Old Fashioned.

We have this drink in my family. It’s called: The Old Fashioned. It has gained notoriety since they drink them on Mad Men, but let me tell you, you naysaying, AMC-watching, shopping-the-exclusive-Mad Men-collection-at-Banana Republic readers, you saw it first chez Burchby.

This image happens to be the one from the Mad Men website only because I am lazy, not because I am wrong.

And by you saw it first, I mean I saw it first. And by I saw it first, I mean I started drinking them basically from birth. Without alcohol, for those of you with you finger on the button to dial child protective services (also, joke’s on you I am 23). What I am inarticulately saying is that these drinks are one of the longest running holiday traditions we have in my family, and that the power of food-related custom is comforting and wonderful. It is part of why I love food. I love to eat it, cook it, think about it, buy it, grow it, take pictures of it, prepare it, share it, remember it, talk about it, read about it, and dream about it. Food is love in the same way that holidays are love: they are all about togetherness.

In a world gone mad, let’s all just dial this thing back to the kitchen table, ‘k?

My Next Big Thing.

Seed saving, Svalbard, and having new big things are some of my new big things. It’s not that I haven’t been blogging because I don’t love you. I love you, so I haven’t been blogging about all of the nonsense I have been up to lately.

Non.

Sense.

Anyhow, I am starting to make some sense again, and the subject of this TED talk is incredibly important. So sit back, close your other tabs, and soak it in for 17 minutes.

Homeopathy.

Buy $10 bottle of bee pollen at the farmers market for your allergies.

 

Sneeze when you are eating them on your yogurt.

THROW WHOLE BOTTLE AWAY.

Chi-YO-gia.

Chioggia beets, you so fine…

This picture originally from Everyday Gifts. Click it to jump through!

Some of these bad boys showed up in our CSA share a few weeks ago. They inspired much debate as to whether or not they were actually radishes. Turns out they are an Italian heirloom beet. And clearly, they dress to impress.

Washington Square CSA, you BLOW MY MIND. Also, you know, nature.

Inspiration on the Interwebs.

All Wrapped Up.

In bacon and prosciutto, naturally. “Devils on Horseback” with goat cheese-stuffed figs for Nana’s birthday. I was the surprise addition to the party, but a plate of these guys didn’t hurt either.

Catskills? Mad Skills.

A photo-essay about the best fourth of July ever. And not just because I am superlative-happy in this blog. Because it really was the best.

Our gracious host Jason and me, trying not to smile (failing) and holding our fresh pickin’s from the garden. These berries were destined for a batch of hand-cranked, homemade ice cream, however fate had her say and our ice cream bucket broke! And unlike salted caramel ice cream, salted black currant ice cream does not seem destined to become the next flavor sensation. It was the one culinary exception that proved the rule, however, because everything else we cooked over the weekend came out nothing short of spectacular. The favas pictured below were especially delicious. Don’t they look Jack-and-the-Giant-Beanstalk ish?

More after the break…

Snapper, Oh My Snapper.

So I got a whole lot closer to my food the other day. And by got a whole lot closer, I mean personally yanked it out of the ocean and saw it butchered before my eyes.

You know, fish are surprisingly bad sports about being caught.

Happily for me, I was victorious and managed not to drop my fishing pole into the Gulf of Mexico. As a reward, we feasted on Red Snapper and Triggerfish for the next few days of family vacation in Florida. Is was entirely delicious once cooked and only somewhat disgusting while being caught (fishguts. everywhere.). Overall, a great success in terms of food chain accountability.

More to come about epic 4th of July trips to the Catskills, new neighborhood action, the initial weeks of my CSA (how do you incorporate a half of a pound of garlic scapes into a week of meals?) and more.

For now I am in San Diego and the weather, my friends, is fine. The lounging around on my parents’ couch watching premium cable: even better.

New Boroughs, Babies.

Is there anything so relieving on this planet as finding a new apartment? Or picking up you blog again after leaving it neglected and lonely for the better part of a semester? Or going through your closet and deciding to hang on to the clothes you know you don’t wear but might want someday?

The answer to all of these questions is no. Not being homeless, blogging and hoarding are the best things on this planet.

And my CSA started! And I am going to live in Brooklyn!

And my new landlord’s wife just had a baby. HER FIFTH BABY.

My uterus hurts just thinking about it.

#updates

Can you tell….

that I am in the mood to talk about food issues?

And in the mood to do something about them. Come ooooonnnnn graduation.