tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20424796062868281482024-03-05T16:35:07.551-05:00FoodieMommyCreating, designing, exploring, eating and breathing deeply.FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.comBlogger394125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-70794433414576305272015-01-05T17:19:00.000-05:002015-01-10T16:56:11.085-05:00Comments!!!!!!!!!!Hi everybody, now anybody even if you do not have a Gmail account can comment on FoodieMommy. How you comment is you go to the end of the post you would like to comment on and click on the words that say no comments, 1 comment, 2 comments etc. and then you type your comment where it says enter your comment. When you are done with your comment please keep your name private. To prevent spam, you have to say you are not a robot and type the verification code. Then click "publish". Thank you and please comment.FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910009601224432126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-26948227652163136462015-01-01T17:04:00.000-05:002015-01-01T17:04:58.774-05:00The Glowing Glow in the Dark Golf<span id="docs-internal-guid-69b9b3c4-a784-868d-0094-5e4a0b40332a"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi, everyone. Today I went to Glow in the Dark Golf. I went with my mom, Michele, my brother, my cousin, and my aunt. At Glow in the Dark Golf there are glow-in-the-dark balls, glow-in-the-dark putters and a light that turns blue, green and red. There are 18 holes, plus one return hole. When you want to stop, you hit the ball into the return hole. But if you get it into the orange circle, red lights will go on and depending on what the guy at the counter says, that is what prize you get for getting it in. If you don’t get it in orange hole and it goes in the black hole, then you get nothing. If you want to get your ball back you can ask. You just can’t try to get in the orange hole and get a prize if you do. It was very fun but if keep doing it over and over again, I think it gets boring. My brother thought that if you do it over and over it is fun. I hope you like my new post! Thank you!</span></span><br />
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FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910009601224432126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-31587417497106023642015-01-01T16:43:00.002-05:002015-01-01T16:43:36.291-05:00Bertucci's for Pizza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/foodspotting-ec2/reviews/1110102/thumb_600.jpg?1323313153" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/foodspotting-ec2/reviews/1110102/thumb_600.jpg?1323313153" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-f28140e2-a76f-43e5-1f56-ccad9b9149a3"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi, everyone. I am Michele’s oldest son. I would like to tell you about a place called Bertucci’s. It is in a lot of towns. Some of the towns it is in are: Wayland, Wellesley, Framingham, and Newton. I like it because it is peanut free, they have a kid’s menu, and has really good food. On the kid’s menu, it has ravioli, cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza and a few other foods. They give everybody rolls and they are very delicious because they are fresh and chewy. If you ask, they will give you butter because otherwise they give you olive oil. For dessert, for kids you get a Hoodsie cup if you want. On the back side of the kids menu are activities and when they fold it, they put two or four crayons in it for you to keep and use.</span></span><br />
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</span></span>FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910009601224432126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-59719263758887239822015-01-01T16:28:00.000-05:002015-01-01T16:28:32.223-05:00The Amazing Paul<span id="docs-internal-guid-43df2152-a6a1-f179-e4aa-b5ec91a22d98"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi, I am Michele’s other son. I am 6. I want to tell you about a place in Boston. It is called Paul and I think it is AWESOME!!!!!!!!! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxBg7zZb5zizH4eMFgiLIRO4-V5VIyTSIeGLPjemu63ijI-GNCjKq_gP6O7mILhOnKYBBiASM30vpyxZw287SmmWENunDEISiUPgVChuSBvT1zYFnw2ZyHTJrsljyvazPvpbFdJFeIvU/s1600/IMG_4595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxBg7zZb5zizH4eMFgiLIRO4-V5VIyTSIeGLPjemu63ijI-GNCjKq_gP6O7mILhOnKYBBiASM30vpyxZw287SmmWENunDEISiUPgVChuSBvT1zYFnw2ZyHTJrsljyvazPvpbFdJFeIvU/s1600/IMG_4595.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And that was from a book. And I was telling you what was in the book. And I ate a sandwich with lettuce and lox. And it was really good. And there </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">is more food in Paul.</span></div>
FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910009601224432126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-85614928581264672242015-01-01T11:53:00.000-05:002015-01-01T11:53:46.432-05:00The Amazing Einstein Bagels<a href="http://chronicle.augusta.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/editorial/images/spotted/67/677211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span id="docs-internal-guid-eefa90ce-a667-57c3-d5a6-438ccaa79e56"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi, everyone. I am Michele’s son. I am eight years old. Today I would like to tell you about a place called Einstein Bros Bagels. It is in Wayland, MA. I like it because it has plain bagels. It also has honey whole wheat, sesame, everything, and a lot of other bagels. It has schmears. The schmears are peanut butter and different kinds of cream cheese. There is also sandwiches and coffee, but I like the bagels best. If you are allergic to peanut butter, you can just tell them you have an allergy and they will change their gloves. You can ask for an egg on your bagel and get your bagel sliced in half. I like Einstein’s because I have a peanut allergy and they are very safe. Thank you. Please put comments on the blog. </span></span><br />
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FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910009601224432126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-32039668535054303422014-12-29T17:08:00.001-05:002015-01-01T11:56:56.626-05:00The Amazing MFA<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today me, my brother (who is 6 years old almost 7), my cousin (who is 5 years old), my grandma (my mom’s mom), and my mom, Michele went to the MFA (Museum of Fine Arts).</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">We did all the art activities that there was today. Those activities were: making a snowflake out of 3 pipe cleaners and beads, making a weather vane, making a game (inspired by the Japanese game pictured below), and painting something from winter. Those were very fun activities.There is food, a gift shop and a art cart that has fun activities to do in the exhibit. The art cart only comes on Saturdays and Sundays. </span></div>
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FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910009601224432126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-32765744744650885242014-12-29T16:57:00.001-05:002015-01-01T11:56:46.828-05:00Jin's Restaurant--Best Chicken Wings and White Rice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-32f9ef6e-980c-064c-5011-1b0290e015dc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img height="170" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/6NDu1zQ8IgkeSZrZ96ZcvNUJf1ZjR8xILwAplE05ZfEdzttPtJvkT7B9a6OT72hQx1XOpRR9WcGSU7AcP8jlypPIeB71J4H8qU804sSx7x-TBI6NB8xPbIZgAe1l9wDGOw" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi, everyone. I am Michele’s son. I am an eight year old child. Today, I would like to tell you about one restaurant called, Jin’s. It is in Wellesley. It has Chinese food, but it has sushi, too. I like it because it has very good chicken wings and white rice. Those are some foods I eat at a Chinese restaurant. It is peanut free. On weekdays, there is a lunch buffet. It has sushi, chicken wings, lo mein, and a lot of other foods. I think it is a very good restaurant so I think you should go there and please put some reviews about my post on the blog. Thank you. </span></div>
