For you, Annie!

A little-big addition to Annie's collection of freakishly large flowers and vegetables, this ginormous yam was found at Iovine Brothers Produce located within Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia recently. Perhaps not obvious from the pic, this yam was about the height of the average persons head. Yikes! Reading makes one of my all-time favorite markets, DC's Eastern Market, seem down-right minuscule... so I guess this post is about two big things. All righty then... ;)

Reading Terminal Market recommendations:

• Flying Monkey Patisserie (lavender, espresso, pistachio -- best cupcakes ever!)
• Tea Leaf
• Kamal's Middle Eastern Specialties
• Famous 4th Street Cookie Co.
• Chocolate by Mueller (solid chocolate noses, ears, and lungs -- just in case)

I notice a sweet theme here.

What I'm Watching

Image via www.helveticafilm.com

It seems out here on the blogosphere, there's a lot of "What I'm Reading" posts. While I love to read, there seems to be little time to devote to completing my books with any regularity (I have several started with no end in sight).

I was inspired by a recent NPR segment about the current state of television with the prevelance of online streaming via websites such as Hulu and the network websites. While I have little faith in television, I've had better luck finding quality movies. That, and I have more availability for a movie here and there (especially with the assistance of instant watch via Netflix) than I do for regular TV watching. Therefore, this is my "What I'm Watching" post. :) We'll see if I come accross more blog-worthy films...

I will start with the documentary Helvetica, a well researched and executed film that discusses the advent of the popular Swiss font and follows it through the backlash that followed including detailed design studies and some great interviews with the key players of the time. Regardless of your personal feelings about this staple typeface that permeates all facets of popular culture, those with an appreciation for typography, graphic design, or design in general, will appreciate the documentary, Helvetica. Highly recommended! Available via Netflix instant watch!

Note: I wanted to post this entry using Helvetica, but blogger doesn't provide it as an option. Bloggggger?!

6:45 a.m. in Pennsylvania

The above was the scene this morning at the poll lines outside our township building (bottom: before polling began). I was so struck by the turnout I'm making this is is my obligatory election-related post. I hadn't intended to post anything, but I'm feeling especially eager to start moving forward with... the change we need. Regardless of views, the theme of the day seems to be hope as people eagerly stand in line for hours to cast their ballots. All there is to do now is wait. Nevertheless, I will be attached to some form of the news until the last vote is counted. Wow, what a truly remarkable day in history.

I've Been Schmapped!!

Washington Park, Denver, CO

If you happen to find yourself browsing the Denver, CO section of Schmap!!, you may come across the above picture listed in Denver's Neighborhood Guide under Washington Park (picture #6). The good people at Schmap!! found the obscure photo taken in August 2007 on my flickr site. Thanks Schmap!! I'm honored to be invited to participate.

Back to basics... from the inside out

One egg fried with fresh heirloom green and yellow tomato, fresh shelled baby limas, rolled oats with butter, salt, pepper, milk, and walnuts

Mostly antique cobalt bottles with morning glories

Getting chilly

Light casting through knots in the fake/temporary door, reflecting an upside-down image of outside. Cool!

I realized I haven't "made" lunch in a couple of weeks. When I'm so busy I have to rely on things that aren't going to reward me with the stamina I need to keep going or the peace and creativity that comes along with putting together even the simplest ingredients, I'm not taking care good of myself. Then I took a look at the house, my life, my relationships. True, things from this point forward are going to be filled with that "one more thing," forever and always, but I'd rather enjoy life than be forever playing catch up. It may be time to inventory what's going on and perhaps what needs to be put on hold. This weekend I worked on some house projects, cleaned and organized, listened to some good music, called and emailed some friends and family, and made lunch. I also took some extra moments to take in my surroundings. I feel much better.

So Long Summertime... Welcome Fall!

So many things are going on around here. I'm currently walking the tight-rope of life... as so many of us are. What else is new? I had hoped to post so much more about the latest happenings, so perhaps I can attempt to sum it up in a couple of posts. Things around Red Barn Farm have been running their ever-inevitable course...

Apples are drop, drop, dropping and have started to release their sweet/sour aroma into the air. I revel in the sound of them hitting the ground and the scent really isn't bad; after all it's smorgasbord for the bugs.

