Merry Christmas

I keep thinking it would be nice to celebrate the solstice. I, like most people, do feel the need for some sort of celebration. But not being religious or coming from a religious family Christmas Hannukah et al seem, well, silly. Don't misunderstand, I love latkes ( I made some lovely ones with sour cream salmon and fennel pollen to take over for Christmas dinner some friends invited us to. It should work perfectly since 1. fired potato is always yummy and smoked salmon is delicious. and 2. we were invited over for Christmas dinner by some Indians, who I am fairly certain are not Christian or committed to a traditional dinner. ) I love Christmas trees, I love eggnog and its Colombian cousin Sabajon, and who doesn't like Christmas gift grab? Only the person who doesn't score the Star Wars lunchbox-that's who.

But I find myself wanting to celebrate something that has somekind of meaning. This is difficult since I am an atheist. So how about Solstice; this is something concrete; it actually happens and we can all be relieved that the days are going to get longer. The thing is its just so sappy most of the time. I can't deal with spirits of the east etc.... I don't know if I condone that kind of descent into hippydome Nonetheless I am thinking about it so if you're in NY don't be surprised if I invite you over for a Spring Equinox party....

The further adventures of Bento

Still enjoying making Bentos. I am having fun making little quiches or mini meantloafs or edamame balls. Wish there was some way to parlay this into a way to make money but have yet to figure it out. A friend says its entirely possible; but I can't make the math work because of course I only like to cook with organic ingredients. So far bentos are made mostly of what I find at the farmer's market with a few extras thrown in; but winter is almost here and everyday there is less and less at the market.

To the right we have rice with red pepper and cherry tomato "sun", lettuce from my garden, open faced mini chicken pot pie, olives, cabbage with caraway seed, spicy carrots from my garden, edamame ball rolled in poppy seeds, pear triangles, kale, and kabocha.

Long Puffy Coat I love you


It's been so cold. I really hate cold weather. I didn't know why? Was it that I was conceived in Panama and spent the first 12 years of my life in places where there was no snow? Was it genetic?

No. Lat year I figured it out. I was wearing the wrong clothes. Last year I bought my first puffy coat. Yes its ugly--but I didn't know that you could be warm in the winter. I didn't understand the difference that long silk underwear knee length leather boots lined with thinsulate and a puffy coat could make.
Do I love winter? Well no. Not yet.
But it is a yet.
Now that I'm warm I find the brownish grey of the tree trunks agianst the pale grey blue of the sky beautiful. I appreciate November light. And snow? Well, does anyone like snow in NYC? I doubt it; before we cn get used to it turns into a gray ice or slush. But I am trying to like it.

Goodbye Fall

This is the last Golden Carrot from my garden. It was a mixed year some things did really well others that i was so successful with last year were no good at all. Great year for peas, cucumbers, carrots, herbs, tomatoes and hot peppers. No luck at all with mild peppers, mustard greens, zucchini and Brussel Sprouts. I got one melon which was small but delicious.
I think all of this isn't to bad for two 6" deep four by four plots on my roof.