|
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
|
On a complete different, and very much lighter note, this article is a must-read for Dan (and maybe anyone else from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland or Virginia):
Foie gras, farewell. Bring on the pig!
Trust me. :-)
- Lizzardie, at 5:24 PM
|
|
AND.... now I feel like I've been riding a roller coaster for the last several days. Up and down, around a loop, upside down, stomach sinking... usually I love roller coasters, but definitely not this one.
Now I really feel like a vacation, and at this point I don't even know how much of one I'm going to get. :-/
- Lizzardie, at 5:15 PM
|
|
Lalala, I'm awake because I was asked to remain awake just a little while longer. In some ways, the last couple of days have been so.... familiar. It's amazing how, given the right circumstances, we all so very quickly revert back to our old roles. I can see how that might not be a good thing necessarily, but in this situation it is extraordinarily comforting. And at this moment I feel much better about the situation, compared to earlier today, and even yesterday or the day before.
And it looks like I'm going to Ithaca on Saturday! I guess it's good that I'll be less than 3 hours away, as opposed to the normal 6 hours away, despite the fact that it will be an interruption of my vacation. Now I just have to work out logistics (but not tonight, because ohh my it's almost 3am and I have to work in the morning).
- Lizzardie, at 2:40 AM
|
Monday, August 28, 2006
|
I'm having quite a bit of trouble biting my tongue right now. I know it's the best thing to do at this very minute, and I'll get to take action and say what is on my mind in the coming days, but wow, is my blood boiling. I wish I did not have to work for the next three hours and could go home and knit, because I could really use the repetitions right about now....
- Lizzardie, at 3:11 PM
|
Sunday, August 27, 2006
|
Until last night, I do not think that I had ever literally cried (heaving sobbing crying) myself to sleep.
- Lizzardie, at 11:03 PM
|
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
|
All right, LAST post about Restaurant Week. Last night I went to Great Bay with Jeff, Kristen, Susan and Cheryl. The restaurant was quite elegant, with comfy seats and delicious bread (since it's the first thing you taste at a restaurant, I always think it's important). The wine we (I) chose was another Sauvignon Blanc, 2005 vintage from New Zealand, but I don't remember the producer (and it's not on their online wine list). Everyone seemed to like this one, as well, and Sauvignon Blanc is fast becoming a favorite white wine for me. I chose to eat the Gazpacho with Crab, Avocado and Cilantro (couldn't really taste any of those things), Potato-crusted Halibut with Hand Cut "Chips" and Great Bay Tarter Sauce (yes, fish and chips, basically, although way less frying and the chips were sweet potato chips), and the Butterscotch Pudding with candied pecans. I also had half of Cheryl's Crisp Calamari, which was decent, but not great, and most of Kristen's butterscotch pudding, which was fantastic. Kristen let us all try her Braised boneless beef short ribs with polenta, and I must say that was outstanding and I feel like I made the wrong entree choice (but what are you going to do - it was a seafood restaurant and we were drinking white wine). Susan ordered striped bass off of the regular menu, and that looked incredible (and Susan said it was incredible) so it may be worth going back there to try some of their other entrees.
- Lizzardie, at 10:42 AM
|
Monday, August 21, 2006
|
This weekend I: - Went out for dinner once;
- Went grocery shopping, which including purchasing lots of pantry items;
- Cooked a nice meal, complete with dessert;
- Cooked lots of marinara sauce to freeze;
- Made and wrote out thank you cards from my birthday;
- Created a dozen playlists for a friend;
- Did laundry;
- Cleaned out my pantry;
- Did a ridiculous amount of dishes;
- Drank a great deal of wine, none of red (*gasp*);
- Bought a new bag (red, courdouroy, will make a great knitting bag);
- Still managed to get some knitting and lots of TV in;
- Caught up at least somewhat on sleep.
All in all, I think it was a pretty accomplished weekend. There are some things I wanted to do but didn't get to, and I barely left the house, but I'm okay with that. There is only so much I can do in a weekend, and I still got to relax, so I'm happy.
As for dinner... since I'm recounting every restaurant week meal, here's what I had on Friday at Upstairs on the Square: Chilled Andalusian Gazpacho, Grilled Halibut with Cool Summer Succotash, Avocado & Provencal Vinaigrette, and Chocolate Panna Cotta with Vanilla Sable and Port-Berry Sauce. I think the Gazpacho was the best part of the meal - I'm not sure that I've ever had Gazpacho before, but this made me want to eat it all the time - maybe even make it (which is pretty easy -purchase vegetables, throw into blender, let sit overnight to allow flavors to blend, eat chilled)! It's such a nice, refreshing dish, particularly since we were sitting outside (on a perfectly lovely summer evening in Cambridge). We also had a 2004 (I think) Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (Malborough, New Zealand), which was nice and refreshing, and went well with the chilled soup, grilled fish (I'm guessing also with Corinne's pork) and summer evening. Tonight is Great Bay with Jeff, Kristen, Susan and Cheryl, and it is my LAST Restaurant Week dinner (at least until Restaurant Week comes again).
Making thank you cards was so much fun! It's a little time consuming, and I don't think I'd make cards for anything but thank you notes, but I really enjoyed the different cards I made. I think the next time I do it, instead of buying a kit, I will just purchase the supplies and make cards that are a little more similar than the really varied ones I made this time - I have an idea of what I'm doing now, and I'm hoping the supply purchasing route will be more cost effective. I thought about taking pictures of the ones I made, but I decided against it - they are (for the most part) en route to their recipients, and maybe it's better if they are the only ones to enjoy them. :-)
My only regret is that I forgot it was Employee Appreciation Week at work, and therefore we're having lunch in the office today (and a BBQ tomorrow), so I'm hoping my nicely prepared food doesn't go to the waste before I have a chance to eat it!
- Lizzardie, at 10:28 AM
|
Friday, August 18, 2006
|
Tuesday seems so far away, but I'll try and recall what I had for dinner for Restaurant Week meal #2. I started with a Caprese salad, which was pretty good - it could have used balsamic vinegar, which is how I now prefer my Caprese, but that's okay - the base is still yummy. Instead of a dessert, Monica's had a second, pasta course - I had cappellini with prosciutto and peas (that's one of my favorite new combinations, by the way - I got prosciutto and pea ravioli from Dave's Fresh Pasta just yesterday). My main course was grilled salmon with wild rice, which was also decent. I also picked a nice Barbara (which might be the 2001 Contratto "Panta Rei" Barbara d'Asti - the online wine list has only one that it could possibly be, but there were two similar ones on the actual list - apparently I didn't grab the cork like I thought I did), which Corinne, Ron and Gene all seemed to enjoy. Not the best meal I've ever had in the North End (Mamma Maria remains my favorite restaurant in Boston, followed by Icarus now), but it was still tasty. After dinner, we went to Mike's Pastries to get dessert, and I picked up a pound of rugalach (none of my coworkers knew what this was when I brought it in, which surprised me).
I have a confession to make. While it may surprise all of you, I do not feel I know a ton about picking a good wine. Sure, I know the varietals, and the characteristics of the grapes (the most important part of a wine's taste, as many of you know). I also know which wines are good from which regions (second most important thing) - except for France (French wines confuse me, and to be honest, I don't like them very much). I of course know more about red wines/varieties than white, but I could hold my own a pick a white wine. But past that? I only know producers/vineyards for some of my favorite wines. When I'm at a restaurant with people and I'm picking the wine, I gather opinions on what my friends are looking for in a wine (red, white, "summery", tannic, etc...), decide on a varietal or two, based on what's available on the wine list, and then pick one in the appropriate price range (typically the least expensive one on the menu). My feeling is that chances are, the people who run the restaurant, whether it's the owner or the executive chef or the sommelier, have picked the wines they carry based on tastings and experience. So, using that sort of information, I trust what's on the wine list. Because of all of this, I was somewhat surprised when I was complemented on my selection, because I didn't feel like I'd done all that much in my determination. I guess I should just take the compliment in stride, though.
From the time I got home from dinner on Tuesday until yesterday evening, my life has been somewhat of a rollercoaster - some ups, some downs, but all with unknown consequences at this time. I feel like I could be at a really major fork in my life, but I don't know for sure and I don't know what I want. The next week could be interesting (for better or worse).
At least I won the poker tournament on Wednesday (second week in a row), despite being exhausted and not really wanting to be there. I also received a nice variety of new music, some of which I'm really enjoying right now.
Tonight is Restaurant Week dinner #3, at Upstairs on the Square. Unfortunately, the menu doesn't really appeal to me right now, and I'm so exhausted that I'd rather just go home tonight, but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. And thank goodness it's Friday - one of my coworkers said today that she kept thinking it was Thursday - I told her that it's a good thing it's Friday because if it was Thursday, I might kill myself (though not really). It's been that kind of week.
- Lizzardie, at 3:14 PM
|
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
|
First things first: new knitting pictures have been uploaded to Flickr, if you have any interest. There are some socks, Boris's cape, Corinne's birthday present and Kristen's shower present.
