i read it in the sunday paper4.29.2008
I hope they're reading this over at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. At least so that Anne Cox Chambers can remain one of the richest women in the world.
JTBjr
17:06 link it
i am superman4.28.2008
More steps taken at the beginning of what could be a very interesting journey. I'll remain just that cryptic for now.
One thing is clear: doing is much better than not doing. Just to be in motion is motivation enough.
Thanks for lunch, Pattie!
And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention what we feasted upon: a 100% local (as in from Pattie's backyard garden) salad featuring various greens and herbs, hard boiled duck eggs from the local duck and Sweet Grass Dairy Green Hill and Chevre; Oregano bread (yes, the herbs from just outside the patio door) with tomato (one of our "visitors," this one from Florida) and the freshest butter EVER (as in, I made it while Pat put lunch together) and about the best tea I've ever had (lemon balm, mint and agave nectar - all local or very local). I felt like I was eating spring. For desert, oatmeal cookies, Georgia strawberries and raw milk from Chad's cow. What's most impressive is that 90% of the meal, served in the most suburban of settings, was from our FoodShed. If one woman can do this, imagine how well we'd all eat (and how much better off we'd be) if we followed her lead. Food for thought, y'all.
JTBjr
15:18 link it
freeze frame
Wow!
Check out my good friend Chris' new photography site.
Congrats, SouthKL.
JTBjr
14:14 link it
the promise4.25.2008
I often forget just how good Echo and the Bunnymen were. What a voice Ian McCulloch has.
Anyway, here's the weekend report: Napped and cooked Friday, creating what might be my best batch of chicken salad yet. Decided I'm done with Chard and again thanked Teeter for the Tomato Powder.
Was up with the chickens, attempting a demi JohnBrown Saturday. Bank, Morningside Farmers' Market, Pike's, an hour ride and some laundry. I think it's cheating when the people are lined up forFull Moon FarmsWoodland Gardens hot house tomatoes....in April. Too bad The Hottest Farmer on Earth is in California (hoe'ing for the French Laundry, no less). Anyway, picked up some baby carrots, teeny tiny new potatoes, radishes, romaine, beets and more Guaranteed Happy Pig Sausage (non-spicy this time, destined for a lasagna). Pike's was a disaster for the second spring Saturday in a row. This time, no lighting, no staff and several "rebootings" of the cash register system. No wonder they're bankrupt. 'Tis sad when a local institution crashes and burns like that.
Part II of the day involved riding over to the Inman Park Festival. Good Times were had at the Junior League Brunch. Little Robert showed no shame in throwing down the carbohydrate gauntlet, well-oiled with bacon fat. On the menu: several frittatas, brussels sprouts with fennel, sourdough french toast, cheese garlic grits, maple syrup bacon and scads of mimosas. The Festival was OK....it grows more and more crowded each year and I swear, if you saw one double stroller, you saw 4000. And so strollers at Festivals are hereby declared Public Enemy Number One. Ran into a woman I dated in college and we fell right back into the same old terrible behavior rituals. Neat. Thanks to the mimosas and several Stellas, I was in bed, comatose, early.
It rained so sweetly Saturday night that I didn't want to get out of bed yesterday. But I did and read the paper on the porch with coffee and scrambled eggs. Gus got his fair share. Stuck the plants I bought in the ground and finished my grocery shopping. I may have achieved new levels of Old Southern Woman-ness as I turned half of Saturday's bounty into pickles and crafted some damn good pimiento cheese. Thanks Future Ex Boyfriend Chef for the recipe. Walked the dog, napped and dined on leftovers with the Sharley-Turnbulls. Talk turned to Provincetown, as it always does. Methinks we'll all end up there somehow. There are worse places...
JTBjr
09:25 link it
run4.24.2008
Some thoughts and observations. Not too many, though. In other words, Friday's list:
* Uncork A Cure should be called Uncork a Hangover.
* Flirted with my Imaginary Future Ex Boyfriend Chef
* Inman Park Festival
* Meatloaf Sliders.
* Duffy
* New Clothes
* That's all I can muster
And here's a video treat from Varla:
JTBjr
10:46 link it
they took my joy now i want it back4.21.2008
Another week on the road. Fun. Not.
The only redeeming part of this trip was a work dinner in Chicago at Avec. Wow. I mean, double Wow. I've not put such fresh flavors in my mouth in some time. And so simple and easy and well-executed. I had a bright, clean citrus salad featuring frisee, shaved fennel (normally a deal-killer but here, surprisingly excellent), orange, grapefruit, house-made ricotta and some sort of roasted nut that I've not yet figured out. That was followed by house-made duck sausages served with Italian parsley, basil, braised mushrooms and green grapes. Oh my. Ooooh my. One observation, though, the place is almost the identical twin to Momofuku Ssam in New York. Coincidence?
