a scent that whisks you away into the forest

When I think about Stonewall Kitchen I normally picture food items (blueberry jam, bourbon molasses mustard, lemon curd, etc.), but we recently purchased some of their hand lotion and it smells incredible. If you are not a fan of fragrance, or are not able to use products that contain fragrance, then this is not for you. However, if you love woodsy, spicy scents I recommend you run out and purchase one of their Maine Woods products. You can choose from a soy candle, dish soap, hand soap, or (as I mentioned before) hand lotion. The description says it is made with black pepper essential oils. I'm not sure if that's what is contributing to my obsession with this scent, but whatever it is I like it and recommend sticking your nose in it. It reminds me a little of Williams Sonoma's Winter Forest products, but this smells even better. Although it doesn't really scream spring and summer, I had to share because I've been meaning to write about it for a few weeks and keep forgetting. Buy it and use it.  

a-well-a herb, herb, herb, h-herb is the word

I am so excited! I signed up for a class about herbs (cooking herbs, ahem!) for next Saturday with the Monmouth County Park System. It costs fifteen dollars and I am thrilled to learn how to select, plant, grow, and preserve them. We will also learn about the folklore surrounding herbs, which I am really looking forward to because I LOVE fun facts, and their current uses. We also get to enjoy some herbed refreshments, take home recipes, and choose an herb plant to take back to our home. It sounds so happy and fun! I am quite interested to see what one of these park programs is like. Normally I am never around when courses take place I am interested in, but I will be home that weekend and need something to do. While we don't have a garden, I was thinking about planting herbs in pots around our patio and I wish it would warm up, so I could get started. I am antsy in my pantsy to get growing and excited to begin testing herb-heavy recipes with our homegrown creations.   

sticks and stones, and twists and thrones

An article about the artist Patrick Dougherty caught my eye this morning as I was reading the news. He creates sculptures out of sticks and they are super, super cool. Because they're made of natural materials they break down over time. 

Seeing the sculptures in real life must be a treat, as there is definitely something to be said by just looking at the photos. In order to make that happen, I would need to embark on a multiple hour drive - as it doesn't look like he does much work in the northeast. It would be amazing if he could create one for the High Line...or our yard! I would not mind having one of those to look at and play around with at home. Click here to visit his website.

setting a long table on a farm and inviting the public

A dinner in California.

Let's keep talking about food! I received the official email about the 2015 Outstanding in the Field dates and locations yesterday and was really thrilled about it until I realized none of them work with our schedule. Ugh. I was REALLY looking forward to treating ourselves to a farm to table meal with wine in nature, but it looks like we are going to have to wait until next year. 

We had a few places in mind, but the dinners either take place during the week, or overlap with plans we already have. We also were not going to pay that price for dinner just anywhere - we had our favorites (Vermont, Maine, Hudson Valley, and western Massachusetts). Hopefully, this idea catches on and more people do it, which would hopefully in turn lower the cost. It is steep, but seems worth it if you are into the outdoors and knowing where your food comes from. The photographs are absolutely beautiful too and who doesn't like a pretty picture? So, I guess I will wait until 2016 and for now, our dinners in nature will take place on our back patio. Click here to browse the wonderfulness that makes up this food movement.

arranging evergreens for our front door masterpiece

Thar she blows!

I made my own wreath for the holidays the first Christmas we moved into our home, which was two years ago. It was very easy, because a huge cypress tree tilted in our front yard as a result of Superstorm Sandy. (Yes, it didn't fully fall to the ground, but it tilted enough where it had to be cut down and hauled away. RIP cypress.)  The cypress branches were quite full AND we had about a million of them, so I was not intimated in the least bit to try my hand at wreath making. I had never done it before, but I have beginners luck with a myriad of things (golf, bowling, darts) and thought it was worth a shot. This past holiday, I wussed out and didn't try to recreate my masterpiece. Instead, I painted over my pastel printed paper flower wreath from spring with holiday colors and felt just fine about it. 

We had so many mini boughs leftover from our Christmas tree this year, I knew it was time to put my big girl pants on and attempt to craft an evergreen wreath again. I was tired and sleepy last night, but started the project anyways. It worked out so unbelievably well that I couldn't stop until it was finished - and finish it I did. In the words of my sister - take that Martie Stew (Martha Stewart for short)! I was nervous because the branches were a little skinnier than I had wanted, but it worked out just fine. I am so, so happy with it. I may add some holly to it this weekend (fresh from our yard), but for right now I am jazzed with the naturalness of it all. I love our wreath and am really proud of myself for making it. I was so excited I even mustered up the energy to vacuum up my mess before I went to sleep. I am sure my neighbors were really psyched to hear our vacuum running at 10:30 p.m. Sorry neighbors!

