Archive for April, 2009

Stinkhorn…sometimes the name says it all

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

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Have you ever seen one of these before? Maybe I should ask if you have ever smelled the foul scent of rotting meat that is emitted from the sticky slime on the tip of this fungi? You wouldn’t forget it. These little guys pop up quickly in rich, damp places in North America and Europe. The stinky slime attracts flies and other creatures to it which then fly away spreading the spores and the life of the stinkhorn is carried on to another place. 

flys-on-a-stinkhornAre these flies mating on the stinkhorn? They must really enjoy that smell!

stinkhorn2Aptly named the Phallus impudicus. (Impudicus translates to shameless. I’ll let you figure out the rest)

stinkhornAccording to wikipedia, in Medeival times stinkhorns were used in a cure for gout and in love potions. Hey, it worked for the flies. In France and Germany it is eaten in it’s very young stages. I know for certain that I will not be adding this to my salad!

The view from where I am

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

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On the Hudson watching the sun set behind the Catskills.

Baba Louie’s

Monday, April 27th, 2009

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Abbondante BBQ Chicken Pizza from Baba Louie’s woodfired organic sourdough pizza on Warren Street in Hudson, NY.

I had forgotten what a yummy combination this pizza is. BBQ chicken with a little extra sauce, red onions, fresh mozzarella, smoked gouda which gives it a great flavor, parmesan and fresh oregano all on a yeast free crispy crust.

baba-louies-riccardosRiccardo’s Pizza Famosa. Tomato sauce, chevre, sun dried tomatoes, asiago, calamata olives, mozzarella, roasted garlic, basil and parmesan. Completely different than the first combination and very tasty.

Definitely worth checking out if you are ever in the area, or at their original location in Great Barrington, MA. They also have some great salads…try Pheobe’s greek salad, it’s pretty fantastic. 

Even if you can’t make it there, if you decide to make your own pizza at home these might be interesting new combinations for you to try!

 

 

doggles

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

dogglesWhile in line for my ice cream, this lady came riding by on her Harley with her little dog as a passenger. Happy, strapped to her owner and wearing doggie goggles.

Holy Cow!

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

holy-cow-ice-creamRainbow sprinkles make me smile.

Holy Cow Ice Cream has been in Red Hook, NY for as long as I can remember. Today I battled the long sunny sunday line to get my $1 kiddie cone with the creamiest soft-serve around. 

I have been counting down the days for my upstate vacation just to stop here. I’ll be going back tomorrow. Should I try a different topping every day? Would you get bored of seeing those photos? Or would you just get hungry and maybe even a little jealous? Thank goodness maternity clothes have stretchable waistbands!

Don’t forget the udders! Those clever Holy Cow ladies make soft serve cupcakes with assorted toppings called udders. They were a staple at most birthday parties I attended growing up, at least at the cool kids’ parties.

Monday is a chocolate sprinkle kind of day:

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holy-cow-finale

This was our Holy Cow Finale. I was happily surprised to find a kiddie sundae on their menu! We got all of this for under $4. Love this place!

Weezie through a donut hole

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

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New York bound today. I’ll miss you, little Weezie!

A work in progress… The cutest owl tablecloth

Friday, April 24th, 2009

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Some pregnant ladies arrive at their baby showers refreshed, glowing, and treated like the guest of honor that they are. Not me. I love to plan a party. I just can’t help it! Inspired by the baby shower invitations my mother sent out I offered to make a tablecloth. Ok, insisted. She knows me too well to argue with me about it so I am currently working on what I hope to be the cutest owl table cloth ever. Of course I have great ideas for the coordinating decorations. Is it strange to decorate your own baby shower?!

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baby-owls

scraps

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I still have some baby owls to cut out and then I have to figure out the placement and sew them down. A work in progress with a week to finish. Check back to see the final ‘masterpiece’!

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Czech out Tabor…Home of the Schnitzelwich!

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

When I first moved to Portland the idea of eating at food carts kind of freaked me out. I’ve come a long way with them. I have discovered there are many gastronomical treasures hidden on stationary wheels throughout this city. Such is the case for Tabor on SW 5th and Stark. Home of the Schnitzelwich.

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Schnitzelwich. It’s so fun to say I had to try one. What is it you ask? Breaded pork loin (or chicken) pan fried and served with paprika spread, lettuce, sauteed onions and horseradish on ciabatta. I’ve never had anything like it! The sandwiches are huge and only $6.50. The fact that they are served by a happy, smiling czech couple makes the experience even better.

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Two to go please, Monika! Her husband, Karel, was whistling in the back as he put together other orders.

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Love the color of the paprika spread. And let’s face it, fried pork?! Sound heavy and greasy? It wasn’t that way at all! 

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I’ll have to go back and try some of their other menu options. 

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Tabor is open Monday – Friday from 10-3.

Rainbow Roots

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

swiss-chardRainbow swiss chard. The green leafy vegetable that’s not only good for you but the beautiful colors that shoot from its thick stem into the veins of the leaf make it all the more appealing. Deep red, magenta, green, orange and bright yellow make up the rainbow. This seedling had me mesmerized as I planted it in our garden.

Colorful all the way to the roots. Isn’t nature amazing?

Happy Earth Day!

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Dinner to go

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

picnic-to-go

No, it’s not a take-out box. It’s a vintage picnic ‘box’ with a feature that really sets it apart from your standard  picnic basket…

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Open it up, unpack your stuff, unfold the legs and now you’ve got yourself a table!

picnic-have-a-seatWe found this gem at a yard sale in upstate New York. I love the red faux crocodile. The legs and sides are aluminum with a bakelite handle. On the inside there are thick elastics to keep your picnic gear in place. It actually came with red plates and old red handled silverware. What a score! They just don’t make stuff like this anymore.

picnic-table-for-2

We just packed up a simple dinner of  pan fried chicken (which tastes good at room temperature), a nice mixed salad with olives, sweet peppers, avocado, carrots, celery, baby heirloom lettuces, and onion, and a side of marinated mini mozzarella balls with roasted tomatoes.

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Have a picnic. Enjoy the sunshine and spring air.

Pack up your basket, your bag, whatever…just take it outside!