<br />FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910009601224432126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-83407367532626493212014-10-29T17:49:00.000-04:002014-10-29T17:49:00.112-04:00The New England Kitchen By Jeremy Sewall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="s1">It was the first time I have accepted a blog invitation in almost two years as life intervened and priorities changed. However, having had delicious meals at <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2010/12/rolls-are-just-start-lineage-brookline.html">Lineage </a>and the <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2011/07/island-creek-oyster-bar-and-beauty-of.html">Island Creek Oyster Bar</a> (oh, the biscuits!) (oh, the oysters!!), I couldn't pass up a recent opportunity to attend an event to celebrate the release of chef Jeremy Sewall's first cookbook, The New England Kitchen. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">I arrived at the Island Creek Oyster Bar to find that we were being treated to a taste of some of the recipes in the book. The lobster rolls were fresh meat on sweet, brioche buns. The crab cakes were light and full of crab, rather than filler. Their richness was cut by the pickled pepper that sat on top and sweet squash puree as a base. A similar pairing worked with the fried oyster that was topped with a tangy green tomato relish.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHGncP6v5Wd46wftObHC7pfD_ec5rgeTEPMMpyTRW1janT1r6Ib4gO2UESQY2NrFAkiBu8QQdA5gAo43gCM2KjHfNuEbJ1bLGaX0Y4T2LDbuImB9Ov9BxWnPGOZhZoWNWXAStE7FP6gY/s640/blogger-image-1019267825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHGncP6v5Wd46wftObHC7pfD_ec5rgeTEPMMpyTRW1janT1r6Ib4gO2UESQY2NrFAkiBu8QQdA5gAo43gCM2KjHfNuEbJ1bLGaX0Y4T2LDbuImB9Ov9BxWnPGOZhZoWNWXAStE7FP6gY/s200/blogger-image-1019267825.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMGgAoqbx7Cv2vbJomOFD_akSgxb1LslTisTxSuFrqh9iUH49OG24Yl6dsK3bk9KGyVOkcfu_DYsrMcOMMSGo2oahyphenhyphen8KHAs3TKoY27EFGg-krqg54X82djolkRFqu94zYSGSg9gIjYzQ/s640/blogger-image-1889224927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMGgAoqbx7Cv2vbJomOFD_akSgxb1LslTisTxSuFrqh9iUH49OG24Yl6dsK3bk9KGyVOkcfu_DYsrMcOMMSGo2oahyphenhyphen8KHAs3TKoY27EFGg-krqg54X82djolkRFqu94zYSGSg9gIjYzQ/s200/blogger-image-1889224927.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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And the tacos were a mix of textures: sweet mango, chunks of lobster, and the fresh crunch of hte shell. That being said, it was hard to drag myself away from the raw bar, full of Island Creek oysters, huge shrimp and littlenecks. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02oMlQi3Lbxi6EN7L28G7RXUvWYwWW9EdAWmeHxMqRgyGiJilqVacsNGLh4lI-nGkov_HXxQEPCTUlBvoYOyuhwZlOxxdMxT8_IHZAhnX4IsGSz6eXRltZbOQz96utElm4RgUzMBt-Ck/s640/blogger-image-221357531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02oMlQi3Lbxi6EN7L28G7RXUvWYwWW9EdAWmeHxMqRgyGiJilqVacsNGLh4lI-nGkov_HXxQEPCTUlBvoYOyuhwZlOxxdMxT8_IHZAhnX4IsGSz6eXRltZbOQz96utElm4RgUzMBt-Ck/s200/blogger-image-221357531.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1">The cookbook itself, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-New-England-Kitchen-Seasonal/dp/0789327473">The New England Kitchen </a>was co-written with Erin Byers Murray, author of the wonderful, "Shucked." The book itself is beautiful and is full of updated twists on classic New England dishes. I haven't yet had a chance to book any of the recipes from it, but as the cold weather has set in, I am looking forward to making the Cauliflower Soup, the Sea Scallops With Creamy Turnip Puree and the Sugar Pumpkin Salad with Whipped Ricotta, Toasted Seeds and Curry Oil. But perhaps the recipe I am longing to make most is the obvious one: Buttermilk Biscuits. </span></div>
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<br />FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910009601224432126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-10132428108363234672014-10-26T18:25:00.000-04:002014-10-26T18:25:06.665-04:00The Treat of Mother Juice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKvXysbHCeTpG80vOvn7as2Oa3vyrUpGvxliUq5mpGc6W5TNMDjgU-l1ioQuk9FJI2KLFCUJNT_eRFACzZywIqcwvQUH_Qe6tBZiGjCnCbdti4Gu2MvZZTnwBnai4PG_qI3k9Iho3uCg/s640/blogger-image--498465571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKvXysbHCeTpG80vOvn7as2Oa3vyrUpGvxliUq5mpGc6W5TNMDjgU-l1ioQuk9FJI2KLFCUJNT_eRFACzZywIqcwvQUH_Qe6tBZiGjCnCbdti4Gu2MvZZTnwBnai4PG_qI3k9Iho3uCg/s200/blogger-image--498465571.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnN0wfsPC8N_ZN7_T88vbyzyAE65RsCvi961z0cqiAjNMK0E4R4F6OUDICcubceJe1uB5ECmN_5pQWKYerq-dyjLgDQgyKbZNjCF4NnRBVw3EFyGab2XPZ1D0OkJuW9QFkZtwI9daEIVU/s640/blogger-image--2008260027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnN0wfsPC8N_ZN7_T88vbyzyAE65RsCvi961z0cqiAjNMK0E4R4F6OUDICcubceJe1uB5ECmN_5pQWKYerq-dyjLgDQgyKbZNjCF4NnRBVw3EFyGab2XPZ1D0OkJuW9QFkZtwI9daEIVU/s200/blogger-image--2008260027.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Despite the fact that I actually love whole grain breads, organic berries and kale, I balked when I was once offered the taste of a green smoothie. The color was just too off-putting. Then, on one hungry morning in Maine, I tried a smoothie with kale, mango, banana, and apple cider. I loved it. I have been a convert since then, but haven't quite made the leap into investing in a Vitamix or similar smoothie maker. And, as I live twenty minutes from Boston, it is nearly impossible to find a cafe that cold-presses fresh juice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZyUb38gpIr2f2Cb0_i0qbpqRrp0JqIONxv1xkxaF7Ao4e3Z5jm5BDfTWRHiB74uigah3t-Oi7QBHY7bx9gHEM3lO0tpHGOCdlT1uIvT1ph_T8WTHULWdGP85ti7dYTTuVX8E29m6FJA/s1600/blogger-image-1159389537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZyUb38gpIr2f2Cb0_i0qbpqRrp0JqIONxv1xkxaF7Ao4e3Z5jm5BDfTWRHiB74uigah3t-Oi7QBHY7bx9gHEM3lO0tpHGOCdlT1uIvT1ph_T8WTHULWdGP85ti7dYTTuVX8E29m6FJA/s200/blogger-image-1159389537.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
So, when I was offered the chance to sample some of the items on the menu at the new <a href="http://motherjuiceboston.com/">Mother Juice </a>cafe in Kendall Square, I happily said, "Yes!" The two owners, Ellen Fitzgerald and Laura Baldini were kind and welcoming. I enjoyed the tang of the greens, pineapple and ginger in the "Kale Ya", the tart and sweet blend of the "Hangover Cure" which was a mix of apples, orange, beet, celery, and lemon juices. A Cocoblue smoothie was creamy from berries mixed with coconut yogurt, coconut water and orange juice. I appreciated the freshness of all the juices, which are pressed daily in-house.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHVVQ_sLyV_e8zCMWxSP70QCOGWJgj4DXJKJelgr8PsJpGv59z3uqzKqStovKxLn4uS_qevgmI5wtbPJjqt93lLHxs8k0OhOmfRtSMeBdQp1s-AaJPTARmq2YwI-e-dIm_I-9dUcmobk/s640/blogger-image-883965287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHVVQ_sLyV_e8zCMWxSP70QCOGWJgj4DXJKJelgr8PsJpGv59z3uqzKqStovKxLn4uS_qevgmI5wtbPJjqt93lLHxs8k0OhOmfRtSMeBdQp1s-AaJPTARmq2YwI-e-dIm_I-9dUcmobk/s200/blogger-image-883965287.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
My favorite, though, was the overnight oats. My one attempt at this dish created a crunchy, mealy snack that I could barely eat. However, Mother Juice's version was so delicious, that I had to ask for the recipe. They blend bananas, almond milk and oats and let the mixture sit overnight. It becomes silky and creamy. In my parfait, they topped it with carob and fresh berries, as well as granola. It was the perfect afternoon snack. I don't live close enough to make this a habit, but for those commuters that work nearby, Mother Juice is a perfect find.<br />
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<a href="http://motherjuiceboston.com/">Mother Juice, </a>625 W. Kendall Street Cambridge</div>
FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910009601224432126noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-69270979724666051662014-10-13T21:11:00.002-04:002014-10-13T21:11:35.710-04:00Jam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEhuf80SIKRGkEwec5I0JeO02iWowRjk3zTs0XF4xHySfxH6Q5Bxrvv4MpaoaJ31KrC3ZPTLVSs2gr8kSTSE9H5tEOadAWZRDh2wvU3aFCnAw46QnkMC_435Q87DypL20fteImgzkrZw/s640/blogger-image--351790325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEhuf80SIKRGkEwec5I0JeO02iWowRjk3zTs0XF4xHySfxH6Q5Bxrvv4MpaoaJ31KrC3ZPTLVSs2gr8kSTSE9H5tEOadAWZRDh2wvU3aFCnAw46QnkMC_435Q87DypL20fteImgzkrZw/s320/blogger-image--351790325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In retrospect, my love of jam making seems inevitable. It combines my love of seasonal fruit, gift giving and preserving (pun intended!) memories of picking fruit with my sons. </div>
