At Last.....

After weeks of boxes stacked in every corner of the kitchen, we've actually made some headway and have gotten back to cooking.  I'm trying to embrace our kitchen here, but it continues to provide numerous challenges....everything from a lack of storage to a workspace that is reversed from every kitchen I've ever had.  By this time you're probably well acquainted with the fact I have a few "issues", but I had no idea that not having any counter space to the left of the sink would throw my routine of prepping and washing dishes into a tailspin.  Metro shelves have solved the storage problem, colorful French posters went up on the walls, the pot rack Dan made me once again resides over the stove, and my go-to cookbooks are back on the counter.

Recently, we were invited for dinner at the home of some new friends.  The evening was an absolutely lovely gathering of seven....three of whom were artists.  We were treated to a tour of our host's stunning vegetable garden, lively conversation on everything from books to beehives, and an exquisite dinner of local fare and freshly grown veggies.  To say I am totally intimidated by the exceptional cooking we have experienced here is an understatement of Julia Child proportion. 

Still working out of boxes, I managed a Cilantro- Lime Shrimp appetizer that was easy and a nice option for a summer evening.  This is one of those dishes I love as it can be made early in the day...or even the day before if need be.  The one thing I would suggest is to buy jumbo shrimp as they do have a tendency to shrink in size.

Cilantro-Lime Shrimp

1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup orange marmalade
3 large garlic cloves, finely minced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves (stems removed),
     chopped
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pound jumbo shrimp, shelled, deveined, with tail intact

In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, marmalade, garlic, cilantro, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.  Reserve 1/3 cup of the mixture for dipping.  Combine the shrimp and remaining mixture in a large zip-lock plastic bag and marinate, turning occasionally to coat the shrimp, for 45 minutes in the refrigerator.  Drain the shrimp and lightly pat dry between paper towels.   In a large non-stick skillet, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat until hot.  Saute half of the shrimp until golden brown and cooked through, about 1 1/2 minutes on each side.  Repeat the cooking process with the remaining olive oil and shrimp.  Plate and serve hot or at room temp- erature with the reserved dipping sauce.

Ode to the Olden Days

I don't know many people who don't have fond memories of or love the smell of freshly cut grass....well, anyone other than an allergy sufferer.  It always takes me back to the long summer days of my childhood.  As I was sitting at the front counter of Lucky Hill this morning, I found myself smiling as the aroma of freshly cut grass drifted in the window.  The nostalgic scent was accompanied by a sound I couldn't quite place which seemed to get closer and closer to the open front door.  And then I saw it.  The old push mower that had been tucked into a corner of the garage.....being pushed by Dan!

After I came back into the shop, I heard a group of women call out to my husband that it was so wonderful to see someone using the old-fashioned mower.  It was charming and most perfectly suited to Castine.  The rhythmic schwump schwump of the rotating blades was so much sweeter than the loud roar of a gasoline powered lawnmower.  While being green might require a little more elbow grease and time, it's more than worth it on so many levels....although I wasn't the one pushing the mower!  Dan, on the other hand, might still believe it's not easy being green.  Then again, maybe not.

Wyebrook Farm

One of the beautiful buildings at Wyebrook Farm

In light of the fact my kitchen is still a total mess of boxes making a recipe/food post virtually impossible, I thought it might be a good time to introduce everyone to one of my favorite finds of the summer.  While Dan and I were in Chester County, Pennsylvania in May, we paid a visit to Wyebrook Farm.  For anyone who believes in and supports sustainable agricultural practices and happens to be in the greater Philadelphia area, this is an absolute must see.

Dean Carlson tending the lamb

Dean Carlson is the force behind Wyebrook having arrived at sustainable farming after a fifteen year career on Wall Street.  Wall Street's loss is the world of healthy eating's gain.  On a personal level, I was thrilled to meet Dean and visit the farm after my three year journey of healthy eating which began after reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.  While visiting the farm, Dean was tending a leg of lamb over a open fire, and we got to chatting about the books and activists who inspired us....Michael Pollan, Nina Planck, and Eliot Coleman to name a few.   He mentioned that he created Wyebrook as not only a working farm, but a learning opportunity for children and adults alike.