Now then. Thank goodness this week is Restaurant Week, because I think I might otherwise take someone's head off. Nothing really major going on, but my job is really frustrating me these days. I get small little glimpses that things could maybe possibly improve, but then there are much bigger setbacks that make me question what on earth I'm doing. I suppose it's just a part of life.
Restaurant Week at least gives me something to look forward to, though! Last night was my first reservation - Kathy and I went to Icarus. First I went to Paper Source to pick up thank you cards (it's going to be a lot of fun to make these - I just have to find the time!), and then I met up with Kathy. She gave me my birthday present (a trucker-style Cubs hat, purchased in Chicago - the style is strange, but at least to me it is unique and I would be hard-pressed to find it outside of Chicago, so mission accomplished - and Giada's Everyday Italian cookbook - I took a quick look through it this morning, and the recipes look easy and wonderful, and it has the pasta primavera recipe I love in it, so I'm excited - maybe it's just what I need to start cooking again!), and then we wandered around for awhile looking for the restaurant. Neither of us had bothered to figure out exactly where it was, so we had fun wandering around the Theatre District and the South End, holding a map and looking like tourists. :-)
Once we found the restaurant, we were a little early, so we sat at the bar, and drank a glass of wine - both of us had a glass of Reisling (2004 Hyatt, Washington State). The food was wonderful, and was made even more so by getting the full wine pairing to accompany it - a glass of wine with each course! We both had the chilled cucumber soup with salmon for the first course, which came with a glass of Gewurztraminer (2005 Montinore, Willamette Valley - I think). The soup was really yummy and the wine had great grapefruit flavors. Kathy and I both had the same main course as well - flank steak (served perfectly rare) with blue cheese, balsamic vinegar, potatoes and a red onion salad, which came with a glass of Shiraz (2004 Graham Beck "Railroad Red" Reserve, South Africa). The steak was incredible and the wine was nice and spicy. And for dessert, Kathy had chocolate cake and I had Profiteroles (puff pastry) with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge and almonds - both were served with Muscat (Bonny Doon Vin de Glaciere). It was all so yummy, and I at least was so nicely buzzed after 4 glasses of wine (in case any of you were wondering, I did not memorize the producers and vintages - I know which types of wine I had and am relying on the restaurant's website for the rest).
Tonight is Monica's, in the North End. I've never been there, and they do not have their prix fixe menu up, but apparently they're known for their homemade pasta and I'm also looking forward to some yummy red Italian wine. :-)
- Lizzardie, at 12:22 PM
|
Monday, August 14, 2006
|
Long Birthday Weekend Update
|
Here's a picture from my birthday - Susan, Jeff, Kristen, me, Herb, Patrick and Kim around one of the poker tables at Sally O'Brien's. There are a few more pictures on Flickr.
The night was truly wonderful. Despite the fact that all I did on Wednesday is what I do every Wednesday - go to work and then go play poker - I felt really special. :-) Kristen, her brother CJ, Susan, Kim, Patrick and later Jeff and Mario all came, which was fantastic. I didn't pay for drinks all night (I think next to Susan is Sapphire & Tonic #5, but I'm really not sure). The cards went my way almost all night, leading to my first win in 6 months, I think, which is almost unbelievable (at least I know that no one there would ever LET me win the tournament - I earned it, drunk as I was). Herb had a cake for me - I wish I had taken a picture of it, because it was a really nice cake - it was decorated with cards (made of icing, of course) and said "Happy Birthday Lizjones". Kim gave me a bottle of Rioja (and a funny card) and Herb gave me (what else) a bottle of Sapphire and a couple of bottles of tonic (and a funny card). It was really nice night. And since I was too drunk to drive myself home at the end of the night (Herb drove me home), Jen, the fabulous bartender, paid the meter for me in the morning until I was able to move my car.
Thursday I did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I wish I could stay home every Thursday. I also ordered my favorite hangover food - Chinese food. :-) On Friday, I headed to the beach with Susan and CJ, and then met up with Kim and Patrick at Woodman's in Essex for dinner. Woodman's claims to have invented the fried clam, which is why I went there, and I must say that their fried clams (and steamers and popcorn shrimp) were absolutely wonderful. We then headed over to Jeff's and made Bailey's ice cream (SO GOOD) and played cards. Later I met up with Herb at (where else) Sally's for twangy night - some friends from the bar were there, which made it even more fun (and the music was great).