Detroit was Detroit. Nice airport, though. The tunnel between A and B concourses reminds me ofseveral k-holes pastsomething vaguely hallucinogenic.
And here I am back in the ATL. What a gorgeous month this has been! The leaves are about all the way out and now the roses are blooming everywhere. On my ride this morning I was once again reminded what a beautiful city this can be. Word, y'all.
JTBjr
10:37 link it
regarding mary4.14.2008
Well, well, well, what have we here? Oh yes, my blog.
Last week was a blur of trains, planes and automobiles. Nothing at all exciting or interesting.
Cut to Friday, where I brought some renewed attitude to the office, got lots done, even made it to the gym for the second time in the week. Dr. Rick's dinner party was absolutely lovely -- great food courtesy of Max, who seems to have kicked it up a notch, some very interesting/surprising conversation regarding sustainable farming/eating/catering, a lovely assortment of friends and neighbors and a really kick-ass house with perhaps the nicest kitchen I've ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on. Sigh.
It rained nicely during the night and I was up and at 'em at 7. It was a classic JohnBrown Saturday. Highlights include: a vacant, well-stocked Kroger, the Morningside Organic Farmer's Market (Happy Pig Sausage, beets, arugula and swiss chard), a vacant, well-stocked and understaffed Pike's nursery (cast iron, hostas, boxwood, herbs galore). I finished the terracing project in the back yard, stuck some plants in pots and in the ground, made it to Whole Foods, and had a great late afternoon ride. I roasted a chicken and the beets and made a little arugula salad with grapefruit and Point Reyes Blue and EriK joined for a tasty dinner on the front porch. We made the rounds, eventually ending up at the W for overpriced drinks, then to the Sharley-Turnbulls then somehow to Blake's. I chatted up a rather handsome gentleman named Juan and have thus called the 2008 session of the South American Outreach Program (Intown Atlanta Chapter) to order.
Sunday I treated the People's Car to its annual wash and wax, ate leftovers, rode for an hour and a half (Piedmont Park was so crowded as to be impassable), made a really dark chicken stock and trekked down to East Point to drink beer and hang out in Su and Jill's lovely backyard. Yesterday was declared the nicest day of the year to date: perfect 73-degree weather, gentle breezes, no humidity, sunshine for miles and miles. We noshed on good cheeses and a light supper of curried chicken salad, field greens and warm tortillas from somewhere on the Buford Highway. I got caught up with Tamee and Vickee and stopped by the Horner-Harms for a glass of wine and porch-sitting. Much discussion of Provincetown ensued. All in all, a perfect day.
JTBjr
10:07 link it
bulldozer4.10.2008
Wow, we have lots to catch up on, don't we?
Thursday was beginning of my b---hday weekend celebration. Not acknowledging the milestone this year, EriK was kind enough to take me to Rathbun's. But not to celebrate. You see, because, we're not acknowledging it, right? Anyway, we first made an a appearance at a friend's interior design studio grand opening. The setting was lovely; being on a hill on the west side, we could watch the setting sun's reflection in the high rises of midtown and downtown. Rathbun's was, as usual, excellent. We basically noshed and drank. From what I can remember, we had the following: roasted bone marrow with radicchio chutney and sea salt, salmon tostados, seared sirloin with parmesan and truffle oil (wow) and the butternut squash ravioli for "dessert." The Big Man himself came by and gave b---hday wishes. We like that. The evening was capped off with a gin and tonic at the new W on 14th. You know, if you seen one boutique hotel, you've pretty much seen them all. And who needs to pay 15 bucks for a drink really.
Friday might have been perfect: a half day of work, grocery shopping, some easy pre-party cooking (Ann Brown's artichoke dip, vinaigrette, baked chicken, then chicken salad) a bike ride and a nap. Bret came by and we toasted his Day of Delivery then met up with Mark and Chris. Dinner at Wisteria was great. I always forget how good the food, service and atmosphere are there. The browned skate wing was crispy and delicious and the "southern antipasto" was pretty clever (poached pears, pickled okra, pimiento cheese, country ham, celery and cornbread sticks).
It poured rain all night and I awoke early with that Christmas morning excitement feeling. Assembled Carlino's famous crowd-pleasing gourmet baguette sandwiches and was out the door to Bret's. The rest of the day unfolded nicely except for some car trouble and a bit of rain. We celebrated Spring with 75 of our closest friends, the clouds parted and we even managed to keep the margarita machine from freezing up. Good times.
