tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43070767372918271782024-03-13T14:02:05.117-04:002 Stews2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-61433849285447631632012-06-21T09:04:00.002-04:002012-06-21T10:16:06.820-04:00A Rainy Sunday in Paris<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It was a chilly, rainy Sunday in Paris and life would be slow. The ride from Charles de Gaulle Airport though, was a quick 30 minutes <i>sans</i> rush hour traffic which can be upwards of 2 hours during the week. Upon arriving at the hotel, I was told they were <i>complet</i> and there would be a wait. Thirty minutes turned to 1 hour, which turned to 2. So much for getting to sleep early. I had plans to meet friends <a href="http://www.ricktulka.com/">Rick</a> and Brenda for coffee and after 4 hours sleep, I rallied. Friend and colleague, Bettyann, joined us while we sipped the strong coffee and exchanged recent stories. As a flight attendant I always have a story, and many times the adage, "You just can't make this stuff up", applies. All in a days work! After a few hours we kissed goodbye and Bettyann and I made our way to the metro toward Notre Dame (no, that is not me climbing the steps!)<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D6PnZee3dYE/T9sh4XYvrSI/AAAAAAAAHpE/yHpdAqfGIYk/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D6PnZee3dYE/T9sh4XYvrSI/AAAAAAAAHpE/yHpdAqfGIYk/s400/IMG_0240.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br />
At 6:30 there was an evening service we wanted to catch. It was an umbrella day and the dampness made it a little chillier. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VUokDrG5TqU/T9sh-Itt0zI/AAAAAAAAHpM/iSlum4-nRCU/s1600/IMG_0248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VUokDrG5TqU/T9sh-Itt0zI/AAAAAAAAHpM/iSlum4-nRCU/s640/IMG_0248.jpg" width="480" /></a>On CNN weather they said it is "Junuary" in France. The jet stream has consistently been lower and more similar to January instead of June. I believed them, but it was Paris where weather is secondary. There is always beauty and romance and being inside Notre Dame where the choir echoed from the ancient stone walls was inspiring. The cathedral was packed. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDyXW8sfoeY/T9siU18PqWI/AAAAAAAAHpw/-02IaAUwIkI/s1600/IMG_0270.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qDyXW8sfoeY/T9siU18PqWI/AAAAAAAAHpw/-02IaAUwIkI/s640/IMG_0270.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J3CCsOIDkn4/T9siQHPyV5I/AAAAAAAAHpo/o7G7zmCwh6o/s1600/IMG_0269.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J3CCsOIDkn4/T9siQHPyV5I/AAAAAAAAHpo/o7G7zmCwh6o/s640/IMG_0269.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
Outside the light rain didn't seem to alter too many plans.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p95hVz9BuSg/T9siDUrFNXI/AAAAAAAAHpY/RV6C3Lh0l20/s1600/IMG_0252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p95hVz9BuSg/T9siDUrFNXI/AAAAAAAAHpY/RV6C3Lh0l20/s400/IMG_0252.jpg" width="385" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPTEg7g1dWY/T9siJ8GivxI/AAAAAAAAHpg/XlcbBq-q-eA/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPTEg7g1dWY/T9siJ8GivxI/AAAAAAAAHpg/XlcbBq-q-eA/s400/IMG_0259.JPG" width="343" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AEQq3O90d48/T9slsDIzvBI/AAAAAAAAHsw/WKleV96A-5s/s1600/IMG_0331.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AEQq3O90d48/T9slsDIzvBI/AAAAAAAAHsw/WKleV96A-5s/s640/IMG_0331.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
Then it was dinner time and we walked toward <i>Ile St. Louis.</i><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_mY7TIEYpw/T9slcYhhfxI/AAAAAAAAHsc/UTX4K3D7azg/s1600/IMG_0316.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_mY7TIEYpw/T9slcYhhfxI/AAAAAAAAHsc/UTX4K3D7azg/s400/IMG_0316.jpg" width="313" /></a><br />
The colors of the flowers along the street seemed even more brilliant in the mist and added life to the streets with the outdoor cafes.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_mY7TIEYpw/T9slcYhhfxI/AAAAAAAAHsc/UTX4K3D7azg/s1600/IMG_0316.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yr1mr8a_ACo/T9si5J29JzI/AAAAAAAAHqo/R74KKE2ljLE/s1600/IMG_0280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yr1mr8a_ACo/T9si5J29JzI/AAAAAAAAHqo/R74KKE2ljLE/s640/IMG_0280.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3z7XjjWISPg/T-CDbqzSaoI/AAAAAAAAHvM/kI_CV7s2naI/s1600/IMG_0281.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3z7XjjWISPg/T-CDbqzSaoI/AAAAAAAAHvM/kI_CV7s2naI/s640/IMG_0281.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yr1mr8a_ACo/T9si5J29JzI/AAAAAAAAHqo/R74KKE2ljLE/s1600/IMG_0280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LevFSi64o8/T9siejLz0FI/AAAAAAAAHqE/43OtubypROM/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LevFSi64o8/T9siejLz0FI/AAAAAAAAHqE/43OtubypROM/s400/IMG_0277.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bu0L-s87598/T9siiYE8wQI/AAAAAAAAHqM/vAhbSgN-T9g/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bu0L-s87598/T9siiYE8wQI/AAAAAAAAHqM/vAhbSgN-T9g/s400/IMG_0278.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yhmaVKjGxH4/T9siuPcEfiI/AAAAAAAAHqY/aZy4PFxTXbE/s1600/IMG_0284.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yhmaVKjGxH4/T9siuPcEfiI/AAAAAAAAHqY/aZy4PFxTXbE/s640/IMG_0284.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_mY7TIEYpw/T9slcYhhfxI/AAAAAAAAHsc/UTX4K3D7azg/s1600/IMG_0316.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
I love the way my umbrella reflected in the window display. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SE2q8QiEwjI/T-CDfgaHylI/AAAAAAAAHvU/7gNucv14wbQ/s1600/IMG_0285.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SE2q8QiEwjI/T-CDfgaHylI/AAAAAAAAHvU/7gNucv14wbQ/s640/IMG_0285.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
The further we walked away from Notre Dame, the less activity there was. The <i>café</i> chairs leaned against the tables patiently awaiting the sun. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TGdCr24cF7Y/T9slLuzah1I/AAAAAAAAHsM/ZotmAn14yzg/s1600/IMG_0319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TGdCr24cF7Y/T9slLuzah1I/AAAAAAAAHsM/ZotmAn14yzg/s640/IMG_0319.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
We looked inside restaurants to see what others were eating and at posted menus, trying to decide on a place to rest our soles. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJcMskMpgI8/T9siYqSUKBI/AAAAAAAAHp8/fQ7c16G-bWU/s1600/IMG_0271.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJcMskMpgI8/T9siYqSUKBI/AAAAAAAAHp8/fQ7c16G-bWU/s640/IMG_0271.jpg" width="412" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RvHTI8vI4vk/T9si-CFbZKI/AAAAAAAAHqw/7cMpj89w7U8/s1600/IMG_0288.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RvHTI8vI4vk/T9si-CFbZKI/AAAAAAAAHqw/7cMpj89w7U8/s640/IMG_0288.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
We finally decided on a restaurant I'd been to before, <i><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d695128-Reviews-Auberge_de_la_Reine_Blanche-Paris_Ile_de_France.html">Auberge de la Reine Blanche.</a></i><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YYWOz9Kwlr0/T9skfytfPII/AAAAAAAAHrg/ao7qJ4-30H0/s1600/IMG_0308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YYWOz9Kwlr0/T9skfytfPII/AAAAAAAAHrg/ao7qJ4-30H0/s640/IMG_0308.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
The prices are very reasonable at 19.50 euro for 2 courses of traditional French comfort food. They luckily had a table for 2 and shortly after started turning away people at the door. The tables were very close to each other as we were lead to a small table against the wall. Elbow to elbow we sat down to study the menu.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ83w0DfDHY/T-CMF9TXUxI/AAAAAAAAHv0/oAk1VXyWC1w/s1600/IMG_0290.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZ83w0DfDHY/T-CMF9TXUxI/AAAAAAAAHv0/oAk1VXyWC1w/s400/IMG_0290.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
As cozy as it was, we didn't really feel cramped. We both started with a warm goat cheese salad. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUWfBoTdhYI/T9skLAntoeI/AAAAAAAAHrE/3B9KwA_FThA/s1600/IMG_0294.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUWfBoTdhYI/T9skLAntoeI/AAAAAAAAHrE/3B9KwA_FThA/s400/IMG_0294.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
It is one of my favorites and I usually can't resist. Bettyann ordered the<i> Bouef Bourguignon</i>, which wasn't prepared in the traditional way. It arrived in a steaming pot and was rich and tasty. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f5l64nshfYM/T9skYiTOyQI/AAAAAAAAHrU/zp_TlPDl1DM/s1600/IMG_0296.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f5l64nshfYM/T9skYiTOyQI/AAAAAAAAHrU/zp_TlPDl1DM/s400/IMG_0296.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
Something about the <i>Poulet a la Grand Mere avec Sauce Champignons </i>sounded like a rainy day dish. And it was. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eleUpkhbIz4/T9skR6qG5KI/AAAAAAAAHrM/80APCiDhX18/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eleUpkhbIz4/T9skR6qG5KI/AAAAAAAAHrM/80APCiDhX18/s400/IMG_0295.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
There was plenty of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. We finished our meal happy and satisfied with absolutely no room for dessert. I think the portions in Paris have gotten larger over the years. I never had a problem with 3-4 course meals, but lately am left too full for one of my favorite courses, dessert. We paid our bill and left, finding the rain had subsided outside and the clouds were clearing. Walking by a <i>creperie</i> we were tempted to stop, as we took a peek in, but didn't.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KPWnu3gMW0E/T9skoe-90VI/AAAAAAAAHro/gcyQC8T6Icg/s1600/IMG_0313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KPWnu3gMW0E/T9skoe-90VI/AAAAAAAAHro/gcyQC8T6Icg/s640/IMG_0313.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
This time of the year the day is long as the summer solstice approaches. In the early darkness, the lights were just beginning to come on.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M70tBB7MQaI/T9sl8ABsiwI/AAAAAAAAHtE/UZAyRWtisXc/s1600/IMG_0357.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M70tBB7MQaI/T9sl8ABsiwI/AAAAAAAAHtE/UZAyRWtisXc/s400/IMG_0357.JPG" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-x1AIZRBbE/T9smJFyBQhI/AAAAAAAAHtM/21l7ZdFTB8E/s1600/IMG_0348.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-x1AIZRBbE/T9smJFyBQhI/AAAAAAAAHtM/21l7ZdFTB8E/s640/IMG_0348.jpg" width="482" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xOFrEcjH8GE/T9sm1Rz98fI/AAAAAAAAHto/LV-Z3LjNkHk/s1600/IMG_0338.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xOFrEcjH8GE/T9sm1Rz98fI/AAAAAAAAHto/LV-Z3LjNkHk/s640/IMG_0338.jpg" width="418" /></a><br />
We kept walking, while once again passing by the back of Notre Dame in the quietness of the night. It seemed somber in the approaching darkness.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C648f82ciVw/T9smicOp9uI/AAAAAAAAHtU/pCtYYb3qKPs/s1600/IMG_0351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C648f82ciVw/T9smicOp9uI/AAAAAAAAHtU/pCtYYb3qKPs/s640/IMG_0351.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNHB_UizzHU/T9smq7wATAI/AAAAAAAAHtc/c8aNBkepDuQ/s1600/IMG_0352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNHB_UizzHU/T9smq7wATAI/AAAAAAAAHtc/c8aNBkepDuQ/s640/IMG_0352.jpg" width="480" /></a> As we walked the evening clouds broke away to the last light of the evening. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viPA3DR0484/T9sm9pfjjBI/AAAAAAAAHtw/jES9an5mEWs/s1600/IMG_0358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viPA3DR0484/T9sm9pfjjBI/AAAAAAAAHtw/jES9an5mEWs/s640/IMG_0358.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuTDWyQKZzI/T9snGBkAB5I/AAAAAAAAHt4/tH1St5oLQNo/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuTDWyQKZzI/T9snGBkAB5I/AAAAAAAAHt4/tH1St5oLQNo/s400/IMG_0359.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
Crossing the bridge, the <a href="http://www.2stews.com/2012/02/paris-love-locks-and-dinner-at-louis.html">Love Locks</a> added to the vista. And looking back, Notre dame was left in all of it's glory. At the end of this enchanting day, I think <i><b>that</b></i> was dessert. <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEVxThBF-aY/T9snMo50IyI/AAAAAAAAHuA/f0OrSyEDxHo/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEVxThBF-aY/T9snMo50IyI/AAAAAAAAHuA/f0OrSyEDxHo/s400/IMG_0371.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-27605839694150839192012-05-15T07:19:00.000-04:002012-05-15T09:42:17.298-04:00Roman Layered Caprese Salad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ke_aNn4fCtw/T6RcXhscfGI/AAAAAAAAHlw/DWGGCTaDPD8/s1600/DSC09448.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ke_aNn4fCtw/T6RcXhscfGI/AAAAAAAAHlw/DWGGCTaDPD8/s400/DSC09448.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
If there could be a simply perfect Caprese Salad, this would be it. Fresh and delicate mozzarella sits inside slices of red, ripe tomato that tastes as if kissed by the Tuscan sun. Basil leaves pinched from a garden plant tucked randomly between the layers help catch the drizzling olive oil. Finally, sea salt and freshly ground pepper are waiting to coat each bite. The only thing missing is a crusty piece of focaccia to soak up every last bit of this concerto. Make sure to have some on hand. <a href="http://sixrevisions.com/web_design/wabi-sabi/">Wabi-sabi</a>, I can hear a friend of mine saying looking at the natural simplicity.<br />
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<a href="http://www.2stews.com/2012/05/rome-and-room-with-view_12.html">On my last trip to Rome</a>, a version of this salad was brought to our restaurant table and I knew I needed to make it. I had already gotten the fresh mozzarella at the market in Rome, but regrettably those wonderful Italian tomatoes would be snatched when I returned home by <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/story/2012-03-27/Meet-Izzy-the-beagle-defender-of-US-agriculture/53808948/1">US Agriculture as soon as the beagle</a> took one whiff. I found some tomatoes locally that had been vine ripened, and were actually on sale. My own basil plant supplied the leaves, and the assembly took only minutes. Use any size tomato you like for a serving, just adjust the cheese slices to fit. For the olive oil I used Basil Olive Oil, although unflavored extra virgin olive oil is fine. Finish with sea salt and freshly ground pepper and.....<i>Buon appetito! </i><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Layered Caprese Salad</span></b><br />
<br />
3 medium tomatoes, nice and ripe<br />
4 1/2 ounces <b>fresh</b> mozzarella cheese, packed in water<br />
about 18 basil leaves<br />
basil olive oil or extra virgin olive oil <br />
sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste<br />
<br />
Slice
the tomatoes into 1/4 inch slices, keeping each sliced tomato together
to reassemble. Do not use the rounded bottom slices. A flat bottom keeps it stable as you assemble the layers.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gU54nejqcz4/T6RcPD5gW_I/AAAAAAAAHlg/_i_3ptwifuo/s1600/DSC09422.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gU54nejqcz4/T6RcPD5gW_I/AAAAAAAAHlg/_i_3ptwifuo/s400/DSC09422.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br />
Slice the mozzarella into 1/4 inch slices to fit the size of the tomato.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJFuVs8__lM/T6RcSuTTc9I/AAAAAAAAHlo/sfjc9n2Znus/s1600/DSC09435.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJFuVs8__lM/T6RcSuTTc9I/AAAAAAAAHlo/sfjc9n2Znus/s400/DSC09435.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
Tuck the basil leaves randomly between the layers.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCkE36yDd_M/T6Rbdtxta7I/AAAAAAAAHlQ/g3naNJaPp8o/s1600/DSC09465.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e0vYV7MbNFs/T6RbnXzrbqI/AAAAAAAAHlY/frqy53qRlaw/s400/DSC09460.jpg" width="303" /></a><br />
Place the layered tomatoes on a serving plate. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper and serve. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmPju9DkidU/T7I48c9tysI/AAAAAAAAHo0/yKFvbdaq33o/s1600/DSC09440.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmPju9DkidU/T7I48c9tysI/AAAAAAAAHo0/yKFvbdaq33o/s1600/DSC09440.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmPju9DkidU/T7I48c9tysI/AAAAAAAAHo0/yKFvbdaq33o/s400/DSC09440.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
Makes 3 layered tomatoes.</div>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-40976820120155709722012-05-12T06:20:00.000-04:002012-05-12T06:20:47.560-04:00Rome and a Room with a View<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My
flight to Rome arrived late and I was tired. The ride to and from the
hotel can be filled with one great view after another. Often, I nod off
and wake to find another piece of history outside the van window. There
are columns and ruins and statues, one right after another along the
ride that can be an hour long. <br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DYGp86f0ptE/T6m3AJAwh1I/AAAAAAAAHmU/lTTmQO0LQeM/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DYGp86f0ptE/T6m3AJAwh1I/AAAAAAAAHmU/lTTmQO0LQeM/s400/IMG_0057.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4J8Ua783Z0/T6m3E2FWqdI/AAAAAAAAHmc/e4zwQ-iaiBA/s1600/IMG_0058.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R4J8Ua783Z0/T6m3E2FWqdI/AAAAAAAAHmc/e4zwQ-iaiBA/s400/IMG_0058.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Afui5OszkIU/T6m3TaHdrjI/AAAAAAAAHms/4-4oZcTm8yQ/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Afui5OszkIU/T6m3TaHdrjI/AAAAAAAAHms/4-4oZcTm8yQ/s400/IMG_0064.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNPpDNXv3WI/T6m3NODf-QI/AAAAAAAAHmk/3d5eUVhdKyk/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNPpDNXv3WI/T6m3NODf-QI/AAAAAAAAHmk/3d5eUVhdKyk/s400/IMG_0059.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
It
was 1:30 in the afternoon by the time we arrived at our hotel in the
center of the city. I was already dreaming of the crisply made bed in
my charming, but small room.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mp2EeNmsC1A/T6Ra_zU3kNI/AAAAAAAAHlA/S0AY0oFK3Yo/s1600/DSC06966.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mp2EeNmsC1A/T6Ra_zU3kNI/AAAAAAAAHlA/S0AY0oFK3Yo/s640/DSC06966.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
A
delicate chandelier hung over the bed and the tall shuttered window was
ajar. Checking the window, I heard voices singing and an organ playing
from the courtyard below. This was Rome and it is not unusual to hear a
choir practicing through open church doors, but I'd never heard it
drifting into my hotel room. Opening the shutters I couldn't see anyone
in this tiny enclosed area that could have been in any Italian city. No,
it wasn't a view of the Vatican or one of the many ruins or statues. It
was an enclosed respite from the crowded narrow city streets; a place
where lives come together. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T2aaouwA-Z4/T6ReW68ZEfI/AAAAAAAAHmI/pfGThHuHN7o/s1600/DSC09420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T2aaouwA-Z4/T6ReW68ZEfI/AAAAAAAAHmI/pfGThHuHN7o/s640/DSC09420.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
The
view was an unexpected and beautiful mosaic of colors, life and
music...a magic place, to me, where real lives echoed in every crooked
corner. I left my window open and sleep came easy as the singing lulled me
on this early afternoon. After the short peaceful nap, the rest of the
afternoon was filled wandering the busy cobblestone streets of Rome with
friends from my crew. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vRZXPMkmLQo/T6RdfHl94EI/AAAAAAAAHmA/iq3jJfvQP4c/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vRZXPMkmLQo/T6RdfHl94EI/AAAAAAAAHmA/iq3jJfvQP4c/s640/IMG_0026.jpg" width="496" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxfqA6hcj8o/T6m8sSQc83I/AAAAAAAAHnI/kPyh1CP9er8/s1600/DSC06824.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxfqA6hcj8o/T6m8sSQc83I/AAAAAAAAHnI/kPyh1CP9er8/s640/DSC06824.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9D23LAKzqw/T6m82sc6m1I/AAAAAAAAHnQ/5JDHzMZPSBo/s1600/DSC06857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9D23LAKzqw/T6m82sc6m1I/AAAAAAAAHnQ/5JDHzMZPSBo/s640/DSC06857.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
Loved this mime...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWJJZzleiMk/T642X3vl8EI/AAAAAAAAHoc/yTJW9VeCTNQ/s1600/DSC06782.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OWJJZzleiMk/T642X3vl8EI/AAAAAAAAHoc/yTJW9VeCTNQ/s640/DSC06782.jpg" width="404" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5HiMdRerk9Y/T6m9ArPOHQI/AAAAAAAAHnY/fpgnmikJxaQ/s1600/DSC06860.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5HiMdRerk9Y/T6m9ArPOHQI/AAAAAAAAHnY/fpgnmikJxaQ/s640/DSC06860.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvKNiNqTOnQ/T6nDAY83cxI/AAAAAAAAHn8/lBI92gHTOUw/s1600/DSC08602.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvKNiNqTOnQ/T6nDAY83cxI/AAAAAAAAHn8/lBI92gHTOUw/s640/DSC08602.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
Through
all of the wandering there is always the required stop at the grocery
store to take back a wedge of Parmesan cheese, fresh mozzarella, spicy
peppers and other sweet and savory treasures. The setting sun came too
soon, but that meant it was time for dinner and that is a good thing! We
decided to go to <i><a href="http://www.latavernetta48.com/">Ristorante La Tavernetta</a>.</i> I hadn't had much to
eat since the flight over and was really looking forward to a big bowl
of pasta. One of my favorites is spaghetti with mushrooms and clams, and
that is what I got. <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpibTMsaSY8/T6nAmK-W9DI/AAAAAAAAHn0/ZbWquAy7m6g/s1600/DSC09413.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UpibTMsaSY8/T6nAmK-W9DI/AAAAAAAAHn0/ZbWquAy7m6g/s400/DSC09413.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
It
was perfect with a side of sauteed chicory and garlic. I was eying the
stacked Caprese Salad that 2 of my friends shared. It was stacked up
straight and tall, unlike a well known Italian tower. The tomatoes were
red and ripe and the mozzarella was fresh and delicate. Snipped basil
was scattered on the plate amid a good splash of olive oil. <br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t5nSV3Ie8Do/T6RcmyT1AAI/AAAAAAAAHl4/X137a2kqZQ4/s1600/DSC09411.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t5nSV3Ie8Do/T6RcmyT1AAI/AAAAAAAAHl4/X137a2kqZQ4/s400/DSC09411.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
I
knew I had to make it once I got home and the good news was that I had
just bought the mozzarella a few hours ago! We finished our meal and
wandered back to our hotel, stopping along the way for the prerequisite
gelato. I had my favorite.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAVqi7dLgJU/T6pwX139U6I/AAAAAAAAHoM/Oqc5AJqNX1E/s1600/DSC08523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAVqi7dLgJU/T6pwX139U6I/AAAAAAAAHoM/Oqc5AJqNX1E/s400/DSC08523.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
Back
at my room, I slept with the windows open once again. There was no
choir to nudge me into sleep, but soon I was dreaming of that Caprese
Salad, and knew I'd make it when I returned home.<br />
<br /></div>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-31524300140005897282012-04-19T09:09:00.000-04:002012-04-19T09:09:25.302-04:00Merci-Paris, New Site Unveiling<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d3bO0H6QLm0/T4_z66NnjlI/AAAAAAAAHk4/lHojWxjskzM/s1600/merci-paris%2BScreen%2Bshot%2Brevised%2B2012-04-18%2Bat%2B7.21.36%2BPM.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d3bO0H6QLm0/T4_z66NnjlI/AAAAAAAAHk4/lHojWxjskzM/s400/merci-paris%2BScreen%2Bshot%2Brevised%2B2012-04-18%2Bat%2B7.21.36%2BPM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5733069044050267730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It is no secret that I have a passion for Paris. It is what I love and what I dream about. I've made many posts here about my trips to Paris and have decided to put them all in one place in my new blog, <a href="http://www.merci-paris.com/">Merci-Paris</a>. I'll add any new tips on hotels, restaurants, photos, some of my favorite things, shopping or just my ventures of the day. So pull up a chair, grab a cup and please join me for <span style="font-style: italic;">Life with a French Twist!<br /><br /></span><span>Thank you to <a href="http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/19/cockpit-chronicles-get-more-out-of-layovers/">Gadling's Cockpit Chronicles for featuring me in today's post!</a></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-67724946926754196722012-04-14T09:41:00.002-04:002012-04-14T19:13:38.596-04:00The Wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqC0ewPNDJU/T4dFBEgfkKI/AAAAAAAAHes/HD-1g9I3PMU/s1600/DSC09376.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqC0ewPNDJU/T4dFBEgfkKI/AAAAAAAAHes/HD-1g9I3PMU/s400/DSC09376.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730624935544459426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The invitations were sent out,<a href="http://www.2stews.com/2012/04/seoul-before-wedding.html"> the family had arrived from the US</a>, and now as the guests arrived the excitement was building. Being a parent of the bride, I joined in greeting guests into the traditional Korean village for the wedding ceremony. A representative from each side of the family sat at a table to accept wedding gifts. My son, Zac, manned our table with envelopes and a pen. It is customary to give money and as a gift and this is often how it is received. A pair of white cotton gloves were given to the parents to wear as a symbol of formality, somewhat similar to the American custom of the last century. The day was a little chilly so I welcomed them on all accounts. Thankfully, we were graciously guided each step of the way on the customary protocol. Being Mother of the Bride can be a little overwhelming and especially in a foreign country. Wasn't it just recently my daughter had her hair in barrettes and was <a href="http://www.2stews.com/2012/02/valentine.html">wearing flouncy dresses with bows</a>? My how time flies. She was now being dressed and groomed in the Korean <a href="http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanbok"><span style="font-style: italic;">hanbok</span></a> with her hair pulled back preparing for her headdress.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qg-6AgFTOQU/T4csHj2dLgI/AAAAAAAAHb4/TO8nY1MHrUk/s1600/IMG_2657.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 357px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qg-6AgFTOQU/T4csHj2dLgI/AAAAAAAAHb4/TO8nY1MHrUk/s400/IMG_2657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730597559246597634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CJolSjUDD7U/T4ctwFkyiFI/AAAAAAAAHdU/XMKWlULGaTI/s1600/IMG_2660.JPG"><br /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp2C9FTE8Ds/T4ctvxT7WyI/AAAAAAAAHdI/AeMVXKDFamU/s1600/IMG_2659.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp2C9FTE8Ds/T4ctvxT7WyI/AAAAAAAAHdI/AeMVXKDFamU/s400/IMG_2659.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730599349566266146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CJolSjUDD7U/T4ctwFkyiFI/AAAAAAAAHdU/XMKWlULGaTI/s1600/IMG_2660.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CJolSjUDD7U/T4ctwFkyiFI/AAAAAAAAHdU/XMKWlULGaTI/s400/IMG_2660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730599355005700178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b56dY0sy18Y/T4ctvbch-BI/AAAAAAAAHdA/iPnpSN7D1Q8/s1600/IMG_2664.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b56dY0sy18Y/T4ctvbch-BI/AAAAAAAAHdA/iPnpSN7D1Q8/s400/IMG_2664.