Foxy had a play date 2 weeks ago and this is her new friend Reese - yes named after the actress (I can totally tell I'm back in french class I just spelled actrice which is french for actress.)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Fixing a Leek
I have been checking out Molly’s blog from time to time. Then one day she was talking about her trip to Brussels and the food on her blog. I emailed her and told her I lived in Brussels bla bla bla and got no response. (I always respond to my reader if they leave a comment or email me maybe she was busy or thought I weird oh well her loss.) By the way I do eat Leek and Potato soup here-it is yummy! Yes mom you read that right I eat leeks.
Then I got a subscription to Bon Appétit magazine and found out she is a writer for the magazine. I just wanted to share this article and recipes with you- from the October issue of Bon Appétit. Molly's blog is orangette click here.
By Molly Wizenberg
It was barely noon on our first day in Brussels when we spotted the leeks. We'd stopped at a small grocery store to buy some bottled water, and as we stood in line to pay, my husband noticed a large wooden crate by the cash registers.
"Look at those," he said, pointing. The crate was piled high with leeks, firm and glossy as piano keys, their leaves plump and freshly trimmed, a deep shade of green. Their tiny, hair-like roots were still tangled endearingly with damp mud, as though they'd just been pulled from the bed. My husband and I don't always swoon over the same things—he will never share my love for Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf," and I will never understand his insatiable passion for hot sauce—but these were stunning specimens. I'd never seen such gorgeous leeks outside of a farmers' market, much less near the cash register of a grocery store, a strategic spot where most American stores stock chewing gum, batteries, and packs of candy. I have nothing against any of those things—especially not the candy—but these Belgians were clearly onto something.
Here in the States, we often don't know what to do with leeks. We buy them to make potato-leek soup, but that's about the extent of it. The average grocery store seems to reserve only the smallest amount of square footage for them—much less than it devotes to lettuce, onions, or Idaho potatoes. But in Brussels, I noticed, everyone seems to have a leek or two in their grocery basket. The same goes for France, where, so far as I can tell, even the most basic shopping list includes leeks, potatoes, and carrots. (Yes, I am one of those types who stare compulsively at other people's grocery carts. Guilty as charged.)
Leeks look like oversize scallions, and they are related to both onions and garlic, but their taste is softer and more subtle than any of them. In a word, they're delicious. I love leeks in nearly every form, but I have to admit that I don't cook them as often as I could.
Then I got a subscription to Bon Appétit magazine and found out she is a writer for the magazine. I just wanted to share this article and recipes with you- from the October issue of Bon Appétit. Molly's blog is orangette click here.
By Molly Wizenberg
It was barely noon on our first day in Brussels when we spotted the leeks. We'd stopped at a small grocery store to buy some bottled water, and as we stood in line to pay, my husband noticed a large wooden crate by the cash registers.
"Look at those," he said, pointing. The crate was piled high with leeks, firm and glossy as piano keys, their leaves plump and freshly trimmed, a deep shade of green. Their tiny, hair-like roots were still tangled endearingly with damp mud, as though they'd just been pulled from the bed. My husband and I don't always swoon over the same things—he will never share my love for Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf," and I will never understand his insatiable passion for hot sauce—but these were stunning specimens. I'd never seen such gorgeous leeks outside of a farmers' market, much less near the cash register of a grocery store, a strategic spot where most American stores stock chewing gum, batteries, and packs of candy. I have nothing against any of those things—especially not the candy—but these Belgians were clearly onto something.
Here in the States, we often don't know what to do with leeks. We buy them to make potato-leek soup, but that's about the extent of it. The average grocery store seems to reserve only the smallest amount of square footage for them—much less than it devotes to lettuce, onions, or Idaho potatoes. But in Brussels, I noticed, everyone seems to have a leek or two in their grocery basket. The same goes for France, where, so far as I can tell, even the most basic shopping list includes leeks, potatoes, and carrots. (Yes, I am one of those types who stare compulsively at other people's grocery carts. Guilty as charged.)
Leeks look like oversize scallions, and they are related to both onions and garlic, but their taste is softer and more subtle than any of them. In a word, they're delicious. I love leeks in nearly every form, but I have to admit that I don't cook them as often as I could.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Music...
Every now and then when you're in a mood, don’t you just need some good angry girl music?
I think I could have actually worn out my Alanis Morissette's “jagged little pill” CD for as much as I have played it - it was a lot in Chicago! When I use to get the cd out or now when Joe hears her playing he either leaving me alone to sing at the very top of my lungs or asks, “what happened now”.
Here is a good You tube video from Pink. I just might have to check out her music more. ENJOY!
Here is a good You tube video from Pink. I just might have to check out her music more. ENJOY!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Sunday Rainy Sunday
At the Waterloo market getting soaked. Glad I got a good rain coat this summer. Notice the vendors did not even show up that is how bad the weather was.
After the market, we caught the end of the Brussels Marathon.
Very Brave soles to be running in this crap.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
best dressed
The International Best Dress List is out and #9 is...
International best dressed list. – vanity fair
H.R.H. CROWN PRINCESS MATHILDE OF BELGIUM
Residence: The Royal Castle of Laeken, Brussels. Age: 35. Signature look: Tailored dresses and suits, suitable for state occasions. Notable 2008 ensemble: Ivory silk shift with a lace overlay, worn for the baptism of her fourth child, Princess Eleonore of Belgium. Causes: U.N. aids, and UNICEF. By Albert Nieboer/dpa/Landov.
