Compass & Coffee Spoons

Winter Wonderland

 
 
 

Where've ya been?

It's true, I've neglected blogging lately. So, what have I been up to?

1.) I fixed my broken blender! God bless the internet. I found out how to remove the broken part, buy a new one, and replace it. Good as new (with the exception of some scratches).

 

 
 
 2.) I went to St. Louis for work.

 

My boss was kind enough to drive me from the suburbs downtown so I could see the arch. But, he also stopped at Union Station. Now a Marriott, it's stunning. Seriously. Stunning. I literally gasped when I walked in. As these things often go, my pictures don't do it justice.

 
 
 

3.) I was being promoted. You might assume that that sounds like something that doesn't take much effort, but that would be an incorrect assumption. Firstly, I had to basically campaign for it, and then had to give a little presentation to a panel. No photos to accompany this. Well, I could put the picture of me driving two of my coworkers in my little car that my coworker took with his cell phone, but...well, it's not that interesting!

So, that's a little of what was keeping me busy. Too much excitement!

Christine's Weekend Miscellany

You'll have to excuse me if I'm all over the place. My mind tends to be all over the place these days, which is acceptable since my back has me firmly in one place. I did something (yet to be determined by xrays taken last Thursday) to throw my back out. This has limited my ability to do much. In typical Christine fashion, I not only injure myself but then remain persistent in finishing whatever I was doing. I'm impatient. The back thing happened while I was--surprise!--organizing my linen closet last Sunday. I did stop organizing, but persisted in making steak and potatoes and chickpea-mushroom-brown rice burgers. I have no pictures of the burgers, but I give you chickpeas, which I soaked and cooked the day before the fateful incident.

 

The burgers can only be described as "meh." Need more spice. But, they sustained me all week, and there's something about making stuff from dried beans that makes you feel very frugal.

The burgers must have appealed to someone, because I got home on Wednesday to a bunch of little visitors. Ants. The smallest ants I've ever seen. I put out some Terro liquid (best ant killer EVER), and they went to town.

 

They are now mostly gone. I haven't seen one since Friday. I felt kind of bad as they started to disappear. The remaining ones looked confused, like, "where did our friends go?" Yeah, that remorse lasted about 2 seconds. This reminded me of a thought I had once before when I was ant-killing. I was thinking "Stupid, ants, look at them, can't get enough of that stuff...even though it's going to kill them!" I think I was probably sticking a doughnut in my mouth at this point, and that drove the lesson home quicker than you can say Aesop. We humans put a lot of crap in our bodies that isn't good for us. Something to think about...

So, this weekend, was mostly relaxing and waiting for the back to heal. I did make it to Eastern Market this morning, and bought some pickles. Bread and butter slices!

Because of my back, I resisted getting too much produce, but did buy some blueberries, cucumbers, and peaches to supplement my grocery order set to arrive from Peapod tonight. I had to skip the "eat local" thing today--carrying groceries didn't seem prudent!

Because I was waiting for Eric to come for brunch, I had some time to kill, and found myself ducking in out of the rain and into Hill's Kitchen, a great kitchen store/demonstration kitchen with lessons by Eastern Market. I bought a great cookbook, "The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever." ($25) I plan on trying some recipes out of that soon. I LOVE casseroles--because I can basically cook once and eat all week! And, typically, casseroles tend to be things that reheat well. I rationalized my purchase by saying "Well, if I have a great cookbook, I'll eat at home more!" :)

 

I'll let you know if I find any goodies! Have a great start to the week!

Bringing Back the Farm Fresh Goodness

 

The past week, I've been thinking about food and farms a lot. I saw "Food, Inc." on Saturday evening, and it's definitely one of those films that has you asking more questions than it answers for you. For those of you who haven't heard about it, it's essentially about the industrialization of our food supply chain and the detrimental effects this has on food safety, food nutrition, farmers' livelihoods, and the humane treatment of animals and humans alike. That's a lot to cover in 90 or so minutes, and the subtleties and complexities are somewhat lost. However, one thing is not lost: that we can do better...perhaps by going backwards?

The film features as its "good farm" Polyface Farms in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. They aren't a vegetarian farm refuge; they kill things to eat. But, they farm the way your grandfather may have farmed, or, how my great grandfather may have farmed. Actually, I have no idea if my great grandfather farmed like that, but there was no doubt he had a small farm.

The above picture is from my dad's mom's family's farm in Western PA a few years ago right before it was sold after my great aunt's death.  It had pretty much decayed, as many small farms have. It was kind of sad to see, knowing that my great grandfather built it after coming to this country with only about 50 cents and working in a coal mine to save money to buy it. When I was little, they still had dairy cows, which to a kid, is like the most fun thing you can have around. And, that milk was the best milk ever.

