tomato sorting

 

I'm still harvesting a handful or two of cherry tomatoes each week. Here we have the almost-ripe, and the ready-to-eat. Lovely little bowls courtesy of my friend, Ann.

summer in the city

Another lighted city. An always-lighted city. How would you describe New York? I visited the City (as we called it in Connecticut) regularly growing up -- striding deliberately down Fifth Avenue, gaping at the Plaza's extravagance, clapping at Broadway shows, and gazing at the view from the South Tower of the World Trade Center. My mother took me and my sister, in turn, to find our wedding dresses.

Last weekend marked my first visit with my husband, and I saw the City with fresh eyes (and sore feet). We explored more neighborhoods than I had before, venturing into Brooklyn and touring the tenement museum on the Lower East Side. We enjoyed a mix of take-out lunches and fine dining, local ale and French wine. Here are some of my favorite photos -- our attempts to capture New York's je ne sais quoi.

The sculptural trees of Bryant Park. Next to the New York Public Library, a great place for people watching and sandwich munching.

Fresh juice at Union Square Greenmarket. We carried a giant bottle of grape-apple around with us all afternoon.

The Flatiron Building. Our view during Friday lunch, below.

Gourmet pizza and fresh mozzarella from Eataly, Mario Batali's epic Italian food emporium. I became so overwhelmed that I just stood by the door while Wes fetched the olive bread.

The roofs of New York ... as seen from the Empire State Building.

Waves of cobblestones at St. Mark's in the Bowery.

Sesame pancake and fresh (but still fried!) pork dumplings in Chinatown.

Enjoying an indie coffee break at Oslo in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The cheese plate at Rye, also in Williamsburg. I had lovely spring pea ravioli and Wes enjoyed duck with couscous and chutney. This place was elegant but not pretentious -- a perfect Saturday night setting for weary walkers.

We rode the Staten Island Ferry on a foggy, damp Sunday morning. It afforded views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn, and ... don't leave it out ... New Jersey.

The city's newest park, The High Line. We walked 16 blocks on this elevated park after a few New York friends recommended it. Can you see why?

summer sweat

I hereby declare that it is most displeasing to even visit one's garden on a hot, humid July day with mosquitoes swarming garden beds (and legs). Not even the ripe cherry tomatoes seemed worth it today!

I'm looking forward to ripping out all the scraggly herbs and be-spotted bean plants and starting over in early September. Until then you'll find me inside, hanging pictures and curtains.

fresh feasts

We have enjoyed some delicious food moments this summer, with family, and with friends. As promised, here are some snapshots:

My brother-in-law and his wife drove out from Illinois, by way of Maryland. They came bearing Amish eggs from just a couple hours north. We wasted no time and enjoyed them for breakfast. With bacon, of course.

The Sunday farmers market is just three blocks up the street! In South Arlington it's a little more relaxed than the hyper-foodie version in the northern part of town. I enjoy the relaxed rhythm of walking over each Sunday.

I visited my friend's mother out in a more rural part of the Virginia suburbs. She has a blueberry patch, and the pickin' was good! I took about ten pictures of the blueberries; I'll spare you and just include this one.

Though I might be satisfied just watching plants grow, it is nice when they do produce something edible. This is one of the earlier bean and cherry tomato harvests, ready to be shared with a friend. And I lied ... the blueberries found their way into this picture, too.

Plated salads, ready for a dinner party. Featuring arugula and basil from the garden. The red pepper is probably from Mexico. I made peace with that.

With help from the nearby Thai market, we attempted spring rolls with some shrimp and home-grown basil. Success!

The dining room table served as the beverage bar for our open house.

Happy Independence Day!