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But I actually just arrived here. It started when I hoped to emulate an incredible blackberry jam that my brother picked up in Ireland. He actually bought it for my mom, but I confess, I ate almost half before I caught myself! After a bit of on-line research and obsessively reading as many jam-making books as I could, I realized that what I loved most about that jam was its lack of pectin. In fact, "European style" jams are often made with less sugar and lemon juice. So, instead of an almost jello-like jam, you end up with a spread that tastes like the essence of fruit.</div>
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So, after my sons and I picked pounds of blueberries and peaches, together we began to mix and stir. I relied most heavily on the <u>Blue Chair Jam</u> cookbook by Rachel Saunders. I made thick preserves from wild plums at the farmer's market and a delicious spread with sour cherries at Russos. My favorite, to my surprise, has been a simple, thick rhubarb spread as well as blackberry that was close to the Irish jam that started it all. </div>
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Soon, the kitchen was piled high with small ball jars filled with luminous jam. I have been giving it away to friends and family as thanks for all their incredible support during the challenges of the past two years. My sons and I have been savoring it, too, feeling lucky to be together and to enjoy this. </div>
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FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04910009601224432126noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-62466932707168140152012-10-08T10:00:00.000-04:002012-10-08T10:00:03.636-04:00Sunbird: A New Wellfleet Stop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkRuGy_bwuFpkSY5dmhrTdv35cd4q4B_QYBpzwetnt9d2gdQu-v0SNQ7SM5oUBoux4LD0faL7lpJOLD-K_qP-XNbmjEVbioODuihbSx6WLbU0S9gYHMtUH5PAbFn_5cpc_CyM_rlv-Iw/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkRuGy_bwuFpkSY5dmhrTdv35cd4q4B_QYBpzwetnt9d2gdQu-v0SNQ7SM5oUBoux4LD0faL7lpJOLD-K_qP-XNbmjEVbioODuihbSx6WLbU0S9gYHMtUH5PAbFn_5cpc_CyM_rlv-Iw/s200/IMG_0800.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
We have our standbys in Wellfleet. We start at <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2009/08/great-places-to-eat-on-outer-cape.html">Arnold's</a> for the fried shrimp, steamers and heaps of onion rings. Mac's offers scallop burritos and a view. PB Boulangerie means rich breakfast each morning. And the Wicked Oyster is sufficient for that one nice dinner. But each year I am on the lookout for some place new. And this year it was a food truck of all places, set right on Route 6 after the Wellfleet Post Office and before PJs. The <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sunbird-Cape-Cod/138066236280136">Sunbird Food Truck </a>is having its first summer as a fast "slow food truck."<br />
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And, it is absolutely my style of food: local, fresh and with a menu that changes daily depending on what is available. Each time I drove by, I longed for the Slow Roasted Porchetta sandwich. Of course, on the one day I went, the porchetta wasn't available! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIJZ7q0GpujygGBff4oyf9DKOrm8G7rddgzsHm5Y2ZH5Ga-R4BLx7IAEX8p3okbGNt2tMO5NwHj0McMiASrphDPOmNsWNnvvL_awQzK3PUwOniVxNg1YeGP1Lk9zRfKKqQYIBJmKMnCM/s1600/IMG_0804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIJZ7q0GpujygGBff4oyf9DKOrm8G7rddgzsHm5Y2ZH5Ga-R4BLx7IAEX8p3okbGNt2tMO5NwHj0McMiASrphDPOmNsWNnvvL_awQzK3PUwOniVxNg1YeGP1Lk9zRfKKqQYIBJmKMnCM/s200/IMG_0804.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
But I was saved by the recommendation of chef and co-owner, J'aime Sparrow who led me to the market sandwich. On that day, the sandwich had fresh grilled zucchini, tomato, greens, proscuitto, a fried egg and, the best part, citrus ricotta. Together the citrus was the best compliment to the rich sandwich. Other treats included a gourmet hot dog on brioche or fresh fish tacos. I could have taken the sandwich to the beach, but my impatience got to me and I shared one of the tables that sit alongside the truck.<br />
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I didn't want to keep J'aime and her crew from cooking for too long, but in a brief interaction I learned that she had spent 10 years in San Francisco before heading back to the east coast to open the truck with her husband, Christian. The truck is currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 to 3. As for the porchetta, her plan is to try to have it on Thursdays and Fridays.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sunbird-Cape-Cod/138066236280136">Sunbird Food Truck</a> is officially located at 2520A State Highway, Route 6, Wellfleet, MAFoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-32329747113254374472012-09-30T16:36:00.002-04:002012-09-30T16:37:34.578-04:00PB Boulangerie: Still Dreamy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9y9m6J0lwQOlVqLx4cA311PKFcg3F7DWzwTFioo9apgeu1or-N3GuBhzGdMmK6iUWZ8asEtc9hcBKuGEwRsABOq6H3wuF853voiWJT-eOmicg5N0aFwE2EQ7aB6Z4LMXHaQJbyr96e2Y/s1600/IMG_2763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9y9m6J0lwQOlVqLx4cA311PKFcg3F7DWzwTFioo9apgeu1or-N3GuBhzGdMmK6iUWZ8asEtc9hcBKuGEwRsABOq6H3wuF853voiWJT-eOmicg5N0aFwE2EQ7aB6Z4LMXHaQJbyr96e2Y/s320/IMG_2763.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
If I close my eyes while waiting in line at <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2011/08/pb-boulangerie-wellfleet-highlight.html">PB Boulangerie,</a> for one minute I can pretend I am in Paris as the smell of butter wafts through the door. Returning to a summer retreat is risky. Often the memories of routine places can be misleading. But in the case of PB Boulangerie, the treats and breads were as good as I remember. I tried to beat the lines this year by embracing my sons' early wakings (6 am.) I would get in line by 6:45, and if it was a good day, be driving away, full of pastries by 7:10. The croissants were as flaky as I remember and even better warmed in the toaster for a few minutes. The lemon tart, touched with creamy meringue was as heavenly as I had hoped. And the pain au fromage et lardons was still smokey and cheesy. I also tried their apple tart which combined a tender apple compote with roasted apples and a bittersweet chocolate filled chocolate eclair. But the two highlights this year were also new. The first was a dark chocolate and candied orange bread. One slice, heated for a minute in the toaster brought the best of breakfast and dessert in one meal. It also freezes beautifully, perfect for stocking up for the fall. Then, the "Wellfleet Brioche," was a sweet dough, topped with butter and sugar giving it a crumbly crunch. But the best aspect was the red hazelnuts that sunk into the surface adding a nuttiness to each bite. While the service is faster, the lines are still slow due to a only having two cashiers (at most) and the need to make cappuccinos. At its worst, I waited 30 minutes while others had to stand in line for an hour. As I noted last year, I try to embrace my chance to read a book or the paper, to shmooze with the other excited customers and to inhale the sweetness to come. It is vacation after all!FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-39738828214243175402012-08-15T10:30:00.000-04:002012-08-15T10:30:02.189-04:00Scampo at the Liberty Hotel: Of Cracklings, Beets and Homemade Pasta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our waiter at <a href="http://scampoboston.com/">Scampo </a>sold us on the pasta by insisting that he loved the dish even though he "really didn't like beets." I actually adore beets. Roasted in the oven and topped with olive oil and salt they are a perfect meal. Even for a beet lover, the egg pasta with beets and summer truffles at Scampo were a revelation. The tender noodles were tossed with diced beets, slivers of beets and baby beets, as well as melted butter, lemon and so many slices of earthy truffles. It was topped with roasted seaweed, adding a subtle saltiness to the dish. Together the dish was a sweet and savory delight. It is the dish that would woo me back to Scampo.<br />
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That wasn't the only pasta dish that we were still recalling the next day. The simple sounding spaghetti with cracklings was over the top. Little fried cubes of porky goodness were nestled in olive oil and hot peppers. Each smoky, crunchy, chewy bite was heavenly. I would have loved the dish even more with ziti or shells that could easily hold the cracklings.<br />
