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Sunday, June 27th, 2010
I spend so much of my time deep in the world of Forty Weeks – all things pregnancy, female focused and important about the road to baby. Maternity fashion, breast feeding, birthing options, nursery décor, stroller choices, diaper bags and juvenile safety are the fodder of my days. Yet, my last pregnancy ended eight years ago this week. My children (blended as we are) are 19, 14, 11 and 8 (July 1). And here in my OT world things are quite different.
My two daughters have left for the highlight of their year – seven glorious weeks at camp Maine. Days spent on Echo and Sebago lakes (they are at separate camps) – filled with endless opportunities for independence, friendship and fun. We have been sending our girls to Maine for three generations in my family – it is what we do. I am so grateful that my girls get the opportunity to go off and grow like a sturdy Maine pine trees…and still I am sad.
My Facebook page is filled with the raw emptiness of my peers. All of us having sent our children off to camp for (up to) seven weeks – we are suddenly faced with a void they likes of which we never really are prepared to face (despite the fact that many of us do it year after year). Our homes are terribly quiet. There is no constant din of bickering or “mom-ing” – it is just still.
The first few days are just long – stretching out into an endless stream of hours. These are stunningly silent hours without anyone to answer to. Hours watching your beloved waiting for the “buzz” of being along to kick in (summer romance is on the way) – but stuck for the moment on the loneliness of the empty house. I would argue that the first day of camp is truly the longest day of the year…
I walked through my girls’ rooms. They are messy. No they are vile and likely public health hazards. I could be angry – instead, I am sad. I went into their bathroom –it should be power washed and sanitized – still, I stood there long enough to take in the last lingering scent of their styling products and shaving creams. I need to clean it. I can’t today.
The kitchen is quiet. The mud room stays clean all day long. There is no fight to referee. There is no one to assure me that they will absolutely empty their laundry basket before they leave the house. The girls are gone…off to have themselves some fun – free of the “real world” – nothing to worry about at all – just what the weather will be and how they will get in some extra time water skiing (Lila) or how they will land the lead in the play (Rebecca). What an amazing luxury, what good luck for them! And what a bitter sweet start to what will be a summer we will never forget….
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Saturday, April 3rd, 2010
Tis the season for eggs…they are all over Passover and Easter – ritually, spiritually and design wise – they are the star of the season. A universalsign of spring and to me one of the most inspiring, perfect shapes in the world (my first diamond was a stunning oval).
I am in awe of eggs, I am moved by eggs and strangely – I am motivated by eggs. I read with complete understanding Dominque Browning’s account of her journey healing from Conde Nast and her obsession witheating eggs– truly – I get it. Eggs soothe the spirit, the eye and the soul – I don’t know why, really – but the delicate balance of the shape, smoothtexture and optimistic nature of all that eggs represent (spring, birth, life, etc.) make me feel at peace. It is in reality – in stark contrast to the very fragile nature of the egg. Breakable and difficult to mend (think Humpty Dumpty) – eggs soothe rather than rattle me. Odd, I am sure.
So in honor of the season and of course the holidays – I’ve taken in more than a few eggs with some of my favorite people this weekend.
A power-breakfast with girls at Maialino at the Gramercy Park Hotel, found Jennifer Perillo and me tucked in to a brightly lit booth brimming over with eggs. Each of us had a daughter by our sides and life was good! We had three separate takes on the Danny Meyer egg on our table:
Lila ordered the Cacio e Pepe Strapazzato – a luscious offering of perfectly scrambled eggs, pecorino and black pepper – likely too assertivefor an eleven year-old’s palate but much appreciated by me for its simple complexity and perfect execution.
Jennifer and I ordered two additional egg dishes – they can absolutely speak for themselves:
Uova al Contadino
Amatriciana Al Forno
By Saturday morning – my girls and I were ready to move west (enjoying our stroll across 17th street – making stops at Apartment 48 and Pippin). We were among the many getting out and about to make the most of the breathtaking day – blue sky, warm sun and nowhere to go – how lucky! Our destination – trendy brunch! And so where else to go – but to Cafeteria for one part food, one part ambiance and one part cool.
Of course, the joint was jumping! So we took three seats at the bar (and really that was the best part- three of us in a row – having a new kind of fun!) Rebbecca ordered three scrambled egg whites (leave it to her to find a way to make the universal egg her own) with a virgin something or other that the bartender invented just for her! I went for the Monterrey Eggs – a few fried eggs served with white beans, warm tortilla, avocado, jack cheese, (very unnecessary) potatoes and cherry tomato salsa. I added a personal dash or two of Tabasco verde for the perfect Saturday AM kick. Lila started with a blueberry lemonade and then went egg-less but ended up with no less than two orders of pancakes – another story, another time!
