I have this project, which I’ve started. It’s really rather fun. I have to take at least one photo every day. The end result is an often charming, sometimes weird & wacky photo-journal. All the images are from my cellphone & un-retouched. I really rather love it.
So, in lieu of the typical “Top 10″, I presenting this week’s top 10 — in photojournal form.
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2/1/12
1. Fun Bright Bedding...it's cold, so snuggle up.
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1/31/12
#2 Chicken & rice...Peruvian style
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1/30/12
#3 Vinho verde and pretty labels
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1/29/12
#4 Enter the Dragon ... lunar new year
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1/28/12
#5 Loving reflections & light through glass
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1/27/12
#6 Food truck renaissance... Red Hook Lobster Pound
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1/26/12
#7 Spartacus: blood and sand. (on Netflix)
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1/25/12
#8 Old school Pepsi sign in Baltimore
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1/24/12
#9 Beautiful cookies & cakes from Berger's in B'more
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1/23/12
#10 The night sky... in the form of an ya dystopia ("A Million Suns")
Don’t let this discreet “Mom and Pop” small Mexican restaurant fool you. It’s delicious. It may seem ordinary from the outside, but Super Tacos is home to traditional Mexican food that will melt in your mouth without melting your wallet. The food is cheap and the owner is friendly and, as an added bonus, totally cute. The restaurant also has a full bakery offering up traditional cakes and pastries all week long.
*Tip: Super Tacos sells Orange Crush. In the original bottle. Can’t get more old school than that.
I can’t remember if I’ve ever included Founding Farmers in a Weekend Walk-In’s edition. Regardless, it MUST be mentioned. The restaurant is far from a best-kept secret in D.C. Pretty much everyone knows and loves this restaurant, but for the unique few that are reading this and have no idea what I’m talking about, allow me to enlighten you. Founding Farmers is the Mecca of restaurants in D.C. It’s chic, sophisticated, has a fully stocked bar, and is packed every night of the week. The food is amongst the most delicious I have ever eaten. Mind you, I’ve eaten food from over fifteen different countries- Founding Farmers is just that good. It’s a little pricey, but absolutely worth it. Make a reservation and take the person you like the most out to eat. Or just bring your mom. Just kidding. Love you, Mom.
*Tip: My personal favorite is the Skirt Steak Enchilada. It’s so incredibly epic.
Do you think your love life has a gone a tad bit awry? Well, join in the company of some eccentric characters as they navigate the complexities of their attractions in this weekend’s performance of Christopher Durang’s Beyond Therapy produced by Generic Theater Company in Foggy Bottom. Pick a night and be sure to catch one of the four performances this remarkable cast will be putting on tonight and tomorrow night in the Lisner Downstage.
*Tip: Special shout outs to my wonderfully talented friend and fellow actor, Matt Rist! Break a leg, Barfee!
I always like to include an alternative to going out on these blog posts, just in case you’ve had a particularly tiring week and want to lay on the couch for an eternity…or just for a couple of hours or so. If that’s the case for you this week, I have brought you a special new treat: Pinterest.com. I discovered Pinterest back in October and have wasted countless hours on it ever since. The website acts as a virtual pin board where you can collect, organize, comment, and label images for yourself or on other people’s accounts. It’s like Google images meets Facebook meets . Whether you’re planning your wedding, redecorating your home, painting your nails, organizing your office, looking for date outfit ideas, cutting your hair, need a new dessert recipe etc. you can find it on Pinterest. Check it out. You will have a blast.
*Tip: When you’re starting out on the website, you have to be put on a “waiting list” before you can get a Pinterest account. Don’t be discouraged. It only takes a couple of days and then you’ll gain access. Patience is a virtue.