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730599343696771090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">As the bride and groom readied, the festive drumming sounds of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samul_nori"><span style="font-style: italic;">samul nori</span></a> could be heard in the background. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dDkK8vFSIYI/T4ctLdYFaKI/AAAAAAAAHck/QJF3xfOCHyU/s1600/IMG_2683.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dDkK8vFSIYI/T4ctLdYFaKI/AAAAAAAAHck/QJF3xfOCHyU/s400/IMG_2683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730598725739702434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The pounding of the drums mixed with the clanging of the 2 different types of gongs while the guests arrived. My daughter was taken to the <span style="font-style: italic;">palanquin </span>and was guided as she backed into it.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Uf0tMYKlpc/T4csk-9Iz1I/AAAAAAAAHcQ/807gZqcQzQA/s1600/IMG_2685.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Uf0tMYKlpc/T4csk-9Iz1I/AAAAAAAAHcQ/807gZqcQzQA/s400/IMG_2685.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730598064738586450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlMF4qa1nCE/T4csIAYf4VI/AAAAAAAAHcA/mOPIFkrrQ0o/s1600/-17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlMF4qa1nCE/T4csIAYf4VI/AAAAAAAAHcA/mOPIFkrrQ0o/s400/-17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730597566905573714" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TjxMoUPx1Q/T4ctK-hUaMI/AAAAAAAAHcc/fck216Ta7oo/s1600/IMG_2687.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TjxMoUPx1Q/T4ctK-hUaMI/AAAAAAAAHcc/fck216Ta7oo/s400/IMG_2687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730598717456935106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Two children, called <span style="font-style: italic;">chullongdong</span>, lead the way while 4 men carried the <span style="font-style: italic;">palanquin</span> holding the bride. A shroud covered the grooms face because his good looking face might make the evil spirits jealous. In turn, the bride keeps her eyes lowered to prevent any evil spirits from entering. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWXiDC09a6k/T4cvEIxsC5I/AAAAAAAAHeU/TaKkwDoZgrA/s1600/IMG_2703.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 335px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWXiDC09a6k/T4cvEIxsC5I/AAAAAAAAHeU/TaKkwDoZgrA/s400/IMG_2703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730600798974118802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-humTOzBjiZs/T4cvE2Pky8I/AAAAAAAAHec/3T2srDRfWJ8/s1600/IMG_2704.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-humTOzBjiZs/T4cvE2Pky8I/AAAAAAAAHec/3T2srDRfWJ8/s400/IMG_2704.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730600811179068354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The drumming and clanging continued, creating excitement as the wedding procession made its way up some stairs to the open-front traditional house. Shoes must be removed before entering the rooms. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-krUz9i-RD5U/T4ddTpILUSI/AAAAAAAAHhE/eWcuYpAnAi8/s1600/shoes%2Boff.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-krUz9i-RD5U/T4ddTpILUSI/AAAAAAAAHhE/eWcuYpAnAi8/s400/shoes%2Boff.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730651642891292962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The parents were given clogs to wear (so much for shoe shopping...mine were kelly green!) and were seated on benches on either side of the room. I was still chilly and my teeth were chattering from a mix of nerves and cool temperatures. This was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The <span style="font-style: italic;">samul nori </span>sat quietly during the ceremony. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_u6bGshD0E/T4ddTAjEcAI/AAAAAAAAHg8/WlUB_ETZ27k/s1600/drummers%2Bat%2Bwedding.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_u6bGshD0E/T4ddTAjEcAI/AAAAAAAAHg8/WlUB_ETZ27k/s400/drummers%2Bat%2Bwedding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730651631998234626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">A table held symbolic items that were to be used during the wedding. Among them were 2 wooden ducks, symbolizing marital fidelity and joy, and 2 live chickens wrapped up to the head in a red cloth. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Occasionally the chickens protested, and were soothed by someone from the wedding party. I had no idea what their fate was.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fYgf3rk_0M0/T4gsPY8qWgI/AAAAAAAAHjk/HikSComz8D0/s1600/DSC09324.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fYgf3rk_0M0/T4gsPY8qWgI/AAAAAAAAHjk/HikSComz8D0/s400/DSC09324.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730879168735500802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9S22QBj2l0/T4cvDsAO0iI/AAAAAAAAHeI/JUTR-sTRuks/s1600/IMG_2694.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9S22QBj2l0/T4cvDsAO0iI/AAAAAAAAHeI/JUTR-sTRuks/s400/IMG_2694.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730600791250489890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">At one point someone brought a small flannel covering over to me and draped it over my knees. I thought, how perceptive they were to see how cold I was. Later, I realized it was part of the ceremony for me to wrap the ducks with this cloth that sat upon my skirt. There were many symbolic gestures that took place. I was very touched by the bowing of the bride and groom to the parents as a show of respect and a thank you for all they have given. That is one custom I could get very used to!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GcgvifGoeto/T4dJlKlU15I/AAAAAAAAHe4/YEyUZk3e6FQ/s1600/IMG_2763.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GcgvifGoeto/T4dJlKlU15I/AAAAAAAAHe4/YEyUZk3e6FQ/s400/IMG_2763.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730629953697142674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">My daughter must have felt like royalty as her attendants blotted any tears during emotional moments. There were many symbols of the bride and groom becoming at one with each other, including the <span style="font-style: italic;">seocheon</span> ritual. <span style="font-style: italic;">Seocheon</span> is reporting of the marriage to the spirits of heaven and earth and asking the couple to live happily. Raising a cup symbolizes reporting the marriage to the heavens, while lowering it reports to the earth. Liquor was poured into the cup and the bride and groom drank from it.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7PeGpJjGPY/T4dO0SzmuyI/AAAAAAAAHfo/DH9Kq1NjkcA/s1600/IMG_2728.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7PeGpJjGPY/T4dO0SzmuyI/AAAAAAAAHfo/DH9Kq1NjkcA/s400/IMG_2728.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730635711160695586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Then a split gourd was used to drink from, as a symbol of the 2 minds becoming one. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2lqGWL-2fTY/T4dLTmsGarI/AAAAAAAAHfE/VkR2oRV-iAo/s1600/IMG_2731.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2lqGWL-2fTY/T4dLTmsGarI/AAAAAAAAHfE/VkR2oRV-iAo/s400/IMG_2731.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730631851027360434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The couple was pronounced Man and Wife, and then wedding rings were exchanged. The guests applauded and happiness and joy filled the spring air.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzvP11hzgGs/T4dO1AJFg5I/AAAAAAAAHf0/RQp7keObq0o/s1600/IMG_2739.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TzvP11hzgGs/T4dO1AJFg5I/AAAAAAAAHf0/RQp7keObq0o/s400/IMG_2739.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730635723330388882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ReU1Z0nOSm0/T4dLUYTk4CI/AAAAAAAAHfc/5oCl5pOdTY0/s1600/IMG_2749.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 337px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ReU1Z0nOSm0/T4dLUYTk4CI/AAAAAAAAHfc/5oCl5pOdTY0/s400/IMG_2749.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730631864346271778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nVDsiq8UmGg/T4dQeRHxwgI/AAAAAAAAHgY/pneTUzC_K0c/s1600/IMG_2768.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nVDsiq8UmGg/T4dQeRHxwgI/AAAAAAAAHgY/pneTUzC_K0c/s400/IMG_2768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730637531774566914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> It was such an exciting time as the Bride and Groom faced their guests now as husband and wife! Tears fell and hearts warmed. But, there was still one last custom to fulfill. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">In Korea</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, chickens are considered a sacred animal that tells us the time. The chickens also take away any bad luck during the ceremony and are offered as a prize. The throwing of the chickens seems similar to the western tradition of throwing the bouquet. A floral bouquet may have been more cooperative, but less exciting! The chickens were tossed out to the guests, and I understand that one became dinner shortly afterward. Wow!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sn_Mh8iVqMw/T4deLaLQKLI/AAAAAAAAHhU/pnefN1kdhH4/s1600/-23.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sn_Mh8iVqMw/T4deLaLQKLI/AAAAAAAAHhU/pnefN1kdhH4/s400/-23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730652600950335666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Following all of that excitement, in a private side room, the Bride and Groom shared a ceremonial tea before family photo taking began. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uSKKeQhDBBM/T4gbIY6sq0I/AAAAAAAAHjY/cqS5JB0I-yY/s1600/DSC09320.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uSKKeQhDBBM/T4gbIY6sq0I/AAAAAAAAHjY/cqS5JB0I-yY/s400/DSC09320.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730860356770507586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzSkgEwolHE/T4ddSxUngvI/AAAAAAAAHgs/epD06GkTkAM/s1600/after%2Bwedding.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzSkgEwolHE/T4ddSxUngvI/AAAAAAAAHgs/epD06GkTkAM/s400/after%2Bwedding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730651627911086834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">This begins their life together. They then changed into traditional post ceremony dress for the final feast of the joining of both families....our new families. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VH2wBHV2Rok/T4cubuI3TvI/AAAAAAAAHdk/ow3QjmX9X4c/s1600/IMG_2674.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VH2wBHV2Rok/T4cubuI3TvI/AAAAAAAAHdk/ow3QjmX9X4c/s400/IMG_2674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730600104628801266" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LKZS6nFw9oY/T4ddSfek__I/AAAAAAAAHgk/qUQpWOHSeQw/s1600/after%2Bthe%2Bwedding.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LKZS6nFw9oY/T4ddSfek__I/AAAAAAAAHgk/qUQpWOHSeQw/s400/after%2Bthe%2Bwedding.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730651623121027058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We all shared a multi-course meal together as all of our lives were now magically different through the love of these 2 people. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWnHaqxHsHk/T4gWdkRqxYI/AAAAAAAAHiQ/4u1PFf5SvCU/s1600/IMG_2788.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWnHaqxHsHk/T4gWdkRqxYI/AAAAAAAAHiQ/4u1PFf5SvCU/s400/IMG_2788.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730855223038756226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">There were hugs, kisses and bows as they bid farewell. The next morning they began the new chapter of their lives as they left for their storybook honeymoon in Bali ♥♥ I think they have a beautiful life before them.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvNsH-Aewak/T4garvOfuSI/AAAAAAAAHio/3-4hHij9LZ8/s1600/532686_10150646486217917_503527916_9374932_1908009740_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 331px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvNsH-Aewak/T4garvOfuSI/AAAAAAAAHio/3-4hHij9LZ8/s400/532686_10150646486217917_503527916_9374932_1908009740_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730859864542918946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />A very special thank you to my family who didn't hesitate to be there and to my new family who treated us with such generosity and grace. xo<br /><br />And thanks to my sister, Sandy, for most of these wonderful and memorable photos </span><span style="font-family:arial;">:-) </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvNsH-Aewak/T4garvOfuSI/AAAAAAAAHio/3-4hHij9LZ8/s1600/532686_10150646486217917_503527916_9374932_1908009740_n.jpg"><br /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">I may update once the professional photographers photos come back. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvNsH-Aewak/T4garvOfuSI/AAAAAAAAHio/3-4hHij9LZ8/s1600/532686_10150646486217917_503527916_9374932_1908009740_n.jpg"><br /></a>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-14797505504108512782012-04-05T10:33:00.002-04:002012-04-14T09:54:14.216-04:00Seoul, Before the Wedding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dz5aETpJ-I4/T32RvPTKq-I/AAAAAAAAHbs/K8kzN5cW6oQ/s1600/DSC09295.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dz5aETpJ-I4/T32RvPTKq-I/AAAAAAAAHbs/K8kzN5cW6oQ/s400/DSC09295.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727894541831941090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It was a family affair. My daughter was getting married half way around the world and we all had our plane tickets. Mother, father, aunts, and brother arrived at Seoul's Incheon airport from the west, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">the midwest, and northeast US. We were met by my daughter, Sam and her fiancé, Young Ju. What a sight for sore eyes they were! After going from Boston to Chicago to Tokyo and finally Seoul, I was refreshed just to see their faces. They had planned a whirlwind week for us and it was falling into place. We all arrived on time, which is a miracle these days, and spent the night by the airport in Incheon. Sleep was good, and meeting for breakfast to start our day was filled with excitement. The 14 hour time difference was made easier by arriving at night, so we felt pretty rejuvenated the next morning. My daughter, future son-in-law and his family had organized the week complete with agenda, hotels, and car with driver. We didn't have to think about a thing except taking in the experience. What fun it was to have the family gathered so far away. My sisters and my son had never been to Asia and we were all excited. After breakfast we made the 1 hour drive to Seoul, checked into the new hotel and met for a few gift openings before going out for the afternoon.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXPQR3xKKLg/T3zLugheLUI/AAAAAAAAHak/tsN5edAoXp8/s1600/Seoul%2Bopening%2Bpresents.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXPQR3xKKLg/T3zLugheLUI/AAAAAAAAHak/tsN5edAoXp8/s400/Seoul%2Bopening%2Bpresents.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727676825973173570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Sam and Young Ju really wanted to show us the city of Seoul. We started at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyeongbokgung">Gyeongbokgung Palace</a>, that has a long history of building, destruction and restoration since 1395. The palace was guarded by the real and the symbolic.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u22zDvJ88ds/T3n8iF-WmtI/AAAAAAAAHXw/6ueiGbkCeL8/s1600/Seoul%2B17.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u22zDvJ88ds/T3n8iF-WmtI/AAAAAAAAHXw/6ueiGbkCeL8/s400/Seoul%2B17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726886063827753682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> We had a lovely and very informative English speaking guide to lead us through the many areas of the palace.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9m_HhfyIgUE/T3n8hqx66ZI/AAAAAAAAHXk/ARGpeS7yvHk/s1600/Seoul%2B16.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 247px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9m_HhfyIgUE/T3n8hqx66ZI/AAAAAAAAHXk/ARGpeS7yvHk/s400/Seoul%2B16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726886056527849874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> There was so much to take in. The Korean culture is proud of their history and are excellent record keepers, so there was a lot of information. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-srxEH4iURLQ/T3n8hELmJKI/AAAAAAAAHXY/LzogjIewQew/s1600/Seoul%2B15.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-srxEH4iURLQ/T3n8hELmJKI/AAAAAAAAHXY/LzogjIewQew/s400/Seoul%2B15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726886046166557858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">This hemispheric sundial was invented in 1433 by Jang Yeon-sil. The national treasure is called, 'Angbuilgu', which means an "upward looking kettle that catches the shadow of the sun." The sun was definitely shining, and if we were here just a little later the cherry blossoms would have been in bloom making it even more spectacular. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tq8buhgWR1s/T3wkYzbJULI/AAAAAAAAHaA/7u6PNTPivmI/s1600/DSC09150.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tq8buhgWR1s/T3wkYzbJULI/AAAAAAAAHaA/7u6PNTPivmI/s400/DSC09150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727492834647953586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_56Iit4U04/T3n8glgtuBI/AAAAAAAAHXM/Q2n_0jNiIQk/s1600/Seoul%2B14.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v_56Iit4U04/T3n8glgtuBI/AAAAAAAAHXM/Q2n_0jNiIQk/s400/Seoul%2B14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726886037933635602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We left the palace for lunch, which was to become one of many delicious meals here.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> After lunch, a little shopping seemed to be in order which was a visual feast full of typical Korean wares and street food. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTQl4AW14V0/T3wp_rQbk3I/AAAAAAAAHaY/xfzLt6RQUNY/s1600/IMG_2437.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hTQl4AW14V0/T3wp_rQbk3I/AAAAAAAAHaY/xfzLt6RQUNY/s400/IMG_2437.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727499000028566386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAIaynjC1AA/T3n8d8pspGI/AAAAAAAAHXA/2a264GyHYIg/s1600/Seoul%2B13.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OAIaynjC1AA/T3n8d8pspGI/AAAAAAAAHXA/2a264GyHYIg/s400/Seoul%2B13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726885992605721698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I liked the man painting rice paper in the back of a very, very cramped store and brought home a few rolls, among other things. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4Su3M6iHEA/T3n8BwgSV3I/AAAAAAAAHW0/oFQrvFhT7IY/s1600/Seoul%2B12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 247px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4Su3M6iHEA/T3n8BwgSV3I/AAAAAAAAHW0/oFQrvFhT7IY/s400/Seoul%2B12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726885508308686706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I hadn't changed any money yet so that held my shopping down. I was ready for a seat and tea anyway, and could have sat in this comfortable tea house all afternoon. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Am4gTrjUu7A/T3n8Azl7khI/AAAAAAAAHWY/Wi7iMifThjQ/s1600/Seoul%2B10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Am4gTrjUu7A/T3n8Azl7khI/AAAAAAAAHWY/Wi7iMifThjQ/s400/Seoul%2B10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726885491957797394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDnPgC4rBCI/T3n8BCRYHDI/AAAAAAAAHWo/NfI3q7yjp-Q/s1600/Seoul%2B11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDnPgC4rBCI/T3n8BCRYHDI/AAAAAAAAHWo/NfI3q7yjp-Q/s400/Seoul%2B11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726885495898119218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">My daughter and my sisters were still out there shopping and I didn't want to miss anything, so back I went! We had to work up an appetite for an elaborate Korean barbecue meal planned with Young Ju's uncle. What a charming and generous family he has! Arriving at the restaurant I really didn't know how I could eat all of the courses of the meal, but somehow I managed. The soup and fish courses weren't heavy so that helped.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JIOWuiw4Ng/T3n9jejul0I/AAAAAAAAHZQ/p8VkVbWUUkM/s1600/Seoul%2B6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JIOWuiw4Ng/T3n9jejul0I/AAAAAAAAHZQ/p8VkVbWUUkM/s400/Seoul%2B6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726887187118462786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14ApMzCk9nM/T3n9j14AzBI/AAAAAAAAHZc/hmA6CPzx-gg/s1600/Seoul%2B7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14ApMzCk9nM/T3n9j14AzBI/AAAAAAAAHZc/hmA6CPzx-gg/s400/Seoul%2B7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726887193377557522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We filled leaves with several different fillings and folded before eating.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBCCGm9wSNY/T319G40nDwI/AAAAAAAAHa8/Kflps5RiMiM/s1600/DSC09223.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBCCGm9wSNY/T319G40nDwI/AAAAAAAAHa8/Kflps5RiMiM/s400/DSC09223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727871858370875138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQc6LUhzqgM/T3n90dq4thI/AAAAAAAAHZo/D7As_zCaXrM/s1600/Seoul%2B8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQc6LUhzqgM/T3n90dq4thI/AAAAAAAAHZo/D7As_zCaXrM/s400/Seoul%2B8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726887478937826834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Our server lit the gas pits recessed into the table and barbecued slabs of beef, tending to it to make sure it was done perfectly. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PB81gQdPXaY/T3n9FgB_5jI/AAAAAAAAHYc/ug_5xqGx7dk/s1600/Seoul%2B20.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PB81gQdPXaY/T3n9FgB_5jI/AAAAAAAAHYc/ug_5xqGx7dk/s400/Seoul%2B20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726886672117786162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">When the barbecue was done, I could barely stop eating it because it was so tasty. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq5_4rqrq34/T3n90vgDUsI/AAAAAAAAHZw/ucFLAO19EkY/s1600/Seoul%2B9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq5_4rqrq34/T3n90vgDUsI/AAAAAAAAHZw/ucFLAO19EkY/s400/Seoul%2B9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726887483724223170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">A seaweed soup with oyster and tofu was the last course, and a cup of tea finished our meal. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xi8T3IMT6OE/T319HZIRSPI/AAAAAAAAHbI/BtwxQrbFXCg/s1600/DSC09243.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xi8T3IMT6OE/T319HZIRSPI/AAAAAAAAHbI/BtwxQrbFXCg/s400/DSC09243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727871867043268850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We left very full and satisfied. Bed looked good that night! </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5IGDgBPKwk/T32AVv8hW9I/AAAAAAAAHbU/phSdwd_sf-0/s1600/Seoul%2Bat%2Bnight.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5IGDgBPKwk/T32AVv8hW9I/AAAAAAAAHbU/phSdwd_sf-0/s400/Seoul%2Bat%2Bnight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727875412221058002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Amazingly jet lag didn't seem to affect us, and after breakfast the next morning (how could we even be hungry again?!) we headed out for another taste of Seoul. There were happy faces all around.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPJSq6aizz0/T3zLvQpAvmI/AAAAAAAAHas/B5HiZH7sA9I/s1600/Seoul%2Bsigns.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPJSq6aizz0/T3zLvQpAvmI/AAAAAAAAHas/B5HiZH7sA9I/s400/Seoul%2Bsigns.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727676838889700962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1nA6Rz-kpw/T3n9jCANvgI/AAAAAAAAHZA/Eo-LK_9Ez0g/s1600/Seoul%2B5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1nA6Rz-kpw/T3n9jCANvgI/AAAAAAAAHZA/Eo-LK_9Ez0g/s400/Seoul%2B5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726887179453316610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I finally changed some money. Young Ju said the best rate came from 2 ladies, the grandmas, who change it in the shopping district. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-dCBc1WMw0/T3n9iuILdzI/AAAAAAAAHY4/wUKK7v6uE9Y/s1600/Seoul%2B4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-dCBc1WMw0/T3n9iuILdzI/AAAAAAAAHY4/wUKK7v6uE9Y/s400/Seoul%2B4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726887174118012722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> He was right, and now I had scored Korean won to trade with the vendors. In hindsight, I wish I had taken advantage of more bargains, but not knowing what was around the corner, I spent conservatively. I'm also very aware that I have to cart it all back home, too! Street food was everywhere. The sweet, and steamy savory aromas made us stop and look.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pm-YCpp4pOQ/T3n9EPm48qI/AAAAAAAAHX8/e_K1z2YyVrQ/s1600/Seoul%2B18.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pm-YCpp4pOQ/T3n9EPm48qI/AAAAAAAAHX8/e_K1z2YyVrQ/s400/Seoul%2B18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726886650529247906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VmY6f_kh9ds/T3n9iHec_7I/AAAAAAAAHYs/Of7Jq3x-oKU/s1600/Seoul%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VmY6f_kh9ds/T3n9iHec_7I/AAAAAAAAHYs/Of7Jq3x-oKU/s400/Seoul%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726887163742453682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOaxlanFCHA/T3n9FZJAAKI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/2bGx2D6XGrA/s1600/Seoul%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOaxlanFCHA/T3n9FZJAAKI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/2bGx2D6XGrA/s400/Seoul%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726886670268104866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I'd like to think I'd try most things, but the ick factor of silkworms cooking away in this cauldron nixed that idea! </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIBdlShp178/T4mAKtRtSpI/AAAAAAAAHjw/Ipfejd0J4gg/s1600/DSC09270.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIBdlShp178/T4mAKtRtSpI/AAAAAAAAHjw/Ipfejd0J4gg/s400/DSC09270.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731252922246580882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">They are an <a href="http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/11/14/silkworms-an-environmentally-friendly-delicacy/">eco-friendly delicacy</a>, but this was not going to happen. I guess I'd be voted off of the island! Instead, I bought some persimmons, <a href="http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/programs/ark_product_detail/japanese_massaged_dried_persimmon_hoshigaki/"><span style="font-style: italic;">hoshigaki</span>,</a> that are massaged and dried in a Japanese manner. It is a fascinating process and I'm sure a tastier option than the previous.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_QNN2wr9wI/T3n9E4ybi1I/AAAAAAAAHYI/OhWqI5P3O1s/s1600/Seoul%2B19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_QNN2wr9wI/T3n9E4ybi1I/AAAAAAAAHYI/OhWqI5P3O1s/s400/Seoul%2B19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726886661583506258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> We ate some of the persimmons plain which were soft, thick and sweet in the center. I think I'll make a tagine with the rest of them. It was now lunch time...more food...and the plan was to have lunch at <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294197-d1758640-Reviews-Din_Tai_Fung-Seoul.html">Din Tai Fung</a>, a Chinese noodle restaurant. So far our planned agenda was very satisfying in every way and watching the dumplings being made, I knew this would be good, real good.