EMILY
We’ve lived in the apartment now for nearly two months. I still have a list of projects I want to do, but whenever I have free time, I just want to sit and hang out. One of the projects I’ve started on is curtains. I spent a gray day a few weeks ago on the first of them. Our bedroom is now curtained! And the bathroom! But there are still seven more windows to be treated.
I look at design websites like Design Sponge and Apartment Therapy all the time, and I read magazines like ReadyMade and Real Simple and I’m inspired! I love some of the interiors I’m looking at and I’m jealous of their put-together-ness… but I’ve lost steam in my own place. I think my biggest road block is all about the Benjamins. I’m working full time as a post-grad, but I’m not earning a ton of money and I’ve got bills! Even going to thrift stores for furniture could put me in a financial pickle if I’m not careful.
So for now, I’ve got some inexpensive, self-labored, and attractive muslin curtains. They do the trick, but I hope that I get to splurge on a few things that will really make our home a home.
Filed under: food and drink, lifestyle, north shore, photography | Tags: apple picking, apple pie, apples, hayride, ipswich, russell orchards
A few weeks ago, we went apple picking. This seems like a requisite activity for anyone who has ever lived on the East Coast, but, despite my lifetime residency here, it was my first voyage. We went to Russell Orchards in Ipswich, MA on an absolutely gorgeous autumn day and soaked up the sun and the crisp air as we munched and carefully selected our peck of apples.
They don’t even let you walk out to the orchard by yourself, you HAVE to take a hayride… Oh well.
My companion for apple picking and enjoying autumnal activities.
Our hayride driver.
Yours truly, searching for the best of the best. They gave us a map of the orchards and the rows had signs on the end. We picked Empire, Cortland, Gala, Macoun, and Jonagolds.
Al sinks his teeth into an Empire.
And I sink mine into a Jonagold… very sweet, a little tart, good for pie.
Our bounty. And I’m trying to chew and smile simultaneously.
Russell had other seasonal treats in and around their store. (Sadly, their apple picking is done for the season, but their store is open through November- see their calendar here).
We bought and apple corer, which I immediately put to use making a pie for a dear friend (note: episode 15 features an phone interview with ME).
This is actually a DIFFERENT apple pie than the one that started with the above apples. This one was so beautiful that I had to show you. It was a birthday gift for a friend who claims it is “wildly amazing.” I won’t give away my recipe source just yet (because they don’t post it online, mostly), but I will give you my trick– leave the skins on the apples. It makes for an aesthetically pleasing pie eating experience. I also decorated the second pie with a few thin slices on top:
Filed under: food and drink, photography, recipes | Tags: avocado, avocado ice cream, ice cream
Ice cream making season is coming to a close… or at least slowing down for the winter. Inspired by this post at The Kitchn, Alex and I decided to make our own Avocado Ice Cream. I didn’t bother to look at the recipe, and instead, adapted the plain vanilla recipe from the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker booklet (removing the vanilla and some sugar). I can’t remember the recipe now, so you’ll just have to try it and see how you like it (or use the recipe to which The Kitchn links!). Pictures follow (not top notch, but I’m still trying to work out the flash scenario).
Filed under: food and drink, north shore, photography | Tags: chicken, farm animals, green meadows farm, hamilton, harvest fest, ipswich ale, mercury brewing, pig, sheep, turkey
Living on the North Shore has been wonderful for me. I’m out and doing exciting and interesting things, enjoying the season and all the fresh air. A few weeks ago we attended the Ipswich Ale Harvest Fest at Green Meadows Farm in Hamilton, MA. We got to hang out with the farm animals, drink tasty Mercury Brewing Company beers, have a hot dog and a cup of clam chowder, and enjoy a gorgeous autumn weekend. The following (and above) are from that day. The farm was really beautiful. I hope to someday join their CSA program… for now we’re thinking about their Grocery Co-Op. Has anyone tried it out?