My roommate and I would constantly notice the ornate exterior of this Georgetown restaurant every time we went for a walk around town. Finally, we decided it was time to make a reservation and find out what the interior looked like. We got all dolled up for a girl’s night out and to little surprise, we discovered that Bodega was precisely the right location for a classy night in D.C. The restaurant is richly decorated in dark tones and decadent wallpapers and the tapas compliment the décor with their bold flavors and interesting combinations. The New Year deserves some adventurous new cuisine, and I suggest you start off with Bodega.
*Tip: The Arroz Meloso al Azafrán con Gambas, or the creamy saffron rice with grilled shrimp tapas plate was our favorite. Perhaps it will be yours too.
It is my personal favorite time of the year because it is AWARD SEASON. With the Golden Globes this Sunday, and the Oscars soon to follow, it’s time to catch up on this year’s best films, television shows, and performances before they announce the winners of those coveted golden statues. My personal favorites for this year include The Help and Midnight in Paris. What were yours?
*Tip: For those teens reading this that will be going to prom in the spring, the best inspiration comes from award shows. Pay attention to the star’s dresses, jewelry, shoes, bags, makeup, and hairstyles. It is way easier to develop your own look with a little inspiration and the award shows can give you HOURS of it.
The New Year
We are already a full two weeks into the New Year. Perhaps it’s the optimist in me, but I think the New Year is the perfect opportunity to reevaluate your life’s course and change some things that may not be beneficial to you and your well being. Whether it’s a change in jobs, a new hobby, revamped eating habits, more exercise, a new haircut, or any other form of change, the time is now for a terrific new year.
PR at Partners Salon and Spa
If your New Year’s resolution is to revamp your look, you should head over to the PR at Partners Salon in Foggy Bottom. I recently visited the salon to correct a botched hair-dye job and I could not have had a more pleasant experience. The hair stylists take the time to discuss with you your concerns, desired look, hair type, and management time before they touch anything. Aside from haircuts and coloring, the salon also does hair removal, facials, and other spa services. There are 14 other locations throughout D.C. and Virginia. This salon and spa also specializes in rejuvenating clients’ entire looks, from their hairstyle to their makeup and clothing through makeup and stylist consultations, perfect for New Year makeovers. For more information, check out their website.
*Tip: Jonathan was my hairstylist at the K Street Salon. He was fabulous, extremely receptive, and most welcoming. He walked me through every step of the process, answered all of my questions, and was full of conversation. Plus, my hair looked excellent when he was finished. I highly recommend him.
As a frequent Metro customer, I am always overhearing conversation. One reoccurring topic among the older generation tends to be about how things were different when they were growing up. Their stories tend to start with the phrase “Back in my day” and then they go on to recollect about life in the 40′s, 50′s, 60′s etc. But, I cannot venture that far into the past, so I will reminisce on what i remember growing up in the 90′s.
People rented VHS’s not DVD’s.
Rugrats, Hey Arnold and Doug were among the most popular cartoons.
Gas cost approximately $1.16 in 1995.
Kickball was the game of choice.
You used a walkman to listen to music.
$4.23 was the average price of a movie ticket.
It was cool to have shoes that lit up.
Road Rules was a big hit on MTV.
Bill Clinton was President.
You did not have a cellphone, but a pager.
Children had a digital Tamagotchi pet.
…These are just a few of the things I recall whilst thinking about my childhood.
Bowie’s b’day was yesterday, fyi. And the thin white duke has the distinct honor of being 1 of 300 people, to decline HRH, the Queen’s offer of knighthood. In Ashley’s words: “How rock & roll of him”.
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this leads me to #2 this week, which is…
#2 a helluva album cover
#2 DIAMOND DOGS
The awesomeness speaks for itself.
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#3 Manba, cover image via Japanese magazine "Egg"
#3 MANBA… all hail the Japanese street look of the 90s
How cool are they? The whole taking of Western surf culture…peppered w/ Ken & Barbie… and then, taking it to the EXTREME. Turning it into a pastiche. It’s just brilliant.
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and speaking of pastiches… have you seen this?
#4 Muppets mock Twilight. win.
