Friday DIY

It's the last Friday in July- how did THAT happen? This means we've got a lot of summer partying to do and only a few more weeks to pack it in. I suggest carpe-ing the diem this weekend (since the NY area weekend forecast is HOT and SUNNY) and letting your inner kid have some serious fun. If you're heading out of the city to the beach or the country, why not go back to one of the simplest pleasures summer has to offer- the Slip'N'Slide? No need to buy one (you may find the scale to be not as forgiving as it was when you were a wee one). All you need, per some instructions on the web, are a few tarps and/or heavy duty plastic sheeting from Home Depot, an incline, some water, AND (and this was news to me) a tiny bit of baby shampoo OR baby oil. Hm. A TINY bit, people- don't go nutso. Make it nice and long 10-15 feet- and make sure you set it up on grass or sand, and leave a nice landing area to avoid crashing.

This video is a bit of an artistic spin on the trad Slip'N'Slide, and I don't advocate trying this at home, but the tunes are groovy, and it's pretty freakin funny.

Life in Hazy Technicolor

This weekend brought some pretty scenic moments which were captured via an app on my boyfriend's iPhone called Toy Camera. He's so enamored with it that he's practically ignoring his fancy Leica digital




because the halo/lomo effects of this are so beautiful. Check out our Coney Island beach day- halted by lightning, thunder, and whistles from lifeguards, and a Waverly Root-ish shot of gorgeous bruschetta in a pretty ceramic dish from a Sunday dinner with friends.
Life just looks better in hazy tones, doesn't it?

Monday Weather Update

WAKE UP WEATHER: Rise and shine big apple. 71, hazy air and 90% humidity. What does that spell? SWEATBANDS! It's gonna be a humid, warm week, something we have not really had yet this summer. CRAZY HAIR WARNING IS IN EFFECT thru Friday. FOR TODAY: High 86, chance of an evening t-banger.

You Can't Be Late For This Important Date

The trailer for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland debuted this week at Comic-Con, and it looks as trippy and fanastic as you'd expect- it's a story that I've always been entranced by, and I'm happy to see it fall back upon hands that appreciate the darkness of the story as well as the whimsy. We'll see how well it lives up to that mid 80's made for TV movie where Sammy Davis Jr. played the stoner caterpillar.

Weather Update

WAKE UP WEATHER: 66 with bright clouds. The sun will be busting out soon so don't leave your shades in the garage. THIS AFTERNOON an occluded front will slip thru the area giving us a chances for t-bangers. WEEKEND CAST: Some like it hot and some sweat when the heat is on. Some feel the heat and decide that they cant go on. Mainly dry and WARM weather for Sat. about 90 for the high. Very humid Sunday.

Flea Market Finds with Fictional Backstories

Ever make up totally fake stories about things, just to entertain yourself, or make things more interesting? Significant Objects, a new website which features creative writing pieces inspired by random flea market finds, strives to take that art to a whole new level. Plus, once you've fallen in love with the object and it's backstory, you can bid on it and make it yours. Ah, the Internet.

blogrollin'

here are some blogs that I'm reading and enjoying, some are old favorites and some are more recent discoveries.
http://www.athomewiththefarmerswife.blogspot.com/- charming and transportive, it fills the midwestern wanderlust that is somewhere inside me.
http://cabinkitchen.blogspot.com/- my friend Jenny is experimenting with ditching city life this summer and livin it up in a country cabin with nothin but books and her boyfriend for company. Oh- and amazing food.
http://www.garancedore.fr/en/- on the flip side of country living, this is the most lush style inspiration site, based in Paris, but pretty much international in it's scope. Fashion can be lifeless and catty, but this site just shows the lovely lightness and color.
http://thingsrbetterwithaparrott.typepad.com/homegrown_wedding/ beautiful things abound- you can totally ignore the fact that it's a wedding site.
http://beachbungalow8.blogspot.com/ filled with california-dreamin style images, tips and treats, it's sunshine on the web.

Wierdly enough, I haven't been food-blog browsing much. Because I've been too busy eating, probably. Hope you find something you like here !

Why BUY Chips When You Can MAKE Chips?

