Monday, April 26, 2010

Fried Eggs on Greens on Bread (Or Lunch, All Week)


Our CSA restarted last week and I've never been so happy to see Kale. I remember when we first started getting local greens a few years ago it was an adjustment, they were too flavorful. We joked that they just went out to a field and picked wild grass for our salad mixes, it tasted so potent and earthy. Now when we buy a bag of spinach and arugula from TJ's it just tastes like nothing to us. This winter break was hard, we dutifully bought vegetables from the grocery store but they were not fun to eat - all bland and kinda wilty. So yaaay for Maryland beet tops, and swiss chard and radishes! I am thankful for them.

Here's what we did with them all week - the greens (including the stems) are sauteed, or stewed, or braised somehow, then heaped over a slice of spongy bread, with parmesan sprinkled somewhere in there, and topped with eggs lightly fried in olive oil. I like the eggs over medium so that the runny yolk contributes to the whole delicious mess. We've fixed the greens several ways before but this recipe is my current favorite. The original idea came from, of course, Orangette. I don't love her boiled kale recipe as much as some others, but it's still great. If I don't have much time I just sautee cubed pancetta for 30 seconds, then throw in the greens and wilt them down with the fat and some salt, southern style. Any way you cook it the basic idea is a winner and now I can't wait for lunch today.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Wedding Season: Meg and Rafael

We are in full wedding mode now. Gearing up for another tomorrow, I realized I haven't even shown my favorite photos from the last!

This is my favorite photo from the whole day. My husband has insatiable tech lust, and the only way I can get him to second shoot for me is to buy him big fancy equipment, even though he doesn't really know what to do with it (yet). He had that flash on the camera all day, and used it, even though the room was gorgeously naturally lit. He likes to carry both my camera bag and his at once. And he always puts the hood on to make the lens look twice as long as it already is. It's so cute. It makes him feel like a stud. And he is.

As mentioned, the light in the lofty brick room where this breakfast wedding took place was just gorgeous. I loved all the colors it produced.

Meg and Rafael were so fun, I've hardly ever seen two people laugh more, and they wanted their wedding to be just a really low key, fun party and it was!



Yes, this was a breakfast wedding. These folks know how to party.


The food was amazing - gourmet brunchy/bar food. Red Star Bar and Grill. Go there.

They were so happy. I started crying during their ceremony, it was all just so beautiful and they were so darn giddy about getting married. I don't know when I became such a sap, wait, yes I do. It started when I couldn't stop bawling walking down my own aisle, I now always always cry when I go anywhere near a wedding. It's kind of ridiculous. During the ceremony Meg actually looked at me wiping a tear in the front row and laughed at me.


The pretty Baltimore Harbor will be making an appearance in quite a few photos this summer I think.

This group of women talked quite intensely about something for hours as general merriment surrounded them. I thought they were so cute.

And on to the next one!

Monday, April 19, 2010

St. John's vs. Navy: Croquet 2010

It was quite something, as usual.

For those who don't know - every year St. John's College challenges the Naval Academy from across the street to pretty much the only sport that they can beat them at: croquet. This year the Johnnies won 5-0. But the sport is not really the point for most of us.


The event draws current students, alums from both schools and townies, this year over 2000 of them, to the Great Lawn at St. John's for an all day picnic with some croquet on the side. There is swing dancing, a Navy band, champagne, cigars and usually a first sunburn of the year. The dresscode is something like "Great Gatsby, seersucker, bowties, feathered hairpieces, and hats."


I was quite enamored with the boys' fashion this year. They really go all out.

Johnnie Boy vs. NavyBoy Style

Johnny vs. Navy Couples Style

Sonora couldn't get enough dancing.

The Navy team wears a traditional sporting uniform each year, only switching out their ties.


The Johnnies change outfits every year and it's a huge secret until the moment they walk out that door.

I'm not sure what these guys are called - "croquet caddies"? They stand around, one for each member of the navy croquet team, holding beer while the players take shots.

Intense.

A pretty face and Mr. Franz...

Johnnie alums.

I made pickled grapes with mustard seeds, black pepper and cinnamon again.


Lucky Middie.

Happy Middies.

Nathan - mathemetician and gentleman hipster.

Another pretty faced Johnnie alum.

And a common scene toward the end of croquet day...


We're always so sad when croquet is over so the only thing to do is start shopping for next year's dress.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Slow Spring Morning Music

A mix of old and new for waking up to cool air, sunshine and coffee.


Monday, April 12, 2010

Almost That Time

They're practicing on the front lawn every day now...

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Birthdays

She says this pretty much sums it up these days. And she wouldn't have it any other way.


If I had a picture of the other birthday girl that would mean I'd seen her recently and that would be a wonderful thing.
Happy Birthday to two of the most beautiful and graceful women I know.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Fashion Week: Day 7 - Easter

A creature of certain habits, I always wear white on Easter. This was the dress I wore to my rehearsal dinner almost three years ago.

Dress: TJ Maxx, probably (it was all a wedding blur)
Belt: F21, as seen on Friday
Boots: Thrifted in Idaho, as seen on Friday


What a fun week it's been - so many new-to-me blogs partcipated and so many people stopped by. Check out Emery Jo's blog for all the other participants.


Saturday, April 3, 2010

Fashion Week: Day 6 - The Weekend Edition

Ah Saturday. My second favorite day of the week. My plans include a lot of lying on the couch and reading (mostly Hegel but I'm not complaining).

Tank: Old Navy clearance, as seen on Tuesday
Jeans: Seven for All Mankind, thrifted ($6.50 - yeah baby!)
Shoes: None because I probably won't leave the apartment today

Visit Emery's blog for all the other participants!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Spring Fashion: Day 5

It's Friday thank goodness.
Dress: Thrifted in Baltimore (It was 80's mid-shin so I hemmed it)
Belt: F21
Boots: Thrifted in Idaho


That's a breakfast bulge, not a baby. Don't worry, I wouldn't tell you like that. Or maybe I would. But I'm not. It's just oatmeal.


Thursday, April 1, 2010

Fashion Week Day 4: The Silk Sack

This is the kind of summer dress that my husband hates because it's not tight (I do love it when he objectifies me like that). It's precisely because it's not tight that it's the kind of summer dress I love. I'll do most anything to make him happy, but when it comes to clothing touching my body in the deathly humidity of summer I draw the line. I like to think that ruffles and pintucks help, but essentially this is just a silk sack and that's why I bought it.

Dress: Anthropologie from Oliver's Buy, Sell, Trade
Boots: Thrifted in Idaho
Necklace: Some tween accessories store