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?

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.

Sneeze when you are eating them on your yogurt.

THROW WHOLE BOTTLE AWAY.

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.

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.

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…

We made sausages, swam in Crystal Lake, hung out with the two loveliest lurchers ever, Shape and Marigold, gardened, and cooked every single meal. I did not know that there was a type of dog called lurcher before this trip, however now I know all about them/am obsessed with them.

They were excited that we made sausages too…

Garlic scapes to add to our CSA collection. We now have about a ton. I think I am going to weave them into some sort of a basket if all else fails.

Jason’s chickens and his friends’ little Bantams. They were big on personality, and if you have never seen a pigeon-sized rooster crow, you’re missing out. It is extremely hilarious.

Good friends, good fun, great food, nature, animals, fresh air–we were basically all smiles, all the time. Happy Birthday America, I’m still pretty worried about you.

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.

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

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