by the seashore

T by the sea...

We are really loving the car now that summer has finally arrived. It allows us to visit Tomoko, Ryan, and Karin much more easily.

K

I was very content sitting on the beach. We were sure to employ Pete's famous "thermos maneuver" in order to circumvent both the "no glass" and the "no alcohol" polilcy, so that we could have nice cold wine with our cheese and fruit.

I have full permission to use this photo.

Until next time, that is all.

xo,
L

when life gives you lemons...

The way life should be: Jackson's Snack Shack...

The other day, as I circled the block for parking, I saw a little girl sitting on a stoop selling lemonade. She had a table with a table cloth, pitcher, cups, etc. No handwritten sign. No pricing available. She looked bored; not in a kid sitting in the sun kind of way, but in a slightly disturbing adult way: legs crossed nonchalantly, frowning, squinting at the traffic, uncomfortable on the concrete steps. Then a guy came out of the building she was in front of, lit up a cigarette (?) and leaned against the wall next to her. I stared at this tableau a split second too long after the light turned green and was honked on my way.

The girl seemed stuck in my head following this brief encounter. I was sad that something I always think of as a wholesome summertime activity seemed so tainted in this gritty context. I thought about my childhood -- how I could roam freely, how I wouldn't have nasty men smoking questionable substances at my lemonade stand, how I would have been sitting in a lawn chair or on the grass if it were my shop. I despaired. Well, not really, but it was a bit of a bummer.

And then, life reminds you of how lovely it can still be. Pete and I encountered Jackson's Snack Shack (Voted #1 on the North Shore by his family!), and my faith in sunny summertime memories was restored. This boy did it right -- cash register, precious apron from Lowe's, nametag, even a box collecting donations for an animal shelter.

Wholesome non-smokers....

Lemonade was even offered in two sizes: small, large. Pete bought me a large and I blissfully listened to the ice click in my plastic cup, so promptly poured for me by Jackson's efficient little hand, as we drove along the coast. I can't think of a better way to spend $.50 than on a large lemonade drunk in the car with the windows down, looking at the sea...

xo,
L

one for all those upstaters out there...

One to join the ranks of Nessie, Cressie, Mussie, and Champ...

Some of you who happen upon this blog from time to time may remember a certain fourth grade overnight trip to Cooperstown, NY. Ah yes, the Baseball Hall of Fame, and, er, what else was there? I know my gracious mother rembers sitting next to Betty Jo "I think I'm gonna 'splode" Nelson on the bus, but I don't recall many more details.

Anyway, this book takes place in a fictionalized version of Cooperstown and brings all sorts of upstate/FLR elements into play. Pete is in the midst of reading it right now, so I won't write too much about it, but I do highly recommend it. It's really well written, quirky, and incorporates vingettes involving Natty Bumppo, attempted murder by Alaskan bi-plane, and hippies. What more could you ask for?

If you read it, let me know what you think...
xo,
L

springtime meal for a noreaster

Last raindy day meal...

With fingers crossed, I am happy to write my last post on rainy day cooking. The clouds seem to have parted, and my outlook has become sunnier just like the weather. I'm now able to look back at those still too recent rainy days and take stock of all the indoor cooking experimentation they inspired. There was, of course, the soufflé, a very rainy breakfast experiment, and some exploration of a bottle or 2 or 3 of wine.

The summertime Nor'easter that sat on Boston for a few days at the end of June coincided with my first purchase of garlic scapes and the discovery of the "all garlic all the time" menu from which came the soufflé. I would definitely recommend the above bright and tasty Penne With Roasted Garlic, Pancetta and Arugula for your next rainy day.

Here's to better weather...
xo,
L