Again, Saturday, I didn't do much of anything. I'd been considering going out to Sally's again for more local music, but wasn't really feeling up to drinking. Yesterday, I went into Boston for Shakespeare on the Common - it was the closing night performance of Taming of the Shrew. I stopped at Whole Foods to pick up some food and then headed to the Common, arriving 2 hours early for a good spot. Two hours of eating and knitting went by pretty quickly, as far as I was concern, and was well worth it for a fabulous performance. They set the show in 1950's North End (with Petruchio's country home set in Revere Beach) and they threw in some fun Boston references. The costumes were great, and the acting was amazing. The weather continued to be perfect all weekend.
The last highlight of the weekend was purchasing tickets to see Ani DiFranco at the Orpheum in November. Kathy and I are going to see her on two consecutive nights - first in Boston and then in Providence the next night - and we're both excited. Normally I think that sort of thing is silly, but the tickets weren't too expensive (about $35 apiece, before surcharges) and I haven't see Ani since November of 2002. I also have yet to see a show at the Orpheum, and I've heard great things about that place, so it's another reason to be excited.
AND! This week is Resaurant Week in Boston! So, dinner tonight at Icarus, tomorrow at Monica's and Friday at Upstairs on the Square. Can't wait. :-)
- Lizzardie, at 11:37 AM
|
Thursday, August 10, 2006
|
My birthday was fantastic. :-) I had an absolutely fabulous time last night, and everyone made me feel really special - which I loved and appreciated. It's incredible how my normal Wednesday night routine was turned into a celebration.
I have some pictures, and I look really drunk in all of them. I'll post them to Flickr on Monday, I suppose, since my camera cord is at work, and I don't feel like going in there just to get the cord (4-day weekend and all). I need to do a pretty big picture update, anyway, and want to actually PRINT some of them (shocking). One more thing added to the list of things to do that I never get around to.
Now back to nursing my hangover and relaxing. :-)
- Lizzardie, at 8:24 PM
|
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
|
25 today! (And clearly having trouble sleeping.)
- Lizzardie, at 4:26 AM
|
Thursday, August 03, 2006
|
I ordered the perfect dress for Jeff and Kristen's wedding! Now all I have to do is finish the shawl (err... there's a long way to go still) and find the perfect shoes.
As much as I don't enjoy weddings, I do enjoy buying new clothes.
- Lizzardie, at 11:47 PM
|
|
Drinking (alcohol, that is) and ridiculous heat do not mix. I know this, and yet I let myself forget it anyways. I'm feeling pretty sick today - more than just a hangover - so maybe now I'll learn my lesson. But probably not.
So, for those that live in or around Boston, or may be in the area next week, Wednesday is my birthday. I play poker on Wednesdays. Therefore, I am hoping my friends will come out and see me, whether they play poker or not. It's at a bar, and they have good food, so I think it will be a good time for all. I plan on sending out an email early next week, but if you want details before then, let me know! It will make me ridiculously happy if lots of my friends come and help make this a decent little party. :-)
I love my birthday. I love it even more that so many of my friends are older, and therefore have already turned 25, making it a much easier quarter century birthday than friends seem to have had. :-) I also love the fact that I can be the center of attention without feeling silly about it. I've had trouble getting excited about the birthday the past few years, but this one is looking very promising. Yay. :-)
- Lizzardie, at 10:49 AM
|
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
|
Things that shouldn't happen to you at 2:30am on the hottest day of the year: you lose power (and it's not like you have air conditioning, just some fans that keep air circulating and breathable) AND the landlord's alarm system has some sort of malfunction (which I suppose might have to do with the power being out) and starts beeping with ever-changing patterns for OVER AN HOUR. My roommate and I were both up.
At least the power came back on at 7:05 this morning (such joy in being woken up by the fan turning back on).
- Lizzardie, at 10:22 AM
|
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
|
I realized that I hadn't updated the archives table in quite some time, so that's done. I also needed an August entry, so the August archive link would be active, and that's what this is. :-)
Corinne got us tickets to see Santana in September for $10, which is exciting (though the Def Leppard ones sold out too quickly). I'm REALLY TEMPTED to buy the $10 Bela Fleck tickets for next Monday, but I honestly don't feel like finding someone to go with on such short notice, so unfortunately I think I'm going to have to pass it up. :-( Besides, I still ALSO have to buy the Phantom Gourmet Food Festival tickets and I really should stop spending money (did I mention that Corinne gave me my birthday present on Saturday, and one part of it was a signed copy of the Phantom Gourmet's book? It says I'm phan-tastic!).
Back to work....
- Lizzardie, at 2:49 PM
|
|