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Another dish hit the mark as well. I had read many positive review about the pork chop. But I was dismissive: how good could a pork chop really be? Well, it was that good: juicy, tender and burnished by the wood grill. I haven't eaten a pork chop in years and this just converted me. It was so huge that it lasted through dinner that night, and lunch the next day. The only downside? The accompanying apple risotto was undercooked, too sweet and reminiscent of breakfast porridge. The dish would have fared far better with a seasonal green, like broccoli rabe sautéed with garlic.<br />
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That being said other dishes also offered tasty elements. The green bean tempura was delicious and sweet having been blanched before frying. We also loved the fava bean dip that came with salty, homemade Parmesan bread sticks as we sat down.<br />
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While we didn't love the almond milk dressing, the tender fried eggplant was perfect with the sweet homemade mozzarella. This was one of many dishes that you can get from their mozzarella bar.<br />
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We also tried the famous lobster pizza. The crust was reminiscent of a simple flatbread and coated with a creamy, sherry infused sauce. On top of that, chunks of sweet lobster. It was good. But, truth be told: I am a lobster purist, craving a steamed lobster or a chilled lobster roll. <br />
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Desserts were...fine. The most memorable part? The freeze dried lemon (intended as a garnish to our lemon semifreddo!) that was tart and bitter and contrasted the dinner. The semifreddo itself was too sweet, reminding me of the inside of a chilled key lime pie. <br />
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The chocolate dessert was also underwhelming. It consisted of a chocolate mousse coated with a chocolate ganache and chocolate sprinkles. Unfortunately none of the elements were calorie-worthy. However, I couldn't stop spooning up the Guianduja ice cream. Creamy, nutty, not too sweet: it was lovely.</div>
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We enjoyed our starter drinks. My companion had the Gara with bourbon, ginger liquer, lemon and mint while I had the Pompelmo with tequila, grapefruit, agave, lime and mint. I loved my glass of red wine, a Supertuscan Querciabella Mongrana, which was tasted of berries.<br />
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Scampo is located in the Liberty Hotel. Ultimately the restaurant walks the boundary between the safety of a hotel restaurant and taking leaps of faith in the customers. Tossing chunks of sweet beets on pasta and twirling them with lemon and seaweed was unique. A chocolate mousse....simple.<br />
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Will I return? Possibly. The truth is that the pork chop was $36 and the lobster pizza was $26, which, at least in my world, is serious money. I am incredibly grateful to Scampo for treating me and my dining companion to this meal. I could, though, see myself heading to Scampo after a walk on the Boston Common or by the beautiful Charles. I could also envision a stop in for a bowl of the pasta or naan baked fresh in the wood burning oven while sitting at the bar. I would also love to return on a Friday night for more pork as Scampo offers a WHOLE. SUCKLING. PIG!!! While the atmosphere is too boisterous to qualify for a romantic, quiet evening, I will recommend Scampo to friends who want to head out for an evening of good food, an engaging scene and a perfect location. Clearly, Scampo is a popular place for many people. The night we were there I saw a huge range of people, some clearly hotel guests and others locals, stopping in to share in the pasta, pizza and creations of Chef Lydia Shire. So, go, enjoy and save room for the cracklings.<br />
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<a href="http://scampoboston.com/">Scampo,</a> 215 Charles Street, at the Liberty Hotel in Boston.<br />
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<br />FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-45907569852657893812012-08-13T09:27:00.000-04:002012-08-13T09:27:00.359-04:00I Went to Ikea and Left with Chips!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I always feel like Alice in an anti-Wonderland at Ikea in Stoughton. Do I want chrome or plated cabinet knobs? Birch veneer or matte white? Do the floor arrows ever end? How many uncomfortable but really cheap couches can one person really sit on? Will any of this even look remotely decent in my new home? Shopping as a single woman means, yes, I get the pleasure of making all the decisions, but it can make Ikea-land even more overwhelming. So, before I moved and actually had to buy Ikea furniture, I went to just do an Ikea-scan. I arrived as they opened at 10, armed with a camera, a notebook and my realtor's floor plan of my new house. 4 hours later (!!!) I felt that I had conquered the whole Swedish mega-store. I came home. I pinned my new finds on Pinterest. Ultimately I did return to buy a towel rack and kitchen shelves and a living room lamp. On that day, though, I spent my money on the more important matters: food. First, despite bringing a fruit, I was starving by 11. So, for lunch I had a not-terrible bowl of pea soup with knackebrod, otherwise known as relatively tasteless crackers. By 12:30, I needed SUGAR and CAFFEINE. For $1.75 I got a gooey, calorie- and sugar-laden and shockingly tasty cinnamon bun and an acceptable cup of coffee. But the best was at the end when I raided the Swedish food mart.<br />
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I love their Lingonberry saft (think sweet-tart sugar syrup) to mix with lime juice and seltzer (and gin!) for raspberry-lime rickies. Their $.99 chocolate bars can end my chocolate fixes immediately. I don't even like potato chips but their Potatischips with Graddfil and Lok (sour cream and onion potato chips) are perfect with my boozy ricky. (Can we say "stress eating?") And I can never pass up on their gorgeous chartreuse cloudberry jam. Good thing I walked around the whole store a few times!</div>
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<br /></div>FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-24835006847005190862012-07-16T09:47:00.000-04:002012-07-16T09:47:00.070-04:00Designers who InspireFor the past two years, I have had home envy. From the moment I moved into my beautiful rental, my landlord told me that he would be moving back in 24 months later. Since I knew our time was temporary, and that buying <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2012/06/pancakes-sure-home-renovation-not-so.html">a house was on my horizon</a>, I have been drawn to a few authors, publishers, blogs and design shows. And then on <a href="http://pinterest.com/foodiemommymk/">my Pinterest site</a> I highlight all I have gathered.<br />
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<a href="http://www.genevievegorderhome.com/blog/">Genevieve Gorder: </a>Sigh. If there was one person that I could bring in to design my new house, it would be Genevieve Gorder of <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/on_tv/player/0,1000145,HGTV_32663_3541,00.html">"Dear Genevieve" </a>on HGTV. Like any good designer, she listens to her clients and pushes them. What I love most is her desire to tell a story. She carefully combines a client's objects with one she discovers. As she said, "Design is emotionally a part of our everyday lives. What we see reflects how we feel. When a place is comforting, you are comforted." She is a fan of built ins, flea market finds, using color to enhance a room, clustering mirrors and special objects, and yet never making a room cluttered. She is particularly adapt at helping families create rooms that are as comfortable for kids as for adults. I tear up, pathetic as this is, at the end of most of her shows. I would love to feel as inspired, transported and moved in my new home as her clients do.<br />
