In memorium

Yesterday I learned that a dear friend died. We’ve known, were expecting it, but somehow when I heard the news it was still a shock. I had just been there for a visit the day before. When I heard the news my heart just broke. It was a sad day yesterday.

And then this morning I learned of two more deaths effecting people I care for tremendously.

For those who’ve passed: we will miss you. You’ve touched our lives for the better.

For those left behind: we will take care of you. We’ll be with you, quietly supporting you, always loving you.

Mic’s movie list

While the husband is away I have complete control of the DVD player. I get to watch whatever movie I want!

Bwaaaahhhhhaaaaahhaaaaa!

Thank you!!!!

Simple summer meals

Since I’m all alone this week I thought I would go hog wild in the kitchen trying out new recipes and enjoying all kinds of new dishes. More specifically I really wanted to delve into my two new cookbooks and start discovering new favorites. I wanted to make a mess. I wanted to burn something. I wanted to explore outside of my gastronomic box.

But that hasn’t happened. In fact, far from it. Instead of cooking up a storm I’ve been planting, pruning, painting and repairing electrical. I used the chop saw (don’t tell Jack) and didn’t cut my own finger off (yay me!). Amongst my many home projects I managed to finally re-do our laundry closet (more on that in a later post.)

It’s also been 90 degrees and hot as hell. Cranking up the heat in the kitchen just didn’t feel all that appealing. Therefore, my culinary skills have stayed ultra simple. Yet somehow these simple meals were perfect.

Tara and Bob—May 22, 2010

Finally, the wedding photos.

Jeanne: I know you’ve been peeing in your pants waiting on these, sorry it took me so long. Hope I’m still your favorite daughter-in-law. Oh, wait! I’m your only daughter-in-law. Phew! Scared myself for a minute.

(For those unfamiliar with these faces the picture above is of the bride, Tara, and her brother Jack (my sweetie) being photographed by the professional of the day, Dorie. I was simply the amateur relative who snapped along as a I got a chance. Hence, the randomness of these photos. I hope you enjoy them anyway.)

Postcards from Vermont

I received a phone call from my dear friend Ariane yesterday. I hadn’t talked to her in many weeks and she’d been on my mind lately. It was good to catch up and hear the goings on at her house in Vermont. It prompted memories of my visit with her last October for her wedding to Bob. I also remembered that I still had not posted my peeper photos from that trip.

As today is Sunday I thought it appropriate to post a few of the photos that I took while on a Sunday afternoon drive in Vermont. I played at being a peeper.

Enjoy. Happy Sunday … and happy Father’s Day.

Party time

I’m back! I’m back from Alaska, have recouped a bit of sleep and am ready to go again.

During my absence I had set a number of posts to publish daily so that there would be something new and fresh for y’all to read. Unfortunately, my setup konked out part way through. Sorry about that.

But now I’m back. Sans husband I might add. I’ve got a whole ten days without husband (he is working in some remote location in Northern Alaska). Boo.

On the other hand, it also means that it’s time to play. Picture Tom Cruise sliding into the room in his socks in that famous scene from Risky Business. Oh, yeah. It’s time to party my friends.

From the archives: Nduja—what is it?

We’re up in Alaska this week … so today I’m running something from the archives (April 2009). I’ll be back shortly with photos and chronicles from the great North.

•••

Recently I went into San Francisco to attend a Pisco-tasting at La Mar, which is at Pier 1.5, the next building over from the Ferry Building on Embarcadero. Whenever I’m down there I run over to the Ferry Building for two reasons: 1) to get my parking validated (it’s only $5—yay!) and 2) to pick up salami at Boccalone, which also has some phenomenal charcuterie sandwiches.

When I was there Boccalone was promoting a new arrival: Nduja. I wasn’t familiar with it so, of course, I bought some. Whoo, what a treat!

Kayaking Suisun Slough

Wish I’d known

(Photo capture: OnceWed.com)

Yeesh. I wish I’d known about Once Wed before Tara’s wedding. What a beautiful and creative collection of ideas, photography and memory-catching moments.

And although these are all weddings I think they’re apropos for many a party. I could spend ages looking through this site. So many inspiring ideas.

For example: