Monatsarchive: May 2013

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. That pretty much sums up the state of my brain when Friday came around. And fried. The word I’d use if asked how my head felt. The last few weeks have been pretty packed and at the same time completely fulfilling and inspiring. It’s always Christmas morning when I head over to the studio. Even when I start feeling the week weighing me down just a tad, I can’t but look at the beautiful shots produced with my team and feel elated and grateful.

This past week was especially packed and fast paced but knowing that we all worked hard and came together as creatives to produce quality original artwork makes me forget the rhythm I imposed on myself. At the end of the day, all you can do is give yourself 100% to what you want to accomplish and be proud of. 

And, let’s face it, at the end of the day, all I want is to come home to something easy to put together for dinner and a good glass of wine. When my food stylists don’t have a care package filled with leftovers ready for me to grab on my way out, I have but the distance of the ride home to make a plan.Yes, cooking for one after a full day behind the camera has yet to leave me completely inspired. On the other hand, I cook a bunch of more elaborate/creative/fun things during the weekend. Meals I know would not necessarily jive with the husband so until he moves here permanently in June, I still have full ownership of the kitchen!!

One staple of my week days has been seafood (cooks fast) and pasta (boils fast). Tossed together with plenty of herbs from the garden, lots of seasonal vegetables and dressed with just a drizzle of extra virgin oil, lots of garlic and I am in heaven. And my stomach stops growling. My two favorite seafood/pasta combinations so far have been with hot smoked salmon, caramelized leeks and fresh asparagus or with pan seared salmon, asparagus, cherry tomatoes from my garden, a good bit of lemon zest and lemon thyme. This one is definitely a winner right now. Just plain good and good for you. 

Even as a "temporary" single gal, I still take the time to set the table and eat in peace and quiet for a few minutes. One of my little quirks. Just like starting my mornings with a cup of coffee on the back deck. Curious though, what are yours some of your "feel good" routines? A good meal? A little time out? A good piece of chocolate? Please share!

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Picking back up where I left off… almost a month ago. I never intended to let that much time go by in between my posts but "busy" took a hold of me and would not let go. Most of my April was dedicated to workshop planning every day after work. Menus, photo assignments, logistics, etc… To make each workshop different and informative requires a good bit of planning and brainstorming. And a whole lot of organization back and forth with everyone. Don’t worry, I cooked a lot and photographed a bunch while away from the blog. Just did not have any energy left after a day on 2 sets and a load of emails and spreadsheets to edit and write.

Yes, I could have just come here with stuff but I want to be here because I have pushed myself a little harder. A new light, a new set up, a new way to look at my composition. Time to ponder and play. This is what this page is about to me. To write something that will resonate with me, because hopefully it will with you too. Not everyday is bliss, and not everyday is prose. Everyday though made me take a step away from this page and while I first I enjoyed taking some mandatory time off, the feeling of being away from my "fun" brain made me miss it even more so.

The soft and automatic music of my fingers on the keyboard. The click-clack of the camera. The clinging of bowls against surfaces. The swishing of fabrics against each other. There is something special about this space. My personal projects. This blog. It made me realize how much of a solitaire time I have lived these last eight months. I did not bother me to have the same meal days in a row. A big bowl of veggie soup, right now my favorite one on rotation is filled with sunchokes, ramps, turnips, parsnips. A drizzle of chili oil. A sprinkle of sumac. Variations upon variations of potatoes hash and an egg on top. Fried, poached, soft boil, etc…

I did enjoy some of this time apart. It was nice to reconnect with my old self, to find the new one and make plans for the self I enjoy being around more: the one who shares with Bill all the little and big things. All the silly moments and the most frightening ones. In about a month, he will be here for good. My small rental house will have to make do for a few months while we find the place better suited for us. I am unbelievably happy to be discovering some of the town with him, all the "firsts", places and events. All in due time. Soon.

I am ready to pick back up where we left off. I can’t wait to cook for the two of us again. Have people over this Summer for backyard gatherings. Where my new friends here can finally spend some time to get to know him. And us.

In the meantime, there will be a few more meal rotations in my future and I am fine with that.

 Especially when it involves Jerusalem Artichokes & Ramp Vegetable Soup and Poached Eggs on Potato Hash.

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