In addition to the farm, there is a market located in the upper portion of the beautifully restored barn and a cafe' on the lower level.  The market is open Friday through Sunday and offers a selection of the farm's meat, cheese, eggs, produce, and plants.  When we were there, we purchased some of their hamburger and a carton of eggs.  I had frequently read about being able to judge the freshness of eggs based on how high the yolk sat.  When I cracked these eggs in the pan, not only did the yolk sit high, but the white did as well.

Finished on grass

As a lacto ovo pescatarian, I didn't try the hamburger, but both Dan and my Mom said the flavor was exceptional.  The two things I did notice when I was cooking the burgers was that there was virtually no grease that cooked out of the meat and the burgers did not shrink at all.  Frequently, we non-meat eaters get a bad rap as people who don't think anyone should eat meat.  The bottom line is I don't mind if my husband eats meat.  He can eat all the meat he wants.  My one stipulation is that it must be humanely raised, finished on grass, and void of hormones and antibiotics. 

When we visited, the farm had just posted their summer concert series.  Wyebrook can also provide a magical backdrop for your private party or wedding complete with ingredients fresh from the farm.  Also in the works is a series of chefs dinners hosted in the renovated barn.

The market in the renovated barn

 But rather than waiting for a special occasion, give yourself the gift of visiting a farm that stands firm on the philosophy that our food should be safe and healthy.  Sadly, many people have no idea that a great deal of their food supply is from CAFOs or farms that choose grossly unhealthy practices for the animals, workers, and consumer.  Go see how it should be done.  Take your children for a fun day on the farm and celebrate and support Dean and his staff at Wyebrook Farm. 

Let me leave you with a quote from Wendell Berry's What Are People For? that is posted on the farm's website, "I dislike the thought that some animal has been made miserable to feed me.  If I am going to eat meat, I want it to be from an animal that has lived a pleasant, uncrowded life outdoors, on bountiful pasture, with good water nearby and trees for shade."

Wyebrook Farm: 150 Wyebrook Road, Honey Brook, PA  19344  (610) 942-7481.  wyebrookfarm.com

 

Norman Rockwell's America at Its Best

Dan and I have been looking forward to our first July 4th celebration in our new hometown of Castine, Maine and it most certainly didn't disappoint.  Whenever people spoke of the impending festivities, the name Normal Rockwell always seemed to pop up.  After experiencing the day's events, all I can say is Mr. Rockwell would have been proud and had a plethora of subject matter to paint.

The last time I saw an old-fashioned July 4th parade with decorated bikes and wagons was as a child while visiting my grandparents at the Jersey shore.  From the minute Dan and I approached the town common, I frequently found myself overcome with emotion and welling up with tears of happiness.  I hope and pray these celebrations and traditions will never be lost.

I'm going to let the photos speak for the day, but will say the highlights were the little piglet named Jimmy Dean in the parade and the pie eating contest.  Sadly, the weather was not terribly cooperative with morning rain during the Otter House 5K race and evening fog causing the fireworks to be postponed.

I hope your Fourth of July was as memorable as ours.  Enjoy Castine's Fourth in the photos below!

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Dark Clouds, Silver Linings, and Lemonade

When we last saw our possessions......

I've always said when life gave me lemons I not only made lemonade, I made nicely packaged, well- branded lemonade.  As I sit here typing, the lemons have, quite simply, been run over by Bekins Moving Solutions.  The last update we received on all of our worldly possessions placed them somewhere in Arizona.  They will be, at best, one week late and at worst....well, we're not going there right now.

