Found here.
Summer is officially gone, but it’s still warm in northern California, and I still have several dozen green heirloom tomatoes on one of my plants. I’m already starting to think about what to plant for fall, because to be honest with you, I’m sick of summer produce. I ate more caprese salads with delicious olive oil, fresh basil, and tart balsamic vinegar than any one individual has any business eating. I popped figs into my mouth like they were going out of season. They are, but still … that was a lot of figs. I made fig puree for cocktails and fig jam for toast. And I’m sure there’s still tomato sauce in my future after all these bad boys ripen.
My little farm (I know, I know, it’s a “garden” but just let me have this one) looked pretty good this year. I bought barrels off a nice man from Craigslist, and put some corn in the ground too. I had a lawn put in, and pretty as it is, I’m strongly considering ripping it out in favor of actual crop rows this year.
I told my boyfriend from the start, “you have to be patient with me, I’ve never done this before.” I was 26 when we met, so obviously I had dated before. I’d had a handful of boyfriends, one of whom I was with for 6 years. Being in a relationship was nothing new to me; it was being in a good, healthy relationship that I’d never really done before and struggled with at the beginning. At first I thought that made me unique in a sad sort of way, like some kind of bad relationship refugee. I thought to myself, how many other people in their mid-20s believe that up until now, they simply haven’t been treated very well? And what does it say about me that I lived like that for so long, and what part did I play in those dynamics? So I thought my situation was uncommon, and regarded myself as someone with an above-average amount of learning to do about how to be in an adult relationship, how to treat my partner, and how to treat myself.
Father’s day has been a bit tough for me since my dad died in January of 2008. Yesterday, we lost my grandpa too. He went peacefully in his sleep, leaving behind the pain and illness that clouded the past two years of his life.
Representing both the Swinyard and Fischer families, these two men in my life were leaders, providers, storytellers, and perhaps most importantly, absolutely hilarious. I mean pee your pants, don’t care if 100 people are staring at the strange shit that’s going down, hilarious.
My grandpa taught me how to fish and pilot a boat. He passed down his love of rivers and sunshine, and because of him I will always gravitate to the nearest body of water to feel complete. My dad taught me how to change a tire, make coffee, and throw a punch. I have his eyes, his silliness, and his temper. I inherited his love of learning, camping, excellent meals (with drinks to go along), and perhaps most importantly, amazing music.
I’m grateful to have had them both for as long as we did. Happy Father’s Day.
In Jamaica, we found many things. Lovely people, delicious food, a bounty of Red Stripes and rum drinks. Most of all though, we found beautiful sunsets and lots of quiet time on the sand and rocks. Enjoying the world at an almost painfully slow pace, where hours go by without more than 5 words passing between you and a loved one just 2 feet away? That’s my kind of vacation.
Last November seemed like forever ago until I started playing with these photos. Now I feel warm, and it’s not just the whisky I’m sipping (apropos, which was aged in a Caribbean rum cask). It’s humbling to be reminded of the wonderful pleasures afforded to me by life, not the least of which is the amazing people I get to share my experiences with. Namaste, friends. <3
I’m starting to see more and more that I’ve spent a good deal of my life so worried about what was going to happen next, that I frequently forgot to enjoy or at least fully experience what was happening right then.
This is a profoundly hard habit to break. But I believe it will be worth it.
Oh dear. Okay. So it seems as though several of the goals I put forth at the beginning of this year are seeing movement.
Making and growing food and eating it: check. Finack and I attended a salumi class at The Fatted Calf, from which we came home with 2 types of sausage and some guanciale. My first garden harvest produced a very full bag of delicious arugula (the guanciale and arugula made for an awesome salad with caramelized onions, goat cheese and toasted pine nuts). Last night we went to a whole hog butchering class at 4505 Meats, and have more pork than we know what to do with. I’ll be cooking up some bone-in chops this weekend, and also have visions of pork confit and pork cassoulet dancing in my head. I have some pretty fantastic photos from the Fatted Calf class, and some random cooking stuff that I’ll be posting soon, hopefully.
Professional situation: check. I’ve left my job after three and a half years, and start a new position at a startup in San Francisco tomorrow. I can’t really say too much about that simply because there’s not much to say yet. Except that I feel like someone untied a giant anchor from around my ankle. A talking anchor that was constantly threatening to eat my soul. Or something to that effect.
