I drive past the tall, toast-colored grasses of the marsh on my way to the grocery store, and I remember the feeling of the volcanic rock path on Mount Fuji. To me, they are the same gift.
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| July light on the shallows of Lake Michigan |
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
My Daily Gift
Nature doesn't ask anything. When I go, it is there. When I stay, it is there. The mist at the bottom of Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park or the scent of the mock orange blossoms in my neighbor's yard is equal pleasure.
I drive past the tall, toast-colored grasses of the marsh on my way to the grocery store, and I remember the feeling of the volcanic rock path on Mount Fuji. To me, they are the same gift.
I drive past the tall, toast-colored grasses of the marsh on my way to the grocery store, and I remember the feeling of the volcanic rock path on Mount Fuji. To me, they are the same gift.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Macintosh Monday dinner
Tomorrow morning there is going to be a lot of writing, or at least, the thoughts of a lot of writing, about The Macintosh, a new restaurant by The Indigo Group down on Upper King Street, Charleston. There was a lot of media types eating and enjoying tonight, and you know how media (esp. in Charleston) like to talk about what they're eating ...
First, I should say, Jeff Allen of The City Paper wrote a perfect piece about the place and its amazing chef -- and he wrote that more than a month ago.
However, this restaurant is the "feel like it's been there forever" type of place that still has you excited about the food (despite the fact it smells like new wood). Namely, the appetizer of rabbit, unctuous and beautiful and punctuated by little cherry tomatoes that burst in your mouth. Now if the thought of rabbit wrinkles your nose in the way that people wrinkle their noses when they are scared of food, then, well, The Macintosh is not for you.
But The Macintosh is for me. Yeah, it sounds pretentious, and you're right, I am when it comes to having an open palate. But visit O-Ku or The Cocktail Club or The Macintosh and find yourself there. I do, and it is the best version of myself. Not the "hey, I just ate a funnel cake" self but the self that cares about the balance of flavors in the midst of a balanced decor.
I would've taken a picture, but I was enjoying myself too much ... go and see and enjoy too.
First, I should say, Jeff Allen of The City Paper wrote a perfect piece about the place and its amazing chef -- and he wrote that more than a month ago.
However, this restaurant is the "feel like it's been there forever" type of place that still has you excited about the food (despite the fact it smells like new wood). Namely, the appetizer of rabbit, unctuous and beautiful and punctuated by little cherry tomatoes that burst in your mouth. Now if the thought of rabbit wrinkles your nose in the way that people wrinkle their noses when they are scared of food, then, well, The Macintosh is not for you.
But The Macintosh is for me. Yeah, it sounds pretentious, and you're right, I am when it comes to having an open palate. But visit O-Ku or The Cocktail Club or The Macintosh and find yourself there. I do, and it is the best version of myself. Not the "hey, I just ate a funnel cake" self but the self that cares about the balance of flavors in the midst of a balanced decor.
I would've taken a picture, but I was enjoying myself too much ... go and see and enjoy too.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Post-Halloween ghosts
Yes, Halloween is the coming out party for many a ghost story, but the people who like to research ghost stories like to do so all year. Like, for instance, Michael Renegar and Amy Spease, authors of Ghost Stories of the Triad.
It might be a sunny Saturday, their only day off, but they're tucked up in a dusty corner of a library floor, researching the death toll of a long-forgotten structure fire. Or it might be a cool evening, better suited to homemade chili and a Monday night football game on TV, and instead, they're beaming flashlights onto uneven graveyard turf.
So just because Halloween is past, don't forget the hardworking ghost hunters who work all year to make your Halloween extra special ... and bring you special ghost stories about places you know, stories that are special any time of year.
It might be a sunny Saturday, their only day off, but they're tucked up in a dusty corner of a library floor, researching the death toll of a long-forgotten structure fire. Or it might be a cool evening, better suited to homemade chili and a Monday night football game on TV, and instead, they're beaming flashlights onto uneven graveyard turf.
So just because Halloween is past, don't forget the hardworking ghost hunters who work all year to make your Halloween extra special ... and bring you special ghost stories about places you know, stories that are special any time of year.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tart-tober
The last month, I have been in tart heaven. Talking about tarts, reading about tarts, writing about tarts and even sampling a few tarts.
This tart-topia actually started a few months ago, when author Holly Herrick asked The Beehive to help promote her new book, Tart Love: Sassy, Savory and Sweet.
As a well-established author with two books and countless articles and reviews under her belt, I was honored.
Since then, we've had a bubbles n' biscuits book release party (I love alliteration!), heard every joke about "tarts," been on the "Tart Train" to Charlotte to promote the book, crowned Holly the "Queen of Tarts" for Charleston Magazine, and this morning, enjoyed a tart discussion on the front of the Food Section of The Post and Courier.