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O0zZzUkYo9k/T3n8AvwMwhI/AAAAAAAAHWQ/KpyqVDLXrB8/s1600/Seoul.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O0zZzUkYo9k/T3n8AvwMwhI/AAAAAAAAHWQ/KpyqVDLXrB8/s400/Seoul.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726885490927125010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> I was starting to feel like a dumpling myself, though, and hoped I would still be able to fit into my wedding suit. I had the skirt taken in before I left the US and was beginning to get a little worried! Problems...problems :-) A common greeting in Korea is, </span>밥먹었어(요)<span style="font-family:arial;">? bam-meo-geo-sseo(-yo), or "have you eaten?"<span style="font-family:arial;"> I think at any point we could have given a resounding, "Yes!"<br /><br />Well fed, it was time to call our driver and head out for the 4 hour drive south to where my daughter and her fiancé live. The busyness of the city slowly turned to countryside. It was a relaxing ride as we talked the whole way, full of anticipation about the wedding and the exciting new beginning to their lives. The sun was setting over the mountains as so much lay before all of us. </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjSSooR4w8Y/T32RuqGdEqI/AAAAAAAAHbg/uqrLg3S5S4E/s1600/IMG_2533.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MjSSooR4w8Y/T32RuqGdEqI/AAAAAAAAHbg/uqrLg3S5S4E/s400/IMG_2533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727894531846509218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">We had a wedding to prepare for.</span><br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-47547527920514841642012-02-28T09:05:00.001-05:002012-02-28T09:05:04.034-05:00Cacio e Pepe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2jGuJ1pXFY/T0yzTWe5c5I/AAAAAAAAHVQ/N7FNP8g9OMk/s1600/DSC09070.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 356px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2jGuJ1pXFY/T0yzTWe5c5I/AAAAAAAAHVQ/N7FNP8g9OMk/s400/DSC09070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714139172260377490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Italian food can be brilliant in its simplicity. That is when the finest ingredients shine. Take Italian spaghetti, sharp Pecorino Romano, smooth Grana Padana cheese and toss it together with coarsely, fresh ground pepper to create the sublime. <span style="font-style: italic;">Cacio e Pepe</span>, simply pasta with cheese and pepper, is found on many menus in Rome. This can be deeply satisfying when started with tender, sweet vine ripened melon wrapped in thinly sliced, salty prosciutto. Finished with a <span style="font-style: italic;">gelato</span> it is transporting. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-al2NFkFypyk/T0TN8uEd7DI/AAAAAAAAHUQ/ny_zYwgNfJ0/s1600/Rome%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-al2NFkFypyk/T0TN8uEd7DI/AAAAAAAAHUQ/ny_zYwgNfJ0/s400/Rome%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711916670455245874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Or by itself, it's just simply delicious. I'll take it either way. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">It is a dish that chefs are measured by and stirs up heated discussions on nuances of the few ingredients. Some will never add butter and some will use only one type of cheese. Most agree on the method of preparation making a velvety sauce with the cheese and a little bit of pasta water. You can leave those variations up to personal taste. The important thing is to add the right amount of the pasta water to have the cheese turn into a sauce that just coats the pasta and no more. Use your favorite extra virgin olive oil. Right now I using an olive oil that I got in an open market in Rome.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTIuDtLR6AY/T0oVTFusHXI/AAAAAAAAHU8/pefWGXBLwos/s1600/Rome%2BMarket%2B4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTIuDtLR6AY/T0oVTFusHXI/AAAAAAAAHU8/pefWGXBLwos/s400/Rome%2BMarket%2B4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713402494972599666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCPlLmo1dmI/T0oVScUwQ0I/AAAAAAAAHUY/EEZxoQnZAZE/s1600/Rome%2BMarket.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OCPlLmo1dmI/T0oVScUwQ0I/AAAAAAAAHUY/EEZxoQnZAZE/s400/Rome%2BMarket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713402483857965890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tf8EIwcEIpw/T0oVS8_EPYI/AAAAAAAAHUs/2ZkIwKhgoYM/s1600/Rome%2BMarket%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tf8EIwcEIpw/T0oVS8_EPYI/AAAAAAAAHUs/2ZkIwKhgoYM/s400/Rome%2BMarket%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713402492625370498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANGRKfoJzXs/T0oVSkw2i4I/AAAAAAAAHUg/4NULvTBEpr0/s1600/Rome%2BMarket%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANGRKfoJzXs/T0oVSkw2i4I/AAAAAAAAHUg/4NULvTBEpr0/s400/Rome%2BMarket%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713402486123301762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It is right around the corner from our hotel in a small piazza and is a market by morning and filled with tables by day and evening for dining. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">I take a short cut and skirt through a narrow opening by this ancient column.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbX5nYG1wOk/T0yzS4B9K1I/AAAAAAAAHVI/2Xv4sd6f7Bw/s1600/DSC08617.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbX5nYG1wOk/T0yzS4B9K1I/AAAAAAAAHVI/2Xv4sd6f7Bw/s400/DSC08617.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714139164085922642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The olive oil has no label and only has a metal bottle cap to seal it.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uI64_RpHR7M/T0zPE33KdJI/AAAAAAAAHWE/hqT1CIO7uOI/s1600/DSC09091.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uI64_RpHR7M/T0zPE33KdJI/AAAAAAAAHWE/hqT1CIO7uOI/s400/DSC09091.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714169709848065170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> I don't think there is a middle man involved, it's straight from the countryside. The closer to the grower you are, the closer you are to your food. And this dish is like a close, warm hug. <span style="font-style: italic;">Buon Appetito</span>!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Cacio e Pepe</span></span><br /><br />8 ounces Italian spaghetti<br />1/2 cup grated Grana Padana cheese<br />1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese<br />2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil<br />1-2 tablespoons butter<br />2 teaspoons coarsely grated black pepper<br />pasta water<br />freshly grated cheese for serving<br /><br />Boil the pasta until 2 minutes before it is <span style="font-style: italic;">al dente</span>. It will cook a little further in the skillet. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-26TyYm4jNMQ/T0y3fjyZ-cI/AAAAAAAAHV4/sA1faQRzZ2o/s1600/DSC09041.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-26TyYm4jNMQ/T0y3fjyZ-cI/AAAAAAAAHV4/sA1faQRzZ2o/s400/DSC09041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714143780036803010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">While the pasta is cooking, add the olive oil </span><span style="font-family:arial;">to a large skillet </span><span style="font-family:arial;">and heat over medium heat. Add the pepper and stir for about a minute or less, until the oils release from the pepper. Turn off heat and drain pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Add the cooked pasta into the skillet, being careful since the oil and water will spatter. Toss together and then add the cheese while still tossing. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eucAgJQ8Mu8/T0y3fIiueEI/AAAAAAAAHVs/_lOw6S9hQ40/s1600/DSC09037.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eucAgJQ8Mu8/T0y3fIiueEI/AAAAAAAAHVs/_lOw6S9hQ40/s400/DSC09037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714143772723279938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Gradually add pasta water a tablespoon at a time to make a light sauce that just coats the pasta, and no more. Finish by tossing the pasta with 1-2 tablespoons butter. The cheese is salty, but salt to taste if you want more. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Divide into 4 pasta bowls and top with freshly grated cheese and even more pepper, if you want.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Serves 4.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88YZ7eE3ROQ/T0yzTlxL1bI/AAAAAAAAHVc/aXpvCzyjrMk/s1600/DSC09077.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88YZ7eE3ROQ/T0yzTlxL1bI/AAAAAAAAHVc/aXpvCzyjrMk/s400/DSC09077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714139176363611570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Now, if I only had a little <span style="font-style: italic;">gelato</span>!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GU4z-Ws2Q3A/T0TN8QzthII/AAAAAAAAHUA/MXEd7DVvGwQ/s1600/Rome%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GU4z-Ws2Q3A/T0TN8QzthII/AAAAAAAAHUA/MXEd7DVvGwQ/s400/Rome%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711916662600336514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Cutting board by Ann at <a href="http://www.thibeaultstable.com/">Thibeault's Table.</a></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GU4z-Ws2Q3A/T0TN8QzthII/AAAAAAAAHUA/MXEd7DVvGwQ/s1600/Rome%2B2.jpg"><br /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-39846712108564529422012-02-14T11:56:00.001-05:002012-04-10T18:04:43.733-04:00Paris Love Locks and Dinner at Louis Vins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tCg67GVpjlc/TzpzMtTwhZI/AAAAAAAAHRQ/1Dq1Zqp4u_4/s1600/DSC08338.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tCg67GVpjlc/TzpzMtTwhZI/AAAAAAAAHRQ/1Dq1Zqp4u_4/s400/DSC08338.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709002139803616658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It was an early fall day and we knew we were lucky. Soon chilly weather would come in, convincing the leaves to turn and the sunny days to get shorter. We had all been friends long enough to not take this time for granted. We knew a good day when we saw it! And we had plans. After coffee and a <span style="font-style: italic;">Croque Monsier,</span> we started walking toward </span><span style="font-family:arial;"> the footbridge, </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_des_Arts">Pont des Arts</a>. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFnBXjjH8P0/Tzpped2jqgI/AAAAAAAAHOE/eF6GvQgWR2E/s1600/DSC07527.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 183px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFnBXjjH8P0/Tzpped2jqgI/AAAAAAAAHOE/eF6GvQgWR2E/s400/DSC07527.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708991449775974914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jGXtRJB3XpU/Tzpk2hzv7RI/AAAAAAAAHM0/YXZMZvfjp-k/s1600/DSC07373.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jGXtRJB3XpU/Tzpk2hzv7RI/AAAAAAAAHM0/YXZMZvfjp-k/s400/DSC07373.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708986365596658962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NaZ3Feu3i8A/Tzpk5I4HRbI/AAAAAAAAHNM/74sOdJAdwIA/s1600/DSC07375.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NaZ3Feu3i8A/Tzpk5I4HRbI/AAAAAAAAHNM/74sOdJAdwIA/s400/DSC07375.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708986410443687346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">In recent years it has become the Love Lock Bridge, as lovers pledge <span style="font-style: italic;">amour</span> with a lock of love. We were placing red heart locks on the metal grid along the bridge that glistened with promises of love. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ItAsCHEsjh8/TzpqGUKJ5iI/AAAAAAAAHOc/WBDTrbLvQKs/s1600/DSC07537.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ItAsCHEsjh8/TzpqGUKJ5iI/AAAAAAAAHOc/WBDTrbLvQKs/s400/DSC07537.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708992134368585250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">One of us had a recently married daughter, and another a soon to be married niece. One day they would come to Paris to discover the heart shaped lock with their names engraved on it. We placed the locks on, made a note of where they were and tucked away the keys being careful they didn't fall through the crevices of the time-worn wooden planks. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yDU4EsHcY1k/Tzpuhrob04I/AAAAAAAAHO0/2FaUZTVOl_I/s1600/DSC08333.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yDU4EsHcY1k/Tzpuhrob04I/AAAAAAAAHO0/2FaUZTVOl_I/s400/DSC08333.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708997002572583810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Then we sat just to take in the day. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">I <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">♥ </span>my friends! </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_dxqdtHK1Z4/TzpDI9fnKkI/AAAAAAAAHMo/yM2AItp8ahk/s1600/316161_2432680744770_1484213395_2751993_484881914_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 385px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_dxqdtHK1Z4/TzpDI9fnKkI/AAAAAAAAHMo/yM2AItp8ahk/s400/316161_2432680744770_1484213395_2751993_484881914_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708949298870692418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Crossing back over the bridge we had a little window shopping to do.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZk1rpIr8e0/TzpuiIr8-vI/AAAAAAAAHPA/ucqI0tfd01o/s1600/DSC08349.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZk1rpIr8e0/TzpuiIr8-vI/AAAAAAAAHPA/ucqI0tfd01o/s400/DSC08349.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708997010371967730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We were meeting friends, who live in Paris, for cocktails and then dinner. It was hard to not stop and look at each window, and we had some time. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-leWLLl0l85c/TzqEhj2DHTI/AAAAAAAAHSU/3NI6tx2atAs/s1600/DSC08356.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-leWLLl0l85c/TzqEhj2DHTI/AAAAAAAAHSU/3NI6tx2atAs/s400/DSC08356.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709021189738011954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mevfi1Xt9kU/Tzpyg1XCPzI/AAAAAAAAHQQ/tkedLIctoFk/s1600/DSC08357.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mevfi1Xt9kU/Tzpyg1XCPzI/AAAAAAAAHQQ/tkedLIctoFk/s400/DSC08357.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709001386050600754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xkWO3IxDeIw/TzpyhUgN4SI/AAAAAAAAHQc/vKfBg3BMgrQ/s1600/DSC08358.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xkWO3IxDeIw/TzpyhUgN4SI/AAAAAAAAHQc/vKfBg3BMgrQ/s400/DSC08358.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709001394410610978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwUNqUxEhx4/Tzp-asC4gLI/AAAAAAAAHRw/bXPHXkscST0/s1600/DSC07425.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwUNqUxEhx4/Tzp-asC4gLI/AAAAAAAAHRw/bXPHXkscST0/s400/DSC07425.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709014474610475186" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVDtd5gKltg/Tzp-bXNj6zI/AAAAAAAAHR8/7GTbK922ZqI/s1600/DSC07427.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVDtd5gKltg/Tzp-bXNj6zI/AAAAAAAAHR8/7GTbK922ZqI/s400/DSC07427.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709014486197988146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Ahhh....I was eying this, </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGDSG0pZsUg/Tzpxqach_sI/AAAAAAAAHPw/gDiuJbamXTg/s1600/DSC08327.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGDSG0pZsUg/Tzpxqach_sI/AAAAAAAAHPw/gDiuJbamXTg/s400/DSC08327.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709000451112959682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">until I saw the price....</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OlgxzRWLApU/Tzpxp8GvYII/AAAAAAAAHPk/AhoKSe7f6Mc/s1600/DSC08328.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OlgxzRWLApU/Tzpxp8GvYII/AAAAAAAAHPk/AhoKSe7f6Mc/s400/DSC08328.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709000442968498306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">.....back to window shopping. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qzkALkrxzP0/TzpygcPptlI/AAAAAAAAHQE/ZpSL2RFznCA/s1600/DSC08311.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qzkALkrxzP0/TzpygcPptlI/AAAAAAAAHQE/ZpSL2RFznCA/s400/DSC08311.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709001379308746322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_PQZJWUYXg/Tzp-6QvRvPI/AAAAAAAAHSI/ur8Ick4okJs/s1600/DSC07372.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_PQZJWUYXg/Tzp-6QvRvPI/AAAAAAAAHSI/ur8Ick4okJs/s400/DSC07372.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709015017036299506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R1HnrsOvYg4/Tzp-Z42z2eI/AAAAAAAAHRk/aRSiR6Yy25g/s1600/DSC07369.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R1HnrsOvYg4/Tzp-Z42z2eI/AAAAAAAAHRk/aRSiR6Yy25g/s400/DSC07369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709014460869630434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HBi_97604o/TzpxnoDAqUI/AAAAAAAAHPM/_bjLkRmsTAY/s1600/DSC08308.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5HBi_97604o/TzpxnoDAqUI/AAAAAAAAHPM/_bjLkRmsTAY/s400/DSC08308.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709000403224406338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4xFzLk89KPo/TzpxpIrncBI/AAAAAAAAHPY/u-J_N84I3j8/s1600/DSC08325.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4xFzLk89KPo/TzpxpIrncBI/AAAAAAAAHPY/u-J_N84I3j8/s400/DSC08325.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709000429164523538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We wanted to stop at Lauduree, </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-johHW9B_NAs/TzpzMN1cDsI/AAAAAAAAHRA/OmEvTLPTxWo/s1600/DSC08319.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-johHW9B_NAs/TzpzMN1cDsI/AAAAAAAAHRA/OmEvTLPTxWo/s400/DSC08319.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709002131354947266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">but it was time for cocktails....at <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=fish+paris&fb=1&gl=us&hq=fish&hnear=0x47e66e1f06e2b70f:0x40b82c3688c9460,Paris,+France&cid=905845998330873467">Fish la Boissonnerie</a>!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-suSmw5Ph88s/TzqEh_NN_nI/AAAAAAAAHSk/2WtQK5pKuuI/s1600/DSC08389.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-suSmw5Ph88s/TzqEh_NN_nI/AAAAAAAAHSk/2WtQK5pKuuI/s400/DSC08389.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709021197082951282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> A few toasts later we were all pretty hungry, so we made the short walk for dinner at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/louis-vins-paris"><span style="font-style: italic;">Louis Vins</span></a> at 8 for 8.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QI4kV2RYUrw/TzqEi6KRceI/AAAAAAAAHSs/Q1idUNXPK7I/s1600/DSC08400.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QI4kV2RYUrw/TzqEi6KRceI/AAAAAAAAHSs/Q1idUNXPK7I/s400/DSC08400.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709021212908286434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GZzYUYJNWg/TzqEjQ6LgFI/AAAAAAAAHS4/_6G_N4SeZ1Q/s1600/DSC08401.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6GZzYUYJNWg/TzqEjQ6LgFI/AAAAAAAAHS4/_6G_N4SeZ1Q/s400/DSC08401.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709021219014803538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WCTGNUuSXQ/TzqE88wwz-I/AAAAAAAAHTE/fP2N2cu99bY/s1600/DSC08407.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WCTGNUuSXQ/TzqE88wwz-I/AAAAAAAAHTE/fP2N2cu99bY/s400/DSC08407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709021660283195362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_tIoa1ly64/TzqE-hBPz7I/AAAAAAAAHTQ/rt3mSpHqy_g/s1600/DSC08415.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_tIoa1ly64/TzqE-hBPz7I/AAAAAAAAHTQ/rt3mSpHqy_g/s400/DSC08415.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709021687195881394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FERSWA5mEU/TzqFAYV_IkI/AAAAAAAAHTg/JYgz3PBzIZ8/s1600/DSC08428.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FERSWA5mEU/TzqFAYV_IkI/AAAAAAAAHTg/JYgz3PBzIZ8/s400/DSC08428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709021719226688066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It was a day of celebration of love, life and friends <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">♥</span> Cheers!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6nOPr8lNRI8/TzpyiB7541I/AAAAAAAAHQo/SGNWxk24FQs/s1600/DSC08375.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6nOPr8lNRI8/TzpyiB7541I/AAAAAAAAHQo/SGNWxk24FQs/s400/DSC08375.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709001406606336850" border="0" /></a>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-23849629379262612622012-02-11T11:05:00.002-05:002012-02-11T11:05:22.709-05:00A Valentine ♥<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-952DahLEoU4/TzZeBz4DCBI/AAAAAAAAHL4/H6XgXeC8034/s1600/-9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 475px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-952DahLEoU4/TzZeBz4DCBI/AAAAAAAAHL4/H6XgXeC8034/s400/-9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707852962936850450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It was an annual event. The invitations went out and all of of the little girls arrived and circled our large mahogany dining table in their red flouncy dresses. Craft paper, markers, scissors and heart stickers were spread out. Heart-shaped cookies ready to decorate sat on the table, and sprinkles littered the floor. Red heart-shaped <a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/jell-o-jigglers-53920.aspx">Jello Jigglers</a> were always invited to the party along with the bestest of friends. Giggles and Jigglers....bows and curls. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEkrzANrqwE/TzZv3-VtU_I/AAAAAAAAHME/T2ZoqqU8KGE/s1600/-10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yEkrzANrqwE/TzZv3-VtU_I/AAAAAAAAHME/T2ZoqqU8KGE/s400/-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707872585156219890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">That little girl is now all grown up and wearing a different flouncy dress....with a soon-to-be wedding bouquet and a handsome man across from her.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMw8rkrdsQY/TzZdYyXuFWI/AAAAAAAAHLs/891Lmh1uziY/s1600/-5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 343px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YMw8rkrdsQY/TzZdYyXuFWI/AAAAAAAAHLs/891Lmh1uziY/s400/-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707852258158187874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> There is a different chapter now with different invitations and a new version of hearts. My little girl isn't nearby, but she is close. Every Valentines Day when treats take on that shape of love, I think of her.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-952DahLEoU4/TzZeBz4DCBI/AAAAAAAAHL4/H6XgXeC8034/s1600/-9.jpg"><br /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />This Valentine's Day I'm still <a href="http://www.2stews.com/2012/02/mulled-wine-and-down-for-count.html">icing my knee </a>instead of cupcakes and cookies and I'm thinking of Valentines past. My daughter wants to make the Jigglers if she can get a heart shaped cutter in Korea, and my son and his girlfriend, <a href="http://www.valentinesbyval.com/">Val</a>, are making Truffles. Love is truly in the air. For me, I decided to re-post some ideas for your V-Day. Just click on the photo for a link to the post. <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">♥</span>XO<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">♥<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.2stews.com/2009/05/fresh-scent-of-pasta-roses.html"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 336px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie06jyz8Hzw/TzaN7TjBQRI/AAAAAAAAHMQ/sO_tFxk2QN0/s400/DSC01636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707905627737637138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R5fR0Ba8xRE/TzaPLkLVRhI/AAAAAAAAHMc/Uv2TRNhofcw/s1600/DSC07412.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R5fR0Ba8xRE/TzaPLkLVRhI/AAAAAAAAHMc/Uv2TRNhofcw/s400/DSC07412.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707907006591223314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.2stews.com/2010/02/heart-of-goldand-winner.html"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BySSOgI7XVA/TzZWT7t-K8I/AAAAAAAAHKM/h5SqhFeEUV0/s400/DSC07238.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707844478186695618" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.2stews.com/2011/02/heart-whoopie-pies.html"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXTTx2AfLPk/TzZXssWSa3I/AAAAAAAAHKY/U4e_5VkovK0/s400/DSC05116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707846003069184882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.2stews.com/2010/02/for-love-of-macarons.html"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ap_zpmYQik4/TzZYfDMkGDI/AAAAAAAAHKk/hgJkARTLymU/s400/DSC07628.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707846868195874866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.2stews.com/2009/12/truffles-dipped-and-sprinkled.html"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YjASC-eZdF4/TzZZ5yTEGpI/AAAAAAAAHKw/EXFSepmhaJ0/s400/DSC05932.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707848427027831442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.2stews.com/2010/03/red-carpet-chocolate-cherry-martini.html"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qnfQ34iIXcE/TzZbVlzFUOI/AAAAAAAAHK8/hHi0bqcBHN0/s400/DSC08755.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707850004220432610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.2stews.com/2010/12/warm-heart-in-hand.html"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 390px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9OWzmhlqqm4/TzZc3-9opsI/AAAAAAAAHLg/fJjHKDs2sYo/s400/DSC03771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707851694602757826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-43413068917727011552012-02-05T10:01:00.001-05:002012-02-05T11:46:27.840-05:00Mulled Wine and Down for the Count<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O_wk5_1S4zo/Ty6Gc6USCvI/AAAAAAAAHKE/RbQ-AjjvLXw/s1600/DSC08862.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O_wk5_1S4zo/Ty6Gc6USCvI/AAAAAAAAHKE/RbQ-AjjvLXw/s400/DSC08862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705645609173781234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">10, 9, 8, 7, 6.....I have been down for the count. Feeling like the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whac-A-Mole">Whac-a-Mole</a> game at the carnival, I just keep popping my head up again and again dodging the mallet! One of the latest whacks was knee surgery a few weeks ago. I've been watching movies and too much TV, reading books and doing some computer work in short spurts while icing my knee instead of icing cakes. Friends, family and neighbors have dug in, shoveling snow, checking in by email or phone offering food and comfort. Nice :-) My friend, Debbie, gave me a very welcome gift of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulled_wine"><span style="font-style: italic;">Glögg</span></a> or mulled wine that she made. It is served warm, which enhances the spices as it snugs the soul. I looked at the recipe she referred me to and liked the addition of port and brandy, which add depth. We all have our favorite spices and I prefer cinnamon over the stronger taste of clove. When a recipe calls for cloves, I often just give it a dusting instead of the full amount since their bold flavor can dominate. The mulled wine stores well in a sealed bottle and just a small mug of it takes the chill out while watching snow fall, coming in out of the cold or icing the knee...I think I'll just mull that over...5, 4, 3...