For now – just my wishes for an egg-celent holiday and an optimistic start to spring.
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Saturday, January 9th, 2010
This tweet is nothing but a stream of consciousness, with food and sports added for extra appeal – but enjoy!
I was leaving the gym (and no, I am not being a New Year’s Resolutionist, I have been at this since at least December!) and checking in with my twitterverse (Bob was driving, it was safe). Today being do or die day in football, I was overcome by the urge to reach out to my friend Jenna Borum and find out how she was spending these precious pre-game hours. Really, I was looking to tell her that the Eagles were quite obviously possibly maybe going to beat the Cowboys in this evenings playoff game.
Jenna is one of those gems that, if you are lucky, you find along the way. She is a twitter friend (and despite the fact that she blew me off last time, she promises a Maryland trip is in the works and that I am on her agenda; thus she will become and IRL friend with all the the benefits, just ask Jennifer Perillo about that) who is always one of the bright spots of my day. Jenna is clearly a better person than I am. First she is younger than me – I know this not because I have ever checked but because her name is Jenna not Jennifer. I am old and grew up with Jennifers and Julies – there was no such thing as a Jenna. Now Jenna Borum and Jenna McCarthymake up my blond and brilliant category – I dig that, we all keep evolving. Jenna is also a dedicated mother who home schools, sets trends (really she is pretty good) and blogs about real food (my passion too), motivating others on her blog and through her well composed tweets. I am telling you – Jenna rocks.
So, today – while razzing her (oy, another word that makes me sound like an antique) I was thinking how the Eagles should just eat the Cowboys for lunch. And then I started thinking about lunch. Like Homer Simpson, there were cartoon pictures of food floating above my head – really! Following, Jenna asked me if I was hosting this PMs food orgy (which I am not, that is up to the Sidmans) and I told her I prefer to host the summer Loco Locavore dinner. That immediately led me to thinking how much I missed juicy, ripe, fresh-from the farmer summer local foods, and set me off to find a way to bring some summer into our cold, wintry day. And so now, thanks to Ms. Jenna Borum – my homage to summer’s sun-kissed days served in cashmere and boots:
Humus, Black Olives and Tabouleh served on a bed of Chopped Vegetables with Oven Roasted Grape Tomatoes and Fresh Basil – aka: lunch inspired by Jenna!
Jenna Borum Inspired Summer Salad in January
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Sunday, December 20th, 2009
Sunny Snow Day, Casa Loco
It’s a sun shining, snow piling kind of Sunday…All this snow and it’s not even winter yet (tomorrow)! Here is the view from Casa Loco:
Lila takes the plunge!
Rosie the shoveling Golden
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Sunday, December 6th, 2009
Long ago and far away (is the constant presence of this nostalgic preface in my writing a sign that I am tipping over into the next phase of life? I certainly hope not) – Sundays were about calling home. Long distance rates were lowest on Sunday – and in particular on Sunday night. And back in the day (there I go again) we would all commit a part of our Sunday to calling our parents and grandparents. As I got older, and the telecom business and rate structure in the US changed (feel free to ask Bob, he can expand on this one) this all disappeared into a fuzzy memory.
But still, on Sunday morning I wake up ready to take on the New York Times, the Washington Post, a big cup of coffee and make my family calls (we were a little more well off than others, it was okay to call on Sunday AM – oohh – fancy). And even this morning, though many years have passed and my house is full of children (mine!) in varying degrees of sleep, I have this undeniable urge to pick up the phone (the one no longer connected to the wall) and dial CE2-7479. This was my grandmothers’ phone number – Mommom’s exchange was ”CC” which stood for ”Center City” in Philadelphia where she was the reigning and undisputed queen of the Philadelphian, the very stately apartment complex where she lived in apartment t 14-C-42 with breathtaking views of the Parkway, Museum and the city. I pass this building every week on the train en route to NYC. I want to hear my Mommom’s voice as she listens intently and responds to my excited tales of life as me (nothing changes) with her own unique brand of sage sound bites, well-earned from having lived through one of the most reliably fluctuating, advancing and startling centuries of history. And she did not just show-up – she lived. And set an incredibly high standard for what it meant to connect with others in this world, something I aspire to along with her unique brand of being a female company head (long lunches at Bookbinders on 15th street followed by check signing with scotch and her Parliaments come to mind) not to mention her sense of style (oh she had it!).