Meet the Jiminy Snack King. It's a machine that seems to have a plan to revolutionize the world of potato chip entrepreurs. I don't care so much about that part (but I'm counting the days until one shows up at Franny's Larder or Union Market). I DO care about how amazing it would be to make your own chips in this glorious machine, which seems to be a big brother type operation to your standard popcorn popper. Cool, no? I bought a bag of UTZ Sweet Potato Chips at the grocery store yesterday (try them- YUM) and now i'm thinking that heck, I could be making sweet potato chips all day here, since the machine only has a footprint of about 6 feet or so.......... I'm also picturing plantain chips, onion chips, pepper chips, all kinds of chips! If you are interested in money-making, there's also a nice projected revenue stream chart on the website. You'd have to SELL the chips though, and not eat them, to make that cash. Just FYI.

Those are NOT pizzerias on that map

Those pins are are all sites where development/construction has been officially halted by the Department of Buildings.

There are 362 of them right now, though there are probably more that have not been officially deemed 'stalled'. Think of all the pre-construction deposits! All of the workers who are out of a gig! Of all the loose lumber and rebar and glass open for stealing! Stalled construction sites make for an ugly landscape, dangerous conditions, and bad mojo. Lets hope this recession picks up and peaces out soon. The Times gives us a nifty map and names all the locations, in case you're looking to take a tour.

Weather Update/Crazy Hair Alert

REPORT:72 WITH HAZY SUN. It's going to be deep south hot today with a high around 88. CRAZY HAIR ALERT IN EFFECT + MIAMI SWEAT MACHINE ALERT IN FULL EFFECT. It's not a day to forget to slather on deodorant. T-BANGERS ARE POSSIBLE anytime afternoon...some could pack hail and gusty winds. Throw the old umbrella in your briefcase.

Taking Tug O War to the Next Level

Tugfest '09.


Illinois vs. Iowa in a 2400 ft. tug of war contest across the Mississippi.


You will need to bring your own beer cozy.

Jack White Takes Over the LES

This storefront on Chrystie street may look unassuming, but come Thursday it's sure to be a mob scene as Jack White of White Stripes/Raconteurs/The Dead Weather/record label Third Man/hubby of Karen Elson sets up a pop up record shop to satisfy the vinyl cravings of NYC's music fans. Expect white faces, stringy hair, and some serious blues chatter- bring your banjo, harmonica or pump organ if you want to get in on the action.

Heavenly Bread

I'd been hearing rumblings about a local breadmaker who was driving people crazy with his focaccia, and FINALLY got my hands on some of it yesterday. I can confirm that the bread from Scratch bakery is, indeed, heaven. You can get your hands on it at Franny's new BKLYN Larder on Flatbush Ave, Toby's Public House on 6th Ave in Park Slope, and the charming Dandelion wine shop on Franklin Ave in Green Point (Friday evenings bring a huge spread and wine tastings to this place- if you're around, it looks bountiful and delicious. And free!)

Architecture-Inspired Ice Cream Sandwiches

In addition to pizza, we seem to be experiencing a coast-to-coast ice cream rennaisance as well. News of the Coolhaus ice cream truck (which would have come in handy in March, when I ventured to the Hollyhock House only to find it closed- ice cream would have softened the blow, for sure) signals an even further dive into the niche market of marketing ice cream. Recent architecture grads Natasha Case and Freya Estreller are the purveyors of ice cream sandwiches inspired by great architects and their work- think Richard Meyer Lemon ice cream in a ginger cookie sandwich & “Mies Vanilla Rohe.”
While they're only on the left coast, it still makes me happy to know that summertime still means simple pleasures like ice cream- even if it now involves algorithms and mitered edges. It's edible art!

Di Fara- The Mystic Pizza

Di Fara pizza in the Midwood section of Brooklyn carries a reputation of mythic proportions- people get that glazed over, dreamy, disconnected look in their eyes as they talk of the legendary artisinal, made one-at-a-time pizzas. For the uninitiated, a glimpse at a local's mourning period of acceptance at being unable to deal with the invasion of 'foodies' at his local pizza joint, from the Times' Diners Journal Blog

And, I promise, NYC pizza guide coming soon!