#4 MUPPETS POSTER — aka Muppets mock Twilight
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#5 teen dreams and beauty queens. the ep
#5 TEEN DREAMS & BEAUTY QUEENS — the Beach Week EP is here
and it is great. You can have a listen and grab it for yourself at either CD-baby or iTunes. (yes ma’am/sir, those are hotlinked).
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#6 Thunder & Lightning. live.
#6 THUNDER. LIGHTNING. the way you love me is frightening.
OJBG favorite composer and person, Mr. Brent Katz, has a show coming up. So to those of you located in NYC, I highly recommend that you check out his upcoming show at the Glasslands.
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#7 OJBG’s upcoming EP
Yes, this is TRUE! I was actually in the recording studio — of the very kind and talented music-guru, Ben Ozeki — just last week. I was there with the lovely Ms. Ellen Winter (aka Sarah Roberts). I am extremely excited. There will be 3 songs on the EP — all tracks written & inspired by tracks composed by Brent Katz, and then performed by members of the cast. There is even a song called “Me, I’m Afraid of Nothing” and it sounds like a Hawaiian/Western. It is my favorite.
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#8 Geek Chic, via etsy BongaChopShop
#8 The FACT THAT THIS DRESS EXITS
It is made by “Bonga Chop Shop” (found on etsy). And all hail the New Orleans based designer who makes these charming and adorable finds. I wish I had known about her sooner. The wallets she makes would have made great stocking-stuffers.
I’ve been on a kick lately — watching coming of age movies from Down Under. The above still is from the wonderful movie “Looking for Alibrandi”, which is based on the eponymous book, “Looking for Alibrandi”, written by Melina Marchetta. Marchetta is absolutely amazing. Her book “On the Jellicoe Road” was one of the favorites that I read last year.
(*And PS if you haven’t seen Peter Weir’s “Picnic at Hanging Rock” from ’75 –then I suggest you go see it… run, NOW. It’s a staple of Aussie cinema. And it’s that good.)
And now for some “Honorable Mentions from OZ” :
#9 tomorrow when the war began
The above still is from the movie ‘Tomorrow When the War Began” (which is based off John Marsden’s best-selling book/series of the same name). Some reasons why it is great: Post-Apocalyptic survival story. Bad-Ass female lead. Coming-of-Age element. Lush Scenery. Strong Action Sequences with compelling cinematography.
#9 cont'd: "Puberty Blues"
And of course there is “Puberty Blues”. I know, I know, the name is kind of cringe-worthy. But, don’t be fooled by the slightly-sacharine name. The movie explores the extreme darkness and light of being 13, in the ’79 Sydney suburbs. The movie is (like the others listed in #9) based off a book of the same name. Incidentally, the book created quite a stir when it was published (mainly because the authors were only 18 when it was published, and also because the book was a candid auto-biographical account of their experiences being 13, and dealing with sex, heroin, and surfing).
#9 cont'd more "Puberty Blues"
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#10 SEASON 5 of Orange Juice in Bishops Garden HAS BEGUN!
Hip, hip, HOORAY!
Watch the trailer here…
I hope that you like, comment, & enjoy. The first episode of Season 5 starts THIS FRIDAY! And new episodes roll-out weekly from then on — always new, always Friday. xoxo
Attention: another shameless publicity attempt by me to promote the show I am in this weekend. Opening night was a success and the shows will only get better from here. Really and truly, if you are around Georgetown or Foggy Bottom, jump on a Vern Express and head over to the West Hall Blackbox Theater to see the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee until Saturday night.
*Tip: Sign up to be an audience volunteer. If you get chosen to volunteer, you will get to be on stage alongside the cast competing in the spelling bee. It is good fun, I promise.
2. American Ballet Theater’s “The Nutcracker” OR GWU Balance’s “The Nutcracker”
The classic ballet tale of a little girl on Christmas Eve will be in Foggy Bottom at the Kennedy Center and at George Washington University this weekend. Relish in some of your childhood memories; enjoy one of the major traditions of the holiday season, and go on over to one of these venues for a simply festive night with family and friends.