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I am definitely a fan of the <a href="http://www.notsobighouse.com/">Not So Big House books.</a> I appreciate the way that Susan Susanka finds a balance between acknowledging that we lead complicated lives and need some things, but also can make do with relatively smaller spaces by using space efficiently. She also writes in a way that is very accessible. <br />
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<a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/">Apartment Therapy:</a> I have always been drawn to small spaces and had longed for a smaller house. I loved the idea of less to clean, less energy to use, less room for clutter. Apartment Therapy is full of gems designed for people focusing on small spaces. But the publishers also have a flare for the modern, green, contemporary, up cycled and just fabulous.<br />
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<a href="http://www.designsponge.com/">Design Sponge: </a>This site is one of my sources for photos of before and after renovations done by real people (as in non-decorators or people with thousand to spend). Just like Apartment Therapy, it is updated multiple times A DAY which means I can spend way too much time checking out their featured products and designs.<br />
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/">Houzz:</a> Sigh. This isn't my site for real ideas, unless I win the lottery any time soon! But since this is the the site for designers and decorators to show off their stuff it is also a never ending source of inspiration. I like that I can put in search terms like "warm colors living room" and find hundreds of photos that have those features.<br />
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My organizational obsessive geek loves the sites <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/">Real Simple,</a> <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/">I Heart Organizing, </a>and Bowl Full of Lemons. Because of these sites I am now the proud owner of my own label maker, many plastic containers and a home office binder.<br />
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<a href="http://design-seeds.com/index.php/search">Design Seeds</a> is a sweet little site. Each day they have lovely palettes. I hope to draw from them as I create design boards for my kitchen and living room.<br />
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<a href="http://www.taunton.com/">Taunton Press:</a> I can count on these publishers to have books that feature gorgeous landscaping, stonescaping, hardscaping, etc. The images are lovely and again, the books provide hopes for the future.<br />
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I don't have cable, so I have to rely on the web to get my TV fix. But the <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/on-tv/index.html#dm-shows-az">HGTV site</a> provides me with enough full episodes to listen to as I pack. I am a sucker for the shows that use software to quickly superimpose images of their vision on a current place. In addition to Dear Genevieve, I am a recent fan of CurbAppeal as my new house definitely needs it! And I watched Holmes on Inspection religiously before my own inspection for a worst case scenario.<br />
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Feel free to throw any other ideas this way!<br />
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<br />FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-78862585783990245222012-07-10T10:00:00.000-04:002012-07-10T10:00:05.110-04:00Recent finds: Gelato, Frozen Yogurt and Ice CreamGrowing up, I could never get enough of Cabot's ice cream right in Newtonville. With their strawberry ice cream cone clock, huge waffles and giant sundaes, there was little else we needed after a softball game or anytime. As I got older, White Mountain Creamery was a more exciting option as mix-ins appeared. The server would pound ice cream on a marble slab and then smooth in Reese's and Oreos and infinitely more sugary candy then seemed possible. And the best in the pre-calorie-counting days? They would jam all that into a freshly made waffle cone. By high school, I had moved onto what was then unique: one of the first frozen yogurt places in town: JP Licks. We trekked to Brookline so I could have all the non-fat coffee or mint I wanted. As an adult, I have come to have almost no cravings for ice cream. It is too rich, too sweet, and frankly, too expensive. But with two young sons, visiting ice cream places is just required (at least as the occasional treat!)<br />
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They have a few recent favorites. First, yes, true: my mother just took them back to Cabot's and they were in heaven. They also enjoyed their first gelato, at the newly opened <a href="http://www.getnudo.com/">Nudo Gelateria</a> on Watertown Street on the the Watertown/Newton line. I loved the chocolate-orange and pistachio which weren't as cloying sweet as most ice cream. <br />
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They also like the new <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FrozenYogurtInnovations">Frozen Yogurt Innovations (FYI)</a> in Wayland. Opened by local families, customers just take as much of the yogurt and toppings as you want. Then, you pay by the ounce. While the California Tart just isn't as good as Pinkberry, it hits the spot. And for an occasional treat, it couldn't be more convenient.<br />
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We live near one of the few Dairy Queen restaurants. Talk about occasional treat. About once a summer we trek over for them to get a drippy soft serve vanilla or ice cream that often melts by the time we get to the benches in the parking lot.<br />
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As for me, for the rare times I splurge, <a href="http://www.pinkberry.com/">Pinkberry</a> is still it. I stick with the basic tart flavor, typically with fresh fruit. After yoga, it is a relatively protein-rich-somewhat-healthy treat.<br />
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My favorite though? The nights we stay home, sit on the porch and the kids enjoy a little bowl of Breyer's. Meanwhile, I sip a homemade basil lemonade. It is the easiest and most relaxing. I can conjure up.FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-22340151788815963302012-07-06T09:30:00.000-04:002012-07-06T09:30:01.141-04:00Let the Decorating Begin: Images from Easy Canvas Prints<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Our two new photos on canvas from Easy Canvas Prints!)</span></div>
A <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2012/06/pancakes-sure-home-renovation-not-so.html">new house </a>means clean walls, just asking to be filled with travel memories, family photos and art work. I have one piece of good art that I treasure: my triptych of paintings from <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2010/05/dont-miss-sowa-arts-food-free-parking.html">Mike Bryce of Rhode Island.</a> Although our family watercolors and pastels may not make it to an art festival any time soon, I will find frames for some key designs by my sons and myself.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Paintings by Mike Bryce</span></div>
But I also have dozens of photos documenting trips around the world and the growth of my boys. Financially traveling is far from reality right now. But those images serve as daily reminders of where I have been and where, someday, I hope to take my children. When Megan of <a href="http://www.easycanvasprints.com/">Easy Canvas Prints</a> asked if I wanted to check out how they transform photos to artwork, I couldn't refuse. So last fall I sent them an image that they transferred to canvas. It was of Two Lights State Park in Maine. Rocks tumble upon rocks creating tide pools, Pollock-esque lichen paintings and vistas along the Maine Coast. It is a sight of peace and beauty. And my image arrived. Easy Canvas Prints did a fine job wrapping my image on the canvas.<br />
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But when I put it on the walls, I realized I had made two mistakes. First, the size (eleven by fourteen inches) didn't capture the glory of the Park. Second, because my image didn't have enough contrast it just looked flat up on the wall. I hung it anyway and do love being able to glance at a place that holds memories for me, and after a recent visit, my sons. <br />