Condiments Make the World Go Round

It being BBQ season and all, I'm sure condiments are more in the front of your brain than usual. If they're not-well, that's ok too. The Condiment Station, devoted to the the ultimate embellishments for your dogs, burgers, steaks, etc, catalogs the best of the best and offers some quirky history to go along with the tips. This Kewpie mayo looks wierd- but it's almost cute enough to make you forget that mayo is basically liquid fat. Hey- whatever works!

You don't need no stinkin' ice cream maker!

Fresh from the pages of my boyfriend's hometown paper, an interesting recipe for homemade ice cream made in a Ziploc freezer bag. Intriguing, non? All you need is someone who's hearty enough to shake the contents consistently for ten minutes- that's maybe your strength training for the long weekend. The better the ingredients you use, the more delicious the end result will be- this is a case where it's totally worth splurging for organic/high quality ingredients.
Here's the scoop:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 sandwich ziploc bag
• 1 gallon ziploc bag
• 3 cups crushed ice
• 1/3 cup rock salt

Recipe is here.
*Note that the hometown paper includes a note to tape both the sandwich bag and freezer bag closed with duct tape to keep the contents of each from mixing.

** sidenote- while researching rock salt, I came across the origin of the word 'salt'- from the Latin 'salarium', which was the name for a soldier's pay in the army of ancient Rome. The pay included a large ration of salt, which was a spice of high value and also a medium for exchange; thus the origin of such expressions as "salt of the earth" and "worth your salt."

Before the flash flood, the hipster Kids.

MGMT just did their soundcheck out here in the Slope--the music was traveling into my garden & I decided to walk down and check out the scene. Long line of people waiting to get in- dressed to impress, as they say, all drinking Amped energy drink (doled out for free by smiley people parked in a Ford Cube on Prospect Park West). Funny to see the intersection of nannies and babies and dog walkers and shredded leggings and RayBans. Ah, the gorgeous mosaic of the summer concert series. Van Leeuwen ice cream truck should pull up shortly, have cash ready.

Weather Update/Flash Flood Edition

Though at post time the sun is shining, I don't doubt BD's prophetic abilities. Get your Wellies on!

UPDATE! FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT STARTING MIDNIGHT TONIGHT THRU THURSDAY EVENING. A weak low pressure and an associated warm front moving toward the area will spark numerous showers and t-bangers from late tonight into Thursday eve. Some may produce torrential rains. Rainfall of 1-2 inches is possible with higher amounts of 2-4. Look out for rising waters big apple.

What goes with grilled meat? POTATOES!

Summertime grilling need not be limited to just meat- if you flash-cook potatoes (little creamers, new potatoes, any kind, really) until they're soft on the stovetop and then drain well & toss with some olive oil, they'll crisp up on the grill, getting a hint of that smoky flavor from the grates. If you're cooking for veggies, cook the potatoes first!!
Feeling like potato salad? Toss those hot grilled potatoes with a vinaigrette and some thinly sliced red onions and scallions. Who needs mayo?

Mustard Rosemary Vinaigrette
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped finely
salt & pepper to taste

use a jar to mix- add all ingredients, seal tightly and shake it up! Be sure to dress the potatoes as soon as they're off the grill- the heat will help them really absorb the flavor. If you're feeling fancy, top with some coarse sea salt. Bon Appetit!

BBQ Fantasy

In the spirit of patriotism and carnivorousness, I thought I'd get you dreaming up some crazy time BBQ stunts with some deluxe BBQ accessories. This week TastingTable wrote about the Smoking Gun, which infuses anything with smoky flavor- just pull the trigger. For the true obsessive, the Talking Meat Thermometer ensures that no matter how far you wander from the grill, you'll be tuned in to the heat of your meat. And if you're thinking of going full out flashy, check out the Grillzebo. Perfect for year-round grilling, it's got a covered heat and smoke-resistent top, rechargable LED lights for grilling under the stars, and enough counter space to make even Bobby Flay green with envy. If none of these fancy pants tools gets you salivating, you can always kick it old school with a chic mini grill and some charcoal briquettes.

Some food for thought (no pun intended): if you've got some serious meat to slap on the grill, resist the urge to marinate and over-season. All you need for perfectly grilled meat is a dash of olive oil (on the meat, not the grill) and a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper,on both sides, of course.