*Tip: To purchase tickets, visit the Kennedy Center’s website. If you are a little low on cash, GWU’s performance of “The Nutcracker” is free. It doesn’t get better than that!
I have always waned to visit one of New York City’s restaurant trademarks: Serendipity III. To my shock, I recently discovered that Serendipity III also popped up around the corner in Georgetown. Although I have yet to actually dine at the establishment, I can’t help believe that the food is excellent. The restaurant has been featured in three major films. It can’t be that bad.
*Tip: The Frooozen Hot Chocolate is the famed drink at Serendipity III. Doesn’t sound too bad to me.
Okay, so I lied, this won’t be happening until the end of the month. But, hey, it’s pretty exciting news. Although I cannot unveil any of the details about what we have in store for the OJBG Music Video, I can assure you all that it will be excellent. Stay tuned!
is at Paul, in Georgetown (1078 Wisconsin Ave, near M st, NW). The macaroons come in 2 sizes: small & x-large. Just look at this beauty — an extra large pistachio macaroon…it was so luscious and delicious, you would’ve sworn it had been freshly made at Laduree in Paris, specially for Marie Antoinette. Yes. It’s that good. See the pic?
photos by capitolspiceblog.com, flickr user "stereogab", Corbo E. (via Yelp), & Jim Malone (via dcist.com)
I haven’t been there yet but I am theoretically obsessed. Really need to make it out there.
PS Check out more of stereogab’s flickr pics: HERE. And check out more of Jim Malone’s photostream: HERE.
photo via bigbearcafe-dc.com
For more pics & reading… you can go: here (capitolspiceblog), here (Yelp), and here (dcist) for some interesting reading about the ANC5c v. BBC liquor license debacle.
I am going to be doing a follow-up post about McMillan, later this week, complete with more beautiful pictures. So please keep a look out for that. The site is just too beautiful to just skim over like this…
In the meantime, see some more beautiful pics from mediaslave’s photostream: here.
Read more about the place and support it: here (@ ourmcmillan.com). ps Thanks scoutmob for the “where is this” tip.
#1 (L) Kid 'n' Play and (R) Big Daddy Kane with some super-inspiring hi-top fades (photos via theurbanconnection.wordpress.com)
I really wish my hair could do this. This is like a metonymic representation of a golden era for me (namely the late 80s and early 90s) and it makes me all wistful for my childhood. Anyone out there rock them back then?
I feel like I’ve been seeing some bellwether trendsetters rocking these around the district… and it makes my day. Damn they look so cool.
Also, how great were Kid ‘n’ Play’s “House Party” movies? Go have a marathon right now!
It’s chilly, so go skating. And then you can warm up by either drinking yummy hot chocolate OR by going inside afterwards to check out all the lovely (*free!*) exhibits at the neighboring museums. It’s ideal for dates of both the friendly, or significant-otherly kind. Also if you hate chocolate, they have delicious apple cider too… Don’t you just love how everyone’s cheeks get all rosy after being out ice-skating? …and how everyone is so bundled up and snug? Ice skating is like a sure-fire serotonin booster. (bonus: even if you lack the ability of this high-ability-threshold sport, it’s still oodles of fun.)
The skate rink is opened ’till 9pm Sunday – Thursday, and ’till 11pm on weekends. $8 gets you 2 hrs of fun, plus $3 for skates. It’s price- equiv. to going to the movies, but has more magic. For more info go to the Official Site here.
get the juice and app: here. Juice Joint is downtown, @ 1025 Vermont Ave., NW. You can also check out their website here. (How cute the site’s animated pineapple…?)
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And now begins the part of the Top 10, that I will call the “Nerd Special”… it’s all geek themed, and 100% awesome.
Check out these images from the primary/proposed pilot, “The Cage”… which DIDN’T feature Shatner, DID feature a smiling Spock (!?), and proudly featured a female XO, aka “Number One”.
I need these .
Bill Theiss (the costume designer for Star Trek TOS) was a god.
9. Neverland Redux… or maybe scratch that. (Muppets anyone?)
Ok so Part 1 aired Sunday night, and quite frankly, I wasn’t impressed. (It seemed like they took out all the joy & magic.) Where’s the joy? Hopefully it will appear like a rabbit out of tonight’s hat, when I watch my DVR’ed pt2. You can watch it a 9/8central on Syfy. Don’t even get me started on the scifi channel’s new name.
#10 support the DIY (e)book movement. Read the excellent short story "Hello, Moto" by Nnedi Okorafor. Check out TOR.com. (illustration by Goni Montes via tor.com)
10. Nnedi Okorafor. DIY (e)book movement. Nollywood. And the site that brings you this righteous flashpoint= TOR.com
Reading free pdf’s, of excellent short stories & books, on TOR.com is awesome — also honorable mention to the TOR.com website. It’s excellent.
I do consider myself somewhat of an Analog Girl and I love the physical reality of a book…
But, I realized this summer, that so many DIY authors are putting themselves and their work out there, as free ebooks and pdfs. And I was really robbing myself of some brave new voices in literature by not immersing myself in the e-book world. so–
Revel in the counter-culture of the new movement. –As a starter I recommend checking out Peter Watts (try his “Starfish”, which is an excellent +bleak cyberpunk novel)and Cory Doctorow (who while a “serious published author” has also been a forerunner and strong proponent of self-published/creative commons literature.) Click on the authors’ names in that last sentence to get their free books. (hey thnx feedbooks.com!)
I’m especially psyched about a Nnedi Okorafor story that TOR has up right now. (Read it HERE.) She is a bright new voice in SF, who sets her work in a darkly futuristic Africa. The story is supposed to be the perfect blend of witchcraft, science, and Nollywood. Oh, and what is Nollywood, you may ask… it’s a term heralding Nigerian film and its attendant cultural/media boom.
HOLIDAY DATE IDEA: ice-skating at the National Gallery of Art. “Break the ice” by falling on ice with your significant other. There is no better excuse for hand-holding like grasping each other’s hands for support on the rink. Top off the date with hot chocolate at the Pavilion Café and you can easily guarantee yourself a goodnight kiss.
*Tip: The rink is located in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. It does not get more romantic than that- unless you want to fly on over to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
For all of the theater junkies out there, Ford’s Theater is putting on the traditional performance, “A Christmas Carol,” throughout December and January. Personally, I think seeing any show in Ford’s Theater is an added bonus considering you’re in the same theater President Lincoln got assassinated in. Maybe I’m a nerd, but that fact just never stops being eerily cool.
*Tip: If you want to see one of these performances, move quickly. Shows at Ford’s Theater get sold out VERY quickly. Visit the theater’s website to purchase tickets.
Behold, my personal favorite restaurant in all of D.C. If you are in the mood for a delicious blend of Mediterranean small plates, head on over to Zaytinya. The restaurant is sleek and stylish, the waiters are delightful, and there is patio-style dining for those sunny afternoons. An added plus: on weekdays, Zaytinya roasts lamb on a spit in the front of the restaurant for those who have a short lunch break.
*Tip: The grilled lamb t-bones are to die for. But, actually. Heaven opens its pearly gates with at the sight of this entree.
It’s officially December- December 2nd to be exact. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanza, the time of every year when you are allowed to relish in holiday music, décor, and food has finally come. Whether that means putting up the tree, hanging the stockings and lights, or breaking out the dreidels, get to work. Yes, the holidays are not until the end of the month, but hey, getting there is half the fun.
*Tip: Take this month as an opportunity to learn more about your own family’s traditions. My mom and I bake chocolate covered pecans every year. What is special to your family during the holidays? Find out!
I know. I know. “Internet Sensation” deserves the scare quotes… yes?? or no?? Check out her tumblr: here and decide for yourself. I think her whole “dear mom, sorry for going to art school” vibe is so cute.
kinda adorable.
And here is the thing — her style reminds me of my teenaged-self
…well, minus the putting naked pictures online.
(I’ll show you some of my old high old school pictures in another blog post!)
Actually my teen self vacillated between 1/2 Molly Soda and 1/2 …
2. Taissa Farmiga (aka Violet on “American Horror Story”) (aka my other 1/2)
Taissa Farmiga, as Violet. aka My Teen Self
This is the other, flip-side to the coin of my teen-aged self. aka style rep #2 of former teen self.
Isn’t she just cute as a button?
And Vera Farmiga’s littlest sister is also a talented actor.
My Teenage Doppelganger... reveling in her sadness and listening to the Smiths
Taissa’s character Violet is just so tough, and sad, and put-off by life, and she has no idea just how sweet she actually is. But it’s not a sweetness instead of or despite of the toughness & sadness. It doesn’t belie or disallow. It’s a sweetness that is inextricably linked to, and is BECAUSE of the hardness, and because she has no idea of its existence.
It really is that good. The performances are amazing. And no it is not just some schlocky shock-factor stuff, which you may have been made to believe. Although, I find that it is far more enjoyable/less disturbing to watch during the DAYTIME, rather than when it is dark outside. (**Spoiler alert** –> The violent double-murder of the 60′s nurses, and the ensuing copy-cat murder scene were particularly disturbing to me. But I am also sensitive.) Check out the show’s official page & watch bonus content etc: here. And catch up on the show on hulu: here.
OK. Now let’s take a “Ceiling Tour” of Washington DC. (“What is a Ceiling Tour?” you may ask. Have a look below…)
DC is having a renaissance. (Or, well, I’m not sure if this is a re-birth or just a first-time bloom). Let’s say we are experiencing a local Golden Age of food trucks.
Let’s hit up some bullet points, shall we…
fojol (photo courtesy of http://www.facebook.com/fojolbros)
Fojol Brothers of Merlindia and Benethiopia
I’ve been meaning to try out Fojol Bros. I keep hearing it’s great. And apparently one of its founders (err brothers) is a kid that I used to go to school with and I think it’s really cool that he started this. He has become what seems to be part-food-truck-entrepreneur–part-cult-leader. So here’s a shout out for his endeavor. Kudos.
via www.facebook.com/fojolbros
PS They have a pumpkin & chicken dish, that I’ve been eager to try. (I love pumpkin. and chicken. and together they are mesmerizing).
PPS How amazing is their whole South Asian Merry Prankster vibe?
I’ve also been keen on checking out Solar Crepes. This one is in the Ballston and Arlington areas, for those of you a tiny bit farther afield. Further links for perusal / info on where they are when –> websitetwitter
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photo courtesy of http://redhooklobsterdc.com/
Red Hook Lobster Pound
And the lobster roll truck is pretty damn amaz too. Further links for perusal / info on where they are when –> websitetwitter
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Curbside Cupcakes
word on the street is– try the red velvet.
Further links for perusal / info on where they are when –> websitetwitter
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Dangerously Delicious Pie Truck, via facebook.com/dangerouspiesdc
DCPieTruck
It’s Dangerously Delicious’ food truck. (I’ve already blogged about Dangerously Delicious here) so you know how good they are. But this even better, b/c it comes to you! Further link for perusal / info on where they are when –> twitter
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Sauca
photo via twitter.com/wheresauca
Is also supposed to be amazing global-fusion of epic proportions.
EG from banh mi to Mexicali fish tacos, you can get it here. Hooray to that.
Further links for perusal & for info on where they are when –> websitetwitter
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Takorean
Korean tacos? ooh…so fascinating…want to try. Already a fave in LA, the Korean taco experience has come to DC. Anyone tried it yet? Further links for perusal & for info on where they are when –> websitetwitter
9. THANKSGIVING DINNER! Hooray for Turkey!! and…PIE!! And Leftovers!! (and the 1 turkey that the President will pardon)
Also let’s also tip our hats to this most bizarre and verging-on-perverse Washingtonian tradition of Presidential Pardons for Turkeys?!?! Yes, that is right. Every year, the president “pardons” 1 singular turkey, freeing it from the bonds of being turned into his White House supper. (Of course, they still eat turkey on Thanksgiving at the White House… it is just a different turkey.) I would love to know the history and origin story of this whole thing. It’s just too too curious and weird.
Also… just what becomes of the pardoned turkey? Is he put out to pasture and guaranteed a easy retirement in a community for active seniors? Or is s/he just sent back to the slaughter-pool?
Does anyone know?! Can someone tell me??
PS In a moment of excellent synchronicity, Sam also/already blogged about the Turkey-pardoning-tradition (: Read it here.
PPS Apparently Obama pardoned not 1, but 2 turkeys this year, named Hope & Peace.
Believe me, I wish I could say that I never found this funny. I also wish that I could claim that I no longer found it funny. But the new season of Beavis & Butthead is just as hilarious, just as secretly-inciteful, as crude, as occasionally-inane, and as uproarious as ever. Nothing in sacred. And it brings a smile to my face *in much the same was as ‘Aqua Teen Hunger Force’ brings me to the point of late-night-giggle-induced-mental-messiness.
left pic is from the infamous Daria episode_____ right pic is sneak peek at next wk's new ep
Is it just me or is MTV getting …(dare I say it) …kind of cool again? just maybe? I mean Beavis & Butthead is in all it’s glory. The MGMT, Skrillex, & deadmau5 vids are pretty on point or “culturally-relevant”. And Beavis & Butthead’s skewering of the vids is effing hilarious.
Also, you can stream so many of the MTV greats on their website (eg have a late-night nostalgia-special watching Aeon Flux, B&B, etc etc…) by clicking HERE. (See my other blog post about Aeon Flux, Liquid Television, 90s late-night MTV, and online streaming HERE !)
I’ve also embedded the trailer for you — right here — b/c I’m nice.
I’ve embedded some pics that I took (along with a couple hipstamatics by Jorge Franzini too) that I think are pretty neat. They are for you to peruse…and I hope you like them (:
So I just went out of town with my beloved long-time friend, Lauren. And we went apple picking, at the Carter Mountain Apple Orchard and Vineyard. It was the end of the season, so apple-varietal options were somewhat limited (either Fuji or Pink Ladies). Although, Pink Ladies are one of my favorite types– they are such wonderful almost-dessert-like eating-apples. They have hints of (I swear) honeysuckle and rose. And they are both crisp to crunch on, but soft on the palate. Pretty perfect.
{photo: Otessa Ghadar :}
The other great thing about Carter Mountain is that it is not only an orchard, but also a vineyard. So, after hiking through the apple orchard hills, we were able to do some wine tasting (which they called “Wine Flights”… as in flights of fancy…?) The sweet wines had the great distinction of “tasting like shower gel,” according to the ever-quotable Lauren. Super-vintage the wine may not have been… but still, some were quite drinkable and a good time was had by all.