Exercising: check. We’ve been going to yoga a good amount, but still need to go more. 2 years ago this time I was going to yoga three times a week and felt awesome. I’d like to get back to that place. YogaWorks in Walnut Creek is a pretty good spot. It’s not the tiny, cozy, candlelit environment I’m used to – it’s a bit more sterile and pretty huge, but we’re learning which classes and teachers work for us and it’s a positive place. I’m in week four of the Couch to 5K running program, but it’s worth pointing out that I started it nearly 3 months ago, and haven’t lost a pound. However! I’m pleased with my running endurance progress, and that’s what matters. I just need to up the frequency of my exercise, and reduce the frequency of my bourbon and pork consumption (grumble grumble).
Money … well, we don’t need to talk about that, do we?
The winter vegetables are making some good progress, about a month and a half after planting. A big problem is that I spaced on drilling drainage holes in the new barrels. I already had two that I’d grown tomatoes in last summer, and bought the 4 new ones off a craigslister. Hopefully some drainage holes drilled in the sides of each barrel will help. There’s standing water in a couple of the barrels, so I’m trying to get these drained before root rot sets in. The chard is already pretty stunted and might not be salvageable.
But, as you can see, the brussels sprouts, arugula and bok choy are all doing wonderfully! I nibbled on a bit of the rocket yesterday – it’s crisp, peppery and earthy. I can’t wait to make little salads with it. Also doing well are both the onions (green, walla walla), the leeks, and the spinach. The little gem lettuce – one of the plants I’m most excited about – looks healthy but isn’t growing much. Same goes for the snap peas, so I’ll just keep an eye on everything.
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I understand the concept of New Year’s Resolutions. It’s an opportunity at a fresh start, and conversations about resolutions are ubiquitous. Everyone wants to know what everyone else is resolving. The whole thing rubs the wrong way to a certain extent, sort of the same way Valentine’s day does. Why do we only strive to better ourselves (or our relationships) on this one day of the year, out of 365? Utter nonsense.
On the other hand, goals are important. I’ve spent most of my adult life until now just sort of sailing along, to a certain extent. I’m okay admitting that, because for the most part I’ve had fun, been successful, and been pretty damn happy. I focus on the things that interest me and thrive, but the less-fun aspects get – you guessed it – less attention. But there comes a time when that doesn’t cut it anymore. Life is getting more complicated. I’m 27 years old, and now I have to exert an effort to remain in good shape; physically, emotionally, financially, professionally, you name it. So for the first time, I’m giving myself a list of goals – not necessarily things to accomplish by the end of 2011, but things to take very seriously, and put some real work in on. So here they are:
- Get back to my healthy weight of 165. Stay there, more or less.
- Subgoal: Do this while continuing to enjoy life, avoid guilt, but be smart and honest with myself.
- Meditate. Make it part of my life and attend a retreat.
- Go to yoga a lot. At least once a week, as a general rule.
- Work on my anxiety – dig deeper to find the root(s) and trigger(s). Invoke help when needed, but take responsibility for my own limitations.
- Dote on the people I love. Spend time with them, and dole out many favors and gifts.
- Grow a large chunk of my own vegetables, and all my own herbs.
- Cut my spending by 30% (this one freaks me out and I’m giving myself two years).
- Actually use mint.com. Pay attention to it.
- Run a half marathon.
- Go on more bike rides.
- Stop driving to work so much. Ride the bus or do bike + Caltrain.
- Make lots of sausage, pates, pickled, cured and smoked items and my own cheese. Take classes as necessary.
- Get more sleep.
- Learn more about photography and go on a couple shooting trips.
- Improve my professional situation (details redacted).
- Blog more. Duh. Yay!
There’s a lot more, but I think this is a good starting point. I’ll try to note progress along the way, but hopefully it’ll happen organically and show up here as I start to blog more about my life and thoughts.
We’re all changelings, right? No? Well, I’d be worried if I were you. The past year has brought me love and light, a partner who’s too good to be true, a new appreciation for beer (as wine sulks in the corner), lots of food and of course, an extra ten pounds. Softness is the sign of a life well lived, right? Right.
I’ve been thinking to myself recently, “gosh, I seem to have less time for cooking and blogging these days.” But, as I am the master of my own destiny, I wonder if that’s really true. I actually cook quite a bit – it’s just that I forget to whip out the camera, plan ahead, stage the situation, make time for shooting. And of course, there’s the photo processing, settling in to write the blog, so forth. More effort has to be made.
I also wonder why this blog couldn’t be about more than cooking, seeing as how I’m certainly about more than cooking. Hell, I have all kinds of photos, thoughts, and culinary experiences that take place outside my own kitchen to share. So maybe I’ll do just that. Maybe I’ll start blogging about those things. Soon.
