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January 25, 2007
show and tell
Peter and I used to know some people who would talk constantly, in every social situation, about gadgets and the things they had bought recently and, most especially, why-my-toys-are-cooler-than-your-toys. To make fun of those people and their (to us) vapid, boring conversations, we would sometimes begin a conversation with the phrase "I have nothing interesting to say, so let me show you what I bought".
Ahem. Beautiful new handmade necklace, bought with birthday money:
It's porcelain, purchased on etsy from lusterbunny. I couldn't resist the printmakerly aesthetic, and want to collect more of her work (I have another necklace from her as well, and a supercool fridge magnet with a dirty picture on it).
If you look closely to the right of the necklace you can see my two identical white scars, both gained at age thirteen in grade nine. I've long since forgotton which is which, but one is from chicken pox and the other is from a cigarette burn. Don't having chicken pox and smoking cigarettes seem like things a kid really shouldn't be experiencing at the same age?
Bic pens, bought at Office Max in Athens, GA. Notice anything strange about the box?
I'll give you a hint: Americans (most of them, anyway) don't speak French. I was back in the studio opening the box up when I realized that the French was out of place here, being from a bilingual country and all it didn't really register at first. I know it's just a way to save the cost of printing two different packages for the domestic market and for export, but it made me happy for a moment nonetheless, to imagine that perhaps a little bit of our culture is seeping into theirs for a change. Fat chance, I know.
And here's something I cooked tonight:
The most remarkable thing about this dish is that it is not edamame; bags of frozen edamame were on sale at Kroger this week, and in the last six nights I have had it for supper five times (it would have been six but I had to work late in the studio on Monday night and so ate studio food for supper). AND, yesterday I went back and bought six more bags; Peter thinks I may be headed for an overdose.
I've never really cared for pickled beets, but my pal Krista told me they were very good roasted, so tonight I gave this a try: two beets, two small potatoes, three carrots, an onion and some garlic all chopped into a shallow casserole dish, sprinkled with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil and kosher salt and roasted for 70 minutes (uncovered for the first 40 minutes and then I got worried and threw some tin foil on top for the last 30). It was very tasty, and I love how the beets spread their joyous red over everything in sight. I have a brand-new comfort meal.
I've got new knits to show, two cardigans in progress and three more finished Calorimetries (nope, not sick of them yet. I'm thinking perhaps a faggoting pattern in a cotton would be just the thing for spring, which in this freakish place should be starting in about two weeks from now). I also have a new knit-related drawing project I keep forgetting to photograph, and some exciting print-related news. But I'll save all of these things for later, the latter for when I have all of the information and the rest when I can get arsed to take some photos.
Posted by jodi at January 25, 2007 07:17 PM | categories: food : true patriot love
Comments
When I was a kid and visiting family in the US, I was having breakfast with my cousin and since I was reading the English side of the cereal box, she had to be reading the French side. Imagine my surprise when she turned the box around and there was no French side! I was shocked.
Posted by: Maggie at January 25, 2007 07:54 PM
That necklace is just gorgeous. I have to go see what else she has...
Posted by: frecklegirl jess at January 25, 2007 08:20 PM
Mmmmm... I love roasted root veggies. Especially when beets are involved.
Posted by: cari at January 25, 2007 08:48 PM
necklace is great...and love her dirty magnets :-)
Posted by: bonnie at January 25, 2007 09:51 PM
I'm noticing a lot more packaging in English/French here in the states. I figured it had something to do with my state's proximity to Canada, but I see it's reaching further South.
Cool necklace, BTW.
Posted by: NWJR at January 25, 2007 11:43 PM
She used to make dirty tiles too, larger than the magnet ones. I never had any desire to own one, but I do love her pendants. I wear the one TheBoy bought me all the time.
Posted by: TheBon at January 26, 2007 12:15 AM
Oh oh oh try the veggies with rosemary, a sliced parsnip, and a cubed sweet potato. I like to add chunks of extra-firm tofu for protein, and then it's a complete meal (which tastes mighty fine reheated, or added to veggie stock as a soup). Lurve the necklace - I was ogling that artist via your Etsy page the other day!
