Fresh produce

I love farmers' markets.  Actually, I love the Granville Farmers Market.  It has literally everything from ghost peppers and Japanese eggplant to fresh bread, jams, flowers, herbs, apples, cakes, pies, chocolates, crafts - everything.  I was looking for a good picture of it but I don't have one, so I was led to the "Village of Granville, Ohio" website.  Looked through all 63 photos and got sad that I won't be going back there in the fall.

I've been craving a blueberry bagel with plain cream cheese from Village and a scoop of Whit's vanilla with raspberry and chocolate syrup...or if Espresso Chip is the flavor of the week, two scoops of that, or Black Raspberry Chip...clearly I'm hungry and nostalgic.

The Dallas farmers market in West Village is not quite at the Granville level, but I feel better buying things in season that have been freshly picked.  

Someone was still in her outfit from last night at 1:30pm....

Cherry tomatoes, zucchini, corn on the cob.... Yum.

- CAR -

Farmers' Market Frittata

Farmers' Market Frittata

• In a medium pan, sauté chopped onion with minced garlic and olive oil over medium heat.  After 5 minutes, add asparagus and halved cherry tomatoes.  After another 5 minutes, add spinach.  Season with salt and pepper and stir until everything is tender.
• Arrange the vegetables in a layer on the bottom of the pan.  Preheat the oven's boiler.
• In a small bowl, whisk 5 eggs with a splash of milk.  Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables.  Cook for about 7 minutes, or until the top is almost set.
• Place pan in boiler for 2 minutes.  Sprinkle 3/4 cup shredded cheese (I used a Mexican blend and goat crumbles) over the top and replace pan in broiler until cheese is bubbly and the top of the frittata is golden brown.
• Cool for 10 minutes, cut into slices and serve with Texas Texas Fire Roasted Serrano salsa.

- CAR -

Final sales are in the air

I braved NorthPark this afternoon to attempt to start my new work wardrobe.  It was a futile attempt until I was about to leave and decided to putz into GAP of all places... and I emerged with armfuls of perfect professional basics (plus a swimsuit) and only spent $100.

After that rewarding but long shopping experience, I came home and cooked an actual dinner for the first time in weeks.  I adapted this recipe from Food and Wine (the picture doesn't do it justice, although it isn't a "gorgeous" dish).

Penne with Roasted Asparagus and Balsamic Butter

• Season asparagus and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Roast vegetables in a 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.
• Simmer 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar in a small pan for 15-ish minutes, or until reduced.  Add 2 teaspoons of honey and pepper to taste.
• Boil pasta for 13 minutes.  Drain, then add roasted asparagus and tomatoes, balsamic reduction, 1/4 cup of butter, 1/4 cup goat cheese, and 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella.  Stir until blended and creamy.
• Serve over a bed of fresh spinach.

The balsamic butter was like a rich dressing and went well with the fresh spinach.  The recipe got mixed reviews on the website, but M and I loved it.

I want to go to the farmers market in West Village on Saturday and get some in-season, farm fresh produce.

And then I want to make the Blackberry Frozen Yogurt pops I pinned today from Wit & Whistle.  Last weekend was for crafting, this one is for cooking.

- CAR -

A weekend at home

Yesterday was a relaxing summer Sunday at home in Waco.  I got up early and went for a 15 mile bike ride.  Stopped for a water break to enjoy this lovely view.

Then I hopped in the pool for a swim and to float and soak up some sun.  Every time I come home, something is different, or renovated, or re-decorated, etc.  This time it was the backyard.  We got a new grill, new stone on the outdoor kitchen counter, new tile border, new landscaping, new fence and new/more umbrellas.  

I don't think there are backyards like this in New York.

My mom's birthday was a success.  We wandered around the farm in the morning and bought some soaps, pasta, bread, honey, and granola.  I may take one of their knitting classes at the end of August.  I spent the rest of the afternoon getting a pedicure with my mom...

Summer and neon just seem so right for each other.  Then I took a few hours to make my mom a wrap bracelet.  I think it turned out pretty well - an upgrade from my $10 10-minute one I made last week.

Then a FEAST at 1424.  Lots to do this week, including beginning to figure out where I'm going to live.    The countdown begins... here's to making my last summer LAST.

- CAR -

I'm going to be a New....

Yorker!  A year ago, I never thought I would be excited about moving to Manhattan.  A year makes all the difference in the world, evidently.  Now, my Denison friends are there, I'm young, it's a city that has everything.  Now is the time for me to move to New York and I can't believe I'm going to be a city girl.  Applying to jobs and not even getting a confirmation e-mail that your resume has been received is so frustrating.  BUT, the feeling of getting a job offer that you're truly excited about makes the wait and the stress and the over-analyzing completely worthwhile.  This opportunity is beyond what I expected and better than what I thought I wanted.  Things really do work out for the best.

Is this really what I will call my city in just under two months?  A later post will be all about things I will miss about Texas.  Warning: the list will be long.  (Note that I said Texas, not Waco.  I'll miss Dallas more than Waco, excluding my home, family and doggies, of course).

I suppose it's time to go apartment shopping - for the actual apartment as well as furnishings because after four years of dorm living, I have very few belongings of my own.  I am going to have a heyday decorating.

I've been playing around with the unused camera.  It's a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, and it's a powerful piece of machinery.  After skimming the various user manuals and tip booklets, I did some shooting around my room but it's nighttime and there wasn't a lot to capture.  I like this close-up of an old champagne bottle that I use as a flower vase:

Tomorrow will be a busy day filled with Beshy-approved activities.  We're getting off to an early start with an 8am breakfast at Homestead Heritage, a self-sustaining farm here in Waco.  My mom is also loving the leather and pearl wrap bracelet I made earlier this week, so we may go to the craft store to get supplies to make more bracelets.  Then, dinner out.  I hope a cake is in the forecast but I haven't made one and that isn't really my dad's department... Needless to say, tomorrow will be a prime opportunity for photography experiments with the new camera.

Feeling lucky to have a day of great news to share with family and friends.

- CAR -

Pinterest Obsession

Last night a wonderful thing happened.  I received my e-mail invite to join Pinterest, a website that allows you to collect your favorite things from around the web and "pin" them to various "boards," organized by categories you choose yourself.  Have I ever been busy...

Simply perfect.  I love neutral white main pieces with vibrantly colored accents and accessories.

Currently obsessed with grey/citrus combination in a bedroom.  HGTV Design Star season 5 winner Emily Henderson designed this cozy nook bed.

Penne with Roasted Asparagus and Balsamic Butter - what a fresh and healthy dinner from Food and Wine!

I found the perfect dessert to complete that meal...

Chocolate Chip Cookie n' Oreo Knock Your Socks Off Brownie Bars recipe from Betcha Can't Eat Just One will soon be made in my kitchen.  I won't even try to eat just one, thank you.

- CAR -

Evening craft: Wrap Bracelet

I've loved these Chan Luu bracelets since I first saw one but couldn't rationalize paying $200 for it (#UnpaidInternProblems).  They're perfect because they go with literally everything and can be worn as an everyday bracelet but there's something about the combination of the leather and the pearls... that made me think "I can make this."

Here's what the real deal looks like:

And here's my version that I made for around $10:

Much more conducive to an unpaid intern's budget.  Plus, I could make it a custom length to fit my very narrow wrist perfectly.  It's not bad for a first attempt but I think I can get closer to real Chan.

Sometimes the iPhone takes great pictures, but in inclement lighting it's awful.  My dad has this professional photographer-quality camera sitting at our house collecting dust in the coat closet so this weekend I plan to go home, read the user manual and learn how to take good pictures.  High hopes.

- CAR -