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mulled Wine</span></span><br /><br />1.5 liters medium body inexpensive red wine<br />1.5 liters inexpensive port (the less it costs, the better)<br />750 ml inexpensive brandy<br />2 cinnamon sticks, each 5 inches long<br />1 whole nutmeg<br />15 cardamom pods, cracked<br />3 whole cloves (or more to your liking)<br />peel of 1 orange, organic is best<br />1/2 cup dried sour cherries, (may substitute raisins)<br />1/2 cup whole almonds, blanched and peels removed<br />1/2 cup </span><span style="font-family:arial;">or more to taste, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">turbinado sugar<br />Orange rind and cinnamon sticks for garnish<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yeG9mVa9Aok/Ty6GcneVtuI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/HcybIudqdlw/s1600/DSC08783.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 373px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yeG9mVa9Aok/Ty6GcneVtuI/AAAAAAAAHJ0/HcybIudqdlw/s400/DSC08783.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705645604115691234" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In a nonreactive pot such as stainless steel, pour in the wine and port. Add the cinnamon sticks, whole nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, orange peel, cherries and almonds. Cover and simmer over low heat.<br /><br />Put the sugar in a pot and add half of the brandy. Over medium-low heat, stir constantly until it becomes a golden caramelized syrup, about 10-15 minutes. Then add this mixture to the wine simmering in the pot, cover and continue simmering for another 45-60 minutes. At this point, test for sweetness and add more sugar and brandy if you like. Strain* and serve or pour into clean bottles and seal. If you are serving a crowd, you can pour it all into a slow cooker to keep warm.<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />*You can reserve the soaked cherries to use in baking. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Serve warm in a small mug and garnish with a twist of orange peel and a cinnamon stick.<br /><br />Makes about 5, 750ml bottles.<br /><br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-40793850283711746782011-10-02T08:59:00.002-04:002011-10-02T09:09:04.348-04:003 Japanese Dressings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wmwEpci8V9Q/Tod3YoVQNqI/AAAAAAAAHGs/Fi-diiYKj0s/s1600/Tomato%2Bdill%2Bsalad.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wmwEpci8V9Q/Tod3YoVQNqI/AAAAAAAAHGs/Fi-diiYKj0s/s400/Tomato%2Bdill%2Bsalad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658622721841444514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">My <a href="http://www.2stews.com/2011/09/commuting-crossing-line-and-tokyo.html">trips to Japan </a>weren't all work and play. There was plenty of time to meditate on dining while touring around.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nl9Nr_M-XD4/Tod8YexuCPI/AAAAAAAAHG0/YZFAkezb7lg/s1600/Sankeien%2BGardens%2Bcollage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nl9Nr_M-XD4/Tod8YexuCPI/AAAAAAAAHG0/YZFAkezb7lg/s400/Sankeien%2BGardens%2Bcollage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658628216834623730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> The western influence in Japan is evident, but there is never any mistaking where you are. Great attention and respect are given to the food preparation in appearance and taste. When the Japanese prepare western foods, there is always a trace of the hand that makes it. There is a certain <span style="font-style: italic;">je ne sais quoi</span>. And so, these dressings have that same quality. They came by me from a book I got in London, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Japanese-East-West-Flavors/dp/1844005259"><span style="font-style: italic;">Simple Japanese</span></a>, and I have loosely adapted a few recipes. All of the dressings are comfortable on just beds of greens, or whatever combination suits you. I used the Japanese Creamy Dill Dressing to top an heirloom tomato salad that was fresh from my Massachusetts garden, dill and all. It is also perfect with grilled or poached fish.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14GbtG_df_E/ToexCgSlMNI/AAAAAAAAHG8/TZw_C2QmQ18/s1600/tomato%2Bdill%2Bsalad%2Bcollage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14GbtG_df_E/ToexCgSlMNI/AAAAAAAAHG8/TZw_C2QmQ18/s400/tomato%2Bdill%2Bsalad%2Bcollage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658686113400041682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The Miso Dressing sat beside varieties of grilled baby eggplant and peppers that I got at the farmers market in Boise, Idaho while I was visiting my son. I have bought a version of this dressing for years not really knowing how to make it, but wanting to. The sesame flavor compliments beef, chicken or pork when used in a salad.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihaih8i_uhY/Tod1pSdFEuI/AAAAAAAAHF0/2NuTsPY9ESM/s1600/peppers%2Band%2Beggplant.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihaih8i_uhY/Tod1pSdFEuI/AAAAAAAAHF0/2NuTsPY9ESM/s400/peppers%2Band%2Beggplant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658620809003209442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> One evening I quickly made a salad of leftover grilled chicken, sliced peaches ripe from the tree and toasted pecans. The Japanese Vinaigrette blended with the fruit and chicken so well, that I wondered how I had never known this fusion of flavors. One of the ingredients is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuzu">yuzu juice</a>, a citrus juice that tastes like a medley of lemon and grapefruit with a hint of orange. My daughter, who lives in Korea, uses it in her cooking. I bought a bottle in Japan and it is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yakami-Orchard-Pure-Japanese-Juice/dp/B002ACC8II">available here</a>, as well.<br /><br />These are all easily made in advance, keep well and will make your salads as satisfying as a walk through a Japanese garden....well, almost.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzc0LSLhqqo/Tod1pvhoHiI/AAAAAAAAHGE/T5iAA0GJ_eo/s1600/DSC08295.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzc0LSLhqqo/Tod1pvhoHiI/AAAAAAAAHGE/T5iAA0GJ_eo/s400/DSC08295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658620816806911522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Japanese Creamy Dill Dressing</span></span><br /><br />1/3 cup fresh dill, finely chopped<br />6 ounces creme fraiche<br />juice of 1/2 lemon<br />1 teaspoon wasabi paste<br />1/2 teaspoon sugar<br />salt and freshly ground pepper<br /><br />Mix all of the chopped dill, crème fraîche, lemon juice, wasabi paste and sugar together in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste.<br /><br />Keeps 3 days refrigerated.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miso Dressing</span></span><br /><br />1 shallot, finely chopped<br />1 large garlic clove, finely chopped<br />3 tablespoons white miso paste<br />juice of 1 lemon<br />1 tablespoon whole grain mustard<br />3 teaspoons good quality toasted sesame oil<br />1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar<br />1/2 tablespoon honey<br />1/4 cup peanut oil<br />1/4 cup canola oil<br />2 tablespoon olive oil<br /><br />Put shallot and garlic into a small food processor with the miso, lemon juice, mustard, sesame oil, balsamic vinegar and honey. Blend to combine.<br /><br />Mix together the peanut oil, olive oil and canola oil in a bowl. Gradually add the oil mixture to the miso mixture and blend until emulsified and the consistency of a thick vinaigrette. You may not need all of the oil, or you may need more, just check the consistency and see.<br /><br />Keeps 1 week refrigerated.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Japanese Vinaigrette</span></span><br /><br />2 tablespoons <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuzu">yuzu juice</a>*<br />2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar<br />1 tablespoon wasabi paste<br />2 teaspoons sweet chili sauce<br />1/2 cup canola oil<br />1/4 cup olive oil<br />*can substitute 1 tablespoon Meyer lemon juice and 1 tablespoon grapefruit juice to equal 2 tablespoons yuzu juice.<br /><br />Combine the yuzu juice, vinegar,wasabi and sweet chili sauce in a small food processor and blend until smooth.<br /><br />Mix the canola oil and olive oil in a bowl. Add to the wasabi mixture while the machine is running and mix until it has the consistency of a vinaigrette.<br /><br />Keeps 2 weeks refrigerated.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H-Wftkn73B8/Tod1p8CDIGI/AAAAAAAAHGM/ixDz4ib8u48/s1600/DSC08303.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 370px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H-Wftkn73B8/Tod1p8CDIGI/AAAAAAAAHGM/ixDz4ib8u48/s400/DSC08303.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658620820164124770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-864829307488728852011-09-25T11:57:00.005-04:002011-09-25T13:18:58.072-04:00Commuting, Crossing the Line and Tokyo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W4zGPvyKPhU/TmQTE8vZaDI/AAAAAAAAHD0/Kgp9SIryjws/s1600/DSC07880.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 377px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W4zGPvyKPhU/TmQTE8vZaDI/AAAAAAAAHD0/Kgp9SIryjws/s400/DSC07880.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648660808374773810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I have been remiss, not by intent, but by default. My commute to New York's JFK airport is a time eater. These past few seasons Mother Nature has shown her power with persistent thunderstorms, an east coast earthquake and hurricane. I guess I didn't realize how much chaos that could throw into commuting to another city by plane. It seems that every time I think I have cracked the commuting code, it changes. Who needs crossword puzzles to keep the mind astute? Just commute. I used to ask people what it was like to make the commute from Boston to New York. I also wondered what it was like to then fly to far away places after that trek. Crossing the state line is much different than crossing the </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Date_Line">International Date Line</a><span style="font-family:arial;">. Add the 2 together and it gets enigmatic. How can it be explained and understood? Well...on a typical flight to Tokyo I start my day from the Boston area at about 11:30 am to get to NY for my 7:20pm flight to Tokyo.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AVi6bPb9hEA/TmO45PKRYTI/AAAAAAAAHAo/bC2D0NPNGBc/s1600/Leaving%2Bfor%2Bwork.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AVi6bPb9hEA/TmO45PKRYTI/AAAAAAAAHAo/bC2D0NPNGBc/s400/Leaving%2Bfor%2Bwork.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648561651114402098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> There are a lot more options flying into NY from Boston if you take the shuttle into LaGuardia Airport then cab it over to JFK.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWk8JqCZQdY/TmO5aFMws5I/AAAAAAAAHAw/nO27YnKYGSk/s1600/DSC07505.JPG"><br /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b_vInVcfomA/TmO44_MuziI/AAAAAAAAHAg/fCQVOfp4GGg/s1600/Welcome%2Bto%2BLaGuardia.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b_vInVcfomA/TmO44_MuziI/AAAAAAAAHAg/fCQVOfp4GGg/s400/Welcome%2Bto%2BLaGuardia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648561646829751842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWk8JqCZQdY/TmO5aFMws5I/AAAAAAAAHAw/nO27YnKYGSk/s1600/DSC07505.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mWk8JqCZQdY/TmO5aFMws5I/AAAAAAAAHAw/nO27YnKYGSk/s400/DSC07505.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648562215376171922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Sounds crazy, I know, and sometimes I think it is. It is a trade off of stress. You're pretty sure you'll get there, but you have to add the NYC cab ride stress into the mixture. I like to give myself backup flights in case the weather or any other issue pops up. That means I usually arrive at JFK 4 hours early. After signing in for my trip I get on the plane and do the usual checks. Most often I am the purser, which includes briefings with the captain and then the crew. The flight plan is 13 hours long each way. And there is a 13 hour time difference. On this trip we left at 7:20 pm Friday evening and arrived Tokyo at 10:30 pm Saturday night. Now that is a mind bender. Your body just doesn't know what to do and when. And neither does your mind. Good thing we have a flight path on our video monitors to tell us where we are and where we are going.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nLXaurxABB0/TmQNrNizWBI/AAAAAAAAHBo/wJLFV-55TXc/s1600/JFK-HND.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nLXaurxABB0/TmQNrNizWBI/AAAAAAAAHBo/wJLFV-55TXc/s400/JFK-HND.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648654868650612754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Our flight leaves JFK airport and travels toward the north pole. We serve 3 meals on the flight and since it leaves in the evening and arrives in the evening, they are all a lunch or dinner or snack...no breakfast. Where did the morning go? We crossed the line....the </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Date_Line">International Date Line</a><span style="font-family:arial;">.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fVn7LXuVhmA/TmQNS2KSDvI/AAAAAAAAHBI/0FMkLeQEzgI/s1600/JFK-HND%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fVn7LXuVhmA/TmQNS2KSDvI/AAAAAAAAHBI/0FMkLeQEzgI/s400/JFK-HND%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648654450056892146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Our flight path goes east to west and north until we approach Japan. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XV4qJs9PH94/TmQNTJS0NYI/AAAAAAAAHBQ/rqlS9vHXuBM/s1600/JFK-HND%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XV4qJs9PH94/TmQNTJS0NYI/AAAAAAAAHBQ/rqlS9vHXuBM/s400/JFK-HND%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648654455192958338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Coming back to the US we leave in the morning, and arrive in the morning so we serve breakfast all day...or is it all morning? Coming back we left Monday morning and arrived Monday morning. Yikes! You just really have to throw all concepts of time out of the window and just be....be here now. The video flight path helps to keep it real. Looking out the window we see the lights of the Japanese fishing boats in formation down below. They almost look celestial. Then we see the blurred lights of Tokyo as we make our approach.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-68GiVf-y3KU/TmQNTG51VxI/AAAAAAAAHBY/rqZaNVFM4Wo/s1600/JFK-HND%2B4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-68GiVf-y3KU/TmQNTG51VxI/AAAAAAAAHBY/rqZaNVFM4Wo/s400/JFK-HND%2B4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648654454551303954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">When we land in Tokyo it is evening. After deplaning, we go through customs and obtain our temporary visa or shore pass as it's called. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-3tbvruTAQ/TmQNrNPkYfI/AAAAAAAAHBg/X8gXHY44yOU/s1600/JFK-HND%2B5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-3tbvruTAQ/TmQNrNPkYfI/AAAAAAAAHBg/X8gXHY44yOU/s400/JFK-HND%2B5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648654868569940466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> The ride to the hotel is about half an hour, and sleep is now in sight. I unpack and settle into my room but, after the long flight and time change, it is not a good idea to make important decisions. Does the toilet really need controls on it? And the TV remote is only barely decipherable to my tired western eyes. Phew!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOobnXppnYs/TmQO6VS0Y9I/AAAAAAAAHC8/MipOEoxuipU/s1600/hotel%2Bcontrols.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOobnXppnYs/TmQO6VS0Y9I/AAAAAAAAHC8/MipOEoxuipU/s400/hotel%2Bcontrols.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648656227940721618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">After checking email, I get ready for the long awaited sleep. My flashlight sits on my bedside table with shoes close by just in case my wake up call isn't the phone, but a swaying of the highrise hotel. We are, after all, in the </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/asia-pacific/japan-sits-atop-deadliest-section-of-ring-of-fire/article1939671/">Ring of Fire</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, the earthquake zone. The reality is unsettling, but fear is not my friend. The next morning it is luckily my phone that gives me the wake up call at 9 am. Our hotel presents us with a complimentary buffet breakfast as we look out over the Yokohama Bay. It is a lavish spread of western and eastern foods. I dine on a fusion of my own making by sprinkling seaweed and edamame over my scrambled eggs. The coffee is good and strong and plentiful. The day is ready to begin. It has been as hot as Hades outside with high humidity. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a fan get tucked inside my bag beside my yen. A group of us decide at breakfast to go to a Japanese garden. Hurricane Irene is raging against the Northeast US, so 2 other crews are stuck for days since all have flights cancelled going into the states. Each 777 crew has 11 flight attendants and 4 pilots, and on this day there were 45 of us at the hotel. Usually it is only 1 crew at a time at the hotel. Organized, we hop on a bus to the outskirts of town to </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankeien">Sankeien Gardens</a><span style="font-family:arial;">.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejJDzQKQwnA/Tn8tsDQLKjI/AAAAAAAAHEE/bpW26fQXU3E/s1600/DSC07871.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejJDzQKQwnA/Tn8tsDQLKjI/AAAAAAAAHEE/bpW26fQXU3E/s400/DSC07871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656289891811273266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> They are traditional Japanese gardens built and designed by Sankei Hara, who was a Japanese silk trader, and encompass 175 square meters of calm and beauty. As we walk toward the garden entrance there are small shops with local goods.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZwK71RjGNc/TmQNSsRud9I/AAAAAAAAHBA/DfL15358_6o/s1600/Japanese%2Bmarket.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZwK71RjGNc/TmQNSsRud9I/AAAAAAAAHBA/DfL15358_6o/s400/Japanese%2Bmarket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648654447403759570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> We enter the gardens and notice a bin of parasols to help shield the hot midday sun.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5V-Nnxi8awQ/Tn8wbzU2eJI/AAAAAAAAHEM/YlCZTPD0pv8/s1600/DSC08007.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5V-Nnxi8awQ/Tn8wbzU2eJI/AAAAAAAAHEM/YlCZTPD0pv8/s400/DSC08007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656292911192897682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xACwmeSon7Q/Tn8wcB4MMiI/AAAAAAAAHEU/KZfEOswOG70/s1600/DSC08001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xACwmeSon7Q/Tn8wcB4MMiI/AAAAAAAAHEU/KZfEOswOG70/s400/DSC08001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656292915099218466" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sbe3FxRGH14/Tn8yziCDxAI/AAAAAAAAHEc/Qf0S7LMDuwY/s1600/DSC07892.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sbe3FxRGH14/Tn8yziCDxAI/AAAAAAAAHEc/Qf0S7LMDuwY/s400/DSC07892.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656295517890790402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Very civil....and welcome as we walk around taking it all in. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fztRUN6c5mE/TmQOJeQ30II/AAAAAAAAHCI/2hvEF6RC9p4/s1600/Sankeien%2BGarden%2B6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fztRUN6c5mE/TmQOJeQ30II/AAAAAAAAHCI/2hvEF6RC9p4/s400/Sankeien%2BGarden%2B6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648655388534886530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">There are paths and pagodas.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w4oImRZlX5c/Tn81hVqMd-I/AAAAAAAAHFE/TPPGcrUYupU/s1600/DSC07957.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w4oImRZlX5c/Tn81hVqMd-I/AAAAAAAAHFE/TPPGcrUYupU/s400/DSC07957.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656298503866709986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oXeNepTw9SI/Tn81ziJi0mI/AAAAAAAAHFM/yRmuIK2FN00/s1600/DSC07947.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oXeNepTw9SI/Tn81ziJi0mI/AAAAAAAAHFM/yRmuIK2FN00/s400/DSC07947.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656298816457069154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r116T-KZmLc/TmQOJVa4XcI/AAAAAAAAHCA/lYnr4MJaZTY/s1600/Sanskeien%2BGarden%2B11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r116T-KZmLc/TmQOJVa4XcI/AAAAAAAAHCA/lYnr4MJaZTY/s400/Sanskeien%2BGarden%2B11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648655386160946626" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ttcCxEJbRWw/TmQOJ0-NhNI/AAAAAAAAHCg/qgs3vRYZ-B8/s1600/Sankeien%2BGarden%2B9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ttcCxEJbRWw/TmQOJ0-NhNI/AAAAAAAAHCg/qgs3vRYZ-B8/s400/Sankeien%2BGarden%2B9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648655394630632658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Bamboo and boats.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndsOBKUUN4w/Tn8ztpybmuI/AAAAAAAAHEk/KBiM-VR0bVY/s1600/DSC07936.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndsOBKUUN4w/Tn8ztpybmuI/AAAAAAAAHEk/KBiM-VR0bVY/s400/DSC07936.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656296516405140194" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMTKOrwYDTw/Tn80TARYd8I/AAAAAAAAHE0/oSoxpagTZ3M/s1600/DSC07995.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMTKOrwYDTw/Tn80TARYd8I/AAAAAAAAHE0/oSoxpagTZ3M/s400/DSC07995.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656297158095697858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QP-4wQOAu9g/TmQOJtxxG1I/AAAAAAAAHCQ/fNJeWfuyKxI/s1600/Sankeien%2BGarden%2B7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QP-4wQOAu9g/TmQOJtxxG1I/AAAAAAAAHCQ/fNJeWfuyKxI/s400/Sankeien%2BGarden%2B7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648655392699390802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">And a lounging cat to remind us to stop and take a break before we return to town.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMrgwu7n0Vg/Tn80TduuPLI/AAAAAAAAHE8/3qgKhiIAQ5k/s1600/DSC07944.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMrgwu7n0Vg/Tn80TduuPLI/AAAAAAAAHE8/3qgKhiIAQ5k/s400/DSC07944.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656297166003387570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WsOJKbjPMHY/TmQOJsrVmTI/AAAAAAAAHCY/8Gb5B83D5GU/s1600/Sankeien%2BGarden%2B8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WsOJKbjPMHY/TmQOJsrVmTI/AAAAAAAAHCY/8Gb5B83D5GU/s400/Sankeien%2BGarden%2B8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648655392403986738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Back to Yokohama we go as the day begins to close.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XvwhAbkl_Z0/Tn84V5oIxCI/AAAAAAAAHFU/RxLNQ7nMCG0/s1600/DSC08029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XvwhAbkl_Z0/Tn84V5oIxCI/AAAAAAAAHFU/RxLNQ7nMCG0/s400/DSC08029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656301605898208290" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ia0cVEIZdb0/Tn84WTYp3uI/AAAAAAAAHFc/aeADu31JWfw/s1600/DSC08030.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ia0cVEIZdb0/Tn84WTYp3uI/AAAAAAAAHFc/aeADu31JWfw/s400/DSC08030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656301612812590818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Some of us reconvene for dinner at a local noodle house. We are greeted with a cold glass of ice tea as we sit down. I order a bowl of Ramen noodles as I sip my tea.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H88-HxjKc2w/TmQO6u_NLjI/AAAAAAAAHDM/90i6rj1r0VQ/s1600/Noodle%2BBar.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H88-HxjKc2w/TmQO6u_NLjI/AAAAAAAAHDM/90i6rj1r0VQ/s400/Noodle%2BBar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648656234837782066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> The hot dumplings and bowls of ramen noodles arrive to the waiting addition of spices and condiments already on the table. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2IG0LjBdwY/Tn87yUSddHI/AAAAAAAAHFk/99FRaglYMR0/s1600/DSC08055.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2IG0LjBdwY/Tn87yUSddHI/AAAAAAAAHFk/99FRaglYMR0/s400/DSC08055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656305392626267250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">There is a garlic press to squeeze fresh garlic in the bowl and crocks full of I'm not sure what, but I delve in anyway! I still dream of this warm, soothing and flavorful food. Every good day must come to an end and even the city prepares for sleep.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HOwtsH-irjM/TmQNSnHeBnI/AAAAAAAAHA4/UH29naOxexY/s1600/Ferris%2BWheel.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HOwtsH-irjM/TmQNSnHeBnI/AAAAAAAAHA4/UH29naOxexY/s400/Ferris%2BWheel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648654446018561650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> The next morning brings us back to the airport at dawn. Taking off my shoes as I go through security, I am presented with a pair of slippers. This city and airport are the cleanest I've ever seen. A reverence and respect is given to that process. We return our shore passes and board and load our aircraft to head back to the US. The gentlemen giving us clearance, wave and bow as our 777 releases the brakes and pushes back for taxi. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-03ltbfD5dIU/TmQO6udIYnI/AAAAAAAAHDE/-pY7zgxFvkE/s1600/Goodbye%2BHaneda.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-03ltbfD5dIU/TmQO6udIYnI/AAAAAAAAHDE/-pY7zgxFvkE/s400/Goodbye%2BHaneda.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648656234694861426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">You always feel it is a privilege to be here and you are made to feel like the privilege is all theirs. So now we are off to cross the line again, but this time we gain our day back. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FaHDYM8K0EU/TmQNrojOpaI/AAAAAAAAHB4/kPxq8mqcSss/s1600/way%2Bback%2Bto%2BJFK.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FaHDYM8K0EU/TmQNrojOpaI/AAAAAAAAHB4/kPxq8mqcSss/s400/way%2Bback%2Bto%2BJFK.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648654875900159394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Now that is my kinda math! After serving breakfast all day, New York is within reach again. We land at 7 am to calm skies in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Home in Boston is looking good. It is 1:30 in the afternoon before I walk in my door and remove my watch with the spinning hands, and put up my feet.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVndG-f37bk/TmQP1S8NEzI/AAAAAAAAHDs/-np-sk1phW8/s1600/DSC08191.