So....where does that leave us, Lucky Hill, and Dan's gallery?  Lucky Hill is not looking so lucky and Dan's gallery will be a little lacking in the number of paintings hanging.  The plan as of 9:00 p.m. last night is to open for the July 4th holiday with the ten paintings we have, smile a lot, and tell everyone never to use Bekins for their moving needs.  We're off tomorrow to Bangor to get a temporary sign, copies of Dan's CV and recent write-up in Southwest Art Magazine, and an exterior gallery announcement.  All of which were already printed in L.A. and are happily nestled in protected boxes on the Bekins truck.

Anchored Off the Coast is anchored in the truck

While dark clouds have hovered over us....literally and figuratively....here in Castine for the last few days, there are silver linings.  New friends and neighbors have offered assistance left and right.  Gordon and Lynda delivered folding chairs (padded!) and two folding tables a couple days ago and trumped that with a loveseat yesterday.  Constance, our landlady, e-mailed asking if she could bring any kitchen or household necessities we might need when she arrives in town this weekend.  Sara, Brenda, and Lyn offered to help set up the gallery/shop if there was any hope of a moving van arriving prior to July 4th.  I know I'm forgetting many, many people who have jumped at the opportunity to help us and it is only because the offers have been so numerous and generous.  Dan and I thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts.

I try to be mature and look at the big picture by saying Dan and I arrived safely and are healthy....the truck will get here when it gets here....and life will go on, but it's still frustrating.  As our dear friend, Jim, said in his e-mail, this is only a bump and not an over-the-cliff moment.  It's nice to have friends and family who can keep us centered and grounded during trying times.  We are very lucky.....truck or no truck.

Early Morning Storefront....ready to hang tomorrow

Father's Day at an L.A. Landmark

While things are beyond crazy right now with the move, we were fortunate to be able to celebrate Father's Day here in L.A. with Dan's daughters, Kammy and Nicole, Kammy's husband, Jon, and their baby, Samantha....the first grandchild in the family.  We felt the perfect way to end our time in L.A. was to finally introduce the kids to an L.A. institution....Canter's Deli.  Dan and I had made Canter's something of a tradition in our two years in L.A.  Whenever Dan sold a painting or won a painting competition, we went to Canter's to celebrate.  At some point, we realized he was selling too many paintings and our waistlines couldn't handle the fare on a regular basis and it was relegated to only the most special of occasions.

The pickle plate

For Dan, Canter's represents one thing....meat.
Pastrami to be exact.... and pile it high and deep, please (to coin a phrase from the classic movie, What About Bob).  Being married to a vegetarian has made Dan partake in the beast whenever an opportunity arises.  His children must take after their father as it was brisket, roast beef and another pastrami around the table.  Me?  I ate my avocado melt with a clear conscience.  Nothing compares to the plate of pickles that miraculously appears on the table.  Crisp, crunchy, and spicy.  Sheer deli perfection.

But the thing that always turns head and leaves mouths hanging open is the pastry and dessert case as you enter.  It is an absolute wall of decadence.  Rugelach, cheesecake, and cookies....oh my!  Wayne Thiebaud would have been in his glory and had all the subject matter he needed to carry him through canvas after canvas.  Jon was taken with a black and white cookie, Kammy the carrot cake, and Nicole and I just about everything that didn't move.  It really is a dessert extravaganza and the guys behind the counter only make the whole experience that much more memorable.

Total and complete bliss

Sami has been teething for quite awhile and I was really hoping she would cut her first tooth at Canter's.  I think it would have been a sign she was a certifiable L.A. baby.  Alas, there was no tooth that happened to appear in the booth at Canter's beneath the poster of Guns n' Roses, so it's pretty safe to say the first tooth will ultimately emerge behind the Orange Curtain.  You know where we stand on L.A versus the Orange Curtain line, but no matter....she's still the cutest baby around and I think she could have a future in pictures.   Mr. DeMille, she's ready for her close-up.

It was a wonderful....albeit tearful....Father's Day and we're so happy the load-in for the move was slotted for the 18th and 19th so as to afford us this great memory at a memorable L.A. institution.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day and for those whose Dad is no longer with them, a day of loving memories.

Pile it high and deep, please