Soup dumplings...Mmmmmm

In September, my friends Yee and Huy moved here from Portland, increasing my pool of NY friends by 1/3. Even though I'm jealous that they get to live in Manhattan, I LOVE having them here, because they are super-awesome, super-fun people to have around, but also because they do thing like babysit nervous doggies for us while we move in a snowstorm. Also because they do all the heavy lifting when It comes to scoping out new, awesome places to eat, which, since I actually have to do work at work now (sigh), I don't have time to do on my own.

This weekend, they introduced me to Shanghai Cafe in Chinatown and this magnificent little gem of a food called a Soup Dumplings. Most of you worldly folks probably already know what these are, but to me, they were a mystery. How do you get soup to stay in a dumpling, for goodness sake? Wow, is all I can say. What a heart-warming, delicious little snack! Yummy meat, delicious broth, chewy dumpling. And it was dirt-cheap! Needless to say, I will be returning again and again.

Unfortunately, Neil couldn't join us. He found out that he has shingles this weekend and is quarantined from all people who have not had chicken pox, which is 1/3 of our friend pool here. Poor guy. But, it does give us an excuse to go back for more soup dumplings!!


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Change of scenery

I haven't felt much like blogging for the last few months, obviously. I switched jobs and started working for the Opera directly and as they are in a transitional period right now, leaving Lincoln Center, there was a LOT of work to be done and I worked more overtime than I have in a long time. So I wasn't getting out and about a lot, not exploring any uncharted NYC territory, and not really doing anything interesting to share with you. Life started to feel very much like it was in a rut, and there was just nothing interesting to blog about. 

But last weekend, we moved to a new apartment, in a different neighborhood in Brooklyn and, with that simple change of scenery, I feel inspired to write again. There is so much to tell you about now: it's Fall in New York, and just absolutely gorgeous, there is a new neighborhood to explore, I've had some friends move to the City and will hopefully be getting out and about more, even though Neil is still working weekends. The new apartment is absolutely fantastic - don't tell Neil but I have a little crush on it. It's two bedrooms so we actually have our bed in a separate room for the first time in three years. The other room Neil and I are sharing as a studio/craft room (Neil gets most of the space). Each room has a small balcony off of it, so I will be able to grow some stuff in small planters next year. The apartment has extremely high ceilings, maybe 12-15 feet high, and gets wonderful light. In general, I just somehow feel lighter in this place. I will not miss our old apartment at all. The neighborhood is very transitional, on the verge of gentrification, so not quite as nice as our old neighborhood but it also feels very exciting as you watch the changes happening. New restaurants and shops open every day and there is so much to explore. 

Here are a few pics of the new place:

The living space is tiny, but that's okay. Without the bed in the living room, we don't actually have that much furniture. It's a very comfortable size for just the two of us. 

The fall colors have finally come to New York. I met Neil in Central Park a few days ago for a lunchtime walk and was astounded by the vibrancy of the foliage in the park this year. I don't remember it being so vivid last year. 

It's also apple season. A couple of weekends ago, Neil and I drove upstate and went apple picking. It was a glorious fall day, with just a tiny chill in the air. Unfortunately, we were at the very end of the picking season and most of the apples were already off the tree and so we did more apple-gathering than apple-picking. But it was still a fun experience and the apple pie that I made from the apples was one of the best I have ever made. 

This last weekend was one of those perfect fall days, beautiful sunshine slanting in through the windows, crisp air but not too cold and, with the light streaming into the apartment and the windows opened, I was inspired to cook like I haven't been in a long time. I made a loaf of fresh bread, yogurt, the apple pie and I churned a batch of brown sugar ice cream to go with the pie. Then for dinner I braised a pork shoulder for carnitas. It felt like a return to myself. I haven't cooked like that since we left San Francisco. 

Sometimes you just need a change of scenery...

Runaway hobby

Spring has finally arrived in NYC! Blossoms on the trees, warmth in the air, asparagus at the market! About time. It has also brought with it quite a few April showers, which, in NYC, means thundershowers. I happen to love thundershowers. You don't really get those in the PacNW and I just love hearing the thunder and seeing the flashes of lightning through the curtains. Plus, usually when the thundershowers come, it's also pretty warm out, and there is nothing like a warm spring rain. With the smell of blossoms in the air. Ahh... I love seasons.

Even though the weather has been a lot nicer lately, I still haven't managed to get out much because I have developed a ridiculous addiction to sewing. I can't stop. Since I finished the tote bag, I have been on a pattern-buying, fabric coveting, sewing rampage. It's probably unhealthy, but I am completely obsessed. Here is the tote bag:

After the tote, I decided that I was ready to tackle knits (or stretchy fabric). Hmm... that wasn't my brightest decision, because even though the pattern was extremely easy, working with knits is not. They are slippery and slidey and flimsy and just generally not easy. The pattern was for a boat neck, long-sleeved t-shirt. I did finish the shirt but it's not really wearable. I mean, I could wear it, but it just so obviously screams "HOMEMADE!!!! AND NOT WELL...". You be the judge:

But I was not daunted by my shirt failure. At all. Because I was COMPLETELY hooked by that time. There is something SO magical for me about cutting out little pieces of fabric, making a few stitches and having it turn into a piece of clothing. I think in some ways, it's very much like making jewelry. You start with something flat and end up with something three-dimensional. So, I dove head first into a dress. With princess seams. And a lined skirt. And a zipper. And darts. And, lo and behold, after a week, and an entire day spent hemming, I turned out a completely wearable, super-comfortable dress. The fit is a little tight around the waist and when I wore it last Friday to work, after lunch I was a little bit uncomfortable. But, overall, I'm SO pleased with it. It's not hemmed yet, in this picture, so the skirt actually hits an inch or so above the knee now.