a telling sign of winter - it's all in the nuts

This past weekend at the beach, one of my husband's uncles mentioned something I had never heard before; the size of acorns predict whether or not we are going to have a harsh winter (aka, big nuts = lots of snow). He thinks super extra large acorns are Momma Nature's way of keeping the squirrels strong over the course of a harsh winter and for those of us humans that are paying attention - an insider message to prepare for a lengthy season of chilliness. Apparently, he has seen humongous ones in his yard, which prompted the conversation. I had never heard of this before, but (I guess) it makes sense. What I can't wrap my head around is how the trees know to produce larger than usual nuts?! Is everything so well-connected that they've already gotten the memo?! I did a quick search on the Farmer's Almanac site and one of the twenty harsh winter signs they list is an unusual abundance of acorns - nothing to do with the size, just the amount. Both are news to me. I trust his uncle more than I trust most people and I can't help but believe it is true. I personally feel like this area gets hit badly with snow once every five years; enter 2008 and 2013. I like snow, but I do not like shoveling (unless it falls on weekends, weekday snow can kiss this). I guess we can only wait and see what happens...and buy good winter boots and warm winter jackets.

many hands make little work and more beach time

I didn't make the pasta, but even without it my husband and I (yes, he was home!) had one amazing weekend. We had a dinner at home on the grill Friday night, worked on the yard for four hours on Saturday morning, spent a few afternoon hours on the beach Saturday evening, went out for a phenomenal Italian meal with his aunt and uncle (reason the pasta wasn't made), and spent all day Sunday on the beach. It was eighty degrees out and sunny and glorious. As much as I think I am ready for fall, I was not complaining for a second about having one more summery span of days off at home. Truth be told, I was also very unmotivated to do yard work when I woke up on Saturday morning (even though it was my idea), but we helped one another and got to enjoy a beautifully manicured yard - it was worth it by a landslide. I am going to do one more round of weeding this upcoming weekend and after that I think we should be set up to sail into fall and winter without having to do much more than mow the lawn a few times. My next home tasks are going through my drawers, closets, shoes, and jackets. Once all of that is minimized and organized, I will be ready to focus my attention on decorating and crafting for the holidays - bring it on!   

enjoying a meal in the great outdoors

It was very hard to choose one photo that
accurately displayed the beauty of these
dinners. I went mountainous, of course.

I discovered so many cool things this week and can't stop writing about them. On my way into work on Monday I read the summer edition of Edible Green Mountains. There was an article about an Outstanding in the Field dinner held at Shelburne Orchards in Shelburne, Vermont, where we used to go apple picking. (I'm not going to lie - we also bought cider donuts there, cider, and a ginger-y cider they call Ginger Jack - all amazingly delicious.) I made a note to check the website of Outstanding in the Field when I got to work, and to my surprise and delight it was the most beautiful website I have ever seen. An artist called Jim Denevan, who I actually wrote about back in August of 2013 (click here to read my post), founded this notion of connecting diners to the origins of their food by hosting approximately one hundred and fifty person (sometimes more) dinners, that begin with a tour of the farm and are set-up in the great outdoors. I. Want. This. Now. I missed this summer's round of dinners offered in the northeast, but you better believe I signed up for the emails and put a reminder on my phone for next year. I will have to save my pennies because these meals aren't cheap, but I think the experience and the photographs will make it all worthwhile. I would love to attend one in Vermont, but will probably try to get tickets for one that's a little closer in distance to New Jersey. What a beautiful idea. Click here to visit the website, which in my opinion should win an award.   

the third and final section is open for business

The third and final section of the High Line opened to the public on Sunday, September 21st. There was a soft opening on Saturday, September 20th for community partners & long-time members and events scheduled throughout the day, which was the reason my work week was six days, instead of the normal five. It began with a procession from the southern most point of the High Line (Gansevoort and Washington) and traveled all the way to the very north (34th Street and 11th Avenue). There were over 600 people in attendance and they carried props and puppets that represented the five most notable themes of the neighborhoods in which the High Line passes through. 

 

It began with a West Side Cowboy leading the way. 

A large locomotive followed, which was a combination of puppets that resembled a train (once put together). 

Behind that, were five groups separated by subject matter and color - Movers & Makers (green); Meats, Markets, & Mallomars (red); On the Waterfront (blue); The Wild West Side (pink); and Vision & re: Vision (silver). 