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVndG-f37bk/TmQP1S8NEzI/AAAAAAAAHDs/-np-sk1phW8/s400/DSC08191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648657240921281330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Now, where are my slippers?!</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-43521219822304888272011-09-11T08:46:00.000-04:002011-09-11T08:46:00.104-04:00I Lit a Candle to Remember<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHGphfqnW8A/TmvyqSYyGAI/AAAAAAAAHD8/JVwkXAbvUNU/s1600/DSC08210.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EHGphfqnW8A/TmvyqSYyGAI/AAAAAAAAHD8/JVwkXAbvUNU/s400/DSC08210.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650876965770631170" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >I lit a candle to remember,<br />but how could I ever forget.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >Smiles never seen again, </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >and lives left unfinished </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >in the chaos of the rubble.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >Through the unimaginable,</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >bravery was pulled </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >from the pocket of innocence</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >to dab at our wounds.</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;" >You will always be with us.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />September 11, 2011</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-48574324385366623142011-07-04T08:48:00.000-04:002011-07-04T08:48:08.059-04:00Star Spangled Strawberry Rhubarb Tarts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrzWoOlTqe0/ThGk5q-QQvI/AAAAAAAAHAY/ckUXUuA-Hb8/s1600/DSC07292.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrzWoOlTqe0/ThGk5q-QQvI/AAAAAAAAHAY/ckUXUuA-Hb8/s400/DSC07292.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625458720257360626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Ahhh, summer in New England.....hot Balmy days, sand between your toes and sunburned noses from a long day at the beach, cookouts and get togethers, the 4th of July, farmer's markets, and lingering over a good book. This year summer is even better. My daughter is home from Korea for a 3 week visit and she has brought a friend who had never been to the US. Today is the 4th of July and we'll celebrate our independence with the best of what summer has to offer. I went to the farmer's market Saturday and got some red, ripe local strawberries and stalks of crisp rhubarb. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCesMza-zz0/ThGk5MzXACI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/Y3FVT7baD10/s1600/DSC07284.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCesMza-zz0/ThGk5MzXACI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/Y3FVT7baD10/s400/DSC07284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625458712158601250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">My daughter loves strawberry rhubarb pie, so I thought I'd make some festive tarts. Using <span style="font-style: italic;">crème brûleé</span> dishes and Christmas star cookie cutters, I put the tarts together. They look so patriotic with the bubbling red fruit and pastry stars. I used my red, white and blue tie-dyed napkins that my son made for me last year when he made his tie-dyed flag. The tarts will be the grand finale after a day of our local art's festival, barbecue, lobster rolls and fireworks. Happy 4th of July!! </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9D13-FHNMA/ThGk4keY16I/AAAAAAAAHAI/wG8XAD8qVSY/s1600/July%2B4th%2BStrawberry%2BRhubarb%2BTarts.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9D13-FHNMA/ThGk4keY16I/AAAAAAAAHAI/wG8XAD8qVSY/s400/July%2B4th%2BStrawberry%2BRhubarb%2BTarts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625458701333223330" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Strawberry Rhubarb Tarts</span></span><br /><br />2 1/2 cups rhubarb stalks, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (ends and any stringy parts removed and leaves discarded)<br />2 1/2 cups ripe strawberries, stemmed and cut in half<br />1 1/2 cups sugar<br />1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />2 tablespoons minute quick cooking tapioca<br />zest of 1 Meyer lemon (or 1 teaspoon orange or lemon zest)<br />unbaked pie crust for two 9-inch pies<br />tart pans or custard dishes<br /><br />Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.<br /><br />In a large bowl, mix together the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, cinnamon, tapioca and lemon zest. Roll out the pie crust dough and cut out circles of dough for the bottom of your dishes or pans. I used 4 1/2 inch dishes and cut out 5 1/2 inch circles, using a saucer as a template. Line the dishes with the dough and prick the bottom with a fork. Fill to the top with the fruit mixture and top with stars cut out of the pastry scraps. This filled 5 of the 4 1/2 inch dishes, but will vary depending on the size of your dish. You can also use a 9 inch pie dish and make a whole pie.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GybbkVgoCCA/ThD_s_8XR1I/AAAAAAAAG_w/63vvy5AVbkc/s1600/Strawberry%2BRhubarb%2BTarts.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GybbkVgoCCA/ThD_s_8XR1I/AAAAAAAAG_w/63vvy5AVbkc/s400/Strawberry%2BRhubarb%2BTarts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625277083129694034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-29nogriWXhU/ThD_sZQFwXI/AAAAAAAAG_o/4e-j7rjWJiY/s1600/Strawberry%2BRhubarb%2BTarts%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-29nogriWXhU/ThD_sZQFwXI/AAAAAAAAG_o/4e-j7rjWJiY/s400/Strawberry%2BRhubarb%2BTarts%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625277072743448946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Place the tarts or pie on a parchment lined baking sheet (the tarts will bubble over), and put in the preheated oven. Bake for about 50-60 minutes or until they are bubbling and done. If the pastry browns too quickly, loosely put a foil tent over the tarts.<br /><br />Makes five 4 1/2 inch tarts or one 9 inch pie.<br /><br />Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.<br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-11199669235116882332011-06-06T09:36:00.006-04:002011-06-06T10:52:50.811-04:00Italian Sausage, Radicchio and Pear Pasta<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VcvDEkwBlIk/TewO6FZQWsI/AAAAAAAAG_A/9X0eAnTSH9I/s1600/DSC06955.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VcvDEkwBlIk/TewO6FZQWsI/AAAAAAAAG_A/9X0eAnTSH9I/s400/DSC06955.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614879226467474114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Lately I feel like the Johnny Cash song, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmFN9C9PVpg"><span style="font-style: italic;">I've Been Everywhere</span></a>. In the past few weeks I've been to Dallas, Rome, Budapest, Boston, New York, Minneapolis, Boise, Idaho and back again. I'm off to Rome today. I'm not complaining, mind you, but my affairs aren't in order. The weeds are growing, the dust is collecting and my computer time has been zero. If only I had an iPad for my journies....plus a few days off! Oh yeah, don't forget a house cleaner on that list of wants. I settled yesterday for an easy and tasty pasta dish to keep me going. I have been wanting to make the <span style="font-style: italic;">Pater Nostri</span> pasta I bought in Rome using a recipe that was inspired by a dish I had at <a href="http://www.2stews.com/2011/05/roamin-in-rome.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Trattoria Moderne</span> last month</a>. It had Italian sausage, pear and radicchio. The flavors rounded out each other with a little sweet from the pear, some savory sausage, salty cheese and a slightly bitter taste from the radicchio. The essences of life.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AoRtoN89Prw/TewO5sj-fDI/AAAAAAAAG-w/pW6RQHbhLKo/s1600/Pasta%2Bwith%2BSausage%2Band%2BPears.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AoRtoN89Prw/TewO5sj-fDI/AAAAAAAAG-w/pW6RQHbhLKo/s400/Pasta%2Bwith%2BSausage%2Band%2BPears.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614879219801553970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> I added some dried <a href="http://www.driedporcinimushrooms.com/">porcini mushrooms</a>, onion, and a fresh grating of <span style="font-style: italic;">Parmigiano Reggiano</span> cheese and that was about it. <span style="font-style: italic;">Pater Nostri</span> pasta is shaped like rings of calamari. I saw some in Whole Foods the other day and they even called it calamari pasta. I like it in this dish because the sausage handily finds its way into the rings. Any pasta will work, but a tubular one catches any sauce and bits and pieces the best. I used garlic herb sausage from Whole Foods that was wonderful (it was even on sale!) As a garnish, I sprinkled chive flowerets from my blooming chives on top. They have a delicate look and chive flavor. All in all, this dish was quick, tasty and brought me back to Rome as all of the dust settled around me.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SuFr82n_AME/TewO54ncvbI/AAAAAAAAG-4/EK9ltufFiW4/s1600/Rome%2BMay%2B2011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SuFr82n_AME/TewO54ncvbI/AAAAAAAAG-4/EK9ltufFiW4/s400/Rome%2BMay%2B2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614879223037345202" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pasta with Italian Sausage, Radicchio and Pears</span></span><br /><br />6 ounces Italian sausage, removed from casing*<br />1/2 cup diced onion<br />8 porcini mushrooms, reconstituted in 1/2 cup boiling water<br />2 radicchio leaves, sliced thinly<br />1/2 ripe Bosc pear, cut into 1/2 x 1/4 inch slices<br />2 servings cooked pasta<br />Freshly grated Parmesan cheese<br />Optional: Chive or other herb flowerets for garnish<br />*If the sausage doesn't have herbs in it, add the leaves from some sprigs of fresh thyme and a few finely snipped fresh sage leaves.<br /><br />In a heavy skillet over medium heat, sauté the sausage and onion, breaking up the sausage as it cooks. Once the sausage is done and the onions are translucent, remove any excess oil. If you are using a high quality and lower fat sausage, you probably won't have any extra oil. Add the pears and radicchio, and stir until the pears are just slightly cooked and the radicchio is wilted. Transfer the sausage mixture into a bowl. Put the strained mushroom liquid into the skillet to deglaze over medium heat. Scrape up any bits that stick to the bottom and reduce the liquid by half. Return the sausage mixture back into the skillet and toss in cooked pasta to fully coat. If it seems dry at all, you can add a little of the cooked pasta water or a small amount of olive oil. Mine didn't need anything. Add a few gratings of Parmesan cheese and put into serving dishes. Top with the chive flower garnish if used, and offer freshly grated Parmesan cheese.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Uu4IUVQlNk/TewO6XZY3uI/AAAAAAAAG_I/XiRnmkvhwMA/s1600/DSC06935.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Uu4IUVQlNk/TewO6XZY3uI/AAAAAAAAG_I/XiRnmkvhwMA/s400/DSC06935.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614879231299870434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Serves 2 as a main course or 4 for a pasta course.<br /><br />My Beautiful cutting board is from Ann at Thibeault's Table. Take a peek <a href="http://www.thibeaultstable.com/">here</a>...they are works of art.<br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-57671885437658215922011-05-24T10:13:00.001-04:002011-05-24T10:13:07.332-04:00Roamin' in Rome<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i16Ok5EUjkU/Tdplb2RyxCI/AAAAAAAAG8s/SY1NQS5EHII/s1600/Trattoria%2BModerna%2Bkitchen.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fM6kLbIkB4/Tdpk_8QzdKI/AAAAAAAAG7s/SJe9ESRwQKs/s1600/cappucino.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fM6kLbIkB4/Tdpk_8QzdKI/AAAAAAAAG7s/SJe9ESRwQKs/s400/cappucino.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609907335514518690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Rome is the Eternal City whose history spans over two and a half thousand years. And around every corner is evidence of its architectural, artistic, culinary, historical and religious influence. Whew!! After arriving from New York and a quick 2 hours sleep, we started our day with cappucino at an outdoor café. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">The warm Roman sun and the caffeine started to melt away some of the jetlag before we headed to a specialty store in search of basil olive oil. They were fresh out of the oil, but had plenty of pasta to choose from.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc0ObCFo7LY/TdplaafeiiI/AAAAAAAAG8U/DRhIlU8lFcw/s1600/pasta%2Bat%2BIt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc0ObCFo7LY/TdplaafeiiI/AAAAAAAAG8U/DRhIlU8lFcw/s400/pasta%2Bat%2BIt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609907790305724962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> I found an interesting pasta, called maltagliati, that is irregularly cut flat pasta that I'll experiment with. I love a challenge! Walking along, we stopped in <a href="http://romanchurches.wikia.com/wiki/Santa_Maria_in_Via"><span style="font-style: italic;">Santa Maria in Via</span> Church.</a> It has a long and ancient history with a chapel built around a holy well. Some refer to the well water as miracle water. Reverently, we took a sip from cups of the water that are served in the chapel as we thought about its complex history. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qbQBYrQNwxw/TdplbpQdhuI/AAAAAAAAG8k/DAhTEgEPXsE/s1600/Santa%2Bmaria%2Bin%2BVia.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qbQBYrQNwxw/TdplbpQdhuI/AAAAAAAAG8k/DAhTEgEPXsE/s400/Santa%2Bmaria%2Bin%2BVia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609907811449145058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Continuing through the streets I was able to capture a photo of my friend Debbie as she looked up at Pope John Paul II.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dN1kr7aGRV0/Tdp8HM0iiTI/AAAAAAAAG90/_DL2YGplL-s/s1600/DSC06681.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dN1kr7aGRV0/Tdp8HM0iiTI/AAAAAAAAG90/_DL2YGplL-s/s400/DSC06681.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609932748985895218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">OK, no miracle here, she was just standing in front of a poster for his beatification in Rome this month :-) A few blocks away as the contrasting heavens looked down, a band played <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hava_Nagila"><span style="font-style: italic;">Hava Nagila</span></a> (Debbie is Jewish...how did they know?!) as we walked in front of the Pantheon.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQOzZ7lI6KU/Tdp8IGW-YjI/AAAAAAAAG-E/0eLBbKvNxYg/s1600/DSC06685.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQOzZ7lI6KU/Tdp8IGW-YjI/AAAAAAAAG-E/0eLBbKvNxYg/s400/DSC06685.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609932764431147570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Directly across from the Pantheon are the remnants of a closed McDonalds. Another Roman relic.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYo3mIGADgY/Tdp8H8PZWnI/AAAAAAAAG98/2rg6Zu9DueU/s1600/DSC06684.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYo3mIGADgY/Tdp8H8PZWnI/AAAAAAAAG98/2rg6Zu9DueU/s400/DSC06684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609932761715006066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Around the corner is<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_di_Sant%27Agostino">Basilica di Sant'Agostino</a> where <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_di_Loreto_%28Caravaggio%29"><span style="font-style: italic;">Madonna di Loreto</span>,</a> a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caravaggio">Caravaggio</a> hangs that was painted in 1604. According to Wikipedia, "While beautiful, the Virgin Mary could be any woman emerging from the night shadows......the scene is a moment where everyday common man (or woman) encounters the divine, whose appearance is not unlike that of a common man (or woman).</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1vWKnsuMaY/Tdpk_iTqRNI/AAAAAAAAG7k/2Q_PfJ9Crts/s1600/Basilica%2Bdi%2BSant%2527Agostino.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 247px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1vWKnsuMaY/Tdpk_iTqRNI/AAAAAAAAG7k/2Q_PfJ9Crts/s400/Basilica%2Bdi%2BSant%2527Agostino.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609907328547177682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> History and art are at every footstep. As well as Gelaterias, and that is a good thing....a very good thing.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1tLy3jt-W6g/TdplAD8L9eI/AAAAAAAAG70/ZYbkACnfmPU/s1600/Gelato.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1tLy3jt-W6g/TdplAD8L9eI/AAAAAAAAG70/ZYbkACnfmPU/s400/Gelato.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609907337575527906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> At Piazza Navona, there are several fountains. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I decided to take a drink, but I think my miracle water wish of world peace went out of door here. I'm pretty sure my miracle was used up by not getting some crazy, water fountain bacteria. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iKQQD0XT8pI/TdplbO_VqFI/AAAAAAAAG8c/rt-F06siAPk/s1600/Piazza%2BNavona.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iKQQD0XT8pI/TdplbO_VqFI/AAAAAAAAG8c/rt-F06siAPk/s400/Piazza%2BNavona.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609907804398004306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We were on the way to our friend Magda's jewelry and art glass store, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://la-fornace.it/">La Fornace,</a> The cobblestone streets meandered along the way as my appetite built with each step. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-s0q16S0BU/Tdrm9evwTBI/AAAAAAAAG-c/MKfDgVFaaHE/s1600/DSC06737.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a-s0q16S0BU/Tdrm9evwTBI/AAAAAAAAG-c/MKfDgVFaaHE/s400/DSC06737.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610050229743143954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gZKZzWcbjfk/TdrjAcVWlWI/AAAAAAAAG-M/PT3RdXZsEXE/s1600/DSC06727.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gZKZzWcbjfk/TdrjAcVWlWI/AAAAAAAAG-M/PT3RdXZsEXE/s400/DSC06727.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610045882588632418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We weren't the only ones thinking about dinner.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rEE_turLec4/TdpqEnYMFlI/AAAAAAAAG88/zjSYBoJ01So/s1600/DSC06720.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rEE_turLec4/TdpqEnYMFlI/AAAAAAAAG88/zjSYBoJ01So/s400/DSC06720.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609912913365833298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We had reservations at <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.trattoriamoderna.it/">Trattoria Moderna</a> and I couldn't wait. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05rFNjFQvpE/TdpuCsrjofI/AAAAAAAAG9s/xmMoyHFP80g/s1600/Trattoria%2BModerna%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-05rFNjFQvpE/TdpuCsrjofI/AAAAAAAAG9s/xmMoyHFP80g/s400/Trattoria%2BModerna%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609917278476018162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hhwwbup8yLg/TdrnAF-1wZI/AAAAAAAAG-k/OavkGtJk3E0/s1600/DSC06767.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hhwwbup8yLg/TdrnAF-1wZI/AAAAAAAAG-k/OavkGtJk3E0/s400/DSC06767.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610050274635137426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Some of Magda's artwork grace the tables of this warm and friendly restaurant. Rose buds rest in her blown glass vases and desserts are presented on her glass platters. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sl8mt1B6ZyA/TdpuCWjf88I/AAAAAAAAG9k/XZMO-ATf6KY/s1600/Trattoria%2BModerna%2B4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sl8mt1B6ZyA/TdpuCWjf88I/AAAAAAAAG9k/XZMO-ATf6KY/s400/Trattoria%2BModerna%2B4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609917272536642498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The dishes that came from the kitchen were also works of art. After plates of assorted starters, my main course of paccheri pasta with sausage, radicchio and pear arrived from the busy kitchen.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i16Ok5EUjkU/Tdplb2RyxCI/AAAAAAAAG8s/SY1NQS5EHII/s1600/Trattoria%2BModerna%2Bkitchen.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i16Ok5EUjkU/Tdplb2RyxCI/AAAAAAAAG8s/SY1NQS5EHII/s400/Trattoria%2BModerna%2Bkitchen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609907814944392226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> It was a masterful combination of tastes. The divine with the common. Just when we thought we didn't have any room left for dessert, Magda somehow had one of her beautiful platters arrive with about a half dozen different desserts. Sorry that I don't have any good photos, my hands were too busy deciding what to try first! We finished everything and could have used a long walk back to the hotel, but Magda gave us a ride through the narrow twisting streets of Rome....the city of miracles.<br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-55902777583307218472011-05-07T14:30:00.005-04:002011-05-08T19:55:01.089-04:00From Buda to Pest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf3AjHaFRrs/TcbH8tT6HDI/AAAAAAAAG7U/YkYqpxeA7cM/s1600/DSC06415.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nf3AjHaFRrs/TcbH8tT6HDI/AAAAAAAAG7U/YkYqpxeA7cM/s400/DSC06415.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604386632078335026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I like to look for the magic in places and things. There can be alchemy when you least expect it......around the corner, behind a door, in a taste, with a combination of certain people or just over a bridge. In the airline business we are almost always working with different people and going to different places. Some people and places we know, some we don't. Each trip is anew and open to the magic. Crossing from Pest to Buda over the Chain Bridge during a warm spring day felt like undoing the first ribbon of a bow from a present.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMNNEIC3d-U/Tcal9K0fzjI/AAAAAAAAG7E/m3qw--zWvWU/s1600/DSC06376.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMNNEIC3d-U/Tcal9K0fzjI/AAAAAAAAG7E/m3qw--zWvWU/s400/DSC06376.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604349256604306994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">A funicular is in sight that takes you up to <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Budapest/Castle_Hill">Castle Hill</a>. The innovative<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Castle_Hill_Funicular"> funicular</a> was first opened in 1870 and was sadly destroyed in the second World War. It was rebuilt and opened again in 1986, and still has its original appearance. It almost seems a ride in history as you take the short trip up the hill.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sxrJ7mubwJY/TbwMNVIKZkI/AAAAAAAAG4s/MbO_UUehswA/s1600/DSC06387.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sxrJ7mubwJY/TbwMNVIKZkI/AAAAAAAAG4s/MbO_UUehswA/s400/DSC06387.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601365459691267650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Walking around Castle Hill there is beauty everywhere....man made and natural.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogd4C-GxEsw/TbwMN8YdihI/AAAAAAAAG40/J7sPYCIW9jg/s1600/DSC06402.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogd4C-GxEsw/TbwMN8YdihI/AAAAAAAAG40/J7sPYCIW9jg/s400/DSC06402.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601365470228613650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> And the view over to Pest is stunning.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKmRLxiRquY/TcaHNjRvA7I/AAAAAAAAG68/qttY2EhGiT0/s1600/DSC06212.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKmRLxiRquY/TcaHNjRvA7I/AAAAAAAAG68/qttY2EhGiT0/s400/DSC06212.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604315453186835378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Buda has a much different feel from Pest.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sT4onhtNtbo/TcFSlBe9plI/AAAAAAAAG6k/HmRO4DzuCYk/s1600/horse%2Bcarriage%2BBuda.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sT4onhtNtbo/TcFSlBe9plI/AAAAAAAAG6k/HmRO4DzuCYk/s400/horse%2Bcarriage%2BBuda.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602850207432549970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> When the cities combined into one, they became more than the sum of their parts. Another depth was created. Buda has old world charm with its colorful architecture and new world dining. My friends and I decided to stop at <a href="http://www.pierrot.hu/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Café Pierrot</span></a> for appetizers, and thought we'd sit outside along the street. Instead we were ushered inside to a courtyard filled with stone walls covered with vines, while the sounds of chirping birds filled the air. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--SDqf1ZP944/TcFO_bnbtKI/AAAAAAAAG5c/qIH83B2OpAE/s1600/Pierrot.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--SDqf1ZP944/TcFO_bnbtKI/AAAAAAAAG5c/qIH83B2OpAE/s400/Pierrot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602846263077483682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IYL-TmtV4uw/TcFO_u5ro3I/AAAAAAAAG5k/LeW5ax6U3AA/s1600/Pierrrot%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IYL-TmtV4uw/TcFO_u5ro3I/AAAAAAAAG5k/LeW5ax6U3AA/s400/Pierrrot%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602846268254298994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">After a full day, the the lights of the city appeared in the gloaming of the evening. Not many cities transform as beautifully in the fall of sunset as Budapest. The funicular entry looked like a jewel box in the night.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BnaqqTD0hQ/TcFTeTEaexI/AAAAAAAAG6s/G6IqPK-2jMg/s1600/Buda%2Bfunicular%2Bat%2Bnight.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BnaqqTD0hQ/TcFTeTEaexI/AAAAAAAAG6s/G6IqPK-2jMg/s400/Buda%2Bfunicular%2Bat%2Bnight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602851191405574930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FWwjMnaGHbw/TcbGslZSqbI/AAAAAAAAG7M/Vtx4JX1Znq8/s1600/DSC06475.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FWwjMnaGHbw/TcbGslZSqbI/AAAAAAAAG7M/Vtx4JX1Znq8/s400/DSC06475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604385255563897266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We decided to walk down the steps instead of taking the funicular. Along the precarious descent, the view of the Chain Bridge looking over to Pest takes your breath away.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o-8-1AxLbQU/TbwMN07SVvI/AAAAAAAAG48/jW6x8prJnW0/s1600/DSC06478.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o-8-1AxLbQU/TbwMN07SVvI/AAAAAAAAG48/jW6x8prJnW0/s400/DSC06478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601365468227196658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Stephen%27s_Basilica">St. Stephen's Basilica</a> is lit with a golden glow just beyond the bridge.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> You almost don't want the night to end but, of course, it does.<br /><br />A new day begins, and does a day begin much better than with handmade sour cherry strudel that is warm out of the oven. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wj0oSD8-Kuc/TcFO_zGxMZI/AAAAAAAAG5s/123DfzoIcYU/s1600/cherry%2Bstrudel.