Posted by: Dani at January 26, 2007 12:36 AM
That necklace is beautiful. Thanks for heading me that way.
And the veggies look tasty. I love roasted root vegetables. And in the summer, I make it with yellow (summer) squash and zucchini. Too good!
Posted by: Nanc at January 26, 2007 08:07 AM
There is no such thing as too much edamame.
Posted by: Juno at January 26, 2007 09:22 AM
The necklace is so lovely. I saw the preview of your latest IK design -- very, very lovely.
Posted by: Gina at January 26, 2007 10:47 AM
Chris and I enjoy your writing so much Jo-jo-jr.Shabadoo...
We visited some friends recently and had edamame while we waited for our Japanese food (no, I won't say the "S" or "F" word - and I don't mean curse words either!)Those lil' soybeans are slippery little suckers and kept squirting out of Chris' hands over his shoulder to , no doubt, endanger the lives of hapless waiters and other patrons.
Posted by: Mary at January 26, 2007 01:37 PM
I love the necklace - and I'm going to blame you shortly for sending me to the Etsy site and spiraling me into poverty.
On second thought.. maybe I should just wait until you've turned into a giant soybean and steal your necklaces. Hmmmmm..
Posted by: Mouse at January 26, 2007 09:15 PM
Pretty necklace! That's all I have to say since I haven't bought anything recently ;-)
Posted by: Courtney at January 27, 2007 12:14 AM
I had to read your hint about the French on the box of pens to get it! Heehee! Of course, I am Canadian, so I'm used to the French stuff on boxes. can even read it a bit...
Posted by: Carol at January 27, 2007 11:38 AM
French makes us Americans feel FANCY. Oh, and I realize this is completely off topic, but I was hopping around the web and came across "Found Magazine"--www.foundmagazine.com
Have you seen this? It reminded me of you because of your collection of found papers.
A bientot!
Posted by: solvi at January 28, 2007 03:08 AM
that necklace is gorgeous, as is that beety dish. i've always avoided beets, but that sounds very good.
Posted by: mrspilkington at January 28, 2007 06:30 PM
Gorgeous necklace. I bake maybe twice a year, but I decided to make your muffins. I added blueberries and they were divine! Thanks for the recipe!
Posted by: Terra at January 28, 2007 11:16 PM
Ha - soy overdose? I may be on the same track. I have had edamame four times this past weekend.
The new necklace is great.
Posted by: Lolly at January 29, 2007 08:46 AM
I love the idea that bilingual packaging seeps into the U.S. from time to time! I love lusterbunny's necklaces, too -- had them in my "favourites," but haven't made a purchase yet. Hmmmm...
(Oh, and I *also* love pickled beets, straight up.)
Posted by: alison at January 29, 2007 11:19 AM
The necklace is gorgeous!
Posted by: Kat with a K at January 31, 2007 03:26 PM
I haven't visited in a while, but don't want to lurk... Just about everything here (Maine) comes with French on the label, sometimes Spanish, depending on where it is coming in from. I have been eating a LOT of roasted veggies much like yours. I typically also use parsnips, cut like your carrots (they are sweet when roasted). I tried turnips, but they didn't do much for me. The beets though, mmmm hmmmm. I use fresh rosemary if I have it (usually not), thyme leaf and sometimes cumin and sage. And, not sure if you are vegan, but if not, add some goat cheese like chevre or some gorgonzola on top...yowsa! just great with the beets. Or put roasted beets with some spring greens, goat cheese, and vinaigrette.
Posted by: lisa at January 31, 2007 04:18 PM
hey Jodi! I sent you an email a couple of days ago - maybe it didn't get to you. Maybe you're crazy busy and are thinking why is she bothering me? Doesn't she know I'm crazy busy? Maybe you're ignoring it. Any and all answers are totally reasonable - just thought I'd send you a heads up. Thank you!
Posted by: Cara at January 31, 2007 06:19 PM
way funny irish proverb! sometimes I turn on the french tv stations (there are 2 here of the 14 that we get via cable, and 2 more of those are govt/local access) to soak it up, zone out.
Posted by: lisa at January 31, 2007 07:29 PM