Summer Weekend Lunching

Something old, something new, something borrowed, nothing blue .... Wedding-inspired edition of this Sunday's lunch, although there were no particular weddings that prompted this lunch - just ingredients on hand.

The old: croutons from the cupboard (not sure from how long ago - now in the fridge), Trader Joe's Thai chili lime cashews from the fridge (love those - they make any salad), Parmesan cheese from the freezer (big 2-pack bag from Costco, purchased for an extended houseguest who often used it in dishes - but houseguest has departed).

The new: heirloom tomatoes from yesterday's farmer's market (not the most flavorful, a little on the mealy side, seeds not worthy of saving - maybe it's all the rain we've gotten this summer), Vietnamese balm from the garden (aka rau kinh gioi, now more easily accessed since the scaffolding has started to come down).

The borrowed: the yellow dish (purchased by Sissy, left behind when she decamped downstairs).

The blue: none, as the open Parm had already been relegated to the freezer (although some bluish green clumps had earlier been spotted, and removed - hence the sojourn to the freezer).

Liberal sprinkling of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, Trader Joe's lemon pepper grinder.  Not a bad lunch.  Prouder about the utilization of existing ingredients - always a victory!

Old Stomping Grounds

Little bit of balance, little bit of luck allowed for a visit to the old college stomping grounds with classmates and their littles this past weekend.  A lovely afternoon.

The day had been earmarked for housecleaning in preparation for houseguest next weekend.  And, it was supposed to rain, so accepting an invitation to join in an afternoon of introducing the next generation to dear old alma mater did not seem a good idea.  But then it turns out the houseguests aren't coming (love them - but oh the cleaning, the pretense of maintaining a somewhat presentable abode!), and just before going out for a run, a text came through about the rendez vous being on after all, given the newly cleared skies.

So off for the afternoon.  The campus is ever changing with new construction.  The littles were too sweet - the eldest taking one of the younger boys under her wing.  And overheard: "Abba, your college is sooo pretty!  I want to be a part of it!"  Success!  Indoctrination takes root.

The Lake Debate

In the quest for balance, for time with family, for restorative recreation, there is the lake.  This past weekend, for Parpelade's birthday weekend and Bro's last vacation before starting a new job, it was Greenwood Lake, a favorite.  Close enough to the city, yet far enough to feel really far.

For years now, since the first visit, the internal debate has been whether to aspire for a home there.  Would it be used enough to justify the expense?  Could it generate income to offset the expenses?  Would the small lake become too much of a bore too soon?  Or does staring at a lake and hills and trees just outweigh all of those worries?

No answers yet.  The weekend was lovely.  The longing continues.  If money were no issue - ah, if money were no issue....

Improvisational Summer Meals

The bounty: Herbs galore - purple and green shiso, or perilla (tia to), and Vietnamese balm (kinh gioi).*  The original plan: The usual rice noodles with herbs and seitan and nuoc mam dressing.  The revised plan: Substitute soba noodles and a peanut butter-based sauce for the rice noodles and nuoc mam.  The hitch in the plan: No peanut butter to be found in the fridge.  Maybe it was Sis's and she took it back.  The improvisation: Sesame oil to the rescue!

The result was surprisingly filling and tasty, and absolutely perfect for summer.  A perfect weed and eat meal.  Now documented for posterity, and the repertoire.  Only improvement would have been to be able to dine al fresco - hopefully the scaffolding will come down on schedule.

* Translations per Viet World Kitchen.  It was about time to find out those translations!

"Today We Celebrate Our Independence Day...."

Midweek July 4th.  Brief little holiday.  Catch up on life day.  Roll out of bed really late day.  Venture with Sis out for brunch/lunch day.  Clean the toilet day.  Get sucked into the black hole of Facebook day.  Get lost in dreams of cute boy day.  Step out onto terrace to check on progress of roof repair day.  Harvest purple weedy shiso for dinner day.  Finally start some laundry late in the day to ready for houseguest arrival the following day day.  Bring down some paper recycling day.  Quickly make dinner of last of long-term houseguest's potato garlic soup in a carton, adding harvested shiso day.  Quickly run out to esplanade to catch Macy's fireworks with Sis and her tourist Internet acquaintance and her hostel mate day.  Take a few photos and reciprocate holiday wishes with law school friends day.  Then chill and enjoy the fireworks day.  Retrieve laundry and finish dinner day.  Look up and learn the nutritional content of shiso, and discover serendipitously it contains the iron and consuming itwilll help to correct worrisome deficiency day.  Write brief blog post day.  Vow to awake early to finish house chores the following morning day.

Romance and Humidity in the Air

Some long-married couples like to celebrate their wedding anniversaries alone with each other, reminding themselves of why they came together.  Others insist on spending time with the kids.

Marmalade and Parpelade fall into the latter group.  And so on one of the stickiest days of the year, their marriage was celebrated with a trip to Coney Island - to the New York Aquarium, more specifically (an improvement over the Bronx Zoo - Parpelade's original invitation to Marmalade, no doubt inspired by one of their courtship outings to the zoo in Saigon; sweet, romantic idea, but not in the middle of a heat wave).

Crowded day at the beach.  Lovely jaunt.  On list of things to try: getting there all the way on the Q - the MTA says it should only take an hour.  To be tested.

Juneteenth Reflections

New York Today in the New York Times is a lifeline of local events - a distillation of significant historical dates, of the current events of interest to New Yorkers, of the myriad options to entertain and learn and do. 

And so it was the link to Night at the Museum in lower Manhattan - free entry, late hours.  As well the reinforcing reminder that June 19th was "Juneteenth" - the date that the last of American slaves learned of their emancipation. Different celebratory events for the occasion in and around the city were listed.  The first of the listings for Night at the Museum was the African Burial Ground National Monument, a mere fifteen minute walk from the office.  Perfect overlap. 

So that day was all about getting done and out in time to arrive by 7:30, a half hour before closing time.  It was lovely, and educational, and a nice break from routine and an excuse to take a walk on a warm evening.  Juniors were corrupted by yours truly into playing hooky and joining.

My beloved city - built by many hands - some of those forced.  It is cathartic, in some ways, to reflect, give due recognition, to be grateful for the benefits bestowed.  And to be reminded to strive to not allow injustices and slights to be normalized. 

An hour out.  Then back to the office.  Not as productive as aspired to, but ah well.  All about balance, trying to live in the moment, not miss out.  The essence of freedom, and a good way to honor the toil of those before.