Friday, August 20, 2010

It's here!

It's here, it's here, it's here! This has been in the works in my head for months, and managed to get down on paper, I mean screen, in just a couple days. Praise to Macs for being accessible and making it happen.

So we are now saying goodbye, farewell, and adieu to The Brooklyn Tart. Let's bring in a new and improved woman- one who is happier, positivier, and yes, even hungrier.

Ready? It's:


Did you all get that? Check it out. If you don't like it, not to worry. It will probably be a little different every time you visit. Comments welcome, emails too. Let's see where it goes.

I thank you all for reading, and look forward to getting to know you more at the new site. Here. See you all there!


Resurfacing

Don't worry, I'm not gone for good! I've just been a little preoccupied with relocating my life from Brooklyn to the Bay Area. And .... I was computerless for a few months and phoneless for a few weeks. Things got complicated ...

The good news is I am working on a new project, since clearly I am no longer the Brooklyn Tart. I was hoping to just merge the old blog with the new, but I don't think it will be possible. Anyway, sometimes it's better to make a fresh start.

So hang on, as soon as I work out the kinks in my new URL, I will let you know the new location. The blog will be evolving into a full website that I've been able to design completely on my own (thank goodness for templates that make things simple even for the techno-challenged like myself). I would like it to open up more possibilities for readers to interact in a forum, but not as invasive as facebook, kind of setting.

Get ready! And even though my geography has changed, the spirit will be very much the same.

For more news on the cross-country odyssey, Sammy's freak outs along the way, my latest whereabouts, and the kick-off of the California adventure, stay tuned! It will all be revealed in the next blog.

As they say in California- later, dudes.

Friday, July 2, 2010

D-E-S-S-E-R-T-S, backwards?

There are days when your dog throws up on your bed, your car dies, and the only man you ever loved has married someone else. Thankfully, this is not that kind of day. But the adventure of moving cross country continues to keep me on my toes. My head has been full, my pen quiet- not the best combo for me.

I just got back from visiting family and friends scattered across the Midwest, and to buy a hot rod. I mean a car. I mean a hot rod. I'm never thought of myself as a cherry-red Pontiac Grand Am kind of girl, but after breaking down twice on the drive back to New York (once in Indiana, once in Ohio, three hours later), the red head and I are fully bonded. Ever notice how a car seems to work better once its identity is formed and gets lots of praise? All she needs now is a name.

Meanwhile, Sammy has come undone with the transition. I'm trying to tell him that life will be better in California- he will have an oceans for a pool, a yard to run in, months without rain, a doting grandfather and fewer stray cats to taunt him. He is not convinced. He sees boxes and change on the brink, and he hasn't finished punishing me for abandoning him last week. I worry he may never be the same.

I've decided that moving is the most stressful thing in your life you can do- regardless of if it's across town or across the country. My friend, Brandy, came over last night and helped me stay on task with packing without distractions, excuses, or the overwhelming task of sifting through the pile. I had thought in four years, I hadn't accumulated too much in the limited space capacity of my bedroom. I was wrong.

In addition to sorting, one can't help but look at the state of their life when going through a massive transition. I think of all the things I've done while living in New York, and depending on my mood it can amount to a whole lot or not even a hill of beans. Concerned friends pointed out last week that I'm not using my college degree. Helpful? Not really. Said with good intentions? Probably. Sending me into a panic about where the rest of my life is headed? Kind of.

A friend once said to me she could be happy anywhere, that home was just a place you carve out for yourself. I see were she's coming from. I used to agree. And now I kind of envy her because I'm not in that place anymore. I want life to feel simpler, to be closer to family, I want dry heat and local produce and a kitchen where I can make cookies without balancing sheet pans on the dish rack. Mostly, I want to be in a place that calms my heart and slows me down from the hectic, racing life that I lead.

All I have to do is pack another box and let Sammy know everything's going to be okay.

Monday, June 7, 2010

My Computer is Broken ....

... but a dear soul has lent me his spare computer till I get my external hard drive secured and a new computer to reboot. In the meantime, I'll be posting without pics, but stay with me and they'll re-appear shortly!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Girl Meets Grocery Store

Living in New York City, I've gotten used to seeing the same bags all the time. Macy's, Strawberry, Forever 21, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, M&M's World, and Zabars are the main ones. Some of them are places I shop at, too, but some of them I lump together as a spot on the tourist map (namely, M&M's World- since when did M&Ms become a hobby anyway?).

When I saw Zabars bags, I thought the same thing. A New York kosher grocery store, but not much more than that.

Boy, was I wrong. So wrong.

I went there for the first time on Tuesday and my mouth dropped open. My pulse raced and I felt giddy. I suddenly had the urge to call every girlfriend in my address book and make them guess where I was. It was the food version of meeting that special someone. I am still smiling, just thinking about it.

To give you an illustration, here is a shot of their cheese department, or a sliver of it:




That's probably only about 15% of just the cheese department. My heart.

Upstairs are kitchen tools and gizmos in a space the size of a city block. Thank goodness I am moving and left my credit card at home.





If my pride didn't get the best of me while I was trying to maintain decorum, I would have taken more photos. Instead, I ran around drooling over everything and trying not to touch anything I wasn't serious about buying. (My fave thing is poking soft cheese through the saran wrap, trying to imagine how much oozier it will get at room temp.)

And look! A little bit of heaven from home- Point Reyes' Cowgirl Creamery.


I'm glad I've learned to never again judge a bag by its cover. But visitors, please skip M&M's World and just go here instead!


Thursday, June 3, 2010

A Tribute to June Brides

It kills me when Sammy plays with my curtains. Kills me.

Want to know why?

Because of this:

And this:

That is all.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Chicken, Waffles, and Heaven on Earth

Friends who truly know and love you will often know and love your favorite food. Last week, two of Brooklyn's newest tenants took me out in their new neighborhood of Carroll Gardens.

Two words: Buttermilk Channel.

I'm a beer girl, but the guys had a Westlake and a Fair Harbor. And then the food started coming.

Melt in your mouth popovers:

Grilled flatbread:


Green tomato soup with grilled cheese:


And my entree, fried chicken with cheddar waffles. Oh my goodness.


Dandelion salad:


Abe got the veggie waffle plate:

May I please have an extra tub of syrup?

No, really.



When I'm with these boys, there's always room for dessert. Even when there isn't.

I'm not really sure what was in front of me, I just ate it. Caramelized banana bread pudding.

I will house-sit for these boys any day or night to be this close to perfect chicken.