As it turns out, I can get milk in glass bottles from the corner store near me. It isn't unhomogenized, but it is pretty close--something about the glass and the cows being out in the open. The store (P&C Market) also carries beef from Polyface Farms. I'll let you know how it is.

I'm now trying to "buy local" on much of my food. Both because of the "corporate farm machine" atrocities, but also for a much simpler reason: the food is so much damn better! I had some blueberries last week that actually tasted like blueberries! And a cucumber that was intense in its cucumberness. It was an amazing difference from the ones I got in the supermarket. This got me to thinking: if my food tasted better--like HD Food instead of normal food--might I not be satisfied on less? (Doubtful, but a girl can dream.) It kind of grosses me out thinking of the faux food we've all gotten accustomed to eating, and I'm not talking blueberries...but all that packaged junk. Do we really pay attention to how it tastes?

Anyway, to put my words into action, I went to the farmer's market this morning. Here's my bounty:

 

I got squash blossoms ($3), raisin pumpernickel bread ($5), cucumbers, green beans (about a quarter of what I got is shown) and heirloom tomatoes ($6?), a little over a pound of ground beef from a nice Amish man ($7.50), a quart of creamline milk and some Boursin-like chive and dill cheese ($7.50), cucumber mint vodka sorbet ($6), and a bunch of rosemary (didn't need it but it was being sold by a bunch of kids for $1).

I also experienced the disappointments--by the time I got there (a little before they close at noon), most of the bread was gone, as were the eggs. If they had blueberries or strawberries or raspberries, there were none left. I also experienced the problem I often have at farmers markets: distraction from a list. Boursin? Sometimes, these diversions create nice surprises, like the squash blossoms. I saw a recipe in my San Francisco Ferry Terminal Farmer's Market Cookbook and thought I'd never get to try it! I'm going to stuff them with herbed ricotta and fry in olive oil.  Anyway, since I didn't get everything I wanted, I'm going to go to Eastern Market tomorrow to finish my list off--mostly fruit.

So, my takeaway message here is to try some local food if you don't already--you'll probably be surprised at how good it is! (BTW, local means not like next door, but rather within 100 miles...most of our food comes from MUCH further. But, by all means, if you can get stuff next door, do so, so long as your neighbor allows!) :)

Spaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Two weekends ago, my lovely mother treated me to a massage at the spa at Nemacolin Woodlands, a mountain resort about an hour from Pittsburgh. The spa was very serene, and made me relax, which is a HUGE accomplishment. Well done. This was the very Zen fountain at the entrance.

 

After our blissful relaxation, we had a somewhat greasy but good tasting lunch at their pub restaurant, which features a huge aquarium that must be cleaned by a dedicated marine biologist. You think I joke?

Here's the thing about Nemacolin. It was a pet project of a rich woman (wife of 84 Lumber founder) with not much better to do (heard this from a coworker who worked for them but then again, it's not a huge secret). And, if you ever go, you'll see that her every whim was entertained. Such as creepy dolls everywhere.

 

I mean, how freaky is that? And the little "Main Street" inside of a conference center...

  

I personally like the pack of stuffed dogs guarding the picket fence thing. The whole thing is like a mish mash of everything, from Versailles to live zebras (no joke). Picture Theresa from Real Housewives of New Jersey ("Everything is onyx and marble!"). But, the spa is lovely and I recommend!

Springtime in Washington

I think it's pretty unarguable that springtime is the best time in Washington. It's how I imagine summer in Maine to be, at least according to the LL Bean catalog: cool enough at times to wear a sweater, but warm enough at times to wear capris. Granted, spring seems to last about a week, but oh what a week it is. And, for about a week, we have the best thing in the entire city to enjoy: the cherry blossoms. Here's my first viewing from Saturday--a muddy, dreary day. I hope to go a few more times when they're at fuller bloom.

 

 

 

 

"Don't call it a comeback...I been here for years"

Well, my fan base informed me that the absence of my blogging has left a deep hole in their psyche. Okay, it was one person, and it wasn't that dramatic. I've been away from blogging for no good reason. Just wasn't feeling inspired or something. The economy has made things abyssmal in my company--layoffs (fortunately not me), people put on part time (again, fortunately not me), and paycuts (me). I think that has something to do with it...plus, with holidays time can get away from you. Here's some of what's been going on:

I went on a tour of the National Park Seminary site in Maryland. It is a National Historic Landmark that is currently being rehabbed with new housing. In its former life, it was first a hotel and then an exclusive boarding school for girls. It then served as an extension of Walter Reed Army Medical Ctr during and after World War II. This was also the day my camera died. :(

 

 

I also repainted my ol' side cabinet. I got this cabinet at an estate sale before moving to the DC area after college. I think it's appropriate that I painted it with Martha Stewart colors both time. Then, "Bee Balm Red" from Sears. Now, French Bulldog Black from Lowes/Valspar. It took a long time to dry, and the finish ain't perfect, but whatever. I guess the good news is that because I didn't learn my lesson the first time and use a primer, I'll be redoing it again at some point! I completed the look with new knobs from Restoration Hardware's Leesburg Outlet (a complete steal at I think 99 cents?!). It definitely fits in better with my overall look.

