Less is More (4)

Lunch at Raymond's

Raymond's is a charming diner style restaurant on Church Street in Montclair, New Jersey. It's the sort of place you go for a meal but leave feeling uplifted whether from stimulating conversation with a friend, a killer Cobb salad and fries, or the happy chatter of others. Children are always there I've noticed which I interpret as a good omen. The waitstaff are amiable and genuine, dressed in denim for a casual feel. My favorites there are the egg salad sandwich,  the calamari salad, and the French toast. It's made with French bread and is simply decadent. It was at Raymond's I had my first Lime Rickey, discussed new business ventures, and comforted a single mom whose youngest was preparing for her wedding.  Everyone has a Raymond's. The local spot to get a milkshake or a cup of coffee that is made just right each time. 

Water in motion

Water has an inexplicable soothing effect. For the spiritual, it is symbolic of beginnings, the washing away of sins, and forgiveness. For the non-spiritual it is just as powerful. A close friend of mine once told me if I was ever to become worried or anxious, to envision myself floating in a running river, water rushing at my sides, my concerns washing away. I've never forgotten that; it has served me a great deal.

Nurturing a plant 

My first semester at Georgetown, my mother got my roommate and I a delicate plant for our little dorm. It only lasted one week. Neither of us were very adept at caring for plants, although understandably it isn't really that difficult. Perhaps we were overwhelmed with the new chapter of college life. Since then I have made a conscious effort to take more attentive care of plants. Throughout our lives we will take care of children, siblings, pets, and elderly family members. We might even dedicate our time to caring for complete strangers. There is a certain comfort though in nurturing something that has nothing to say or give. That you can talk to without fear of judgment or worse, indifference. That won't poop on the carpet. 

Grilled pizza

We've been grilling a great deal as the weather has been warm and summer beckons. The Chef of the house has a wild imagination and can make nearly anything on the charcoal grill. Inspired by a trip to the Monk Room, James recreated their Carbonara pizza with guanciale, eggs and crushed black pepper. It was perfectly, imperfect with its amoeba-like shape. Maybe he will make me another for breakfast.

The sound of fury

No, not William Faulkner , we're talking NASCAR. I attended my first race at the Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania this past weekend. Unsure what to expect, I imagined it would be loud but wasn't prepared for the sheer magnitude of those engines. Despite the great volume, it was I might even say melodic as the cars whizzed by like furious bees. The roar faded in and out as they rounded the track. Even with ear plugs, the bleachers shook with every lap.

“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet. ”

— James Openheim

National Doughnut Day

For the past few days, social media has been abuzz about the coming of National Doughnut Day. I myself am a fan of any day we pay homage to a specific food, especially one as delectable as a dense, sugary doughnut.

I found a recipe for Biscuit Donuts, brought vegetable oil to the right temperature (365 degrees) in my Lodge cast-iron dutch oven and fried up two types. One kind, with the traditional peephole, was coupled with a simple vanilla glaze, tinted pink, from Lara Ferroni and rainbow sprinkles. The other batch was a rounded mound of doughy goodness rolled in confectioner's sugar and filled with raspberry jam.  They were lovely, if I may say so. 

Happy National Doughnut Day to all.

“Let’s face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people; it does for me.”

— Audrey Hepburn

Less is More (3)

 Pancake Dinner

Some nights I make breakfast for dinner. In New Jersey, diners sell breakfast foods hot off the griddle nearly 24/7 so it's not a ludircrous idea to have pancakes in the evening. My sister came over a little before sundown and we flipped pancakes, bursting with blueberries, on a little outdoor stove. We topped them with powdered sugar. The blueberries popped with each bite leaving a trail of bright blue juice on our plates.

Salt water 

 On Memorial Day weekend while visiting friends in Bayville, I leapt off the dock in their backyard right into the lagoon. The taste of the salt water on my lips brought back memories from my childhood as I learned to swim in the lagoon when I was a toddler. Dad tied my life vest with a rope to the sailboat because I had a terrible habit of jumping off the side into the water. For whatever reason, maybe ignorance, I was never afraid of what might be swimming beneath me.  

Fresh mulch

Freshly laid mulch has a distinct, earthy smell and bright hue that I find to be indicative of new beginnings. Parks are prepared for the little feet of young people ready to play, and manicured lawns await the season's blooms. My nostrils perk up whenever I walk past the first new mulch of spring. 

Whipped heavy cream  

Whipping heavy cream for dessert is well worth the extra effort, and anything but heavy. Before serving with a strawberry rhubarb pie, I grabbed the whisk with the residual cream and toted it around the backyard. Everyone dipped their fingers for a quick taste and while not the most sanitary, it was sweet. We're family anyway.  

Finding a dollar in your laundry

A dollar and some change won't drastically change our circumstances but finding anything unexpected is a treat. Whether an indication of a lucky day/moment or half way to a chocolate bar from the vending machine, it beats not finding anything in your clean jeans.