Ice trees. Blue skies.

Christmas Chaos: Old and New

Christmas 2010: full of old traditions and soon-to-be new ones.

Old: Legos for Maz


New: Taller Brothers


Old: Dueling Brothers


New: Dessert Sampler. Yum.


Old: Always a gorgeous presentation.


Old and New: Dinner in the North End and Holiday performance with Gayle and Jay. Rockettes. High kicks!








Old: Goofing.




New: New Year's Eve ice sculpture and fireworks in Portsmouth.


New: Xmas Swap! Refrigerated gifts!


Old: Basement pong.


New take on Old: A yard of snow.


Old: Lobstah for everyone else.


New: Hugs for Buella. She gave me a book. Subject: Cocktails.


New: Sledding.

Eastern Zone

Since mid-October, I've been working in Boston and living with a friend in Newton. It’s been a great change of scenery-even the crazy drivers who use pedestrians for targets. Here’s a few highlights of the last 6 weeks:

Hanging with the local girls.

Catching up with Ray, Nicole and E-Clair.

Getting a tour of Doug’s amazing garden.

Soaking up some fall sun with Judd and Gayle.

Catching the end of the leaf season.

Taking a long trip to Eureka to visit with friends.

Taking a short trip to Arlington to visit with Alison, Lucy and Joe.



Next stop: Christmas Chaos!

Project America DONE.

It was time to lift off for Rockland, Maine. Not only was I invited to run with Mike Ehredt on his last day of Project America Run, I was invited to inhabit a seat on a private jet, flying from Driggs (KDIJ) to Knox County Regional Airport (KRXD). Yes, please!



Since I live by the airport in Driggs, it took approximately 3.5 minutes to get to the airport. We left on a cloudless morning, threaded the needle through the Tetons and arrived on a chilly, windy evening in Maine.







Rumors that a 'nor'easter' was churning gave us lots to talk about. And worry about. Who would be scared off of running? Would the media come? Is the wind going to be bad? When will it blow through? All was quiet until the middle of the night when the howling winds woke my friend Amy and I up from our precious pre-run slumber.



Yep. Nor'easter all right.

But after those first steps on Route 17, the pelting rain and swirling wind seemed to be gone. We were taking the last few hundred strides of Mike's journey, following him and his jogging stroller 'Wilson'. People cheered from their cars, honked horns, stopped on the side of the road and clapped. Police stopped traffic at intersections, runners joined in along the way, even a sopping, sprite of a lady who ran 5 miles barefoot wearing only biker shorts and t-shirt.



Organized by the city of Rockland, we took a slight detour from the planned route and ran through Rockland High School.



Kids and teachers lined the hallways, clapping and cheering, waving signs, some with tears streaming. It is hard to explain how incredible these 3 minutes were. I thought about the great support of this community, the students enthusiasm and how powerful Mike's simple little plan to plant flags on the side of the road had become.



At the school exit, Special Olympics athletes ran 50 yards with Mike and the cross-country team helped round out the last few miles to the finish line.

Mike ran the last mile solo and the running group headed to the finish along a different path. Right before Mike rounded the corner, there was a dramatic lightning flash immediately followed by a rumble of thunder. Mike placed the last flag- Major Jay Aubin and let out an excited yelp.





More media of the PAR finish:

Herald Gazette- Rockland area paper

AP Story and photos

Bangor Daily News

PAR Photo Gallery

Tomatillo Explosion

This year I discovered tomatillos.



I decided to pick up a few one day at Broulims- the papery wrapper, the lime green skin poking out was so mysterious. I wanted to know what was inside. After some mexican dishes, I found the texture and flavor so versatile, I started throwing tomatillos in some basic dishes with some amazing results!

Some of my favorite ways to use tomatillos:

- As a base for a vegetarian chili
- Tomatillo, Corn and Onion burritos
- Happy Experiment Pasta- Angel Hair with Tomatillos and Broccoli in a wine white, butter and garlic sauce (above)



- Loaded Grilled Cheese feat. Maz's Sourdough Loaf

Maz has been working at a local, organic farm this summer and one day, he brought home a PILE of tomatillos. I was brimming with excitement.



In this same pile was a small, oval squash. One day, this was the only thing in the house to eat for lunch. So I cranked up the oven, cut the squash, scooped some butter and curry paste into the center and went back to work for 45 minutes.



Then I cubed some tomatillos on top, poured on a little coconut milk and cooked for 10 more minutes.

-Currytillo Squash

It's quite gone.



It's time for my annual survey- what crazy food item have you discovered this year? Leave a comment and I'll send you the turn by turn directions for a dish mentioned here.