Then:

 

 Now:

 

Other than that, the past month has been a blur. Went home for Thanksgiving, where I visited with family and ate well, as usual. I also got to see one of my favorite family members (no offense, Jean), my nephew dog Sammy

Onward to December!!! Gripping life I do lead--sorry to have kept you all in the dark!

Fall in Brookside Gardens

I was going to see "Curse of the Wererabbit" at AFI with Leslie and Mike, so we made a day of it at Brookside Gardens. I have to say I was pretty impressed with it. Gorgeous gorgeous day!

Frog in the visitors center...

 

The light was amazing...

 

And the sky was so blue...

  

The pond was serene, even with the loads of visitors...

 

Leslie was obsessed with the cushy looking mums...

 

Which she insisted could be like a stool...

The colors were also amazing...

 

 

This is a memorial area to the victims of the sniper attacks...

 

I couldn't get enough of this ginko tree...

 

We called this Mum Madness... 

 

The roses were in bloom and so fragrant...

 

 

 

There was a crysanthemum show in the conservatory...look, a mum umbrella!

 

I'm a sucker for succulents...

 

The last bit of color in the parking lot...such a wonderful day!

 

Fall Frederick Fun

Angela and I went to Frederick last weekend for some fall leaf-viewing. (Though most of the time was spent browsing the cute shops and eating brunch!) Just sharing some pictures here...not much to say except it was nice to get away...even only 45 minutes away!

 

Where we had brunch--Firestone's

 

I thought this couple was cute.

 

 

 

 

 

Cunningham Falls State Park

 

The falls

 

 

 

 

 

M-M-M-Myyyyyyy Verona!

I saw the Shakespeare Theatre Company's production of Romeo and Juliet (R 'n'J) last week when my mom was in town. It was interesting to see yet again something that you know so well. I took Shakespeare in college, and have read a great many of the plays, and have seen many on stage as well, but none do I know so well as R 'n'J. Why? It's because of a simple thing called puberty.

I was nothing short of obsessed with R 'n'J in middle school. First of all, reading Shakespeare was difficult and gave you an intellectual heft unheard of for most middle schoolers. Second, everyone knows that R 'n' J is the most absolutely totally romantic and passionate plays of, like, ALL TIME! Or, is it?

When I was 13, I had "reading" (which is an interesting class to have at 13--at that point, doesn't English class suffice?) with Miss Bruno. Miss Bruno was sooooo worldly and wonderful. She was young and hip but yet mature.  To think of it, she was probably under 25...which is frightening for me now, so we won't think about that. Miss Bruno bucked the system (sort of), and thus was a hero in the mind of pre-teen. She was an art student and teacher who wore long palazzo pants from the Limited (the height of sophisticated fashion), lacy shirts, and granny boots. It was in her class that we read Shakespeare. To be specific, R 'n' J. We memorized--without prompting--the balcony scene. In fact, the picture below is a picture of Mollie and me practicing (can I hear a "boy you're brave"? I mean look at that 'fro!). Mollie's holding up her copy of "The Complete Shakespeare. "We were planning to do a mini production of the play. I don't think it ever came to fruition. Mostly because the girls all wanted to be Juliet and as you can imagine, NO boys wanted to be ANYTHING.

Miss Bruno showed us Franco Zefferelli's film version. She couldn't have been too against the system, because she stopped the tape and fast forwarded past the love scene/naked breasts. This caused us much chagrin because of course, that was one of, like, the MOST romantic and sexy scenes of them all. I think she eventually relented and showed us part of them being in bed, but no naked breasts. This of course completely removed any point of the whole thing for the boys.

I can still to this day recite the balcony scene "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo. Deny thy father and refuse thy name..." or at the very least say it along with the actors. Unlike the people who insist upon humming along with the opera [I'm talking to YOU old man beside me at La Traviata!!!} I resisted doing this.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company's version used all male actors, as they did in Shakespeare's time, as acting was too vile for a woman. I heard many people from the audience at intermission say it was "overacted," but in some ways, that is the point. 

Part of R 'n' J is comedy. It is a comedy of the absolute drama that accompanies adolescence. Indeed, the sillness that is romantic love in general. People in adult relationships realize that love ain't this dramatic. If yours is, congratulations, I think.

The serious note is that when this drama is taken to its end, it is because of the greater silliness which is violence, machismo, and the hatred adults hold against other adults for ridiculous reasons that even the involved parties can't remember.  In that, it has applicable lessons for our own time.

Top: Photo by Mrs. Rock, author's own collection. Bottom: Photo by Scott Suchman, Shakespeare Theatre Company Web site.