Yesterday was tough, to be honest. The clear, cold weather made it a bit more bearable as did lunch with friends, some household productivity and a nap. Emo's friend Larietta was in town from Mobile and they hosted a kick-ass, good old fashioned Southern Sunday dinner. On the menu: Lari's famous fried chicken (cooked old school, right from the paper bag with nothing but flour, salt and pepper), perhaps the world's best red beans and rice, a really good mix of cooked local greens and "yankee" (read: JIFFY brand) corn bread. Dessert was red velvet cake which awaits me for today's lunch. I was in bed and comatose by 9.
A really, really great weekend. Thanks to all for making it memorable.
JTBjr
09:49 link it
sweet dreams
She's amazing, really.
JTBjr
15:46 link it
slave to the rhythm4.09.2008
Indeed.
Anyway, my head is a bit clearer today, thanksforasking. Trey and I set out on a bike ride yesterday after work. It didn't last long for all the creaking and rattling his rear hub was making. So we rode to the bike shop instead of the practice fields at Emory. I have spent far too much time at Atlanta Cycle in the past week so I dropped him off and finished up on my own. Note that Shirtless Boy Season has begun.
I also fixed the fountain in the back. The gurgling sounds are particularly lovely at night with the deck doors open. That is, until i heard them stop around 4am this morning. Methinks it's a simple tube connection error.
Strange, strange dreams last night. One involving my parents that I know is directly related to a rather heated conversation we had just as dinner was ready (me being heated, and well, dinner too). With my pending birthday, I think I am officially entering middle age (some would say that happened a while back, but I choose denial). I mean, when you have to reprimand your geriatric parents for not updating you on their travel plans and surgeries (!!), you are middle aged.
Other strange dreams included included a new, well-endowed boyfriend and a fruitful search for large granite stones to complete my latest landscaping project. I'll not delve into what either means...
And my ride this morning (cudos, me!), was terrific. The sun came up in cottony whisps of orange, pink and red and the air was cool but not cold. Lovely.
JTBjr
09:47 link it
the hardest button to button4.07.2008
The doldrums continue and I, for one, don't like it. We're in the throes of spring and I can't really even get excited about it. Perfect mornings for a pre-work ride yet I'm hunkered down in the covers, listening to the NPR news loop repeat. This is a problem.
I did take some steps yesterday and they certainly boosted my morale. Must find more to take today.
JTBjr
09:58 link it
rated x4.04.2008
And here we are on Monday...
Twas an interesting weekend on many levels. I cooked nothing of note save an exceptional (eggsceptional ?!) egg sandwich on wheat toast with tons of Duke's and bacon. It was good for what ailed me. There was lots of bad news concerning friends and family. Lots of rain. A very cute production of "Titanic" at the Marist School. A gathering of people on the porch. A dog walk or two. Some basic yard work. A successful attempt to fix the pond fountain and, well, that's about it. My bike remains in the shop and for that, I am not happy.
And there you have it. Ho Hum.
JTBjr
10:06 link it
in crowded restaurants4.03.2008
Grace, following a meme, of sorts.
and now, a Foggy Friday list:
* Pea soup fog
* A very moist morning bike ride. good, nevertheless.
* Manual push mowers
* Sweet Potatoes
* Rain
* Grace Jones
* Salon Day!!!!! We love that. Gayest day of the month.
* Sobriety
JTBjr
10:33 link it
add it up4.01.2008
A dozen and a half oysters, some fried okra, 4 Stellas + a "nightcap" of a couple of Manhattans = a Not So Fresh Feeling today. Uff.
Remind me why again?
JTBjr
11:12 link it
signs, signs, everywhere are signs
Like my friend EriK says, when the Universe serves one up, you better stop and pay attention. Message received, loud and clear.
So, short-story-long: Jennifer and I went to dinner at La Tavola last night and were about 1/2 way through a really good bottle of wine and a very encouraging conversation about future career options, when these two parked themselves directly adjacent to us at the bar. So when you're eating a fine meal, talking about not necessarily the restaurant business but more about the entire food (chain) industry and how you might fit into it and all of the sudden two of your favorite food writers show up, you listen. And you listen to your friend when she gives you the number of a James Beard Award-winning chef. And you listen when she tells you how she did it and how it she organized her thoughts and how things panned out. And you listen when you hear some steps and some organizational tips that you too can use. And you realize that you too can affect and cause and change and do what it is you really want to do.
But anyway, dinner was excellent. We started with a seared beef anti pasta served with a shaved artichoke, thyme and lemon salad. Jennifer had the Tagliatelle with mushroom ragu, truffle oil and pecorino romano. My Fregola with Clams was spicy, served in an oily broth with Calabrian chilies, garlic and sun dried tomatoes. I'm still enjoying it...I hope someone remembers which wine we had, cause I don't.
JTBjr
09:24 link it
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