It's been tart-terrific, and I've had the wonderful opportunity to spend work time reading and drooling over food, including from blogs such as Pioneer Woman and (for my vote) the best one of them all, Helene Dujardin's Tartelette. And I've had the chance to get to know Holly, who is not only a professional, but a friend.
My time in the kitchen has become more joyous, and I'm cooking more, from my first attempt at chicken and wild rice soup (made with my homemade stock from a bird I roasted) to a well-worn bean salad recipe interpreted in a new way with edamame and pork belly. It sounds fancy, but it's not -- it's just using good food, which is one of the lessons Holly has taught me.
The Tart Train rolls on to NYC in December, and then the events start afresh for Holly's next book, Food Lovers Guide to Charleston and Savannah.
Speaking of which, I better go lace my running shoes. Looks like I'm going to need them.
This tart-topia actually started a few months ago, when author Holly Herrick asked The Beehive to help promote her new book, Tart Love: Sassy, Savory and Sweet.
As a well-established author with two books and countless articles and reviews under her belt, I was honored.
Since then, we've had a bubbles n' biscuits book release party (I love alliteration!), heard every joke about "tarts," been on the "Tart Train" to Charlotte to promote the book, crowned Holly the "Queen of Tarts" for Charleston Magazine, and this morning, enjoyed a tart discussion on the front of the Food Section of The Post and Courier.
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| Photo by Grace Beahm/ The Post and Courier |
It's been tart-terrific, and I've had the wonderful opportunity to spend work time reading and drooling over food, including from blogs such as Pioneer Woman and (for my vote) the best one of them all, Helene Dujardin's Tartelette. And I've had the chance to get to know Holly, who is not only a professional, but a friend.
My time in the kitchen has become more joyous, and I'm cooking more, from my first attempt at chicken and wild rice soup (made with my homemade stock from a bird I roasted) to a well-worn bean salad recipe interpreted in a new way with edamame and pork belly. It sounds fancy, but it's not -- it's just using good food, which is one of the lessons Holly has taught me.
The Tart Train rolls on to NYC in December, and then the events start afresh for Holly's next book, Food Lovers Guide to Charleston and Savannah.
Speaking of which, I better go lace my running shoes. Looks like I'm going to need them.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Freaky doll follow-up
After my post "Lifelike" about my aversion to dolls, it seems they've wandered out of the back closets and attics to come and find me. I have received multiple streams of correspondence about them, from a text about Grampals to a tweet reminding me of the spider doll in Toy Story, so I decided to take it further.
With help from Holly Thorpe, we have created a Creepy Dolls Halloween tribute board on Pinterest. Since I am posting this early in the morning, I don't think you will lose your lunch if you stop on by and read the thoughts of the dolls included on the board:
http://pinterest.com/beehivesteph/creepy-dolls-a-halloween-tribute/
With help from Holly Thorpe, we have created a Creepy Dolls Halloween tribute board on Pinterest. Since I am posting this early in the morning, I don't think you will lose your lunch if you stop on by and read the thoughts of the dolls included on the board:
http://pinterest.com/beehivesteph/creepy-dolls-a-halloween-tribute/
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| We'll be waiting ... ... ... |
Sunday, October 16, 2011
A perfect Steve Jobs quote, found on Leaning Towards Love. Deserves reposting, rereading and realizing!
"Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
Steve Jobs, 1955-2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A New Meaning for Eye Candy
At Lambert Gray Gallery's Grand Opening this past Friday, Holly Herrick signed her new cookbook, we poured lots of wine, ate leaf-shaped sugar cookies and coveted some amazing art. The place was packed most of the evening, Kristen of Blue Bicycle Books was selling books, and "sold" red dots were popping up everywhere.
Co-owners and artists Hilarie Lambert and Michael Gray curated an amazing food-themed show, and Lambert got into the spirit herself with great kitchen scenes inspired by her time in France.
What was so fun about this show is how the artists brought their own sensibilities and ideas to the table. Lambert's only parameter was "food-related," and here are some great examples of what the artists delivered:
Co-owners and artists Hilarie Lambert and Michael Gray curated an amazing food-themed show, and Lambert got into the spirit herself with great kitchen scenes inspired by her time in France.
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| When the Dishes Are Done, Hilarie Lambert. SOLD |
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| Watermelon. Mark Horton |
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| Chips & Beer Dear. Sheryl Stalnaker |
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| Catch of the Day. Elizabeth Middour |
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| Recipe for Disaster. Shannon Runquist |
There's more art just waiting to be "sampled," such as Tate Nation's special take on take-out and Robert Lange's "Banana Seat", and now that the excitement of Artwalk is past us, the gallery is quietly filled with light in its second story Broad Street locale. It's the perfect time for an appetizer of art, so stop in sometime soon before that downtown lunch and get inspired by the plate.
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