My grandmother died in 1998 (Thanksgiving – weekend, right after Lila was born). Born in 1908, she was one the truest characters I have ever known. My Mommom was flawed and fabulous all at once. And also, one of the biggest fans I would ever have. And I think often how she would react to this crazy new world, would she (as I suspect) reduce it all to the very basic precepts (Men can’t help themselves – um , Tiger Woods) or sing it in Cole Porter lyrics (When grandma whose age is eighty in night clubs is getting matey with gigolo’s – anything goes um, Cougars)? Would she stand behind my choices (I am sure of it) and laugh along with me though the long days here at Casa Loco (she would certainly enjoy my stories circa 2009 but she would not want to be part of the chaos)? Would she suggest I go see her “guy” for something (a piece of jewelry or an oil change – not matter what she had a guy)? Would she tell me to keep it up while at the same time telling me to do less (yes, likely)? She never saw me as a mother – or in a successful marriage. And really this is what I wish the most…that I could tell her how good and lucky my life is and how I wake up every day saying, in the words of Cole Porter “ It’s delightful, it’s delicious, it’s de-lovely” and in my words – this life of mine is good – beyond expectation, how I wish you were here to share it with me – I miss you…
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Saturday, December 5th, 2009
I had used one of my coveted first-class up-grade coupons for the Acela and scored not only unlimited java but also an amazingly comfortable and private seat aboard the train. Ahhh…
Having read through my papers, the day’s papers and considered the amazing day I’d just spent with the Ingrid & Isabel team (as well as Nicole Feliciano who more than impressed me in our strategy session) – I moved on to less cerebral matters. I cleaned out my bag. Exciting, maybe not, but I learned a great deal (did you know that I have about three different mechanisms to pull my hair back in my bag , for example).
I am sure there are some important, even incriminating things that can be gleaned from the following list. However, I am going to put it out there anyway – because it is Saturday and where else to go but off topic! So, without further ado, and in the spirit of OT posts (and because you know you are dying to know) – a list of things commonly found in my bag:
I pod (lately listening to a lot of Joni Mitchell, John Mayer and Pete Yorn)
Metro /Subway cards (DC and NY)
ORE makeup bag filled with assorted and essential product including sugar flirt lip balm by Fresh, Chanel #40 ombre l’eau eye color and Eliz Arden Pure Finish powder
sugar flirt (color and treatment!!!)
Business cards – mine and others
Mints – I am very partial to fresh mint and wintergreen – I simply loathe spearmint
Blackberry – that is a lie – it is usually in my hand – loaded with pix of my kids, Bob and things I find funny, offensive or inspiring (most recent picture taken, is this jacket for Lila’s approval)
Lila's ski coat for consideration from Paragon
Amtrak ticket stubs
Hotel keys I forgot to turn in – sorry Chris
Money (yeah, that comes in handy) including Canadian currency for when I have to cab it in Toronto.
My handy dandy notebook and pens – this probably should come first!
Reading glasses
Sunglasses
Hand sanitizer (to ward off the yucky germs)
Bliss Body Butter lemon and Sage Hand Cream (to ward off the hand sanitizer)
lemon+sage body butter
In the words of someone older and wise than me – and now you know!
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Saturday, November 28th, 2009
Let’s just say it is the Saturday after Thanksgiving and you have made a sport/hobby/calling out of eating. Cheese is now in your dreams and carbs now feel like your best friend, if not your only food group. Let’s just assume, for the sake of this exercise that you have not exercised in, hmmm, let’s say a good 3 weeks. And let’s also say (and really this part is fiction ) that price is no object – but you need to go out to dinner this evening, with people you’ve not met before and pull of the super cute, totally together, yet totally original look that you fancy you are known for – what now curvy girl? Well funny you should ask – I have been poking around looking for a solution for just the same scenario…here is the greatest of the lot – may I present:
The Saturday After Thanksgiving, Still Got it Going on Look:
IF, (oh please let’s hope) your jeans still fit there are a few ways to go. First is this Robert Rodriguez super sexy, off the shoulder, lots and lots of room to hide a belly and show off your arms and beautiful face black top. You know the drill — great hair, braceletts up your arm and for goodness sake, very high, make the outfit heels…oh and if you can get someone with a wind machine to follow you around all night – all the better!
