Rituals

photo via Last Night's DinnerAs a follow up to my last post about the things that make our homes feel luxurious and relaxing, I've also been thinking about how to incorporate more rituals into my life.Sarah at Pink of Perfection recently reflected on this a bit more eloquently than I could: "I find myself very interested in rituals these days: the way they mark the passing of seasons, days, and even the smallest occasions. Rituals make the ordinary...

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Little Luxuries Part I

Coming home often means stress instead of relaxation, thanks to kitchen detritus, dog hair everywhere, and all the chores to be done. I'd like to figure out how to highlight the little luxuries that help home signify a place of comfort and soothing, so that I can uncoil the tight ball of frustration that currently resides inside my heart.My current list of luxuries I like to have on hand includes:* A bottle of wine* Good beer* Dark chocolate bars*...

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Fried Rice with Asparagus and Chicken

I found some leftover brown rice in my fridge and decided to put together a spring inspired fried rice for dinner last night. I diced asparagus to use in place of peas, which are not yet in season, as well as grilled chicken breast because I try to use the grill as much as possible in warm weather. The resident Chinese-food-hater declared it leagues better than takeout fried rice.Fried Rice with Asparagus and Chicken1-2 cups leftover brown rice1...

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Cupcake Contest Take 2

Last Monday was the third annual cupcake contest hosted by Brooklyn Kitchen. This year's event featured almost 60 cupcakes, bakers, and testers, packed into Union Pool's backyard.sister's "Fire Antz" aka spicy chocolate cupcakesIt was impossible to try them all - I think I probably tasted about 20. And I successfully paced myself, limiting my sampling to half or quarter sized bites of the cupcakes, so that I didn't end up with a tummyache at the...

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Smoky Vegetarian Crock Pot Baked Beans

After a trip to the southern BBQ joint Blue Smoke, I was craving some more warm, tangy baked beans. I figured it would be easy enough to make in my crock pot. I was also lucky enough to receive a jar of Catskills homemade maple syrup as a gift - I don't know how he made it, but his syrup has a crazy smoky flavor! So it was perfect for whipping up a smoky barbecue sauce to coat the beans. Thanks to the special syrup, this recipe tasted great without...

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Git Yr Bike On

Tomorrow is National Bike to Work Day. The forecast is actually looking nice, so I think i'll actually make it this year. I am an aspiring bike commuter. But much as I'd like to get rid of the pricey monthly Metrocard, I wimp out at rainy forecasts or if I have afterwork plans to go out in Manhattan. Oh yeah and I also wimp out when my alarm goes off in the morning and I don't feel like getting up earlier than usual (the actual travel time is about...

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"Yard Work"

I finally got my balcony garden planted in early May (a whole month later than last year thanks to crappy weather), after several trips to the farmers market, laboriously twice carrying home a twenty pound bag of soil on my back, and gingerly ferrying home these baby herbs (parsley, sage, rosemary, basil, and ginger mint ((perfect for cocktails and lemonade!)) and heirloom cherry tomatoes. I hope to pick up a hot pepper plant as well once the weather...

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Founder's Day Recap

Last weekend was wonderful, magical, everything I could have asked for. The sky was gray and drizzling on the drive up, which got me worried, but the sun came out in all its glory when we arrived, in true Founder's Day magic - nearly every year, despite the forecast, it's the most amazing spring day you've ever seen.We set up our camping chairs at the top of the hill.We wandered around campus holding hands and seeing old sights.We stopped by the...

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Founders Day!

Annnnd I am off again bright and early tomorrow morning! I'm going upstate this weekend to visit my alma mater for Founder's Day. It's really just an excuse for the students (and alums!) to spend a day wasted and outside in the beautiful spring weather. Complete with a beer truck, carnival rides, food stands, and live music all day long. Every year has a different theme. My favorite theme was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory sophomore year, when...

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Pet Peeve: Late Night Music

Last night I remembered why I don't see live music more often: Because the headlining band often doesn't play until 11:30pm. I'm sorry, but can someone tell me HOW this became the stupid standard of the music industry? In most cases, the thought of traveling across town for the show and back again to get home after 1am on a weeknight really does NOT appeal to me. Not to mention that I'm so tired by the time the band I'm there to see comes on that I can't enjoy it. Take last night. I went to see a funk band at a venue conveniently only a short walk...

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