni & Cheese and Spaghetti Pie I’m sure, Mexican Lasagna was also a favorite, we were certainly not the world’s most culinarily creative family. But I loved that once a week I got to make the decision and could ignore everyone else’s input, as the youngest of four you relish any chance like this you can get.

I was reminded not too long ago of these dinners when I ordered a burrito with refried beans in it and with one bite I was transported back to 1987, sitting at our dinner table starting a plate of white rice and refried beans. Nothing else, just that. You see, it was my sister Laura’s night to cook and the only rule was really, that there were no rules. You could cook whatever you wanted. And so she did, every single week. The result being that to this day, I still can’t stand the taste of refried beans.

Pickled grapes. They may sound strange but it turns out they’re the perfect vehicle for rosemary, garlic and chiles.

Spinach – Pumpkin Seed Pesto. Rules.

First strawberries of the season.

Dinner in the making.

The result: Spaghetti with bok choy, red peppers & green onions with a poached egg on top. I pretty much love anything if it involves a poached egg and this was no exception.

A Week in Photos: May 6th

My love of Kodak Ektar continues.

Last Saturday we went to a skateboarding tournament that was pretty dang sweet.

And then on Sunday we went to our first Downlow Dinner on the rooftop of a condo in downtown Asheville. It was a delicious evening.

I will never tire of this view. The thing I love about Asheville is the view of the mountains you get from nearly everywhere.

The first course was Tuna Tartare on a bed of mache, watermelon & cucumbers with a creamy lemon sauce. I swoon.

Second course: Sauce American & Shrimp atop a crostini.

I can’t remember this couple’s name but I do remember that they were super cool. I love this photo. Hope they don’t mind being part of my blog.

 

 

 

 

 

A Week in Photos: April 29th

pistachios, my favorite. they always remind me of Chistmas, as they are a manney family splurge.

caramel. i don’t know what it is about it, but i love this pic.

at work. ricotta gnocchi in the making.

i’m picking out photos for my website and came across this one last week, it was taken over a year ago in new orleans. reminds me that i’m in much need of a road trip.

came across this one as well taken in washington state a few years back when we lived in seattle. it makes my heart go pitter patter.

A Week in Photos: April 22nd

i bought my nieces and nephew new shades last week. signe, brett & kirsten live in minnesota, stella lives in new york and they haven’t yet met, so they are now united by sweet eyewear.

at work. meringue in the making.

a souvenir i bought for myself in ann arbor. words to live by.

calm before the storm.

it rained non-stop the whole weekend but the show still went on up the street from us. we heard some really great music, and man i love a rainy weekend.

A Week in Photos: April 15th

I spent most of last week in my hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan enjoying the full spectrum of springtime weather in the North. When I arrived the sun was shining reaching almost 70, and then in a mere four days there were  insane thunderstorms and torrential downpours, it snowed!, dipped into the twenties, rained some more and on the morning I left my dad had to scrape frost off the car windows. Luckily, I just barely remembered to bring a jacket.

I flew from Asheville to Charlotte on a tiny puddle jumper with the loudest propellors ever. I am not a fan of small planes, but dang I loved this view.

I took in a show with my parents at The Power Center, Crazy For You. It was quite stunning.

My mom’s beautiful orchid that resides in the living room.

My pride and joy, Zingerman’s. I went to a 2 day customer service training which cemented my love for this place even more. They are seriously good at what they do, which is everything.

Sky blue sky.

Sunday afternoon. Sun shining. It’s good to be home.

A Week in Photos: April 8th

Flowers on Film

This was my first time using what I’m pretty sure is my most favorite color film ever, Kodak Ektar 100. The colors are so rich and dreamy, it’s like decadence for the eyes.