May 21, 2012

Love, love this game. Thx, bro, for the e-version sale tip & thx Wil Wheaton for Tabletop.

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May 20, 2012

Impulsiveness at Barnes & Noble.

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High Line Park

This past weekend, my DH and I explored the High Line Park in Chelsea. The High Line is a NYC public park built on a historic (previously abandoned) freight rail line in the Chelsea area of Manhattan’s West Side.

The High Line itself was built in the 30s as part of the West Side Improvement, a huge public-private infrastructure project. The 13 mile long rail eliminated 105 dangerous street-level crossings (the area around 10th Avenue had become known as “Death Avenue” for the number of train-related fatalities) and cost more than $2 billion in today’s money.

The High Line quit running in 1980 and fell into disrepair. When it was set to be demolished in 1999, a group called Friends of the High line worked with the City to preserve and maintain it as a public park. The High Line is now one of the most popular parks in the city and draws people from all over the globe.

I heard about it a couple of years ago, way before I moved here, when a project to renovate the Low Line/Delancey Underground (the High Line’s underground counterpart located at the abandoned Delancey station) was attempting to get off the ground. I haven’t heard much more about the Low Line other than it needs funding, but I hope it goes somewhere. The drawings are stunning.

On to the pictures.

Ok, so this isn’t the High Line. We went to Chelsea Market for a stroll and a bite before the park.
I love the boats in this shot
Really cool tiny flowers
One of the greenery beds
You can see the old train tracks running right through this bed
This picture and the next are kind of interesting. I took this one, and I would swear the colors are just right in it.
My DH took this one and he swears the colors are right in his. Both in the same place – windows right next to each other.
I can’t resist a nice flower
Gorgeous!
Old bridge railing
I’m also a sucker for old painted advertising on the side of buildings.
More puffball flowers
I like the outer petal still stubbornly clinging to this one
More advertising
I love this shot and the next and hardly had to do a thing to them
In this one, I am especially happy the sun sparkle showed up on the buildings. I don’t know what was back there, but it gave a really cool watery effect.
Just because I can’t resist a good lomo shot.
Not the best picture in the bunch, but the bricked over and barred windows were tripping me out.
An artsy shot by my DH.

May 19, 2012

Off the High Line

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No Tato Salad

This is a vegetarian-ish, gluten-free and paleo-friendly version of that perennial Summer favorite – potato salad. I went German with my inspiration, but curry or hot spice versions would be great as well. This really does end up tasting like potato salad. You don’t get the density of potatoes, but if you’re trying to avoid them and Summer just ain’t Summer without some homestyle potato salad (and a big ear of corn and some brats), this salad is for you. It’s also pretty quick to whip up and makes a great side dish for a nice big steak.

No-Tato Salad

1 head cauliflower
2 stalks celery
1/4 to 1/2 c. yellow onion (~ 1/4 of an onion, preferably Vidalia or some other sweet variety)
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. mayo (I use the type made with olive oil – sub with home made to make it paleo)
2 Tbsp. capers (or good old green Spanish olives)
1 Tbsp. dijon mustard (sub with yellow mustard to make it Whole30)
1/4 tsp. celery salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
Salt & pepper
Sweet paprika (optional)

Place the eggs in a small pot. Cover with water and put over a burner on high. Bring to a boil, let go 4 minutes and cut the heat. Remove pot to the sink, drain, and fill with cold water.

While your eggs are cooking, chop/snap the cauliflower into small florets. When this is complete, add to a large pan over medium high heat with a splash or 2 of water. Cook until softened – if you want to go a little brown here, have at it. I went for just steamed to taste as close as possible to potatoes, but brown would be nice, too. Remove from the heat when done. Add to a large bowl to cool.

While that is working, dice the celery, onion, capers and parsley. Add to the bowl with the cauliflower.

When the eggs are done, cool, peel and dice. Add to the bowl.

Add the mayo, mustard, celery salt & garlic powder. Combine. Taste & add salt and pepper if needed. Dust with paprika as an optional old school garnish.

Serves 2 for dinner with a nice steak and 1 for lunch beefed up with a little chicken and the gift that keeps on giving: hazelnut gremolata (yes, this is the same gremolata that’s been kicking around the back of my fridge and popping up here and there since Easter).

May 18, 2012

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And since I’m a sucker for a cute wiener, 2 from yesterday evening. You can’t really tell, but he’s a bit angry about his new nose. Angry, but willing to pose.

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May 17, 2012

The 1 concession to personal photo knick-knackery in the house.

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May 16, 2012

Rain, rain, go away.

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May 15, 2012

Grey, rainy day.

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May 14, 2012

Office mascots

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