playing tag

I was tagged the other day, by Nancy of Play With Your Food. I don’t really have any good recipes to report on today, unless you want to hear about oatmeal or leftovers, so I figured I might as well play. The rules are,

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Because I’m lazy, I’m going to ignore numbers 4 and 5 – I never forwarded chain letters, either. But should you feel inclined to pick up the meme, please consider yourself tagged.

In any case, here are my six random things:

1. One night in Florence, I ate for dinner nothing but a single, fresh yellow bell pepper. What can I say, I’m a tightwad.

2. I really, really like Cheetos and potato chips. Sweets I can take or leave, but salt and grease are my drugs of choice.

3. I was named after the author Jessamyn West. I share this honor with a number of other people.

4. I have three cats of whom I am very fond, but I still consider myself basically a dog person.

5. As well as being involved with blogging, photography, music, gardening, cooking, and working a day job, I am also a handweaver. Yes, I have too many hobbies.

6. I once played for flute master Louis Moyse, for a workshop. When I finished, he kissed me on top of the head. I’m still not sure why.

That’s it! Feel free to pick up the theme, and drop me a comment!

giving thanks

Mount Baker

Today we are, like so many others, rushing off to spend Thanksgiving somewhere else. Unlike most others, we will be following Calvin Trillin’s suggestion and making spaghetti carbonara for dinner – something my mother has always wanted to do on Thanksgiving, apparently. Don’t worry, we’ll be having our proper turkey dinner next weekend.

Despite not having the traditional autumn harvest menu, it’s still a good time to reflect on how good we have it. Especially after last week’s fun little trip to the emergency room – I’m grateful for every moment I’m not there, let me tell you. I’m very thankful for our health, our home, our jobs, our cats, the beautiful place we live in, our families, and the food on our table. Food is very important to us, and we’re very lucky that we can afford to spend both money and time on eating well. Not everyone is so fortunate. Please consider donating to a food bank or drive this week – they need all the help they can get.

a little distracted…

Flats Tapas

Sorry about the lack of a post today – we’ve had an unintentionally exciting week. But when I get a chance, I’ll be finishing up a description of dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. Mmmm, tapas!

And if you’re in the area – come check out the Rexville Grange Art Show this weekend! The opening party is tonight: Jon and I will be providing soothing background music for your shopping pleasure, and some of my weaving (and our CDs) will be on display. It’s never too soon to start Christmas shopping, right?

Spezzatino

Just wanted to do a bit of a shout-out to a new online food magazine. It’s called Spezzatino, out of Toronto, and they just put out their second issue. Not only is it a handsome magazine, put out by volunteer effort, and not only do the proceeds go to the organization Healthy Food Bank, but the new issue has some of my photos in it! You do have to pay for a subscription, but hey, it’s for a good cause. Go check it out!

one year old!

birthday candle

Food on the Brain has its very first birthday today! Many thanks to all of you that have been visiting the blog for the past year, especially everyone who’s commented or emailed me – you keep me going, honestly.

Here’s to another year of good food and wine!

The Omnivore’s Hundred

in the pantry

Since I started working on this post, it seems like everyone’s been doing it. I guess I may as well finish up and post before I’m suddenly behind the times…

This was a fun challenge from the blog Very Good Taste, featuring a list of foods every omnivore should (theoretically) try. Some are unusual and challenging, some not so much – depending on what part of the world you’re from.

Here are the rules for anyone who wants to take part:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea (not opposed, but not very interested)
3.
Huevos rancheros

4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart (does a county fair booth count?)
16.
Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes (Raspberry good. Cranberry OK. Guava disgusting)
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream Continue reading

The Omnivore's Hundred

in the pantry

Since I started working on this post, it seems like everyone’s been doing it. I guess I may as well finish up and post before I’m suddenly behind the times…

This was a fun challenge from the blog Very Good Taste, featuring a list of foods every omnivore should (theoretically) try. Some are unusual and challenging, some not so much – depending on what part of the world you’re from.

Here are the rules for anyone who wants to take part:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea (not opposed, but not very interested)
3.
Huevos rancheros

4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart (does a county fair booth count?)
16.
Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes (Raspberry good. Cranberry OK. Guava disgusting)
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream Continue reading