Back from the West Coast

Just back from trip to LA that was full of special moments. For instance...



A spectacular glowing sky from Ventura Blvd.



Photos on Aunt Shelley's dresser - Grandma, Grandpa, and me with the little bro as babies.

Making Waves

On a sunny May day, Mike and I needed to get away without going away. That's when we usually turn to Wave Hill. It's a heavenly public garden and historic estate right on the Hudson River in the Bronx.



There are little hikes, glorious gardens, incredible views.



Poppies pop and



Roses rise in The Flower Garden.



I can't help but think of The Secret Garden when I stumble upon a scene like this.



The Aquatic and Monocot Garden is Mike's favorite.



Hidden benches are abundant on the property. Perfect for hiding or reading or writing the day away.



Another hidden treasure.



An artist-made fort was perfectly situated among the trees.



Ever Present



Never Twice



The Same

Patch of Peonies

We always spend Memorial day in Bloomfield, CT and this year in particular I noticed the bloom. Mike's mom planted a patch of peonies that blew me away.



Some of them, kissed by the sun, stood up straight, while others fell to the ground from the sheer weight of their multitude of petals.











Never a prettier patch of peonies was produced.

Charm City Crabs

On our way home from DC this weekend, especially as Wire obsessed as we are, we couldn't not stop in Baltimore. I was scouring Road Food for a good craft paper crab place and the one they recommend wasn't open on Sundays, so it was onto Yelp which steered us right to L.P. Steamers for meaty crab cakes, fried oysters, well-seasoned steamed crabs, and ice cold beer. This was the perfect experience. Until next time, fair Baltimore!



Side note/question for road-trippers: Why would you ever stop for fast food when places like this, brimming with local fare and hospitality, are alongside highways across the country?

“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.”

This quote from Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin opens an article in today's Times about people who photograph their food, which anyone who has eaten with me, knows I do. Wait! Don't eat yet! I have to take a picture. Click. Ok. Go.

I am always happy to see anything that tells us people are being conscious and conscientious eaters, so snap away. Think. Cook. Eat. Write. Photograph. Share. I turned to my un-blogged archives after reading and came upon my unforgettable first meal at the locavore haven Fore Street in Portland, Maine. My meals certainly don't all look or taste quite like this one, but it's something to aspire to!

LA is

Passover, Huevos Rancheros, Griffith Park, Heathie and Alex, Joan's on Third, Fish Tacos, the Santa Monica Farmers Market, The Getty Center, and views, views, views...


Mommy's chopped liver, served with Yehuda Matzos

Gefilte fish with avocado and roasted beets in blood orange dressing


Seder plate, afikomen, and grandma's cross-stitch tablecloth


The Passover meal - brisket, Weiser's potatoes and carrots, Zuckerman's asparagus, and Aunt Sandee's applesauce


Sticky morning bun at Joan's


And a decadent strawberry shortbread muffin


The pendulum I remember from elementary school field trips at The Griffith Observatory


Up, up, and away...


Looking at the mountains from Griffith Park


Looking at the ocean past the city from Griffith Park


Fish tacos and insane chipotle sauce at El 7 Mares in Silver Lake


Waiting to take an architectural tour of The Getty and messing around with the new G11


Richard Meier's design on a particularly glorious day


The 405 never looked so good. Really. Never.


Robert Irwin's garden in bloom at The Getty


Welcome to La Abeja


The La Abeja Huevos Rancheros, exactly as written up in Saveur's amazing LA Issue


Zuckerman's asparagus, ruling Santa Monica (steamed them later and served with butter and sea salt, Read More)


Mommy, in her element at Weiser's stand


There is no beating the incredible citrus selection at a Farmers Market in LA


Unbelievable roses from Heathie's garden set the scene for our farewell dinner


The cozy couple (Heathie and Alex) in front of an intricate cut-out piece by Taylor De Cordoba artist Chris Natrop


They made a mean Mexican potato soup


And crunchy tostadas with avocado served on plates straight from a lodge in Sun Valley