Robert Rodriguez, beaded top $295
Another option — play the night down a bit. Choose a great chunky knit, layer a jiggle management tank (must have some suck in it, but not too much -otherwise you end up with mega boobs), some skinny jeans and great boots. I would focus on neck interest here — a statement necklace or better still - a scarf to keep the attention away from your ass. Like this Michael Stars piece — it can go in lot of directions.
Michael Stars cashmere mock neck jacket $250
One more great jean option involves color. A little sheer color and some great detailing and poof – no one is lookng anywhere else…I own this Nanette Lapore piece in black (full disclosure, I paid retail – OUCH had a Care for Kids discount) and have worn it to the point of it owing me nothing. So invest in one of these – equally able to hold it own on good days and on pudge days. Also, if you stand like this model and point to other people that will distract from your holiday pounds!
Nanettte Lapore Karma Sutra Top $328
Finally – we need to address worst case scenario – your jeans do not zip. Well, this calls for a whole new plan. And that plan has a name – DRESS. The dress plan involves three basic elements -1. Spanx 2. shoes/boots 3. distraction. The first two should be fairly obvious — finding just the right dress is a little more difficult. Here are a few that really do it for me!
DVF Deluma dress in Silver Sequins $795
I adore this DVF dress– actually, I wish I could wear this tonight (we are dining with business associates of Bob’s – I am sure they are expecting me in Silver Sequins at the very least!!!) – but alas -too chere (hey that is a good pun!). Still, this is a fantastic option…go with the opaque black spanx and a chunky heel, excellent!
And one last dress idea -
Anthropology Fall Foliage Sweater Dress $148
I would wear this cozy red dress with a layer under (the best choice is a Wolford body suit, and yeah, I know this costs more than the entire dress, but you will wear it often and I found you one on sale!) and some very funky, chunky necklaces.
So now, get yourself all smoked and mirrored up and take on the night. Monday is coming…
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Monday, November 23rd, 2009
Things are always cooking here at Forty Weeks! We work hard – that is for sure. And when we entertain, we do that with the same passion and eye for perfection. So, in the spirit of the holiday (gobble gobble), I have asked the Forty Weeks family to share their favorite recipe of the season. Enjoy!
Julia Beck
Green Goddess Dip
I love to go a little retro – somehow, it always starts a conversation and makes people feel right at home. A few years ago, I started serving Crudités with Green Goddess Dip – the color is inviting, the flavor complex and it gets any gathering off to a great start!
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2+ anchovy fillets
1 medium shallot
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1-2 garlic cloves peeled
1 large ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
½ cup light sour cream
¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
½ cup good olive oil
Cut Veggies – carrots, celery, red pepper, sugar snap peas, etc.
Gina Contursi
Curried Butternut Squash and Pear Soup
Savory, complex and full of good things – just like Gina. I suggest you serve this delicious soup in assorted antique tea cups to add even more ”wow” to the meal as a unique passed starter!
Ingredients:
1 (2 pound) butternut squash
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon curry powder
teaspoon salt
4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
2 firm ripe Bartlett pears, peeled, cored, and cut into 1 inch dice
1/2 cup half and half
1. Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membrane.
Place squash halves, cut sides down, on the prepared baking sheet.
Roast in preheated oven until very soft, about 45 minutes. Scoop the pulp from the peel, and reserve.
3. Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, garlic, ginger, curry powder, and salt. Cook and stir until the onion is soft, about 10 minutes. Pour the chicken broth into the pot, and bring to a boil. Stir in the pears and the reserved squash, and simmer until the pears are very soft, about 30 minutes.
4. Pour the soup into a blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway full. Hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender. Puree in batches until smooth.
Return the soup to the pot, stir in the half and half, and reheat
Laura Derrico
Sausage and Fennel Stuffing
Laura is the latest addition to our team. Much like stuffing is essential to a perfect Thanksgiving meal, LD is indispensable to us at Forty Weeks! Laura is from a big family – expect this to feed many!
Ingredients:
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casing discarded
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
2 medium-large onions, chopped fine
1 1/2 pounds fennel bulbs (sometimes called anise, about 2 medium),
stalks trimmed flush with bulbs and bulbs chopped fine (about 4 1/2
cups)
2 teaspoons fennel seeds, chopped fine
1/4 cup Pernod or other anise-flavored apéritif
2 teaspoons dried thyme, crumbled
2 teaspoons dried tarragon, crumbled
5 cups corn bread for stuffing or packaged corn bread stuffing
1. In a 10- to 12-inch heavy skillet cook sausage over moderately high heat, stirring and breaking up lumps with a fork, until no longer
pink.