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Megan, though, offered to do one more. This time, it would be a bigger print: 24 inches by 36 inches! With a better sense of what works, I started by jumping into the Easy Canvas Prints world of stock photos. I knew what I wanted this time: sun and the drama of mountains or the beach. I felt transported when hiking in the Canadian Rockies, Alaska and Hawaii. In each of those places I had moments where I would gasp at the natural beauty, time frozen before the Internet. Yet as much as I liked the stock photos, none were, well...mine. So, ultimately I chose a photo that I took while visiting Playa Del Carmen. <br />
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The photo is from <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2010/01/trip-to-remember-at-iberostar-tucan-and.html">a trip to the Iberostar Toucan </a>and remains a sentimental and emotional memory for me and a favorite for my sons. And this time I knew that between the azure of the sky, the light off the beach and the rocks, the contrast would do justice to the canvas. Once we move, it will hang in <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2012/06/room-to-live-in-company-c-envy-and.html">our new family/living room.</a> There it will keep us in touch of the possibility of travel in our future. In the meantime it will bring beauty to us. Until I move, I have hung it above our couch in our main room. And this, time, this time I just want to leap into the photo. The size is perfect and absolutely captures the openness, peace, and glory of the Caribbean. Look at again on the top photo: the size just draws the eye right in.<br />
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Just like last time, Easy Canvas Prints did a fantastic job of printing and wrapping the canvas. Their site was as easy to use as I remembered. Best of all, I discovered that they have a great feature where you can see how the size of the print will look over, say, your couch. With so many walls to decorate, I hope to turn back to Easy Canvas Prints if (and when) we travel again.<br />
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Thanks to Megan at Easy Canvas Prints for these two great images. Easy Canvas Prints did provide these to me for free, but my write up is all my own. Best of all, though, if you like Easy Canvas Prints on Facebook, you can get 50% off plus free shipping! So click here to start: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EasyCanvasPrints" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>EasyCanvasPrints</a>FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-91721662026232955902012-07-05T12:13:00.001-04:002012-07-05T12:13:36.027-04:00Pillows as Art: Parker|BROWN Textiles, Rockport<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsSe1o8YinB0ly3gm_7YI8aQ8ukjijAm8BIJ8w-HN6BHpCnpsDgsXecHkcdJip7SC6xh4wPf_LSdWoDdasGhGPld4GZq-QS-XNBZ2w6fOjWd0GwVE8YJ4Qt9yNxfivi6-3FAbVSxTTBY/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621960503577916018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsSe1o8YinB0ly3gm_7YI8aQ8ukjijAm8BIJ8w-HN6BHpCnpsDgsXecHkcdJip7SC6xh4wPf_LSdWoDdasGhGPld4GZq-QS-XNBZ2w6fOjWd0GwVE8YJ4Qt9yNxfivi6-3FAbVSxTTBY/s200/IMG_0815.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 150px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY88KutIt9nIJFc9NDCefcikJzZQwQKL98wlIDXV9Qu20lH0mDeMwpzr8NWDI265g37r3cKbLa7fgzX9NFSqI_7rq7WypgYXPE470vZGKXMEdoi2RyqgaU0-Z6bkTa-cnKrJDfElqVEFw/s1600/IMG_0810.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621960498766127554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY88KutIt9nIJFc9NDCefcikJzZQwQKL98wlIDXV9Qu20lH0mDeMwpzr8NWDI265g37r3cKbLa7fgzX9NFSqI_7rq7WypgYXPE470vZGKXMEdoi2RyqgaU0-Z6bkTa-cnKrJDfElqVEFw/s200/IMG_0810.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 150px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWadMbGuyrhf4DebTNYq1G7L_Gh7iryv4A2cA59eVyZSV06Tg26Kk-EoXKPeYxWLh8ynzt-zh5_UPaYJzcx-sSC4FggCkR-ClwQB2fVvpEKPO0SNjUa06W2c1hatqGPOz3ZIQWBLnzkgg/s1600/IMG_0809.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621960278519733202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWadMbGuyrhf4DebTNYq1G7L_Gh7iryv4A2cA59eVyZSV06Tg26Kk-EoXKPeYxWLh8ynzt-zh5_UPaYJzcx-sSC4FggCkR-ClwQB2fVvpEKPO0SNjUa06W2c1hatqGPOz3ZIQWBLnzkgg/s200/IMG_0809.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 150px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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Last year as I meandered through the stores of <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2011/06/rediscovering-rockport-at-emerson-inn.html">Rockport,</a> I discovered, on the edge of town, the loveliest of stores. There, at <a href="http://www.parkerbrowntextiles.com/index2.php#/home/">Parker|BROWN textiles,</a> Helen Parker, mom and artist, creates hand dyed pillows and textiles. And now, as I am starting plans to decorate <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2012/06/pancakes-sure-home-renovation-not-so.html">my new home, </a>I keep thinking about the gentle blues of of her folded pillows, a lovely design that she created from yarn and the softest of chenille on her sea themed pillows. I just wanted to sit in her studio which is directly attached to the store, to talk to her more about the creative process and to inhale the colors. I had to return to reality that day, but I will return to her store. <br />
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<a href="http://www.parkerbrowntextiles.com/index2.php#/home/">Parker|BROWN Textiles,</a> 67 Broadway, Rockport, 978-546-8050</div>FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-47281832463144598862012-06-25T08:12:00.002-04:002012-06-25T08:19:52.603-04:00The Room to Live In: Company C Envy and Furniture Dreams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> (My future room, now) </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(My future room...in my Company C dreams!)</span><br />
The centerpiece of my new house is the first room on the right as you walk in. I struggle with what to call it. "Living Room" implies formality while "Family Room" leads to images of Legeos bounding out of containers. And both names demand a TV. But this room will be TV free. Here, my sons and I will cuddle on the couch and read books. We will play endless games of Othello, Sorry, Uno, Scrabble. It is where I will read, grade papers, design menus, write, pay bills, sit with friends and a glass of wine and appetizers. It is THE room. It is our center. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(I took these photos at Company C in Portland, Maine)</span></div>
It has such potential: a long space fixed on one end with a fireplace and built in bookcases. On one wall are a huge sheet of windows looking out front. I would love to make the fireplace look as cool as this: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(photo from BHG.com)</span><br />
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There are so many fabulous things to do with the fireplace. I am going to start by kicking out the fireplace screen. Then I may paint the top half white, put in a mirror, or just paint the mantle. Or I may extend bookcases across the top. Check out the great thick shelves in this photo. They add so much to the room.<br />
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I may get rid of the 50s style curvy tops, have toyed with painting the back of the bookshelves to match a future rug and will get new hardware on on the shelves at the base. <br />
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The rest of the room is one clean set just calling out for furniture. There is just one small problem. I have NO furniture for it. I envision a couch, perhaps a sectional and a few chairs. I want a table that has drawers to hide clutter. I still am trying to figure out how to use the far end of the room. Perhaps a cocktail table/mini bar?<br />
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I want to start, though, with color. And my hope is to build my room around a rug. So much of the rest of the house will be water colors: soothing blues and greens. For this room I am thinking warmth: reds, golds, oranges, yellows. <br />
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What I want most of all would be to decorate my whole living room around one of these spectacular rugs from <a href="http://www.companyc.com/home.htm">Company C.</a> Each rug is handmade and inspired often by nature: beaches, rocks, mountains. <a href="http://www.angelaadams.com/">Angela Adams</a> (also started in Portland, Maine), also has rugs that are works of art. These modern styles are not only glorious in their shapes and colors, but oh, the textures. Think mixed media on the floor. I could never choose between either company...if I could afford one of their rugs! Alas, they are just not in this single mom's budget. So, instead, they will inspire me!</div>