I found this super-cheerful linen at 50% off at the fabric store and although it does wrinkle, it's going to be really nice for summer days. I should probably also mention that this hasn't been ironed, so it no longer has a huge crease right down the middle. :)

One perk of working for the Opera and Ballet is complimentary tickets to the shows, and another perk, that I found out a couple of weeks ago, is that we also get invited to the Ballet's annual Spring gala. Us peons get to attend the cocktail hour and performance part of the gala, after which we are sent merrily on our way, while the glitterati get to stay and have a supper/ball. But that's fine with me - it should be a lot of fun to get all fancy and dressed up and rub elbows with other fancy people. Last year Sarah Jessica Parker and Natalie Portman attended.

Having no idea what one would wear to such an event, I googled some pictures from last year's event and realized that it is quite a dressy affair. For which I have ABSOLUTELY nothing appropriate in my closet. Me, not such a dressy person. And that's when the light bulb went on! I have successfully sewn and completed one, ONE dress in my lifetime - of course I should make my own gala ball gown, right? No problem. And of course I should pick a pattern that has a fitted, boned bodice and a gathered skirt even though I have never gathered anything in my life. Of course, this was bound to turn out to be an absolute disaster and I should have talked myself down off the ledge immediately. But I ignored my inner critic and tripped merrily off to Mood where I found some gorgeous wine-colored cotton sateen and set to work. And I'm very glad I didn't listen to my inner critic, because, in the end, it has turned out very nicely, if I do say so myself. I still have to hem the skirt and attach straps, but here is the progress so far:

It's a little bit hard to see because my iphone doesn't really take great pictures in low light, but there's some nice pleating on the overbodice, and the wrinkles in the midriff should ease out once I add the straps to hold everything up better. I actually like this strapless, but I'd need to add a LOT more boning to keep the thing up and Neil doesn't like strapless. So, straps it is!!

I'm just honestly glad that it's presentable so that I don't have to buy a dress at this point.

And so, this is where the last month of my life has been focused. I sew in the evenings when I get home from work, I sew on the weekends, sometimes I even find myself "sewing" in my sleep. It's completely out of control but I'm too far gone now. There's no going back. Next up - a shirt for Neil!

Happy Spring everyone!

What a difference a season makes

Wow, it's amazing how fast we changed from winter to spring here. My parents were visiting last week and there were a few blossoms and spring flowers here and there, but no leaves on the trees and basically, thongs were pretty bleak. This week, central park has just been exploding!! Blossoms everywhere, and today I noticed little green leaves popping out on all the trees. It's glorious and it's having a huge impact on my sense of well- being. I feel spring in my step, hopeful, excited about what the warm weather months will hold for us here. As I write this, I'm enjoying a lovely 60 degree afternoon in the park, listening to a great street performer and just feeling good about life.

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new hobby

I've been watching entirely too much Project Runway lately. I bought a sewing machine. It's just so amazing to see those people throw together such fabulous clothes in a day. So inspiring. And of course, I assume I can do exactly the same thing right off the bat, with no instruction, no experience, no fashion sense. :) But I just got that itch under my skin - the itch to do something and you just have no choice but to scratch it.

In my defense, I did do a little research before I bought the sewing machine, to see if it was actually something I would be interested in. I did a reconnaissance trip to Mood Fabrics - the fabric store that they shop at on Project Runway. Wow. The second I stepped in that door, I was done for. Three floors of amazing, beautiful fabric in every color, texture, print you could ever in a million years imagine. Every fabric I touched, I could imagine a piece of clothing. I'm pretty sure my eyes were actually gleaming. I immediately rushed right home and purchased a sewing machine. Without a second thought. And a few minutes after I bought the sewing machine, I checked my email and there it was - a Groupon to Mood Fabrics. $15 for $30 worth of fabric. It was a sign - it was MEANT to BE!

While waiting VERY impatiently for my sewing machine to ship, I browsed patterns online and picked out two. I figured that I would start out with a simple tote bag. Mainly because the one that I'm carrying my stuff around in right now is SO dirty it's embarrassing, but also because it's always advisable to start with something simple, right? Then I also found a pattern for a simple boatneck shirt. My sewing machine was supposed to arrive on Friday, but I wasn't home to receive it, so I had to send it to a Fedex location to hold, to pick up on Sunday morning. So on Saturday, I made the trek back to Mood to pick out my fabrics for the tote bag and the shirt.