The people in each group held large train lights and human-like figurines, in addition to colorful pieces of silk. There was a pause at 30th Street and an official ribbon cutting took place that included government officials. Once the procession started back up again and reached 34th, the participants were led to a communal meal; complete with white picnic tables and checkered red tablecloths. Bread was broken (so to speak), further remarks were made, and smiles and cheers ensued. After the communal meal portion of the day was finished and the crowds dispersed, we switched gears and began setting up for the member social. Wine and cheese was served, the checkered linens were collected, and the picnic tables were adorned with very natural floral arrangements in Ball jars and tin buckets. The most amazing part was watching certain members wave and cheer when our Co-Founder, Joshua David, spoke. He thanked the members profusely and let them know we couldn't have come this far without them. Although it was an intense few days to handle after a week away, I am grateful to have taken part in such an important day in history for not only Friends of the High Line, but also for the city of New York. Come and visit, and get on the High Line!  

a bizarre phenomenon that isn't happening

I was certain that mercury was in retrograde today, but that is not the case. I had never really heard of the celestial illusion that messes with people's plans until just recently, but because so many strange things are going on, I thought maybe it was. Apparently this crazy time happens three times a year when the other planets appear to be traveling backwards towards the zodiac - though they really aren't. It is said to be a good time for reflection because intuition is high. What you should also do is remain flexible, allow additional time for travel, don't sign any contracts, don't start a new job, don't buy a car/house/computer, and don't start a new project. The next one is happening October fourth to October twenty fifth. I only have one weekend of travel during that time span. What I want to know is what is happening now?! My executive director resigned this morning, one of my favorite couples is breaking up, and summer is "over", but it is three hundred degrees out?! I want normal. I am sick of these surprises and I am sick of crazy times. I want normal and boring back. I want to go about my weekdays and make plans for the nights and weekends, and I want everyone to be happy.

celebrating with a walk in the woods

Hiking up Butter Hill
to Storm King Mountain.

My husband and I had an amazing day on Saturday. It wasn't super sunny, but that was okay. We headed to the Hudson Valley in our new car and took a hike (aka, a walk in the 'woods' for our 'wooden' anniversary, which is the theme for five years) about forty-five minutes south of where we got married. Although we were on the opposite side of the Hudson River from our venue, but we could still feel the love. We did a two and a half mile loop and stopped at two nearby produce stands - a farmers market and a farm store. We discovered some amazing New York cheese and picked up some local produce...and let's not forget about the cookies. The farm store had a bakery and the cookies were something else (read: delicious, chewy, and soft - the best kind). I have been trying to eat decent because of all the events and bikini time on the horizon, but I am not sad I ate a cookie (or three) from this bakery. It was a productive day full of a few mini adventures. It was also the first time he has been home for it since our wedding and the only day in the last five years it hasn't rained. It was truly delightful. 

into the light and out of the darkness

I try not to be sad on my blog, but sometimes life throws you for a spin and it is best to vent and let it out. My heart hurt when I heard the news about Robin Williams. It especially hit home because someone at my work suffered from the same illness and succeeded at his attempt to end his life not even two weeks ago. Although I really didn't know either of these people well at all, they were there and around in some capacity (tv and real life) during important times of my life (childhood and my new job). I am also human and can't imagine what life was like for them and what it will be like for the people they left behind. What is crazy is when everyone describes these two particular people they use the words; happy, full of light, full of love, and a shining star - in their own respects. It makes me sad to know they were both so sad. Life is crazy and sometimes it takes getting to a dark place to realize how much light there is. I hope their days were not all dark, as the shining sun is a beautiful thing. I hope even when they were down, they still knew how many people loved them and respected them, and I hope now that they're gone they know how much they are missed...  

growing up and growing out, a tree story

So this story is a lot different from the penis map story. (I decided to act my age today, since yesterday was a wash.) As enthralling as they both are, this story is about trees and if you couldn't tell trees hold a place near and dear to my heart. A man named Sam Van Aken has mastered the art of grafting plants and has taken it to a new level by creating trees that grow and produce more than forty types of fruit. He considers himself an artist, not a scientist, and calls his process "sculpture through grafting". Um, this is crazy, but really freaking awesome. Click here to read the interview on Epicurious with him, and if you have time read this Time article too. I want one!!

so much weeding, so little (summer) time

I had a novel idea this past weekend as I was weeding our flower beds for the hundredth time this summer: our beds should be filled with non-seed producing plants ONLY (horsetails, ferns, moss, etc.). Why hasn't anyone thought of this? It is genius. If there weren't seeds dropping from our trees, shrubs, and plants, there wouldn't be weeds...right?! I shouldn't be complaining as much as I am because my husband has been a trooper and tackled the weeds on two separate occasions before my last stint (what a guy!), but it still isn't fun for anyone. As much as I would have preferred lounging around for most of Saturday, I really didn't have a choice; we are away the next two weekends and then I have dear friends coming down the second weekend of August. The weeds would have surpassed "weed" status and become trees by then. It was now or never. We also didn't spread mulch this year, which may be why it seems worse than last year. Noted. The weather (lately) has also reminded me of a rain-forest, so ferns and moss may not be out of the question.

a pleasant addition to my morning runs

I have been doing a stellar job keeping up with my running this year. I think it will continue even after my upcoming trail run has passed, because I am actually enjoying it (and I have two weddings in September that I want to be in shape for). I will not be running four to six miles on a regular basis, but two or three is definitely doable and I love my "official" training course loop. I feel great when I motivate and do it. It is crazy - I never thought I would be a fan of morning exercise, but it is happening. 