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wj0oSD8-Kuc/TcFO_zGxMZI/AAAAAAAAG5s/123DfzoIcYU/s400/cherry%2Bstrudel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602846269382930834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I think not. The <a href="http://www.reteshaz.com/">Elsö Pesti Strudel House</a> makes their own strudel while you watch.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r2UbB0Q-Z50/TcFQSDQzMFI/AAAAAAAAG58/pqMsc5kaczo/s1600/making%2Bstrudel%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r2UbB0Q-Z50/TcFQSDQzMFI/AAAAAAAAG58/pqMsc5kaczo/s400/making%2Bstrudel%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602847682469245010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> I was curious about all of the flavors and asked about the cabbage strudel. I was told it goes well with beer, Hungarian beer. Then we were given one to try...minus the beer! It is a good thing this is so far away from my home in Massachusetts, I think I could easily make their strudel a habit.<br /><br />Pest has its share of places and grand architecture, too. The <a href="http://www.fourseasons.com/budapest/">Four Seasons Hotel</a> is a palace that was built for the Gresham Insurance Company in 1906. They felt it was a safer place to invest their money than the stock market. Very wise. It is a fine example of Art Nouveau in the Vienna Secessionist manner. At first impression the modern glass chandelier in the lobby looks like a <a href="http://www.chihuly.com/">Dale Chihuly</a> work of art, but the artist was Hungarian.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ginON5Iob2E/TbvnHK-gUEI/AAAAAAAAG3k/ZyKHXxbkhgI/s1600/Four%2BSeasons%2BBudapest.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ginON5Iob2E/TbvnHK-gUEI/AAAAAAAAG3k/ZyKHXxbkhgI/s400/Four%2BSeasons%2BBudapest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601324671956963394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Ironwork with peacocks adorns the windows throughout the hotel.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh78R5953K0/TbvnHjTsYaI/AAAAAAAAG38/mWd9ROJPf8M/s1600/Four%2BSeasons%2BBudapest%2B4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh78R5953K0/TbvnHjTsYaI/AAAAAAAAG38/mWd9ROJPf8M/s400/Four%2BSeasons%2BBudapest%2B4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601324678488285602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9hCDsELpbA/TbvnHVWeRAI/AAAAAAAAG30/byd_kIbY73Y/s1600/Four%2BSeasons%2BBudapest%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T9hCDsELpbA/TbvnHVWeRAI/AAAAAAAAG30/byd_kIbY73Y/s400/Four%2BSeasons%2BBudapest%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601324674741847042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">There is a quiet elegance here.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9GXqI1WAUcQ/TbvnHa8YMkI/AAAAAAAAG3s/TCkUxgEYD7o/s1600/Four%2BSeasons%2BBudapest%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9GXqI1WAUcQ/TbvnHa8YMkI/AAAAAAAAG3s/TCkUxgEYD7o/s400/Four%2BSeasons%2BBudapest%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601324676243010114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Several blocks away is St. Stephen's Basilica which looks very different in the daytime. It was named after Stephen, Hungary's first King (c 975-1038). His mummified fist is housed in the reliquary. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BFkJTLPFYNY/TbvsevRfwuI/AAAAAAAAG4E/Wxs8WsYCut0/s1600/St.%2BStephen%2527s%2BBasilica.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BFkJTLPFYNY/TbvsevRfwuI/AAAAAAAAG4E/Wxs8WsYCut0/s400/St.%2BStephen%2527s%2BBasilica.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601330574395425506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Around the corner approaching the square, things become lively. A group of young men had their own choreography as they jumped for joy in front of the basilica. No mummified fists here.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OVH_nDUEcQ4/TcFRKWr2P0I/AAAAAAAAG6M/CIRm9yJvYdk/s1600/DSC06528.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OVH_nDUEcQ4/TcFRKWr2P0I/AAAAAAAAG6M/CIRm9yJvYdk/s400/DSC06528.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602848649755639618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I sat with them and they jumped while I snapped a few pics and I was glad they didn't ask me to return the favor. Inside the basilica belied the activity going on outside. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tzjZnjyUxUg/Tbvse77RPlI/AAAAAAAAG4U/5KvxWBhnZHU/s1600/St.%2BStephen%2527s%2BBasilica%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tzjZnjyUxUg/Tbvse77RPlI/AAAAAAAAG4U/5KvxWBhnZHU/s400/St.%2BStephen%2527s%2BBasilica%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601330577791860306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The quietness was stilling.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZo7Auphu3I/TbvselcUVvI/AAAAAAAAG4M/vtGWAGv38iQ/s1600/St.%2BStephen%2527s%2BBasilica%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZo7Auphu3I/TbvselcUVvI/AAAAAAAAG4M/vtGWAGv38iQ/s400/St.%2BStephen%2527s%2BBasilica%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601330571756459762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> At the top of the basilica steps you can see over the river to Buda.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EYQJTeddeF0/TbwMNLQr__I/AAAAAAAAG4k/J_5i-4UHaSI/s1600/DSC06543.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EYQJTeddeF0/TbwMNLQr__I/AAAAAAAAG4k/J_5i-4UHaSI/s400/DSC06543.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601365457042669554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> A short walk away is <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=hu&u=http://www.gerbeaud.hu/&ei=VL_GTc-DHILYgQeEsvHKBA&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CB0Q7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgerbeaud%2Bbudapest%2Bhungary%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DCim%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26prmd%3Divnsm">Gerbeaud</a>, a coffeehouse located along the <span style="font-style: italic;">Vaci utca</span> pedestrian street. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDiEkxrD3is/TcFJ1G48fmI/AAAAAAAAG5M/xbT0VyDeNHE/s1600/Gerbeaud%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 247px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RDiEkxrD3is/TcFJ1G48fmI/AAAAAAAAG5M/xbT0VyDeNHE/s400/Gerbeaud%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602840588156960354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It is hard to decide what you might want among the many pastries and confections. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">I bought a little surprise for my daughter for when she comes home this summer (yes, it will last.) You can dine inside the grand building or outside on the plaza where there is sometimes a little music being played.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9dFUR-yvd5I/TcFJ1AbmkvI/AAAAAAAAG5U/KKu8qXSqsMY/s1600/glass%2Bmusician%2BBudapest.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9dFUR-yvd5I/TcFJ1AbmkvI/AAAAAAAAG5U/KKu8qXSqsMY/s400/glass%2Bmusician%2BBudapest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602840586423276274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Before the weather gets warm, many of the cafés offer coverlets that are draped over the chairs outside. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mFZhok3LDI/TcFR6-fOfHI/AAAAAAAAG6U/MdQHgHyEC50/s1600/DSC06526.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mFZhok3LDI/TcFR6-fOfHI/AAAAAAAAG6U/MdQHgHyEC50/s400/DSC06526.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602849485073841266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Very civil. Walking further down <span style="font-style: italic;">Vaci utca</span> and over a few blocks from the touristy fray is a restaurant, <a href="http://www.borlaboretterem.hu/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bor la Bor</span> Restaurant and Wine Bar.</a> It is downstairs with a wine cellar decor. The chandelier is cleverly made from glass wine making containers. A seltzer bottle sits on the table and the food is purely Hungarian with a home cooked flavor.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3TWyuAFg1I/TcFJ0zPjs-I/AAAAAAAAG5E/WR3xoEZuf50/s1600/Bor%2Bla%2BBor%2Bcollage.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3TWyuAFg1I/TcFJ0zPjs-I/AAAAAAAAG5E/WR3xoEZuf50/s400/Bor%2Bla%2BBor%2Bcollage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602840582883095522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Naturally, the wine menu is extensive. For dinner I had a veal stew with gnocchi. It was interesting to compare Hungarian gnocchi with the Italian gnocchi my son and I make. It was more like <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sp%C3%A4tzle">sptäzle</a>, which is smaller and shaped differently. If I had had a Hungarian grandmother, I know she would have made something similar and just as divine. We were with a native Hungarian friend who said he uses a special pan to make his gnocchi. And like the final unwrapping of the present, he ran up to his apartment and gave one of his pans to me to take home.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ygP1T55zcoc/TcbdBfrswUI/AAAAAAAAG7c/tihRr7ya6_s/s1600/DSC06588.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ygP1T55zcoc/TcbdBfrswUI/AAAAAAAAG7c/tihRr7ya6_s/s400/DSC06588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604409804063555906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Magic.<br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-21267416417693481682011-04-28T11:08:00.000-04:002011-04-28T11:08:04.276-04:00Kate's Ring Martini<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gBeQ68HenWI/TbWOaYNHejI/AAAAAAAAG3E/tXWFYiSzAps/s1600/DSC06338.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 379px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gBeQ68HenWI/TbWOaYNHejI/AAAAAAAAG3E/tXWFYiSzAps/s400/DSC06338.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599538295530289714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I love a love story, and to me the wedding of Kate and William is just that. A beautiful and charming lady is marrying a prince....a handsome prince. And one whose mother had her own tragic fairy tale. I watched Princess Diana and Prince Charles wedding on TV that fateful year of 1981. No one could have ever imagined how life would have unfolded for them. We watched as she loved and embraced her children publicly and gave so much of herself as she tried to find her own identity. We've all shed so many tears with this family, both in happiness and sadness. Then when <a href="http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2010/11/16/prince-william-gives-kate-middleton-diana%E2%80%99s-engagement-ring/">William gave Kate his mother's sapphire and diamond engagement ring</a>, our hearts stopped. Diana's legacy and dreams came back to life. May this couple only know happiness and love and may their special day be be as enchanting as they are.<br /><br />I saw this drink from a local establishment that was just brilliant all the way around. So, I toast to the lovely couple hoping all their dreams come true. <span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bling-bling....</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ching-ching!!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s47tbuyZsmA/TbWOaXmQyzI/AAAAAAAAG3M/uGTCtd0TEO8/s1600/DSC06362.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s47tbuyZsmA/TbWOaXmQyzI/AAAAAAAAG3M/uGTCtd0TEO8/s400/DSC06362.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599538295367322418" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kate's Ring Martini<br /></span></span><span class="GBThreadMessageRow_Date"></span> <span class="GBThreadMessageRow_BranchLink" bindpoint="branchLinkWrapper"></span> <span class="GBThreadMessageRow_ReportLink" bindpoint="reportLinkWrapper"></span> <div class="GBThreadMessageRow_Body"> <div class="GBThreadMessageRow_Body_Content"> <span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >(Created by Bar Director, Dennis Grant from Ceia Kitchen+Bar, Newburyport, MA )</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Mixology & How-To’s:</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">* 3.5 ounces of Bombay Sapphire</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"> <br />* 1.5 ounces of St. Germaine Elderflower</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"> <br />* 1 ounce of Blue Curacao</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"> <br />* 1 ounce of Cointreau or Triple Sec</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"> <br />* Shake and Strain</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"> <br />* Rim Martini Glass with Sugar (the "diamonds") and float 1 ounce of Mionetto Sparkling Prosecco.<br /><br />I used an antique rhinestone hatpin as a stirrer and added a splash of vintage lace just for fun.<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Cheers!</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Hp2ieKEb64/TbWObDis3XI/AAAAAAAAG3c/mNpblX-4AgQ/s1600/DSC06331.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Hp2ieKEb64/TbWObDis3XI/AAAAAAAAG3c/mNpblX-4AgQ/s400/DSC06331.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599538307163544946" border="0" /></a> </div></div> <span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.ceia-newburyport.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Ceia Kitchen+Bar<br />25 State St<br />Newburyport, MA<br />978-358-8112<br /></span></a><br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-32112011367302611422011-04-23T11:05:00.004-04:002011-04-23T17:06:20.968-04:00Great Market Hall and Dinner in Budapest<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qR-P8JNrSgY/TbLi4OvZ32I/AAAAAAAAG28/8U1WCsXvn0Q/s1600/DSC06300.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qR-P8JNrSgY/TbLi4OvZ32I/AAAAAAAAG28/8U1WCsXvn0Q/s400/DSC06300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598786742432423778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The weather forecast for Budapest was 68 degrees F, partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain. There was no mention of wind. I was feeling positive and had my light jacket on and didn't bring an umbrella. You'd think I'd know better by now. Deciding to explore the pedestrian street of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A1ci_Street"><span style="font-style: italic;">Váci utca</span>,</a> my friends and fellow crew walked toward the Great Market Hall. The market of each country has its own distinctive flavor. Even though I knew the market would mainly have fruits, vegetables, sausages and spices along with some local handicrafts, I wanted to see it, and hear the sounds and smell the aromas. <span style="font-style: italic;">Váci utca</span> is lined with shops and restaurants mainly appealing to the tourist. Its liveliness is enhanced by the beautiful architecture of other eras. I couldn't help but notice that even the manholes are works of art, like bronze mats dotting the walkways. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZKTubMGTbg/TbLE5-Jt-WI/AAAAAAAAG1s/ASZWxnd3nbI/s1600/Vaci%2BUtca.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rZKTubMGTbg/TbLE5-Jt-WI/AAAAAAAAG1s/ASZWxnd3nbI/s400/Vaci%2BUtca.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598753786990295394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The <a href="http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/great-market-hall.html">Great Market Hall</a> opened its large tile roofed building in 1897 and is the largest indoor market in Budapest. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKDCSI-2Yf8/TbLOdGDsooI/AAAAAAAAG2s/dGom6pwlLGw/s1600/Budapest-vasarcsarnok-aussen.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKDCSI-2Yf8/TbLOdGDsooI/AAAAAAAAG2s/dGom6pwlLGw/s400/Budapest-vasarcsarnok-aussen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598764286012596866" border="0" /></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Budapest-vasarcsarnok-aussen.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons</span></span></span></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:arial;">We were there on a Tuesday and I understand that Saturday mornings are the best time to see the most action of the vendors. There were fruits and vegetables.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WSVZrsCBMbQ/TbLETMSFoXI/AAAAAAAAG0c/lGF1yk2reOI/s1600/Grand%2BMarket%2BHall.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WSVZrsCBMbQ/TbLETMSFoXI/AAAAAAAAG0c/lGF1yk2reOI/s400/Grand%2BMarket%2BHall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598753120768598386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGkdzTQClak/TbLEoZXXggI/AAAAAAAAG00/TFQiAz6TIHE/s1600/Grand%2BMarket%2BHall%2B4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGkdzTQClak/TbLEoZXXggI/AAAAAAAAG00/TFQiAz6TIHE/s400/Grand%2BMarket%2BHall%2B4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598753485057655298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">And of course, peppers and paprika. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEZ9bEX71xE/TbLETfPTQNI/AAAAAAAAG0k/OhRPQk2XQXY/s1600/Grand%2BMarket%2BHall%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEZ9bEX71xE/TbLETfPTQNI/AAAAAAAAG0k/OhRPQk2XQXY/s400/Grand%2BMarket%2BHall%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598753125857181906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9Hwqa7Q844/TbLE5gkL3-I/AAAAAAAAG1c/ObDKk9vS_XI/s1600/peppers%2Band%2Bpaprika.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9Hwqa7Q844/TbLE5gkL3-I/AAAAAAAAG1c/ObDKk9vS_XI/s400/peppers%2Band%2Bpaprika.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598753779048243170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Some of the crafts were in the center of the first floor, but most were on the second floor of the massive building. You could get sausages of every kind and eggs already blown out and ready to decorate. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yLwFalpszow/TbLETd9iUUI/AAAAAAAAG0s/pvUW6kXo1cI/s1600/Grand%2BMarket%2BHall%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yLwFalpszow/TbLETd9iUUI/AAAAAAAAG0s/pvUW6kXo1cI/s400/Grand%2BMarket%2BHall%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598753125514236226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">There were gingerbread houses and houses made out of wood</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> for games</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mzbU1Wb_zDw/TbLEoYH84lI/AAAAAAAAG08/qOVRfj3YXmg/s1600/Grand%2BMarket%2BHall%2B5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mzbU1Wb_zDw/TbLEoYH84lI/AAAAAAAAG08/qOVRfj3YXmg/s400/Grand%2BMarket%2BHall%2B5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598753484724560466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I didn't get any of the Hungarian wine like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokaji">Tokaji</a>, but there was plenty to be had. I just got a few bags of paprika and saffron to experiment with in recipes back home. It doesn't take much to make me hungry, and we were all ready to sit and have a cappuccino and pastry after the market. We stopped at a sidewalk cafe overlooking Liberty Bridge and onto Buda. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9F3mZu1FWkE/TbLFy-LlVyI/AAAAAAAAG10/TRSuQZ0bo44/s1600/DSC06267.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9F3mZu1FWkE/TbLFy-LlVyI/AAAAAAAAG10/TRSuQZ0bo44/s400/DSC06267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598754766250661666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">There were a few choices of pastry and I chose a half moon shaped one that had a nut mixture inside. I needed a little protein ;-) </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bI8BS9yUouE/TbLEpDuvaoI/AAAAAAAAG1U/A4ZMR5ZWoLc/s1600/pastries.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bI8BS9yUouE/TbLEpDuvaoI/AAAAAAAAG1U/A4ZMR5ZWoLc/s400/pastries.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598753496429980290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hYnAMjvy8WM/TbLESy5CYdI/AAAAAAAAG0M/8PhXXiDWwe8/s1600/coffee%2Band%2Bpastry.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hYnAMjvy8WM/TbLESy5CYdI/AAAAAAAAG0M/8PhXXiDWwe8/s400/coffee%2Band%2Bpastry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598753113952641490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Just as we were finishing, a chilly wind whipped through bringing rain drops. We went inside as the waitress gathered up the cushions.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo2heXM0wVo/TbLFzUmRdvI/AAAAAAAAG2E/j1A2eHQgytY/s1600/DSC06295.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo2heXM0wVo/TbLFzUmRdvI/AAAAAAAAG2E/j1A2eHQgytY/s400/DSC06295.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598754772268185330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> I think the outside service was done! So were our plans to walk across the bridge to take a look at the <a href="http://www.gellertbath.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gellért</span> Baths</a> and walk up the Buda side of the Danube. Begrudgingly, back to the hotel we walked while bracing against the elements. I got a warmer jacket and my umbrella as we re-grouped to talk about dinner plans. We decided to try a restaurant that a friend had vaguely described. She couldn't remember the name and so described the location. We found what fit her description and weren't sure if it was the one she went to, but it looked good. The name was <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.serclietterem.hu%2F">Sercli</a><span style="font-style: italic;">,</span> which the waiter later explained is a slang word for the crusty heel of bread. They had an extensive local menu (click on the photo to enlarge) that seemed reasonably priced. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-XUEvpa0AY/TbLFzFECY0I/AAAAAAAAG18/sOJWu-gywD0/s1600/DSC06296.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-XUEvpa0AY/TbLFzFECY0I/AAAAAAAAG18/sOJWu-gywD0/s400/DSC06296.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598754768098059074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">With a modern artsy atmosphere, it was inviting. The walls had fun, simple drawings etched into them that were subtly placed throughout. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WJwq4VLotI/TbLJDzx45WI/AAAAAAAAG2k/E4z5_u_7T6s/s1600/sercli%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WJwq4VLotI/TbLJDzx45WI/AAAAAAAAG2k/E4z5_u_7T6s/s400/sercli%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598758354051196258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The five of us sat and took a look at the specials as a carafe of house wine was brought.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-xJNpL6pwY/TbLEo_JlU2I/AAAAAAAAG1M/tf8ZEeOMAi0/s1600/menu%2Band%2Bwine.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-xJNpL6pwY/TbLEo_JlU2I/AAAAAAAAG1M/tf8ZEeOMAi0/s400/menu%2Band%2Bwine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598753495200387938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> One taste of the wine and you knew it was Hungarian. The flavor was smooth and bold with more than a hint of cherries. And I love cherries! We saw so many things on the menu that we wanted try. To lessen the decisions, my friend Lenny and I decided to share a few. To our amazement, the kitchen split the servings for the soup and <span style="font-style: italic;">paté</span> for us. Very accommodating....and plentiful. We started with a potato soup with bacon slices on top and <span style="font-style: italic;">fois gras</span> served with onion jam and toasts. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNTSJ4cCwRA/TbLE5-C0SoI/AAAAAAAAG1k/HuUwnsBbCRQ/s1600/soup%2Band%2Bpate.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNTSJ4cCwRA/TbLE5-C0SoI/AAAAAAAAG1k/HuUwnsBbCRQ/s400/soup%2Band%2Bpate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598753786961349250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We were in Hungarian Heaven and started to forget about the chilly rain and wind. Then we had a daily special, of pork tenderloin rounds wrapped in bacon and topped with goat cheese served with roasted potatoes and a sour cream dip. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--uyU-EH7hZ4/TbLGFETNSkI/AAAAAAAAG2c/ny60w0-ZDj8/s1600/DSC06317.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--uyU-EH7hZ4/TbLGFETNSkI/AAAAAAAAG2c/ny60w0-ZDj8/s400/DSC06317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598755077130897986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The other choice was a lamb ragout with rosemary served with rice.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqNa-AsWzuk/TbLEouMOImI/AAAAAAAAG1E/ABe5R_AA0lY/s1600/lamb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mqNa-AsWzuk/TbLEouMOImI/AAAAAAAAG1E/ABe5R_AA0lY/s400/lamb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598753490648048226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> How do you say <span style="font-weight: bold;">yum</span> in Hungarian?! I kept thinking I should distract Lenny so I could get my fork onto his plate of lamb ragout, but didn't get the chance. I loved the pork, but I know what I'm ordering next time. Without any room left for dessert, we asked for our bill. Figuring it out was no easy task. Mix jet lag with a currency that has a lot of zeroes at the end and well, one could work up an appetite by the time all was said and done. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpm22B2-7q8/TbLETEFBQiI/AAAAAAAAG0U/woE073-PFw0/s1600/forints.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpm22B2-7q8/TbLETEFBQiI/AAAAAAAAG0U/woE073-PFw0/s400/forints.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598753118566302242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">And in this restaurant, that is not a bad thing.</span><br /></div>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-66829503769288163742011-04-18T07:25:00.001-04:002011-04-18T07:25:16.003-04:00Budapest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9RaPL5tvCGo/Tatdac3ICyI/AAAAAAAAGyE/D7UCUFh28xU/s1600/Budapest.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9RaPL5tvCGo/Tatdac3ICyI/AAAAAAAAGyE/D7UCUFh28xU/s400/Budapest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596669670943361826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I had never been to<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest"> Budapest</a> before this month. With its history as complex and spicy as a pot of Hungarian Goulash, I wasn't entirely sure of what to expect. In a country of just over 9 million in population, Budapest is the home to 1 million. I read and studied the guide books which show the grand architecture, tell of the layers of history and suggest hotels and restaurants, but you still need to be in a place to feel the vibe of it. I was glad I was there.<br /><br />Historically, during the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austro-Hungarian_Compromise_of_1867">Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867</a>, Budapest underwent an unprecedented civic development that is still seen today. The grand palaces, castles, churches and official buildings are awe inspiring. Geographically, Budapest is divided by the Danube River and became one city from the 3 cities, Buda, Pest and Obuda after the Compromise of 1867. It sits on hot mineral springs and the name Pest, comes from the Slavic word, oven. I can't wait to go to the thermal baths that are one of the main attractions of the city, and confirm that translation :-) There are many thermal baths scattered around the city with one of the more opulent being at the <a href="http://www.gellertbath.com/">Gellert Hotel</a>. Politically, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungary">Hungary</a> shed its communist ruling in 1989, which in historical context is very recent. Then during the economic buildup of Budapest, the recent worldwide downturn put a big hiccup into the growth process. My airline is the only airline to once again begin flying into Budapest from New York year round. This should be a big economic shot in the arm to the city and the country. When we arrived on our first trip to bring the inaugural flight back to New York, we were met with excitement and respect. Our hotel sweetened the pot with trays of pastries and coffee to welcome us. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QYzYYegQHCE/TatfpJcg0FI/AAAAAAAAGzU/6qNI4H5xyiY/s1600/pastries%2Band%2Bcoffee.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QYzYYegQHCE/TatfpJcg0FI/AAAAAAAAGzU/6qNI4H5xyiY/s400/pastries%2Band%2Bcoffee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596672122452758610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We then decided to take a bus tour of the city, getting off at certain spots to acquaint us to the lay of the land. It was the first bus tour I've ever taken of a city, but it was a wise decision. As we drove around, we passed by diverse architecture and stopped at certain landmarks.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QAF4Ingt5MQ/TatdbGbvw6I/AAAAAAAAGyc/GkCoWzUw2hg/s1600/Budapest%2B4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QAF4Ingt5MQ/TatdbGbvw6I/AAAAAAAAGyc/GkCoWzUw2hg/s400/Budapest%2B4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596669682102813602" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> We couldn't stop and get out at Heroe's Square that day because they were preparing for visiting dignitaries and rolling out the red carpet. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gc2-GgywZfE/TatpOT0su8I/AAAAAAAAGz8/zLOwOiuuZZY/s1600/Budapest%2B9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gc2-GgywZfE/TatpOT0su8I/AAAAAAAAGz8/zLOwOiuuZZY/s400/Budapest%2B9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596682656498367426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2tYTHkYGyk/TatfpYWroeI/AAAAAAAAGzc/IYc0hUj_hvY/s1600/DSC06142.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2tYTHkYGyk/TatfpYWroeI/AAAAAAAAGzc/IYc0hUj_hvY/s400/DSC06142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596672126454833634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_Xf8OIYoDM/TatfpQFa7qI/AAAAAAAAGzk/muEL7RZJUto/s1600/DSC06143.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 204px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_Xf8OIYoDM/TatfpQFa7qI/AAAAAAAAGzk/muEL7RZJUto/s400/DSC06143.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596672124234952354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It was a windy spring day as we made our way to Castle Hill in Buda.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0xCybNTRic/TatfpyQMGMI/AAAAAAAAGz0/5cEiK8u0Ncw/s1600/DSC06174.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0xCybNTRic/TatfpyQMGMI/AAAAAAAAGz0/5cEiK8u0Ncw/s400/DSC06174.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596672133406922946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Buda is very hilly versus the flat landscape of Pest. It was also the more affluent of the cities. From Castle Hill there are sweeping views of Pest across the Danube.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RSSWKAc6oLg/TatdaUCHqTI/AAAAAAAAGyM/sWYctc9K9Cc/s1600/Budapest%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RSSWKAc6oLg/TatdaUCHqTI/AAAAAAAAGyM/sWYctc9K9Cc/s400/Budapest%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596669668573554994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> A café sits at the edge overlooking the magnificent city. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MruXVTqXatQ/TatrDF-MmjI/AAAAAAAAG0E/HQQIMcG4g7c/s1600/Budapest%2B6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 235px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MruXVTqXatQ/TatrDF-MmjI/AAAAAAAAG0E/HQQIMcG4g7c/s400/Budapest%2B6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596684662824802866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JihRc0Xu6Y/TatdaprX10I/AAAAAAAAGyU/e30jLDWdHCo/s1600/Budapest%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1JihRc0Xu6Y/TatdaprX10I/AAAAAAAAGyU/e30jLDWdHCo/s400/Budapest%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596669674383726402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">There is a Hilton Hotel on the castle grounds that appears so out of place. We were told that when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zsa_Zsa_Gabor">Zsa Zsa Gabor</a> was married to Conrad Hilton, she insisted on having a Hilton Hotel in her native city. Remnants of a monastery curiously abut the modern edifice of the hotel. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">The golden light of the castle reflects in the hotel's stark windows.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Io7ifHh9Kg4/TatdbXYb5oI/AAAAAAAAGyk/WWthCvYrB0w/s1600/Budapest%2B5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Io7ifHh9Kg4/TatdbXYb5oI/AAAAAAAAGyk/WWthCvYrB0w/s400/Budapest%2B5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596669686652331650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> After exploring the castle, we were coming near the end of our 3 hour tour. We resisted any souvenirs, and actually the vendors are few and far between. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHSxXQsWAG0/Tatd67XkjTI/AAAAAAAAGys/sfyuweyam7U/s1600/Budapest%2B7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHSxXQsWAG0/Tatd67XkjTI/AAAAAAAAGys/sfyuweyam7U/s400/Budapest%2B7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596670228888325426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">After this long day we were getting hungry and had been dreaming about Hungarian food and its spicy reward. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Since we had only arrived earlier in the day, we weren't sure where to have dinner. We knew it wouldn't be the English Pub or </span><span style="font-family:arial;">the Sinatra Bar</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J62huKRakHA/Tatd7-rOAuI/AAAAAAAAGy8/3D7y7XpmO5c/s1600/DSC06222.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J62huKRakHA/Tatd7-rOAuI/AAAAAAAAGy8/3D7y7XpmO5c/s400/DSC06222.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596670246955909858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vvxXIIDhP08/Tatfpovjb1I/AAAAAAAAGzs/G4GfC6T7H38/s1600/DSC06083.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vvxXIIDhP08/Tatfpovjb1I/AAAAAAAAGzs/G4GfC6T7H38/s400/DSC06083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596672130854121298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We were looking for pure Hungarian food in this city that is eager to please the western palate. Being the first crew of our airline to layover in Budapest, we were</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> at the mercy of our hotel for recommendations that evening. They suggested dinner at <a href="http://www.tigrisrestaurant.hu/menu">Tigris Restaurant</a>. The atmosphere was bistro-like and the staff spoke English. We found that many people in the city speak English, which we were grateful for. Give me a French menu any day and I'll know what to order, but my Hungarian is nonexistent....I'll try, but don't bank on any fluency! Even with an English speaking waiter, I ended up with a chalkboard special of Stuffed Pepper which wasn't what I thought I ordered at all. Before our meal, we were brought an <span style="font-style: italic;">amuse-bouche</span> of a celery mousse topped with diced duck, which was delightful. My friends ordered Beef Cheek Stew with Sour Cream Noodles that I was eyeing. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HSCKBXGYYYs/Tatd7MTWPbI/AAAAAAAAGy0/Qzg3J1tGAAM/s1600/Budapest%2B8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HSCKBXGYYYs/Tatd7MTWPbI/AAAAAAAAGy0/Qzg3J1tGAAM/s400/Budapest%2B8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596670233434013106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">They graciously let me taste it and I wished I had followed the group and made that choice, too. Ah, I will look for this again! I think next time I'll be searching for a little less refinement and a lot more local flair. I want to taste it all, because it's not just about the palaces and castles. I want to dig in and feel the pulse and heartbeat of this city through its struggles and not just the accomplishments.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Although, walking along the Danube at night it was hard to not be dazzled by the majesty of the accomplishments.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n4wiq_19t4A/Tatd8hMrb2I/AAAAAAAAGzE/dofH6-3BJzs/s1600/DSC06326.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n4wiq_19t4A/Tatd8hMrb2I/AAAAAAAAGzE/dofH6-3BJzs/s400/DSC06326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596670256223055714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tzYXcxG-og0/Tatd9MSThHI/AAAAAAAAGzM/HsYWe9b1r9w/s1600/DSC06328.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tzYXcxG-og0/Tatd9MSThHI/AAAAAAAAGzM/HsYWe9b1r9w/s400/DSC06328.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596670267789378674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm glad I'll be back.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n4wiq_19t4A/Tatd8hMrb2I/AAAAAAAAGzE/dofH6-3BJzs/s1600/DSC06326.JPG"><br /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tzYXcxG-og0/Tatd9MSThHI/AAAAAAAAGzM/HsYWe9b1r9w/s1600/DSC06328.JPG"><br /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-57582753218820636192011-04-10T12:00:00.010-04:002011-04-11T10:38:18.640-04:00Passage 53 Paris<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L8gB8CHgezo/TaG-aTFQv7I/AAAAAAAAGv8/Xmjed580ZQk/s1600/Passage%2B53%2B7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L8gB8CHgezo/TaG-aTFQv7I/AAAAAAAAGv8/Xmjed580ZQk/s400/Passage%2B53%2B7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593961571179085746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">There were conversations and phone calls between my friend, Helen and the Georges V concierge, <a href="http://http//adrianmoore.blogspot.com/">Adrian</a>. Times and days were discussed with the 2 Michelin star restaurant, <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.passage53.com/&ei=GbGhTeDMGKWD0QHy55yfBQ&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CEcQ7gEwBA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dpassage%2B53%2Bparis%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3Dxva%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26prmd%3Divnsm">Passage 53.</a> Yes, they have been fully booked since recently being awarded their second star. I'm not sure if it was Helen's friendships with both owner, Guillaume and concierge Adrian that scored the reservation, but it seemed to be a don't ask, don't tell scenario. The next day my friends, Nancy, Helen and I eagerly left the hotel looking forward to the 9 course <span style="font-style: italic;">Degustation</span> Menu.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KWqw8PnOdaI/TaG_9QuW-pI/AAAAAAAAGwU/3Q2ELwkwLwA/s1600/DSC05796.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KWqw8PnOdaI/TaG_9QuW-pI/AAAAAAAAGwU/3Q2ELwkwLwA/s400/DSC05796.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593963271353203346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> After arriving at this small restaurant in one of <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passages_couverts_de_Paris&ei=hrGhTdSUL6bb0QGHkYn8BA&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCQQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dpassage%2Bparis%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3Dixa%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26prmd%3Divns">Paris' passages</a> in the 2nd <span style="font-style: italic;">arrondisement,</span> we were warmly greeted by owner, Guillaume Guedj and his brother Jonathon. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muZatv_qoBw/TaHCKZH4LII/AAAAAAAAGxU/h4EXyTMg0xE/s1600/DSC05791.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muZatv_qoBw/TaHCKZH4LII/AAAAAAAAGxU/h4EXyTMg0xE/s400/DSC05791.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593965695969275010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-csG2QyCxk00/TaHAOl9gyyI/AAAAAAAAGwc/KzqbelvqSAw/s1600/DSC05774.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-csG2QyCxk00/TaHAOl9gyyI/AAAAAAAAGwc/KzqbelvqSAw/s400/DSC05774.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593963569111681826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">As conversation was exchanged, we were seated at a cozy round table toward the rear of the restaurant and near a well worn spiral staircase. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChKmMPVgCoY/TaG_9HcoJdI/AAAAAAAAGwM/3HBpp-OV6io/s1600/DSC05787.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChKmMPVgCoY/TaG_9HcoJdI/AAAAAAAAGwM/3HBpp-OV6io/s400/DSC05787.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593963268862911954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Guillaume asked if we would like to start with a glass of Champagne, which almost seemed like a rhetorical question as the glasses of bubbly spirits arrived. Toast! Guillaume then suggested a white <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meursault_wine">Mersault</a> wine to go with the meal. Perfect! The Chagall inspired charger plates were removed and then the gastronomic fun began. Since we had ordered the <span style="font-style: italic;">Degustation</span> Menu, there were no choices to be made. They are all a sampling of the chefs expertise.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ShI8ZbkLBM/TaG-QqlloCI/AAAAAAAAGvs/YRwW1qAE7FI/s1600/Passage%2B53%2B5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ShI8ZbkLBM/TaG-QqlloCI/AAAAAAAAGvs/YRwW1qAE7FI/s400/Passage%2B53%2B5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593961405689995298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Japanese chef Sato, intuitively, expertly and simply combined spices and flavors to artfully present them on the table. To say he is just a chef is to say <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikebana">ikebana</a> is just flower arrangement. His Japanese sensibility delightfully mingles with the French. Bread and 2 butters immediately arrived at our table. One was spiced and was the deep orange color of Nancy's scarf. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0uNgBc8Ysh8/TaG-QUoZ-CI/AAAAAAAAGvU/djhPqOWygFs/s1600/Passage%2B53%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0uNgBc8Ysh8/TaG-QUoZ-CI/AAAAAAAAGvU/djhPqOWygFs/s400/Passage%2B53%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593961399796234274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Our first course was brought, and then described by Guillaume as </span><span style="font-family:arial;"> tiny </span><span style="font-family:arial;">fresh broccoli florets with cream. The delicate broccoli crowned a creamy base that reminded us of a panna cotta.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SXaGF0hHKX0/TaG-B7cMaTI/AAAAAAAAGvM/LyOZ1f3OnmI/s1600/Passage%2B53%2B1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SXaGF0hHKX0/TaG-B7cMaTI/AAAAAAAAGvM/LyOZ1f3OnmI/s400/Passage%2B53%2B1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593961152515959090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> After we finished and were still discussing the ethereal first course, a bright green, paper-thin radish arrived that enveloped scallops and watercress. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CC3-0JDabIg/TaG-QYUCxNI/AAAAAAAAGvc/UzHRqtEp1Ic/s1600/Passage%2B53%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CC3-0JDabIg/TaG-QYUCxNI/AAAAAAAAGvc/UzHRqtEp1Ic/s400/Passage%2B53%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593961400784569554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Again, a simple combination of ingredients that spoke deliciously with each other. We were presented next with an oyster under a swirl of creaminess topped with caviar. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lpkvts_ddHM/TaHBbgWhACI/AAAAAAAAGwk/w6gkPtCVjfA/s1600/DSC05759.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lpkvts_ddHM/TaHBbgWhACI/AAAAAAAAGwk/w6gkPtCVjfA/s400/DSC05759.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593964890455867426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Each course was beautifully served and complimented the preceding and following presentation. Next came a Langostine with Red Pepper Sauce and Orange Mousse.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eo7-WsIvMFk/TaHBb5-EpDI/AAAAAAAAGw0/uvWK-C09Z4k/s1600/DSC05764.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eo7-WsIvMFk/TaHBb5-EpDI/AAAAAAAAGw0/uvWK-C09Z4k/s400/DSC05764.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593964897332667442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> It was as tasty as it was lively to look at. Then the White Course was served, which was a white sauce, calimari with shaved cauliflower floweretts on top. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_16yDkTjSDs/TaHBbtKZhaI/AAAAAAAAGws/3eRt-mIBkEY/s1600/DSC05762.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_16yDkTjSDs/TaHBbtKZhaI/AAAAAAAAGws/3eRt-mIBkEY/s400/DSC05762.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593964893894706594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The whiteness of each one was a blank canvas that became a masterpiece when layered with the others. The last fish course arrived of sole with a seaweed sauce, served with leek, radishes and romanesca. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tevJameLw_Y/TaHBcZLXZxI/AAAAAAAAGw8/Bf9OIKdA1CU/s1600/DSC05765.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tevJameLw_Y/TaHBcZLXZxI/AAAAAAAAGw8/Bf9OIKdA1CU/s400/DSC05765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593964905709922066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">This led us into the meat courses, which began with a glazed onion. It was made very special by slivers of chorizo tucked between the layers. A nice surprise.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_IkPEfvbZj4/TaG-QuRlFeI/AAAAAAAAGvk/Q_jDWxkJ4Ms/s1600/Passage%2B53%2B4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_IkPEfvbZj4/TaG-QuRlFeI/AAAAAAAAGvk/Q_jDWxkJ4Ms/s400/Passage%2B53%2B4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593961406679815650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> A slice of Cochon de Lait with a fruit sauce perfumed with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuzu">yuzu</a>, which is an Asian citrus fruit, came next. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qn60Angs6D0/TaHBciESlhI/AAAAAAAAGxE/rGUJRwohv8M/s1600/DSC05770.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qn60Angs6D0/TaHBciESlhI/AAAAAAAAGxE/rGUJRwohv8M/s400/DSC05770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593964908096165394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It was served with asparagus and lentils and the combination was sublime. Our last meat course was a perfectly cooked slice of Lamb Filet Mignon with Anchovy Butter and Rosemary sauce, with a roasted potato wedge, and brussel sprout leaves.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g1P13R7H0Kk/TaHCKDB8nDI/AAAAAAAAGxM/2EEHf7-uzPg/s1600/DSC05771.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g1P13R7H0Kk/TaHCKDB8nDI/AAAAAAAAGxM/2EEHf7-uzPg/s400/DSC05771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593965690038819890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> One would think that there couldn't possibly be room for dessert, but there was!! Each course was full of flavor and creativity, but the portions were just large enough to taste over the 2 1/2 hours of dining. The different desserts were brought all at once. There was a Rhubarb Yogurt Ice Cream with Litchi, Tarte Tatin, Milk Chocolate with Passion Fruit, and a slice of Dark Chocolate Tart. Each one was a unique finish to our meal. At the end, we ordered coffee that came with a </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;">mignardise</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"> of mini <span style="font-style: italic;">madeleines</span>! </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xLEQuA38SCU/TaG-aYWhTGI/AAAAAAAAGwE/fD5pesirE64/s1600/Passage%2B53%2Bdessert.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xLEQuA38SCU/TaG-aYWhTGI/AAAAAAAAGwE/fD5pesirE64/s400/Passage%2B53%2Bdessert.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593961572593650786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> We were so involved with our dining experience that we didn't realize until the end of the meal that each tray was brought down the narrow spiral staircase.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4EqLskuCgM0/TaHYrnESYDI/AAAAAAAAGxc/8MTVkzhp5a0/s1600/DSC05780.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4EqLskuCgM0/TaHYrnESYDI/AAAAAAAAGxc/8MTVkzhp5a0/s400/DSC05780.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593990455903805490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> The kitchen, where all of the magic happened, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">was upstairs</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. Heaven above, indeed! At the end, Chef Sato came down and met with us. I was in awe. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Z659OH9UJk/TaG-Q_aVukI/AAAAAAAAGv0/wG5wCmIxpbM/s1600/Passage%2B53%2B6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Z659OH9UJk/TaG-Q_aVukI/AAAAAAAAGv0/wG5wCmIxpbM/s400/Passage%2B53%2B6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593961411279960642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Guillaume, Jonathon and the staff genuinely cared about the food, the diners and the attention to detail service. They bid us good-bye and said it would be a pleasure to welcome us again, and I know they meant it. They earned every star and then some. I will be back...soon.<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Passage 53<br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >53 Passage des Panoramas<br /><span class="google-src-text" style="direction: ltr; text-align: left;">75002 Paris</span> 75002 Paris<br /><span class="google-src-text" style="direction: ltr; text-align: left;">01 42 33 04 35</span> 01 42 33 04 35</span> <p style="font-family: arial;"> </p><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Map location,<a href="http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=fr&geocode=&q=53+Passage+Panoramas,+75002+Paris&sll=48.871151,2.3385&sspn=0.011051,0.019827&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=53+Passage+des+Panoramas,+75002+Paris,+Ile-de-France&ll=48.871151,2.34498&spn=0.011051,0.026286&z=16"> here.</a><br />Closed Sunday and Monday.<br />Reservations recommended.</span><p style="font-family: arial;"> </p>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-17105391104127892652011-04-03T10:10:00.004-04:002012-04-22T20:24:37.319-04:00La Vie est Belle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2k3e1hgyrRE/TZhUrJWAbkI/AAAAAAAAGuk/WY8JTjuTuFk/s1600/DSC05708.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2k3e1hgyrRE/TZhUrJWAbkI/AAAAAAAAGuk/WY8JTjuTuFk/s400/DSC05708.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591312037599800898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It is the contrasts in life that make it interesting...deep black with golden light...warm balmy weather compared to the power of a snowstorm. Then there is the sprinkling of salty <span style="font-style: italic;">fleur de sel</span> on sweet, chewy caramels and the contrast of firm <span style="font-style: italic;">comté</span> cheese with soft delicate figs. How could we appreciate the best if we had it all of the time? Eating dark rich chocolate every day would get boring. OK, well maybe not boring, but certainly better with the contrast of flavors. March was a month of contrasts for me. It was my first month based out of JFK and I had a 3 week vacation at the beginning that was a staycation. I wanted to tie up loose ends before things got hectic. That involved preparing income taxes, spring cleaning and more unpleasant obligations. I was going to Tokyo at the end of the month and was really looking forward to it. Then the world broke loose, literally. So many lives changed and ended with the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I watched the news day by day as things just got worse. My heart went out to the people of Japan.<br /><br />My staycation began to fill with discord. My furnace broke and I had no heat for 3 days $$$!!! My garbage disposer broke and flooded. I was having a continuation of a bad reaction to pine nuts. An eye issue developed. Put in perspective these were all minor things, but happening all at once made them a little worse. Phone calls poured in from friends and relatives asking me to not go on my Tokyo trip. I concurred. As much as I wanted to be a part of the effort to keep flights moving in and out of Tokyo, things were just unfolding, and still are. I changed my Tokyo trip for a Paris trip that worked to Paris and deadheaded (rode as a passenger) home. Sweet. My friends Nancy and Helen were there staying at the <a href="http://www.fourseasons.com/paris/">Four Seasons George V</a> and invited me to stay with them, if I could stay instead of deadheading home. Real sweet!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qRRTLYtlfKY/TZhUHNUMVzI/AAAAAAAAGt0/P13Wm3Mcm9k/s1600/George%2BV%2B.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qRRTLYtlfKY/TZhUHNUMVzI/AAAAAAAAGt0/P13Wm3Mcm9k/s400/George%2BV%2B.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591311420190644018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> Contrasting to my earlier month, everything started to fall into place, albeit slowly. When I left Boston to commute to JFK, it was snowing and we were 2 hours late as we had to be de-iced. I sat and read and watched videos while waiting to takeoff. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy97cE4Zaps/TZhT36AXGpI/AAAAAAAAGtM/0VkOdn4IauU/s1600/de-icing.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fy97cE4Zaps/TZhT36AXGpI/AAAAAAAAGtM/0VkOdn4IauU/s400/de-icing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591311157309151890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Once in NY, I was headed to Paris :-) Leaving the snow behind, I arrived in Paris to warm sunny weather and with the prospect of being able to stay for days with friends at the George V, no less. Ah, contrasts! What a difference a day makes. At the George V, day begins with coffee and newspaper delivered to the elegant room with French doors opening onto a balcony overlooking Paris. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ECx_iVnzjM/TZhUSycgKbI/AAAAAAAAGt8/e9T-NPI8wPk/s1600/George%2BV.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ECx_iVnzjM/TZhUSycgKbI/AAAAAAAAGt8/e9T-NPI8wPk/s400/George%2BV.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591311619136170418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3xmFGJ1or2c/TZhT2EyFORI/AAAAAAAAGs0/TGYFWnQnV7s/s1600/Champagne%2Band%2Bbalcony.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3xmFGJ1or2c/TZhT2EyFORI/AAAAAAAAGs0/TGYFWnQnV7s/s400/Champagne%2Band%2Bbalcony.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591311125842311442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLTV-ZASTUE/TZhhg7EIYFI/AAAAAAAAGu0/h2YukrvIFs4/s1600/DSC05663.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLTV-ZASTUE/TZhhg7EIYFI/AAAAAAAAGu0/h2YukrvIFs4/s400/DSC05663.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591326155619197010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The energy of Paris entered through our open balcony doors like a long awaited guest. I settled in.