Tuesday, June 29, 2010

i've come a long way...

and still have a long way to go...i haven't posted in a while because i was having such a hard time finding happiness along the way. it just wasn't obvious to me. it still isn't but i wanted to do a quick check in. i don't think that happiness is a constant feeling. i think it can be quite fleeting. it's just being able to stand in that sunshine while it lasts and if you can make choices to prolong it that you make the right choice. easier said than done!

i went out to fire island last week. mugi and i took a cab to the train, transferred to another train and to a bus to the ferry and then walked to the little house. we spent our first night alone out there. it was really peaceful and magical. it was overall fantastic. the next morning we awakened super early and took the bike for a ride. you can't go very far...but it was just far enough.

k came out the following day and stayed until sunday. d and a came out as well. it allowed me to cook, cook and cook some more. it seems that bacon was my secret ingredient in each dish i made. i couldn't help myself. it was so darn good. i stretched a fresh tomato sauce for over three meals, added beets to multiple salads, perfected my eggs over easy (in bacon fat, of course), and just played with different flavors. i came away with a few winning recipes.

here is one for a salad that will keep you full and coming back for more:

baby arugula
fresh sheep feta
shaved beets
sauteed shallots & garlic
fresh bacon bits (just cut up a few strips of bacon into 1/4 inch strips and saute until crispy)
lemon mustard vinargrette (grainy mustard, half a lemon or a whole lemon juiced, a splash of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste and whisk!)
egg over easy right on top

i love a warm salad and this one hit the spot. it takes about 5 minutes to make and the bacon is so minimal but adds just the right amount of crunch and salt. it was a good fresh cruton substitute.

now i am back at work for a little over two weeks and then back out to fire island. my parents and m & j will be there for a few days. should be fun. i am also just looking forward to a little me time. social situations are far from my mind right now.

i have been going through a little bit of a introverted patch. just wanting to sit at home or take a walk or run or ride by myself. it's unusual for me to need so much alone time...i usually need a lot but not this much. i guess right now alone time is bringing me peace...maybe not happiness, but peace feels pretty good too. i think i am just contemplative and trying to work a bunch out...i should probably do so on a full stomach! bring on the bacon!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

middle ground


sf was great...fairly easy. i escaped unscathed and what i thought was a cold was just some weird allergy. i seem to have a lot of those these days.

so, right now i am just feeling mellow...highs and lows seem not exist. i think i am incredibly tired from not having a weekend this week and am just trying to get through the days.

i did get to go to gracie mansion last night where k received an award on the behalf of his company from the mayor. it was really fun and i was incredibly proud of him. he was like a little kid. he looked adorable and i could see the excitement in his face. he's been talking about it for a while and i am glad he finally got to experience it. i loved being by his side.

now i need a nap...

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

the san francisco treat?

here i am back in san francisco. another short trip, but shooting over the weekend. the nice thing was leaving the hot, not, streets of nyc and landing in the mild hills of sf. i thought i woke up with allergies this morning, but the runny nose persisted for all 6 hours of my flight. r, being the amazing producer that she is ran out and got me some claritin...still no relief. uh-oh...i am still hoping that it might kick in...but it's been about 2 hours. i think it's a head cold, a nice summer head cold.

we have a great crew this week and kind of a fun project. i am looking forward to seeing what we create. a tech scout today and tomorrow and shooting friday and saturday and then home on sunday night.

i hope my plants survive the heat. k said he would stop by and give them a little love. he's a sweethear, but i knew that already. i can't believe how they are thriving. i have been leaving them alone for the most part and they looked so healthy when i left this morning. maybe it's from mugi breathing all over them.

i hope to have some pictures to share this week. my art director, k, and i were cracking up in the car this afternoon. we passed a truck labeled "molten sulfur" k thought it was just about the worst job you could have. she thought it just couldn't get any worse than hauling molten sulfur from one place to another. any ideas as to what they might use molten sulfur for? wikipedia helped me out and says it can be used in pesticides, fungicides, 18th century furniture making, and silver based photography...i wish it was more interesting, like used for creating an at home hot spring experience...alas, all uses seem practical and not so interesting to me.

until tomorrow...if i make it with this non-stop runny nose!