I run through three neighborhoods and at the entrance to one is a beautifully landscaped flower bed. It is full of flowers that are colorful, beautiful, and at this point of the summer are all in bloom. One of the plants is lavender. The entire front perimeter is lined with it and the flower bed faces the east, meaning the sun rises and bakes it in the morning. When I run by it smells absolutely amazing. I was worried that because of its calming properties it was going to make me sleepy and not want to finish, but it does just the opposite - it energizes me. Thank you to the homeowner(s) that planted it. It really is such a treat.   

little red bundles of sweetness and goodness

It is cherry season and I found this photo today and it made me really want to write about cherries even more than I already did. I am not a fan of maraschino cherries. I heard they were made with formaldehyde when I was little and I lost my taste for them - it flew right out the window. I love bing cherries though and am willing to put in the extra effort with the pits in order to enjoy them. They have the best taste. I once made bing cherry mojitos (a Martha recipe) and it was before I owned a cherry pitter. That was the least fun time I had with cherries. We had to pit three pounds and it was hard and extremely messy. The mojitos were absolutely delicious, but I don't suggest making them unless you are a very patient and focused person and you can cover the area your working in with plastic. Okay that might be dramatic, but it was messy. I think that may be the only thing I have ever done with bing cherries aside from eat them, which is the way I like them best. You don't need too many and they are the perfect level of sweetness. I think it looks kind of gross when I have cherry pits on my desk at work (in a napkin), but I do it anyways. Here's to this time of year and cherries - get 'em in ya. Click here for the mojito recipe, but beware and don't say I didn't warn you. 

sunny days at the beach require suntan lotion

I am a huge fan of the sun, but really dislike putting on suntan lotion. I know too much sun is bad for you, so I do it - I just don't like it. Suntan lotion turns whatever I am wearing orange, so I can only buy black or mostly black bathing suits and cover-ups. See? My skin makes it hard for me because it doesn't want it. I am a strong Polish girl that can get pretty darn tan during the summer months (and again I put it on because I know I should), I just hate spending the money and I really hate putting it on in front of people. I always try to leave enough time in the morning to apply because I do not enjoy rubbing myself down at the beach - and I also really dislike sand. I love the beach though and found out yesterday what a little lotion can do. I was at the beach for over five hours and didn't leave enough time in the morning to apply before we left, so I put it on when we got the beach and never put more on. I thought I was going to be a lobster when I got home, but instead I was golden brown. I have quite a base already because I have spent the last few weekends at the beach, but after that long I thought I was toast (literally, burnt toast). So, this is my hell yeah to my suntan lotion! I used my staple Coppertone 15 and it didn't disappoint - quite the opposite actually. It is the greatest suntan lotion ever and unless you're the kind of person that has to wear 50, you should use it. I also use specific lip sunblock, but I still haven't figured out my favorite kind. I think they are all great because they smell (and taste) like coconuts.

annual nature among the perennials

I have been loving my walks around the area I work in and have been trying to take different ways to discover new things. I have the option to do so between four streets; Gansevoort, Hortatio, Jane, and 12th. The west side of these streets are filled with the most beautiful brownstones. Most of them range from two million to upwards of eighteen. I am sure I really like the ones on the higher side of things, because isn't that the way things always work out?! I have really been digging the planters that adorn the steps to these stunning residences. I saw this set-up today and stopped to take a snapshot - very well-done in my opinion. I have been thinking about setting up some planters in a few areas around our patio. I love annual flowers and think a tasteful arrangement of planters would work in our little backyard haven.

shout out to the ocean and the fishies

I didn't write an Earth Day post last month, so this is my shout out to the ocean. Instead of saying hell yeah earth, I am going to write about my favorite parts of nature (when I feel like it). Today is ocean. I grew up surrounded by ocean-loving parents and an ocean-loving sister. (Boy, does my sister love the ocean!) I associate vacation and fun and happiness with the ocean, but if it were up to me I would live in the middle of a mountain with a view of more mountains and the option to take an easy stroll down the mountain, or a challenging stroll up the mountain. My husband is ocean-loving also, so guess where I live? Not on a mountain. However, I love, love, love the benefits of living by salty water and the beach. The temperatures are milder by the sea and I love the smells, even the stinky seaweed ones. I like sea-stars and seashells and suntans at the beach. I like evening picnics after a long day at work and sunsets, too. There's nothing like that marine layer rolling in and blanketing us with clouds and fog. I also really love nautical things - anchors, thick rope, lobsters and lobster traps, sail boats, whales, and mermaids. I also really enjoy listening to the song Ocean Man by Ween. Yay ocean! I really do love you!