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I would be happy to match the rugs with any of the lamps from <a href="http://Inhabit./">Inhabit.</a> There beautiful hand printed cloth covered pendent lamps come in shades of teal, aqua, oranges and reds.</div>
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As for furniture, I have yet to see more gorgeous pieces than those from <a href="http://www.salemboard.com/furniture/">Salem Board and Beam.</a> The owner reclaims boards from old barns. I love his maple coffee tables. Having just been to SOWA, there are clearly so many other great artisans making furniture with wood. I love this table as an end board. </div>
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I don't have any couches...or at least any under 15 years old. I am just starting to explore the crazy world of seat cushions, chaises and sectionals. And reality means that I will be lucky if I can get one, or at least one that is higher end than Ikea. In the meantime, I keep checking out this <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/comfortable-cou-139969">Apartment Therapy blogpost </a>on deliciously comfy couches.<br />
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You can see more of my decorating favorites for my <a href="http://pinterest.com/foodiemommymk/living-room/">living room here on my Pinterest site.</a> Or, of course, share your own ideas!</div>
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<br /></div>FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-12982170771414257602012-06-20T09:17:00.000-04:002012-06-20T09:17:00.146-04:00A Wellesley Farmer's Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have only made it once so far, but on Thursday afternoons, tucked behind the Wellesley Whole Foods is the <a href="http://www.masshort.org/Wellesley-Farmers-Market">Wellesley Farmer's Market.</a> I got some fresh eggs from the Dover Farm and also snagged gorgeous crisp radishes, snap peas and other beautiful greens. Keep your eyes open for it. And don't miss the eggs.FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-59301052211340010452012-06-18T08:28:00.000-04:002012-06-18T08:28:00.060-04:00Strawberries, A Secret Stand, and a Sudbury Park: Our Father's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you are lucky enough to get there soon, you too may be able to pick glorious ruby red strawberries at <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2009/07/this-week-at-verrill-farm-concord.html">Verrill Farm. </a> (We picked 6.3 pounds. Pretty impressive for 4 small hands. And only $20!)<br />
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Head inside the farm stand and stock up on fresh rhubarb, the sweetest peas possible, vibrant icicle radishes, and their always tender mixed berry scones.<br />
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If you are one of the lucky few, go down the street, peer into <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2012_03_01_archive.html">Pete and Jen's Backyard Bird's</a> tiny farm stand and choose from tiny pullet eggs or larger ones. We also snagged some fresh wheat berries but saved cheese and homemade bacon for our next visit.<br />
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Then, if you are a big kid or have some of your own, finish up with a picnic at the wonderful playground at the Peter Noyes Elementary School in Sudbury. Go home. Eat more the eggs on top of sautéed radish greens. Nap. Make a salad. Make biscuits. Eat more strawberries. This was our Father's Day. It was pretty perfect.FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-51251502741318959222012-06-15T08:58:00.000-04:002012-06-15T08:58:00.157-04:00Inspired by Trees at SOWA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Tables by MBT Woodworking</span></div>
I went for the pottery and left inspired by wood. I hadn't been to the <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2010/05/dont-miss-sowa-arts-food-free-parking.html">SOWA Market </a>in over a year. I was searching for ceramic bowls to replace my favorite brought back from the <a href="http://www.velvetantlerpottery.com/">Velvet Antler Studio</a> in Yoho National Park and recently broken in carelessness. But I was struck by the work of four artists in particular, all crafting beauty out of trees. You can see the artistry of <a href="http://www.mbtwoodworking.com/mbt_woodworking_gallery.html">Michael B. Tobin of MBT Woodworking</a> in the images above. He crafts furniture from gorgeous woods like cherry, oak, maple and walnut. My favorites: the beautiful end sofa tables. My hope? To save enough to be able to have him build me a coffee table from curly maple and walnut.<br />
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<a href="http://schopferwoodworking.com/schopferwoodworking.com/Gallery/Pages/For_the_Home_files/Media/Brian%20Schopfer%20Shoot%204-22/Brian%20Schopfer%20Shoot%204-22.jpg?disposition=download" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://schopferwoodworking.com/schopferwoodworking.com/Gallery/Pages/For_the_Home_files/Media/Brian%20Schopfer%20Shoot%204-22/Brian%20Schopfer%20Shoot%204-22.jpg?disposition=download" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.schopferwoodworking.com/schopferwoodworking.com/Gallery/Gallery.html">Brian Schopfer of Shopfer Woodworking </a>uses old wine barrels to make beautiful narrow mirrors which are perfect for fitting in small spaces. He also makes gorgeous lamps and beautiful bookshelves that retain the texture of trees. <br />
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<a href="http://NATHANWILLIAMMURRELL.COM/section/254517_mixed_media.html">Nathan William Murrell</a> (whose business card reads, "maker of things"), runs Hijacked Ceramics. He layers Japanese papers on wood and places carved wood on top. These artistic 3 dimensional multimedia pieces would be lovely on any wall.<br />
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<a href="http://www.frameswithahistory.com/Photos-of-Furniture---Decor.html">Bill Phaneuf of Frames with a History</a> had just one mirror surrounded by turn of the century stained glass. This would be most glorious in front of a large window. I hesitated only because of some lead paint on the edges. I know I could remove it or paint over it...but I am not sure I am talented enough at this type of work...If anyone has a sense of how to do it, let me know.<br />
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At times I am overwhelmed by how to furnish and decorate <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2012/06/pancakes-sure-home-renovation-not-so.html">my new house</a> on such a slim budget. But these artists inspired me by their use of materials and what they could create.<br />
<br />FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-56683456962215271212012-06-12T08:41:00.000-04:002012-06-12T08:41:00.512-04:00Pancakes, sure. Home Renovation? Not so much!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It isn't a fixer-upper-handywoman's special, thank goodness. My hands are full enough trying to make sure my sons arrive at their schools on time with all the proper foot ware each day! We are moving into our first home in July. And while it is in relatively good "move in" condition, the house is still calling out for love, care, a good paint job, a desperate need for furniture and, some day, a kitchen renovation. I am trying to find a balance between my dream decorating ideas and the inevitable financial reality. On the upside, there is the exciting challenge of making due with what I can salvage from friends, recycling stores and even the town dump. And there is something I am growing to love about finding the patience to decorate and create a home in stages. After all, it is truly going to be the first home I have ever had and it is the one I hope we are in for the next 20 years. Truth be told, my only really DIY project started as a tall kitchen stool...and ended as a lopsided 3 inch piece of wood. So, check back in to see if my ambition dissolves into store buying frenzy! No matter, what, you can anticiapte upcoming posts as I jump into the world of decorating-renovating-DIY-home blogs, stores, and projects. And share any success stores (or words of warning!) Let the painting begin! In the meantime, feel free to jump on my Pinterest bandwagon by clicking on the badge at the right.FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-74633384431029830172012-06-11T09:23:00.000-04:002012-06-11T09:23:00.155-04:00Strip T's In Watertown-Watch Out NYC!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remember when you used to have go to to NYC to get really original food that didn't break the bank? I am talking about dishes that reflect a chef's unwillingness to stick with one genre, but to mix up the best of Japanese-Thai-Korean-Chinese flavors with New England seasonality. <br />
