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Taste of the Andes
For me, one of the joys of going somewhere new is trying different foods. While traveling in Peru, I had the chance to eat some delicious and diverse cuisine. Some the more adventurous meals involved alpaca skewers (good) and roasted guinea pig (interesting… tasted like a cross between pork and chicken). Probably my favorite Peruvian food, though, was the most simple: the ubiquitous bar snack of fried, salted corn kernels–similar to our Corn Nuts, except that the Peruvian version is fried minutes before serving, instead of purchased at a gas station. Here are some photos of the culinary highlights of our trip: From left to right, going clockwise: (1) passion…
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A Creative Space at the Ocean’s Edge
It is a rare and priceless treat to peek into the space where someone creates art. It is even more extraordinary to meet the artist, hear his voice, and have the opportunity to thank him, in person, for his contribution to making the world a more beautiful place. I had this opportunity with Peruvian artist Victor Delfín a few days ago in Lima. At age 83, Delfín still works daily in the stunning studio he designed at the edge of the Pacific Ocean in Lima’s Barranco neighborhood. His vibrant daughter, Lilian, runs a bed and breakfast on site called Second Home Peru, which also serves as a gallery for Delfín’s…
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Textile Heaven in Peru
I have been a bit delinquent in posting because I´ve been traveling in Peru. One of my favorite parts of visiting new places is perusing (pun intended) the local markets. I´m in love with the colorful textiles that grace every market stall and alley tienda here. Blankets handwoven from lambswool and alpaca are not luxuries here… they are everday objects, used to haul firewood, carry babies, dress tables, and adorn beds. Aren´t they lovely?
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International Flight Survival Kit
Flying is a drag these days. Taking a survival kit will make a long international flight more comfortable and stylish. Here’s mine: Going clockwise left to right: Vintage Samsonite carry-on Stack of unread magazines. I’ll be bringing Rolling Stone, O, and Real Simple Ambien Felted merino wool wrap iPhone loaded with chick flicks BPA-free Nalgene bottle. I always bring it in empty through security and then fill it up to take on my flight. Because environmental friendliness is always in style.
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Packing List: Don’t Forget Books
I’m going on a vacation soon that will involve several long flights and train rides, so I’ve packed a couple of books that I’m really excited about reading. I’ve been saving them for the trip. They’ve been sitting on my nightstand, like pretty presents, and it has taken every ounce of restraint not to crack into them before I depart. First on my list is Freedom by Jonathan Franzen, about a Midwestern American family that–if Franzen’s prior books are any indicator–is sure to be deeply dysfunctional. Reviewers have called it “the Great American Novel” to be considered “on a level with The Great Gatsby.“ My husband and I bought Freedom…
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How to Use Your CSA Veggies in One Dish
Image by Paul Grant Yesterday I picked up my bi-weekly CSA basket, weighed down with beautiful, fresh veggies from Vermont Valley Community Farm. I’m going on vacation soon, though, and needed to think of a way to use them all quickly. The answer? Pasta salad. It’s one of those “kitchen sink” dishes that allows you to toss a lot of ingredients into it without much thought. I made a boatload of it–enough for 16 friends with whom I’ll be renting cabins over the Labor Day weekend. Here’s what went into it–these items just happened to be what I had around the house, but can easily be substituted with other, similar…
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LIT: A Life in Review
Lit by Mary Karr My rating: 4 of 5 stars A good redemption story is hard to resist. It’s probably why the Bible is so popular. It’s also why Mary Karr, in Lit, is able to hook the reader from the very first sentence, even though it is her third memoir. Well, that and her gifted writing. Lit is a redemption story not only in the sense that it chronicles Karr’s descent into and climb out of alcoholism–it is also a story about family, forgiveness, and making peace between intellect and faith. Lit starts out fast. The reader journeys with Mary through her late teens, college, grad school, love, marriage,…
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Who’s Afraid of Experimental Theater?
When I hear the words “experimental theater” I picture this scene in David Sedaris’ Me Talk Pretty One Day: I’m slicing this pineapple now, I thought. Next I’ll just rip apart these sock monkeys and pour the stuffing into this tall rubber boot. Good, that’s good. Nobody pours stuffing like you do, my friend. Now I’ll snip off of my hair with these garden shears, place the bottlecaps over my eyes, and we’re almost home…A week after my drugs ran out, I left my bed to perform at the college, deciding at the last minute to skip both the doughnut toss and the march of the headless plush toys. Instead,…
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12-Step Publishing Program
“So, how’s it going with your book?” I get this question all the time. If you’re a writer, you probably do, too. So I offer you this primer on the process of getting your book out into the world the traditional way–i.e., finding a literary agent to represent your book and submit it to major publishers. (Self-publishing is a different process altogether.) Why 12 steps? Well, I just finished reading Lit by the brilliant Mary Karr, which is her moving memoir of how she started and stopped drinking, so a 12-step guide seemed appropriate. I’m no expert (I’m only on Step 5), but I hope this little glimpse into the…
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The Franzen Fight
For the first time in ten years, Time magazine has a living novelist on its cover. The last time was in 2000, when Time featured Stephen King. This time, it’s Jonathan Franzen. Given the hype over Franzen’s new novel, Freedom (out August 31), it is unsurprising that Michiko Kukatani gave it a rave review in the New York Times. (Fun fact: any of you Sex and the City fans will remember that Kakutani was the reviewer who fictitiously slammed Carrie’s book.) I have to admit that I have not yet read Freedom, but I am very much enjoying the internet wars going on over Franzen’s latest. In the interest of…
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