I stood in the canvas aisle for an hour, at least. SO many fabrics, only one tote bag to make. I just couldn't decide. The people must have thought I was crazy. When I finally got my canvas picked out, I headed up to the jersey knit aisle, where I proceeded to stand for another hour. I was SO drawn to the stripes, and almost picked one out and then talked myself down from that ledge - it's going to be hard enough to create a shirt, much less try to do it while matching up stripes. So I just got a very nice grey jersey.

I picked up my sewing machine on Sunday, rolled out my fabric to start to make the tote and realized, hmm, I haven't used a sewing machine in 20 years, and the experience I do have is limited to trying to make one shirt with my mom helping me. A lot. So, I thought it wise to maybe do some practicing before jumping right into a finished project. I had a little bit extra of one of my canvas pieces, because they had swatched the end of it, so I cut out pieces to make a little mini-tote. I read through the entire sewing machine manual, got the bobbin wound and the sewing machine threaded, played around a little bit with different stitches, and then got to work.

Let me just say that the seam ripper is my best friend. I think that is going to be the hardest part, is getting the feel for the foot pedal. My seams were just kind of all over the place. Loose in some places, perfect in others. But in the end, I turned out a little mini-tote, which I'm using to hold my sewing tools.

 

It looks good enough to me, and I had a BLAST! I LOVE sewing! How did I not discover this hobby earlier? So next up, I'll get started on the actual tote, now that I've had a little practice. 

I've also been working on some jewelry, not finishing as much as I would like, but I have two pieces completed. 

In other news, it snowed this morning. Crazy. The weather channel predicted it, but I scoffed - snow in March, hah! Well, touche, weather channel. You win. Luckily it's a completely different kind of snow that the frigid, non-melting variety that we had on the ground for the entire month of January. There was about 1/4 of an inch of it, and it will be melted soon. That kind of snow, I can handle in March. It still feels like Spring. 

My parents will be visiting the first week in April, so hopefully I will have some NYC sights to share with you. We'll finally get out there and be tourists on your behalf! Happy Wednesday to everyone!

Cozy

It's super cold outside right now - a cold snap after high 50's this weekend - but there's a big pot of beef and barley soup bubbling on the stove, Neil is napping on the bed and it's warm and cozy in our little home. I guess I can handle a few more weeks of winter.

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Beating the cold with comfort food

We've actually been having a little thaw here lately. It was 53 degrees here on Tuesday. Unfortunately, there was also a strong wind blowing, with gusts up to 30mph. So, on the one hand, I got to go out and walk through Central Park on my lunch break. On the other hand, I spent most of that walk blinking dust out of my eyes that the wind was whipping up in great, gritty clouds. 

 

Today it was 56 degrees, with no wind, and I walked from 79th St. back to work at 65th st. with a huge smile on my face. It gave me just a taste of what's to come - warmth!! And lots of it. I'm sure you'll tire of hearing me whine about the heat and humidity in August, but right now I say "Bring on that 90 degree weather". I'm ready for it!! 

Unfortunately, I've lived in the Pacific Northwest long enough to know a false spring when I see one, and I'm not fooling myself that the cold weather is past us just yet. And last week I had found a dinner that is a perfect remedy for a cold night. Comfort food - eggs, biscuits, potatoes and mushrooms. I got a couple of portobello mushrooms in my food box last week and was a little perplexed as to what to do with them. I grew up in a household where mushrooms were not common and I've only recently begun to truly enjoy and appreciate mushrooms. And I've never handled a portobello before! So I did what any smart person would do, I went to bonappetit.com and typed in Portobello. And back came, "Broiled Portobello topped with Creamy Scrambled Eggs". I had some buttermilk in the fridge leftover from making butter, so biscuits seemed natural and there were potatoes in the box as well. What could be more comforting and warming than breakfast foods? The mushrooms are broiled with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and, my lord, they are delicious. The egg is almost omelette-like in texture and you just plunk it down on top of the mushroom and devour. It was the perfect dinner on a super-cold night. 

Broiled Portobello with Creamy Scrambled Eggs

• 6 4- to 5-inch-diameter portobello mushrooms
• Olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 12 large eggs
• 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter

Preparation 

Preheat broiler. Line large baking sheet with foil. Remove and discard mushroom stems. Scoop out and discard tough inside centers where mushroom stems were attached. Brush both sides of mushrooms generously with olive oil. Place mushrooms, dark gill side up, on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle mushrooms with minced garlic, then sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Broil mushrooms about 5 inches from heat source until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Turn mushrooms over; broil until tender when pierced with knife, about 7 minutes longer. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Before continuing, rewarm in 350°F oven until heated through, about 10 minutes.

Whisk eggs, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper in large bowl to blend. Melt 5 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-low heat. Add eggs to skillet and stir gently in circular motion with wooden spoon or heat-resistant rubber spatula, releasing cooked eggs from bottom of skillet and allowing uncooked portion of eggs to flow underneath. Cook until eggs are set but still soft, about 4 minutes total. Dot with remaining 1 tablespoon butter. 

 

Arrange hot portobello mushrooms, gill side up, on plates. Top with eggs, dividing equally. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, dividing equally, and serve.

We get to taste our beer this weekend! I can't wait and I hope it's not skunky!!