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When you imagine <a href="http://stripts.com/">Strip T's in Watertown,</a> think Momofuku meets Craigie on Main...in a former diner of sorts. Yup-just sitting in Watertown is a gem that you may want to catch now before the lines make it too hard to get in. Strip T's, a restaurant since 1986, was taken over by son Tim Maslow last April. The fact that Chef Maslow trained at the French Culinary Institute and worked at Momofuku may be the keys to getting best of NYC in MA.<br />
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Chef Maslow is thinking fresh. As we drove up he was getting a shipment of bass and tautog caught two hours prior by Ann, harpooning off of a kayak. In fact, it was too fresh to be served moments later as the restaurant opened. The restaurant takes some reservations, but for those walking in, 5:00 may be it. In fact by the time we left, at 6:30, the wait was 1 1/2 hours. <br />
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I began with one of my hand's down, favorite, all time bites. It was an oyster from Wallace Bay, Nova Scotia. But wait. The oyster was topped with two seemingly contradictory tastes: pickled rhubarb and knotweed, a Japanese herb (and considered by some as a weed!) Just go there. Try it. Tell me what you think.<br />
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Our first salad of the night consisted of grilled romaine, piled with tender oxtail (similar to short rib), a poached egg hand-delivered from Cepage Farm by Jonathan the general manager. The grilled romaine was just smoky and crispy enough to scoop up the creaminess of the egg.<br />
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We would have returned to Strip T's for the cauliflower alone. It was dipped in hot oil making it crispy and brown and sat on a golden puree of spicy chorizo. It was topped with cotija cheese and sweet pickled onions.<br />
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The japanese eggplant banh mi could easily have been a main dish. It consisted of a chunk of french bread, filled with pillowy fried tofu, pickled daikon and carrots, fresh cilantro and tender eggplant. It was good, but it didn't knock us to the ground like the cauliflower.<br />
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The native squid salad was the unexpected star of the night. The tender grilled squid were topped with heavenly house cured, thick chunky bacon. Fresh mint, pine nuts and sweet gently pickled cherry peppers somehow created a dish that brought out the glory of each component. I would return for this dish and for that bacon alone!<br />
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I loved the idea of the grilled sweet peas. And in fact, they are the one dish that I may try (and be able) to replicate at home. They grilled the little guys until they were black and then topped with sea salt and the warm aleppo pepper. I suspect this would work just as well with edamame.<br />
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We struggled to choose between main dish. I had read about the buttermilk fried chicken that is served with waffle. A glimpse at the hamburgers that came with glorious skin-on the edges French fries were clearly the choice of the kids at adjoining tables. But our lovely server, Kerry, suggested we go for the seasonal speciality: fried soft-shell crab. She sold us on the curry broth that was poured at the table. The dish was good. It was. I loved the combination of the chunks of celery root and Japanese yam that nestled in the bottom. But the rest of the dishes had spoiled us, persuading us that EVERY. SINGLE. DISH would be awe-inspiring. We still scooped up the broth and nibbled at the crab. Next time I may actually stick with the appetizers or try another of the main dishes.<br />
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We were so full we had to pass on the desserts as well. That begin said both Jonathan and Kerry sung the praises of the pots o' cream. Typically my eyes glaze as I see chocolate pots o' cream (panna cotta, pudding, etc.) but they pointed out that this one was made with, get this: shitake mushrooms! Perhaps that isn't everyone's idea of dessert, but it is definitely tapped my curiosity factor. Just one more example of the playfulness at Strip T's.<br />
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<a href="http://stripts.com/">Strip T's, </a>93 School Street, Watertown, MAFoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2042479606286828148.post-75355085831040478352012-06-09T08:32:00.001-04:002012-06-09T08:32:57.095-04:00Our Garden Returns: In Pots. And More Pots. And More...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnMbC6aM4gY6GirMBOO_y6OsG3SIhZgcaWYBMJaEUg5_En35x55Hz939t_by5sZutXSWQ4XranLu7SxLsVM3GTMcqBlrD9EhYABXeAESGyN5ktjB_IRNeQ-nre3jIx_ifrtcSSKgIt20/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnMbC6aM4gY6GirMBOO_y6OsG3SIhZgcaWYBMJaEUg5_En35x55Hz939t_by5sZutXSWQ4XranLu7SxLsVM3GTMcqBlrD9EhYABXeAESGyN5ktjB_IRNeQ-nre3jIx_ifrtcSSKgIt20/s200/IMG_0300.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
We are moving. We are buying a HOUSE! We are going to have a GARDEN! No, wait: a farm! An orchard! Okay, I am exaggerating (or being wildly optimistic). But the key point is that because we are moving mid-summer, I knew it would be a disaster to start a garden at our current apartment and then pull it out for the move. So, with little research, we decided to a) start from seeds and b) plant in pots. We relied heavily on advice from on our fabulous friends now living in Brooklyn, advice from Amy Pennington on the <a href="http://www.food52.com/blog/2986_setting_up_your_container_garden_tips_for_apartment_dwellers_and_small_spaces">Food 52 blog</a> and the educational (and patient!) staff at <a href="http://foodiemommy.blogspot.com/2010/06/first-foodiemommy-garden-and-why-we.html">Russell's Garden Center</a> in Wayland. We planted the seeds and to our greatest delight, those little things grew! In those early cool days of spring (remember those?) my sons checked the weather reports to see if the night temperature was going to drop below 50. Then I dragged the pots in. And out! Next year: I am definitely building cold frames to skip this step. That being said, I still can't believe how much more rewarding (and cheaper) it is to start from seeds. Then, we slowly transferred our arugula, carrots, peas, mesclun, lacinto kale, green beans and pole beans to pots. (The folks at Russells though the beginning of May was too late to start from seed for the tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries so we used seedlings.) They joined last year's blueberry bush and our containers of herbs. Between the days of rain and the days of heat, I am still in a wide learning curve. For example, I just read about putting gravel at the bottom of pots to help with drainage (which may explain why they are soaked!). Refusing to spend any more money on my plants, I am trying to use our tomato cages and poles from previous years on the pots. I am continuing to insist on a no-maintenance and organic garden our plant babies are just hanging out in Coast Of Maine Organic Potting Soil. My main problem so far (besides the endless rain) is that I continue to underestimate the amount of soil, number of pots and size of the pots I will need for my burgeoning cucumbers and tomatoes. And because this is a one year experiment, I am hesitant to spend too much money on the pots. Plastic is cheaper, but those glorious cobalt glazed pots would be far more beautiful on the new deck. So the good news: I will have about 30 plastic pots to keep my movers busy and to use in DIY-creative ways by next summer or to donate to one reader. Until then, let the sun shine in.FoodieMommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04161780617190920085noreply@blogger.com0