Concord grapes are here and nearly gone. They are so sweet and yummy right now. The tomatoes and peppers are hanging on, as are the herbs, but the squash and zucchini have officially bit the dust!


We've thrown ourselves into the digital age! What they don't tell you is how complicated the antenna is... the best reception we've gotten with our digital converter box is with the indoor loop from an old black and white television hanging off the pyracantha bush outside the family room. Apparently it's a known problem that they don't work as well with roof antennas. Go figure. The outcome: FOX still has the best reception (I could do without), we gained a couple of networks and the weather channel, but lost PBS. Overall, a turn for the worse. Good thing there's no time for watching TV.

Post-worthy on its own, meet my new-sed Hoosier cabinet! I know, I know! Like I need another project. Well, this is from some wonderful friends/neighbors who decided they didn't have a use for it. It's got all the original details including the flour sifter, egg timer, and enamel counter top. The plan is to use it as an organizer for my art/craft supplies. There are so many great storage options for this guy! I can't wait to paint it!

Giant Puffballs!

As a response to Annie of Imogene's post (her photo above) about this little known autumnal mystery giganto-fungus, I report that I have limited "field" experience due to our giant puffballs (Calvatia gigantea) meeting their untimely demise in a freak lawnmower accident. I did come across another few on a camping trip with a bunch of seventh graders last week, and thought they would play an ideal role in a s'mores related prank, but sadly, I wimped out. Nevertheless, I will be plucking the next giant puffball I see (that has not gone to spore yet) for some serious research... dinner! Whether this year or next, I will report my findings.

Annie, it looks like someone's been nibbling your puffball!

In Love

So it seems I'm a cat person after all. I am completely and utterly in love with Master P., our cat. I know it's not exactly fun hearing about other people's pets (like watching someone else's family vacation slide show or hearing about someones dreams; more about the telling than the hearing), but humor me for one sec while I break some blogging "rules"...

Master P. (a story for another time) responds mostly to the name "Peezer". If you have not already had the pleasure of meeting this cat, you absolutely must! He's a cat for the people. Really more of a dog than a feline, this little guy is all about whatever is going on at any given moment and placing himself in the middle in order to get some rubs.

He lives outside most the time, except to sneak in to curl up on a bed or my lap. He comes galloping (the greatest run) when I call him, follows us around the yard, greets me when I come home (and sends me off in the morning), lets Toonces (our other cat) steel his treats without an extra flick of his tail, and introduces himself to everyone, including the chimney sweep.

I'd like to think that he's got a special place in his heart for me (because I most certainly do for him), but I think he simply has no prejudices. He's one cool cat. So much so that I endure the pain of his nails when he tucks his little nose under my arm and kneads himself to slumber.

Despite Me...

The apples and pears in our orchard are thriving and I've discovered I've made no plans for them! We've got (I think): Golden Delicious (gone), Granny Smith (nearly gone), and Jonathan(?) apples, in addition to Bosc and Sickle pears in abundance. The Bosc pears are the best I've ever had and all are available to anyone willing to make the trip!

Also flourishing are the cherry hot peppers and various tomatoes in the garden: Brandywine Heirlooms, Orange Mr. Stripey Heirlooms, Yellow Cherries, and Pumpkin tomatoes. I haven't felt much like cooking them so I've been existing on a diet heavy in tomato sandwiches, tomato-cucumber salad, tomato-basil salad, sliced tomatoes with salt & pepper, and most importantly, tomatoes right off the vine and into my mouth! Oh yeah, and omelets with tomato, basil, and sheep Romano. Mmmm.

NEEDED: great tomato recipes! Anyone?

The Peacock Girl & All Her Plumage

I know, the male peacock's are the pretty one's, but lets just pretend...

I recently worked on a necklace for a very kind, thoughtful, talented, beautiful girl named Maria. As seen in the preceding pictures, Maria is also a belly dancer. Her guy did a very sweet thing and commissioned a jeweler to create a necklace for her birthday. I was very proud to be the selected jeweler and took the challenge on of designing and fabricating a piece of jewelry that would be well suited for Maria. The requirements were that it be India inspired, formal for use with costumes, easy to wear while dancing, have movement, a bold centerpiece, and some color. The following was my interpretation...

I hope to get a better photo soon, perhaps even one with Maria. It's always fun making something for someone I know. The process of designing and fabricating with a specific person in mind is a delight.