Jan 7, 2015

Finding Philly



A weekend on the town...well, actually a couple of short trips over a weekend to be exact, but a little time spent together with my son to explore our nearest city. I really like Philadelphia, it's relatively compact size, the opportunity of things to do and see, certainly it's history and the great variety of ethnic cultures that have endured generations, thriving inside it's boundaries.

Here is a 'skyline' view that I took from the restaurant near the top of the city's tallest building, the Comcast center on a previous trip.
















After having dropped my daughter off to the airport for her trip back to college, he and I sought out some fun things to do on a pretty much zero budget on a Friday night. Finding our areas premium skate park to try out his new skateboard, we found it challenging, perhaps a bit sketchy in appearance, but a place where everyone was friendly and accommodating to a beginner. The artwork displayed and the rounded 'bowls' and curves were really interesting and visually fun and it was awesome to see him trying out moves on his new ride within it's flowing walls.




 Afterwards, a short trip to a couple of Philly landmarks... (cheesesteak ground zero) and a taste test comparison between Pat's (King of Steaks) and Geno's, which is conveniently located right across the street. After sharing one of each, Hayden firmly placed his vote and taste buds into the Geno's camp and myself, being less of a cheesesteak connoisseur, agreed to agree with him. If a block long difference in the waiting lines were an indicator of public opinion, we were correct. For me, the winner of the night though was the small pastry shop next door, where the Canolli served was the freshest I have ever had...ever.

Early Sunday morning found us first perusing the awesomely delicious and inexpensive pastries at K.C.'s in Chinatown for their little 'heart' buns with creme filling. As words cannot describe the softness, the sweetness, the aroma captured in these little delights, the look on Hayden's face did.






After a short walk through this interesting area, we enjoyed a very fun breakfast at Profi's Creperie inside the Reading Market in center city, always a favorite destination. It was fun to sit and watch the Crepe' maker prepare our meal for us as I put on some french bistro music and we pretended we were in Paris for the moment. (One can only wish...right?).



 I love walking through this historic and fascinating marketplace, taking in the sights, the people, the beautiful displays and lovely, enticing  scents mixing with each other as we strolled along. From the photos, you can see a small portion of the incredible variety of locally and internationally sourced, fresh foods available. 





Satisfied with his crepe' experience,  smoked Gouda cheese purchase and other special finds, Hayden said, marvelling at it all as we were heading out the door "This is really the place where you want to come when getting ingredients to make a special dinner for a wonderful date", I would certainly agree.

A last stop at the Art Museum, for a tour of the Paul Strand photography exhibit... a fine retrospective on this pioneering photographer, to learn of his simple techniques and seeing the interesting results of a life long career and passion. Having long ago worked with a man who also knew Paul, it was very special for me to see and helped to bring some perspective on my own eye. While there, Hayden was also enthused to see the Arms and Armor display, which every boy, young and old always enjoys. Before we had to go, time was taken to tour the Asian Art wing and the varied displays that range from small ancient pieces to whole reconstructed temple rooms and an awesome area that houses an entire Japanese tea house...which has always been a favorite spot of mine. A few of Paul's works and other things that caught my eye, like these swords that seem to be dancing in the display case. 

























All in all, no ground breaking photos (I only took my phone), but of much more importance as you can see, intimate time spent together...eating, walking, talking, meeting people...exploring together...just having fun. He is such a treasure to me and I could not ask for a better son. His light... God's light... that he contains and willingly shares is a wellspring of life for me. I love being with him...and I love doing these sort of things... getting out to new places, new foods, new sights with others. In this time of my life, having been pushed away  from pretty much everything familiar and cherished, this is something that is far too rare and very, very much needed.





Jan 4, 2015

For the buds




And yet another...

In an effort to eat healthier this new year, more purposefully and intentionally for both myself and my primary cooking audience... my son Hayden, I am reaching back to generations before me and to the recipes that were created and shared when I was a boy. Since we started spending a couple of nights a week cooking and dining together, it has been very important to me and a blessing to have healthy, flavorful and meaningful meals with him and this is my effort to do so. Good food shared together with others always, always will be important and can at a minimum, do much more than just bring joy with time together for cooking, eating or even doing the dishes side by side together creates valuable time for conversation and can form a bond not found with other activities. 

As I pull menu sources from a variety of places...friends, old family recipes and internet sites, I seek for our times together to always be different and tasty, economical and fun. In addition, as I will be traveling towards some warmth and much needed relaxation this month, I also want to trim down/tone up slightly with a goal to perhaps run a 5k with an old friend while there. Something I haven't done since I ran cross country in high school.  So... with the Christmas cookies behind me (actually not that many this year), it is a start to perhaps a better me. 


I am not promising great photos, although I will try, but as I am winging it with a spoon in one hand and my iphone in the other to make images in a very tiny and not very well equipt kitchen, don't expect great results. Food creativity is the key here, along with whatever foods I have on hand and within a small budget. I am hoping to use a new Christmas gift....a crockpot, in addition to more traditional methods as well as explore more alternative menus in my effort. It is not meant as a photo blog, but just me sharing what comes out of the kitchen. I hope you enjoy. Above, a quick shot of some milk being prepared for a latte' next to some windowsill herbs. Have a peek. http://woodspatula.blogspot.com/