Congratulations you look terrific! It is hard to look good in this weather believe me I have tried.
International best dressed list. – vanity fair
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Thought for the month
"Clothes are like legos; there are always a few ways to put them together"
photo from it's her factory blog
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Fur Really
I found this the other weekend, it is vintage from Munich Germany (the tag says). You all know how I love fur.
It is fox fur collar but I'm not sure what the rest is it might be mink. All the fashion magazines are showing fur for Fall and Winter.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Gypsies
I have not blogged about our neighbors across the street till now. I do talk about them a lot to my friends and family on the phone or when I’m at home. Everyone always asks why I call him or her “the Gypsies”.
It started 2 years ago when we moved in. We look directly into their house (the kitchen 1st floor – 2nd floor the bathroom – 3rd a bedroom) and vice versa they can see right into our house. The window covering they had in the bathroom was 4-inch stripe navy and white curtain with 6-inch bananas on them. This drove Joe absolutely nuts. So nuts he really didn’t want to live in the house when we were looking at it. Plus we never knew who lived there – different people were coming and going at all hours of the day. From what I could tell there was a guy and a girl that were always living there (College age).
So basically this is how they became known as “the Gypsies”
They moved out about 5 or 6 months ago…this is where you should really be careful for what you wish for. Joe was so excited but…a whole new set of crazy gypsies moved in. I have enough stories from the past couple months to write a book…I will just give you a couple highlights.
They like to hang out their front kitchen window and sit on the window sill.
I really think they only have one key. This is why; sometimes they jump out the front window and leave it open while they run to the corner store then climb back in it.
One day the gypsies were all sitting in front of our house in the street where Joe parks our car. We have a garage under our house so there are "no parking" signs on the garage meaning we always have a spot saved on the street for our car. I tried to shoosh them away by looking at them from the window but that didn’t faze them. I then tried to call Joe on his cell to warn him about this crazy thing going on but he didn’t answer. So when Joe pulled up he tried to pull into the spot and they just sat there like they were in a protest. Then they pointed at the no parking sign to Joe and smiled…His response was “My House”. They just all laughed and scattered across the street.
A couple days after the above situation, one of them saw Joe come home and as he was getting out of the car, he opened his window and yelled “My House” at Joe. They all enjoyed a good laugh.
This past Friday night they had a huge party that went to the wee hours of the morning.
Then the next day (Saturday) they had a picnic in front of our house I went out there with Joe's camera and said “Je voudrais prend la photo svp” basically I would like to take your photo – what were they going to say, no? they were sitting on my sidewalk. Then we had a brief conversation about what I take photos of and what I’m going to do with this one. Yes all in French, I was impressed with myself. (Joe was gone this weekend or else he might have had a heart attack)
That is it…here is the photo, so now if I ever mention the gypsies again you will know who I am talking about. The guy in the blue shirt is the leader of the pack. One more thing I should add, we really don't live in a bad area or close to the college-they are not our typical neighbors.
It started 2 years ago when we moved in. We look directly into their house (the kitchen 1st floor – 2nd floor the bathroom – 3rd a bedroom) and vice versa they can see right into our house. The window covering they had in the bathroom was 4-inch stripe navy and white curtain with 6-inch bananas on them. This drove Joe absolutely nuts. So nuts he really didn’t want to live in the house when we were looking at it. Plus we never knew who lived there – different people were coming and going at all hours of the day. From what I could tell there was a guy and a girl that were always living there (College age).
So basically this is how they became known as “the Gypsies”
They moved out about 5 or 6 months ago…this is where you should really be careful for what you wish for. Joe was so excited but…a whole new set of crazy gypsies moved in. I have enough stories from the past couple months to write a book…I will just give you a couple highlights.
They like to hang out their front kitchen window and sit on the window sill.
I really think they only have one key. This is why; sometimes they jump out the front window and leave it open while they run to the corner store then climb back in it.
One day the gypsies were all sitting in front of our house in the street where Joe parks our car. We have a garage under our house so there are "no parking" signs on the garage meaning we always have a spot saved on the street for our car. I tried to shoosh them away by looking at them from the window but that didn’t faze them. I then tried to call Joe on his cell to warn him about this crazy thing going on but he didn’t answer. So when Joe pulled up he tried to pull into the spot and they just sat there like they were in a protest. Then they pointed at the no parking sign to Joe and smiled…His response was “My House”. They just all laughed and scattered across the street.
A couple days after the above situation, one of them saw Joe come home and as he was getting out of the car, he opened his window and yelled “My House” at Joe. They all enjoyed a good laugh.
This past Friday night they had a huge party that went to the wee hours of the morning.
Then the next day (Saturday) they had a picnic in front of our house I went out there with Joe's camera and said “Je voudrais prend la photo svp” basically I would like to take your photo – what were they going to say, no? they were sitting on my sidewalk. Then we had a brief conversation about what I take photos of and what I’m going to do with this one. Yes all in French, I was impressed with myself. (Joe was gone this weekend or else he might have had a heart attack)
That is it…here is the photo, so now if I ever mention the gypsies again you will know who I am talking about. The guy in the blue shirt is the leader of the pack. One more thing I should add, we really don't live in a bad area or close to the college-they are not our typical neighbors.
The Gypsies!
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