Working Title.: September 2010

25 September 2010

Imbue.

{happily reporting full success with a slow cooker.}

Remember how I was gushing about the Farmer's Market? We had such beautiful vegetables in our company, we were excited to put them to use.

We found a yummy recipe in our Vegetarian Slow Cooker Cookbook for Lentil Shepards Pie. It was a softly misty day and ooooh it sounded so good. That was on a Sunday.

The reason these recipes are uncontrollably delicious is because there's a bit of prep work. Mostly just some simple sauteing. It's well worth it.

Once these fresh from the farmers market veggies were tender and scrumptious, you just combine them with uncooked lentils, a can of tomatoes and the juice, some herbs, some spices, some love of course, and then top with mashed potatoes mixed with bread crumbs. Cook on High for 5 hours, give or take. Shredded cheddar cheese is optional.

But I can't say no to a place of cheese.

When a recipe indicates a dish is ready to enjoy by being hot and bubbly, that's usually an indication you will experience tremendous joy upon eating said dish.

This was no exception!

We had some rice and grains along-side the Shepard's Pie.

This was cooked and devoured on a Tuesday. The irony is, it turned out to be 75 degrees and sunny that day. The one down-fall of planning the menu for the entire week.

Esmé, however, was not impressed by the mashed potatoes.

Do you have any favorite slow cooker recipes? Any vegetarian ones, perhaps? Please share!

22 September 2010

Yielding.

{story in pictures: The Farmers Market.}

One of my goals is to learn about eating in season. And to actually do it. I figured a sure-fire way to learn about what is in season is to go to a Farmer's Market. We are lucky enough to have quite a few great Famer's Markets in Long Beach, but I decided to take the troops up to Redondo Beach for a fun day out.

And what a fun day out it was! The kids had so much fun tasting fruits and veggies, helping me choose our "harvest".

we were mesmerized by the colors in this fresh broccoli. So different than the shrink-wrapped shrunken head at the mega-mart, no?

admiring some exotic blooms,

photo courtesy Elliette, age 4 1/2.

and then a trip to the play-ground to round out the excursion.

I gave Emmett the camera for awhile. These were the first results.

Then after some coaching from his big sister, he cranked out some good images. Kind of artsy-fartsy, but that fits in around here.

we don't know this guy.

Then we had a real treat. Whales! There was water spouting up from the sea and it was from real-life Humpback Whales migrating!!! And then to top it off, I saw a whale come out of the water, I'm not even kidding. I was elated. So excited. I'm still pretty happy about it. The kids, however, didn't get to see, because it's really hard to spot the small spout of water rising out of the sea that is just standing before you, endless, with no referance point.

The best we got was Emmett's photo of my shadow, pointing to where the whales were.

At least it's documented.

Well, we also got a good bounty of fresh fruit, honey and vegetables. Which included the very sweetest and most adorable strawberries I have ever experienced, short of my back yard in Ohio at the age of 7. I love being at the open-air market, and I love involving the kids. When we shop at the Super Market they just chatter their teeth through the frigid produce section. This really is a much better way to go.

Also, have you tried the Honey Crisp apple? Have you tried one from a local grower, freshly picked and warm from the sun? Delightful.

17 September 2010

Smashion.

{"I have a background in fashion." - or - Spring 2011 New York Fashion Week}

I often say the above sentence. I don't know if it's issued as a disclaimer or as an excuse. Probably a little bit of both, and usually followed by the recipient of said comment looking at me, clearly thinking, "Really? And you dress like that?"

Yes, I do have a background in fashion, it's true. I graduated from design school. I worked as a women's wear designer.

Now, however, my life is much different. I leaf through sensible catalogs such as J. Crew, (which, i must add, is my favorite.) thinking about how practical a garment might be, and if I can find it on sale at my local outpost. It's kind of sad, really. I remember my devotion to fashion. My quest for a perfect piece, one that would become a unique staple in my mish-mash of ensembles, has turned into wondering how many times it can be washed before fading.

I know it's sensible to wear cotton blends, to keep a complimentary palette, and to buy for longevity. OOOH but I miss the whimsical silk sheath; the 3-inch heels with super skinny pants; the shrunken jacket with baubles; the knee-sock and peep-toe combo. I know not to wear these things in my daily life, because when I try, I ruin them. Or get a back ache.

So now, I enjoy fashion week eating a bowl of rice krispies, in front of my computer. I read some fashion blogs that I love. I live vicariously through Style Rookie and stay trend-current with Things We Heart. I know my place is not at MB Fashion Week, but does it have to be Courtney Love instead of me? Really?

Seriously, I'm so out of the loop I can't even provide commentary. I see things I love and realize it's because it looks like everything else I already have. Where is my style, man?!

Since I have nothing worth-while to say, here are some images I found*. Do you have a favorite? Enjoy.

It should be noted: these images show the designers who are considered the biggest and the best... there is so much more talent that isn't at the upper crust yet, but soon enough, those new designers will bubble up to the top soon.