<br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Later,</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">while we were having cocktails before dinner, I called my company and <span style="font-weight: bold;">was</span> able to stay in Paris. We toasted! <span style="font-style: italic;">La vie est belle</span>...Life is good. We lingered over canapés of <span style="font-style: italic;">fois gras,</span> smoked salmon and goat cheese on baguette toasts. Beautiful Helen arranged this experience at the George V. I think I'll adopt her as my Fairy Godmother.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmO-FG9h2go/TZhT2pu8_HI/AAAAAAAAGs8/L9y6dTDFN-I/s1600/cocktails%2Band%2Bcanapes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TmO-FG9h2go/TZhT2pu8_HI/AAAAAAAAGs8/L9y6dTDFN-I/s400/cocktails%2Band%2Bcanapes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591311135761300594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKh5jP93vys/TZhT3PDm-sI/AAAAAAAAGtE/cLVV8pEav3A/s1600/cocktails.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKh5jP93vys/TZhT3PDm-sI/AAAAAAAAGtE/cLVV8pEav3A/s400/cocktails.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591311145780050626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Not wanting to ever leave this magical place, we were running a little late for our dinner reservation at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d715085-Reviews-Fish_la_Boissonnerie-Paris_Ile_de_France.html">Fish<span style="font-style: italic;"> Boissonnerie</span>.</a> No problem, the concierge phoned the restaurant and then called a car for us. As we zipped from the right bank to the left bank, the Eiffel Tower was brightly sparkling in the dark sky. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DIklpy6z7Qs/TZh2mKvP65I/AAAAAAAAGu8/GOvrMp96BAA/s1600/DSC05706.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DIklpy6z7Qs/TZh2mKvP65I/AAAAAAAAGu8/GOvrMp96BAA/s400/DSC05706.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591349335470107538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We were warmly greeted at the restaurant that has become one of our favorites. They serve all types of fish and other dishes here. They also own a wine shop <span style="font-style: italic;">La Dernière Goutte,</span> around the corner thus the play on words with the combo of <span style="font-style: italic;">poisson</span> (fish) and <span style="font-style: italic;">boisson </span>(drink) in their name, Fish <span style="font-style: italic;">Boissonnerie</span>. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOddxMAxMfQ/TZhUG6LfZUI/AAAAAAAAGts/wOuUc1AS2dA/s1600/Fish.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOddxMAxMfQ/TZhUG6LfZUI/AAAAAAAAGts/wOuUc1AS2dA/s400/Fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591311415053870402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Our warm vichyssoise had the prize of oysters in the bottom. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PqkMyKlLT_w/TZhUGTgFKgI/AAAAAAAAGtU/IJWWoGG9SRs/s1600/Fish%2B2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PqkMyKlLT_w/TZhUGTgFKgI/AAAAAAAAGtU/IJWWoGG9SRs/s400/Fish%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591311404671248898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The fish courses as well as my lamb with sweet potato puree, were each the perfect contrasting prelude to dessert. Creamy panna cotta, dark rich chocolate cake and a coffee flavored<span style="font-style: italic;"> crème</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">brûlée</span> all tasted delightful...yes, we shared!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvsijqnH4Hc/TZh3SdCJDKI/AAAAAAAAGvE/eW-R6gvQd4o/s1600/Fish%2B4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvsijqnH4Hc/TZh3SdCJDKI/AAAAAAAAGvE/eW-R6gvQd4o/s400/Fish%2B4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591350096295431330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The unpleasant memory of the beginning of March was quickly diminishing. I was still having my eye issue, but liked what I saw!<br /><br />The next day the hotel staff was truly at our service again to offer suggestions and answer questions. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">No request is too large for the concierge desk and I think they must have some stories to tell. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">The whole staff loved Nancy....almost as much as we do.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_ippBe6CN0/TZhUTFnzNHI/AAAAAAAAGuM/jAjfVrnPpF4/s1600/Nancy%2Band%2Bstaff.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2_ippBe6CN0/TZhUTFnzNHI/AAAAAAAAGuM/jAjfVrnPpF4/s400/Nancy%2Band%2Bstaff.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591311624283829362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">We didn't want to leave this gracious hotel. Even the business center was so inviting. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZwXO_zQkF0/TZhT1ndAk0I/AAAAAAAAGss/9nVHAgix0lo/s1600/business%2Bcenter.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZwXO_zQkF0/TZhT1ndAk0I/AAAAAAAAGss/9nVHAgix0lo/s400/business%2Bcenter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591311117969298242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">But of course this was Paris, and we <span style="font-weight: bold;">were</span> going out. Our day was filled with walking, shopping and soaking in the sunshine and warm air.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vs0KtLrpsqk/TZhUTOzoZkI/AAAAAAAAGuU/s3qWF8BIHpY/s1600/walking%2Baround%2BParis.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vs0KtLrpsqk/TZhUTOzoZkI/AAAAAAAAGuU/s3qWF8BIHpY/s400/walking%2Baround%2BParis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591311626749371970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> An Egyptian mummy sat dead still on a park bench in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuileries_Garden"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tuilleries</span></a> and bowed as coins were dropped in his bowl.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I-jHO0DpC_M/TZhUS4sKr9I/AAAAAAAAGuE/7RXwa6phsvY/s1600/Mummy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I-jHO0DpC_M/TZhUS4sKr9I/AAAAAAAAGuE/7RXwa6phsvY/s400/Mummy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591311620812484562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> It was a day of surprises. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-Z9A99p-ig/TZhUq85x1pI/AAAAAAAAGuc/EZVe6MkeE0o/s1600/DSC05735.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 356px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-Z9A99p-ig/TZhUq85x1pI/AAAAAAAAGuc/EZVe6MkeE0o/s400/DSC05735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591312034260178578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Thinking about our next meal was delicious and I knew any surprises at the restaurant would be wonderful. Helen had secured a reservation at a 2 Michelin star restaurant. One of the hottest seats in town. So far I was liking this contrast.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">La vie est belle!</span><br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-80481186489662538372011-03-29T16:44:00.002-04:002011-03-29T17:54:53.196-04:00Raspberry Rose Tiramisu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A7Cf4FlbphI/TZEalWXKyZI/AAAAAAAAGrE/H1FVZRFM2SQ/s1600/DSC06042.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A7Cf4FlbphI/TZEalWXKyZI/AAAAAAAAGrE/H1FVZRFM2SQ/s400/DSC06042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589277841503734162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">A few weeks ago a brown paper covered treasure chest full of French confections</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> arrived in the mail </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">for me. I had been contacted by the French company, <a href="http://www.histoiresucree.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Histoire Sucrée</span></a> to ask if I'd be interested in trying their products. <span style="font-style: italic;">Mais oui, bien sûr</span>, I answered!! I immediately started dreaming of all the ways I could use their delectable goodies. I spread them out as I thought about it. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MTYHTwPf9O4/TZEbB_j7sKI/AAAAAAAAGrs/_ldDEse7hmM/s1600/Histoire%2BSucree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MTYHTwPf9O4/TZEbB_j7sKI/AAAAAAAAGrs/_ldDEse7hmM/s400/Histoire%2BSucree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589278333599461538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I had wanted to make Bernachon's <span style="font-style: italic;">Palet D'or Gâteau</span> from Rose Levy Beranbaum's book, Rose's Heavenly Cakes, for a while. This was the perfect opportunity since I envisioned the plump <span style="font-style: italic;">fruits confit </span>from <span style="font-style: italic;">Histoire Sucrée</span> sitting on top, alongside flecks of edible gold leaf. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UbF0daKSvVY/TZEa4QiDfkI/AAAAAAAAGrk/qOF-U2_wKes/s1600/DSC05459.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 390px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UbF0daKSvVY/TZEa4QiDfkI/AAAAAAAAGrk/qOF-U2_wKes/s400/DSC05459.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589278166356295234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It was even prettier than I imagined as the glossy chocolate glaze of the cake reflected the shapely fruits. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5BtNowchBw/TZIxmV6ExFI/AAAAAAAAGsU/wL5_d9wB25Q/s1600/DSC05556.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5BtNowchBw/TZIxmV6ExFI/AAAAAAAAGsU/wL5_d9wB25Q/s400/DSC05556.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589584622305723474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The soft delicate pink of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Biscuits de Reims</span>, made me think of raspberries and roses and creamy whipped cream.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RWTtPkf6ZuM/TZIjdlEr-3I/AAAAAAAAGsM/lBQ6Tg1-1wI/s1600/Biscuit%2Broses%2BReims.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RWTtPkf6ZuM/TZIjdlEr-3I/AAAAAAAAGsM/lBQ6Tg1-1wI/s400/Biscuit%2Broses%2BReims.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589569078595156850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> I experimented with a Raspberry Rose Tiramisu using the biscuits and loved the flavor combination. I tried a few ways to layer it and think that any way that suits your serving dish will work. It can be made in individual dishes or in one larger one. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njxcabfhy-o/TZEalw_LTwI/AAAAAAAAGrc/B7U2-ECLg3Q/s1600/DSC05986.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njxcabfhy-o/TZEalw_LTwI/AAAAAAAAGrc/B7U2-ECLg3Q/s400/DSC05986.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589277848650862338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">For the larger one I used a polished shell and garnished it with a crystallized rose. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5XhsXTu3TM/TZEallffgTI/AAAAAAAAGrM/KqdWl5MS-tY/s1600/DSC06041.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5XhsXTu3TM/TZEallffgTI/AAAAAAAAGrM/KqdWl5MS-tY/s400/DSC06041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589277845565178162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">A final topping of finely crushed biscuits makes it look like it was sprinkled with fairy dust. It tasted as good as it looked. And wouldn't a glass of pink Champagne go well with it? <span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLZoBMfWFBo/TZI1qTHs56I/AAAAAAAAGsk/W5wOxSl7_Go/s1600/DSC05690.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLZoBMfWFBo/TZI1qTHs56I/AAAAAAAAGsk/W5wOxSl7_Go/s400/DSC05690.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589589088323561378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;">À votre santé!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Raspberry Rose Tiramisu</span></span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam<br />1 tablespoon <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cr%C3%A8me_de_cassis">Crème de Cassis</a><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;">4 ounces mascarpone cheese</span><span style="font-family:arial;">, room temperature<br />1 tablespoon powdered sugar</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">1 cup whipping cream, whipped<br />1/2 teaspoon vanilla<br />1/4 teaspoon rose water<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">20 mini <span style="font-style: italic;">Biscuits Roses Reims</span><br />2 tablespoons <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirsch">Kirsch</a></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />1/2 pint raspberries<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Have a medium serving dish or 4 individual dessert dishes ready.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Thoroughly mix the <span style="font-style: italic;">Crème de Cassis</span> with the raspberry jam in a small bowl, and set aside.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">In a chilled bowl, whip the cream until it holds soft peaks. Beat in the vanilla and set aside. In a medium bowl, whip the mascarpone cheese a few minutes until light. Add the powdered sugar until mixed. Stir a few tablespoons of whipped cream into the mascarpone cheese to lighten. Gently fold in the remaining whipped cream. Add the rose water a few drops at a time, testing after each addition for how much rose taste you prefer.<br /><br />Lightly brush one side of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Biscuits Roses Reim</span> with Kirsch and place on a serving dish or in individual dishes. If using individual dishes, break the biscuits to fit the bottom if necessary. Add a layer of the jam mixture and then a layer of the mascarpone and whipped cream mixture. Top with a single layer of raspberries. Repeat the layers one more time, ending with the mascarpone cheese mixture. You will add the final layer of raspberries just before serving. Lightly cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until the biscuits become soft but not soggy. Just before serving, top with a layer of raspberries and sprinkle with a dusting of finely crushed <span style="font-style: italic;">Biscuits Roses Reims.<br /><br /></span>Serves 4.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s5ffHOi6QFI/TZBkkGgYcnI/AAAAAAAAGq0/Qe4udabs58I/s1600/DSC05485.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s5ffHOi6QFI/TZBkkGgYcnI/AAAAAAAAGq0/Qe4udabs58I/s400/DSC05485.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589077708951286386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span>Many thanks to</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> <a href="http://www.histoiresucree.com/">Histoire Sucrée!</a><br /><br /></span></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-19693117219208185782011-03-21T08:27:00.002-04:002011-03-21T08:27:54.813-04:00Heston's Fresh Pea Soup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQztFI9BZsg/TYc9JJ9X_NI/AAAAAAAAGqc/0y_5dvZOF6k/s1600/DSC05296.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 385px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iQztFI9BZsg/TYc9JJ9X_NI/AAAAAAAAGqc/0y_5dvZOF6k/s400/DSC05296.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586501090277850322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Spring has arrived! Things are new and colors are fresh. It is a time of rebirth. It is my time of the year. There is still a bit of chill in the air here in the northeastern US, so soup is always welcome. I came across this soup by the brilliant <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heston_Blumenthal">Heston Blumenthal</a> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">in London</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. He is the chef <span style="font-style: italic;">du jour </span>there, with his </span><span style="font-family:arial;">restaurant, </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.thefatduck.co.uk/">The Fat Duck</a> and now his </span><span style="font-family:arial;">recently opened </span><span style="font-family:arial;">restaurant, <a href="http://www.dinnerbyheston.com/">Dinner.</a> <span style="font-style: italic;">Stylist </span>magazine calls Dinner<span style="font-style: italic;">,"</span>the best restaurant in London right now, maybe even the UK." Heston's recipes are part of the <a href="http://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/home/delia_heston.html">Waitrose Recipe Collection</a>, and that is where I picked up this fresh looking recipe. The final garnish of shredded ham gives it some heartiness and the finishing drizzle of mint oil has us thinking of daffodils and the fresh air of springtime.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KPAQY8qjBcI/TYalmq1ZKmI/AAAAAAAAGqM/C31SgJKRjJo/s1600/daffodils%2Band%2Bpeas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KPAQY8qjBcI/TYalmq1ZKmI/AAAAAAAAGqM/C31SgJKRjJo/s400/daffodils%2Band%2Bpeas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586334471551527522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Happy Spring!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Heston's Pea and Ham Soup</span></span><br /><br />32 ounces (907g) frozen peas<br />1/4 cup (20g) fresh mint leaves<br />2 ounces (50ml) grapeseed oil, or other light tasting oil<br />4 tablespoons (65g) unsalted butter<br />1 shallot, sliced<br />1 clove of garlic, peeled and chopped<br />6 oz (160g) unsmoked bacon,* sliced in 1 inch pieces<br />3 cups (750ml) vegetable stock<br />Pulled or shredded ham for garnish<br />salt and pepper to taste<br />*pancetta or salt pork may be substituted for the unsmoked bacon. Do not use smoked bacon.<br /><br />Spread the peas out on a baking tray lined with a layer of paper towels and allow to defrost.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QoXWqu4FPEU/TYc9J2oOgqI/AAAAAAAAGqk/HJAN7LaBizQ/s1600/DSC05278.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QoXWqu4FPEU/TYc9J2oOgqI/AAAAAAAAGqk/HJAN7LaBizQ/s400/DSC05278.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586501102268744354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Bring a small pan of water to boil and drop in the mint leaves for 15-20 seconds. Remove the mint and submerge immediately in a bowl of ice water.. Remove the mint leaves and dry with a paper towel. Put the mint and oil in a blender or small food processor to blend for 10-15 seconds. Strain the oil through a sieve and reserve for finishing the soup.<br /><br />Melt 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium/large pot and add the shallots, garlic, and unsmoked bacon. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat until soft, but not colored.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MjK6W-1OH0s/TYc9KEAI2pI/AAAAAAAAGqs/eLOLYnTROMA/s1600/DSC05279.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MjK6W-1OH0s/TYc9KEAI2pI/AAAAAAAAGqs/eLOLYnTROMA/s400/DSC05279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586501105858697874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Add the stock and simmer for 5 minutes. Add all but about 2/3 cup of the peas and the remaining butter and remove from the heat immediately. With a hand-held blender, liquidize the soup.<br /><br />Strain through a sieve, pressing through as many solids as possible and pour the soup into a clean pot. Season to taste and gently rewarm the soup.<br /><br />Blend with a hand-held blender until foamy, and then add the remaining peas.<br /><br />Ladle soup into 4 bowls and garnish with shredded ham and mint leaves. Drizzle with the reserved mint oil and serve.<br /><br />Serves 4.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Notes:</span> I only put 1/2 of the soup through a sieve since this reduces the amount of soup and also I like some texture. I then added more stock than called for. This is Heston's recipe, but texture is a personal choice, plus all of the straining can be messy. The less you strain, the more additional stock you'll need. Experiment for your own personal choice and level of time involved. I also didn't strain the mint oil, but made sure it was very fine in texture. This gives more of a mint flavor.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LzkhBNanlzE/TYalmxi_gFI/AAAAAAAAGqU/JBe9TfVBeNA/s1600/DSC01220.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 241px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LzkhBNanlzE/TYalmxi_gFI/AAAAAAAAGqU/JBe9TfVBeNA/s400/DSC01220.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586334473353396306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4307076737291827178.post-28316330589731123242011-03-14T16:31:00.003-04:002011-03-15T15:17:16.888-04:00Steak and Guinness Pie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BwB8Tck58ok/TX5DZTWFCFI/AAAAAAAAGp8/3q_Tk606hoY/s1600/DSC05359.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BwB8Tck58ok/TX5DZTWFCFI/AAAAAAAAGp8/3q_Tk606hoY/s400/DSC05359.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583974689954662482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">It was a rainy weekend in London which often spells an afternoon at the museum to me. Amazingly, after all of my years in London, I had never been to the British Museum. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qR2EZ_lDvO8/TX09azNH9jI/AAAAAAAAGpk/CAv9lVXRbus/s1600/British%2BMuseum%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qR2EZ_lDvO8/TX09azNH9jI/AAAAAAAAGpk/CAv9lVXRbus/s400/British%2BMuseum%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583686643640432178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The typical Saturday crowds and tour groups were there, but the vastness of this museum filled with antiquities and artifacts handles it well. The main attraction was the Rosetta Stone. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnWrbyomeMk/TX06KyQMZ2I/AAAAAAAAGpc/u0nvzyA48QQ/s1600/British%2BMuseum.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnWrbyomeMk/TX06KyQMZ2I/AAAAAAAAGpc/u0nvzyA48QQ/s400/British%2BMuseum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583683069972080482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">The onlookers were about 12 deep so getting a nice front and center view took some time, but it was well worth it. This stone tablet from 196 BC holds the key to understanding Egyptian hieroglyphics. Seeing such history puts so much in perspective. My friends and I had hardly ticked all of the boxes of what we wanted to see, even though we stayed until closing. How fun it might have been to be in the museum all night long with nary a soul except a few mummies. The Science Museum in Boston has sleepovers for kids among the dinosaurs. But we were in London now and needed to make our way back through the mist and rain to the hotel. By the time we got back it was definitely dinner time, and we all agreed that hearty pub food sounded pretty appealing. Off to the Hereford Arms we went and the group of 5 of us soon settled into its well worn banquettes in a cozy corner. Without hesitation 3 of us ordered Steak and Ale Pie. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNv2sbVMKE0/TX0zGW4j5UI/AAAAAAAAGpU/bFWCTpGssVc/s1600/London%2B3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNv2sbVMKE0/TX0zGW4j5UI/AAAAAAAAGpU/bFWCTpGssVc/s400/London%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583675297324328258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">My eyes must have been as big as a pub platter when it arrived. The puff pastry reached for the sky and the mound of mashed potatoes daunted even me, a potato junkie. We sat and talked and ate, and I was never able to clean my plate. That left me dreaming of those leftovers the next day...and the day after, and until I finally made it myself. My puff pastry (how <span style="font-style: italic;">did</span> they get it so high?) was more manageable as well as my sides of veg. While making the stew, I added red wine along with the Guinness Extra Stout to the slow cooking beef. Mushrooms were put in for good measure. I don't think it gets much heartier or easier than this. The rich flavor belies the simplicity of the recipe, so you won't feel like you just cracked an ancient code to make it. The stew part can be made in advance and actually tastes better the next day, just reheat in one of your <a href="http://www.cookwarebycsn.co.uk/asp/site_map.asp">saucepans</a> before putting it in a casserole and topping with the puff pastry. It can be baked and served in individual casseroles or made in one large one.<br /><br />Gotta run....I think I have one more serving calling my name in the fridge!<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9n6T_4uKLA/TX0aTQTcJAI/AAAAAAAAGpE/QYAuVVVN_XI/s1600/Cutting%2Bpuff%2Bpastry.jpg"><br /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Steak and Guinness Pie</span></span><br /><br />1 1/4 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1 inch cubes<br />2 tablespoons olive oil<br />1 large onion, chopped<br />8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced<br />5 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped<br />2 tablespoons tomato paste<br />2 bay leaves<br />1 teaspoon dried <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbes_de_Provence">herbes de Provence</a> or equivalent mixture of herbs<br />1 cup (8 ounces) Guinness Extra Stout beer<br />1 cup dry red wine<br />15 ounces beef broth<br />1 tablespoon flour<br />1 tablespoon butter, softened<br />salt and pepper to taste<br />1 sheet puff pastry, thawed if frozen<br /><br />In a large dutch oven or heavy pot, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the beef and sear until brown on all sides. Add the chopped onion and mushrooms, lower the heat to medium and continue cooking until the onion is translucent and the mushrooms are done. Stir in the garlic and cook about a minute more. Add the tomato paste, bay leaves and <span style="font-style: italic;">herbes de Provence</span>, stirring until well blended. Pour in the beer, wine and beef broth, stirring well. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for an hour. Take off the cover and taste for richness. If it needs more flavor and reducing, simmer for a short while longer uncovered.<br /><br />In a small bowl, work the flour into the butter to form a ball. Stir the butter/flour mixture well into the simmering stew to thicken. Salt and pepper to taste. At this point you may cool the stew and refrigerate to use later. If serving right away spoon into a casserole or casseroles, and top with a layer of puff pastry. Brush the pastry with milk or beaten egg for added color, and bake in a preheated 400 degree oven until golden brown. Serve with vegetables on the side.<br /><br />Makes about 6 cups.<br />Serves 4-6.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wpFsYv_7hRA/TX52ImHMsRI/AAAAAAAAGqE/XglPwP1Cno4/s1600/DSC05379.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wpFsYv_7hRA/TX52ImHMsRI/AAAAAAAAGqE/XglPwP1Cno4/s400/DSC05379.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584030478027763986" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cutting the Puff Pastry:<br /></span><br />Lay a sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Using the lid from your casserole as a template, cut around the puff pastry dough with a knife. Place on top of the casserole before baking. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9n6T_4uKLA/TX0aTQTcJAI/AAAAAAAAGpE/QYAuVVVN_XI/s1600/Cutting%2Bpuff%2Bpastry.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9n6T_4uKLA/TX0aTQTcJAI/AAAAAAAAGpE/QYAuVVVN_XI/s400/Cutting%2Bpuff%2Bpastry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583648031105623042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span>2 Stewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13215338109613729558noreply@blogger.com10