(PS Lauren is an acclaimed food-writer extraordinaire –{I’m so proud of her!!}– She writes a column for NYC’s the Village Voice, and her work has also appeared in the NY Times, Gourmet, Elle, etc… And her 1st book, “Four Kitchens”, was just published… you can check it out HERE and HERE.) Can you tell by my descriptions in this paragraph that I was spending the weekend with a food writer? I think she inspired me…
#3 Old-school Vanilla Egg Creams at the Soda Fountain Counter (photo: Otessa)
3. Having a vanilla egg cream, at a bona fide 5 & dime drugstore soda-fountain-counter
Doesn’t this just remind you of Jimmy Stewart and make you think: “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Ahh!! So amazing. Also, let’s talk about “New York Egg Creams”. A) They are my favorite. B). They have *neither* eggs, nor cream. The delightful and magical beverage refreshment hails from Brooklyn and was allegedly created in the early 1900s by Jewish candy store owner and emigree, Louis Auster, who came to America and opened a candy store in Brooklyn. Reportedly, 3,000 Egg Creams were sold each day, until the day the store closed.
Approximately 1/2 cup cold whole milk*
1 cup bottled seltzer
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup**
* Skim or 1% milk won’t foam as well
** Fox’s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup is used in New York. (NB many purists allege it’s not a “true” egg cream, w/out Fox’s choc. syrup. But, I personally wear the “white robes of the apostle” for VANILLA egg creams. I swear by them. Or try them both and do a taste test.)
Preparation:
Pour 1/2 inch of cold milk into a tall soda glass. Add seltzer or club soda to within 1 inch of the top of the glass; stir vigorously with a long spoon (this will cause it to become white and bubbly with a good head of foam).
Very gently pour 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup slowly down the inside of the glass; briskly stir with a long spoon only at the bottom of the glass where the chocolate sits. The resulting drink should have a dark brown bottom and a 1-inch high pure white foam top (if you mix it too much, the foam disappears).
NOTE: Do not let Egg Cream sit for a long period of time-5 minutes or more; it will go flat.
Kind of a funny story: I got really hungry while at Monticello. (*you see I am one of those people who absolutely adores and must feast at breakfast…and if I don’t get enough food in the AM, I am a grumpy-borz. So, I was trying to avoid becoming a crabby toddler, and to alleviate my snackiness…I started feasting on Thomas Jefferson’s garden.
Monticello has an amazing “Heritage Garden” so it was ideal for snacking. I definitely ate a shockingly spicy pepper tho’ — and spent the next 15minutes by the nasturtiums and lemon balm, trying to soothe my poor face/tongue/self.
They have a new baby octopus! RIP to Octavius our former octopus, who was a wonderful octopod…and who, while female, had the deceivingly masculine name of “Octavius”.
Octavius in her prime. So fierce and clever. (photo courtesy of the DC zoo)
(In case you didn’t know, I spend most Thursdays as an “Exhibit Interpreter” at the zoo’s Invertebrate House. So, yeah, I have oodles of admiration for this place. Best in the zoo. True words.
#9 Stevie's Wondrous Bird of Beauty on Fulfillingness' First Finale
9. Stevie Wonder — Bird of Beauty, on “Fulfillingness’ First Finale”
(This one’s from Ashley!)
Listen here:
Fulfillingness’ First Finale is a landmark album by Stevie Wonder, released on July 22, 1974. And ASHLEY says it’s been her weekly obsession-in-song-form.
We had a long talk about the Muppets today at OJBG HQ (aka 20/20). They are awesome. We love them. Sesame Street too.
this picture brings me to the verge of tears. RIP Jim ____________(photo courtesy of http://theredherringmusic.tumblr.com/)
RIP Jim Henson. We miss you.
I’m really & truly looking forward to the new Muppets movie… it looks amazing. (I was a tad worried about the Disney-fication of the Muppets) … but this trailer had me absolutely enchanted! The silliness, the SHEER JOY, the camaraderie, the pure muppet-ey magic… it’s all here. I can hardly wait (:
Watch the trailer here and see for yourself. What do you think??
Check out the Muppets brand-spanking-new-ish website HERE too
HONORABLE MENTION…. this one is from our wonderful new intern, Cristina Goldchain — “Party Rock” by LMFAO
a song that you dont want to like but you cant help it. Its the 3rd wk of this song being in her head since she saw a Halloween light-show, that was set to pumpkin faces, and this song. (search Youtube for link)
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