2. Transfer sausage with a slotted spoon to a large bowl.
3. Add butter to fat remaining in skillet and cook onions, chopped fennel, fennel seeds, and salt to taste over moderate heat, stirring,
until fennel is softened, about 10 minutes.
4. Add apéritif, thyme, and tarragon and cook, stirring, until most liquid is evaporated.
5. Add mixture to sausage with corn bread or packaged stuffing and toss to combine well.
6. Season stuffing with salt and pepper and cool completely. Stuffing may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered.
(To prevent bacterial growth do not stuff turkey cavities ahead.)
Jules Galpin
Harvest Pear Crisp with Candied Ginger
Jules is my better half – no doubt! And like this irresistible dessert, she completes almost anything we do! This one combines rich autumnal flavors for a perfect ending to your holiday meal!
Ingredients:
Topping:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup coarsely chopped whole raw almonds
1/4 cup 1/4-inch cubes crystallized ginger
Filling:
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
4 pounds firm but ripe pears (6 to 7 large), peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 6 cups)
Topping
Whisk first 4 ingredients in medium bowl. Add butter. Working quickly so butter does not soften, rub in with fingertips until moist clumps form. Stir in oats, almonds, and ginger. Chill while preparing filling.
Filling
Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk first 4 ingredients in large bowl. Add pears; toss. Transfer to 13×9x2-inch oval baking dish. Sprinkle topping over pear mixture. Bake until topping is crisp and golden brown and juices are bubbling, about 50 minutes. Serve warm.
Recipe courtesy of Bon Appetit.com
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Sunday, October 25th, 2009
In 1993, Counting Crows burst onto my musical consciousness and filled my imagination with an album called AUGSUT AND EVERYTHING AFTER – it is hard for me to remember how Adam Durwitz’s love and gift for words made their way into my then 20-something life. I had been very sick that year – and Durwitz’s pained and poignant world view (a peer and one whose roots were here in DC) became a constant companion to me in my recovery (think Walkman!). I recall time on the treadmill, regaining my strength and listening to what quickly became my anthem of aspiration and indignation (why was I so sick in the first place?), Rain King.
For me songs get caught in time – they are markers of a very personal moments, and locked forever to one, particular and powerful feeling or image (the soundtrack for our love-drenched drives in Provence is Paul Simon’s Obvious Child or I the melody of exhaustion and amazement to which I danced with my baby girl Lila is Van Morriosn’s Tupelo Honey). These songs and the related memories, like photographs are fixed, attached and hardly fluid.
Books are the opposite – with literature, the words, the stories, and of course, the meaning morph along with me. As time marches on my lens changes, the lesson of the book changes, the “take-away” is a whole new tale and I am once again alert and paying careful attention to what the author is sharing.
Yesterday, I listened to both a live and studio version of Rain King. Suddenly, I was keenly aware of the literary effect in this decades old song. And to Adam Durwitz’s credit – it was not a fixed, optimistic but painful image of a girl on a treadmill (not meant to be metaphor but worth noting) determined to get back to strength and power that I experienced in 1993. But rather, one of a present-day, still optimistic, energized and capable forty-something year old woman, with much more experience -from failure (first marriage) to great success (blended-family, friendships, Forty Weeks) and all things in between – but no less hope (though more fatigue on all levels). And, like Henderson (see the 1951 NYT Book review for a brief on the inspiration and noted character in the song) despite my successes and experiences (or perhaps because of them), still on my original path – further along on my road as the NYT review states: a solemn quest for “the great principles of life”–for spiritual peace, happiness and communion with truth and deity.
And it is here I will stay, listening to great music (remind me to share with you Mark Hoppus’review of my Ipod from a few years back) while on my journey which is forever intertwined with my commitment to others and their journey. Not particularly perfect, nor noble, nor original but certainly mine.
Now, it that is not OT, I don’t know what is!
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Sunday, October 18th, 2009
Sunday morning in DC starts with a stop at Quartermaines coffee, a walk thru the quiet early day streets of Bethesda with Bob and of course, the Central Bethesda Farmers Market…Today was cold and a little damp (feeling that I’ve gotten my money’s worth on those rain boots this week), but still the joy remains. Here is what I came home with…
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