tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88254693906907246712012-02-11T16:08:30.147-05:00A Food and Travel DiaryP. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.comBlogger701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-79973521953171155082011-02-20T19:52:00.001-05:002011-02-20T19:54:18.690-05:00

Having fun with HDR  One of my friends, Ann, has introduced me to HDR photography.  Here's one of my latest shots of a spectacular sunset. Does this fiery sunset mean that the spring is coming soon?  I can only hope! 

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-65593998042101191172011-01-30T20:12:00.001-05:002011-01-30T20:13:02.287-05:00

Taken at the MCA, Chicago IL

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-41097359071827161002011-01-02T17:37:00.004-05:002011-01-30T20:01:12.424-05:00

Taken December 27, 2010 On a recent trip to Chicago, we noticed these great bus stops, decorated by Absolut Vodka, with distinctive chairs matching the "wallpaper" in the ad.  Each bus stop had its own theme and decorative style.  This one caught my eye.  What a fun way to wait for a bus.

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-17118252050065215682010-05-12T08:43:00.010-04:002010-05-12T08:46:12.036-04:00

Two firemen are grocery shopping at a store on 9th Avenue and 35th Street.  They're dressed for a fire...boots, topcoat, etc.  Their truck is parked outside in front of the store. The first fireman with a grocery list says to his buddy, "Don't forget the bacon." lieutenant Originally uploaded by mudpig

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-43347332489038494332010-05-07T09:20:00.000-04:002010-05-07T09:20:07.071-04:00

...but it was a great race.  Thanks so much for all my friends and family who read my novel on the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award site and wrote reviews.  The odds were staggering (10,000: 1) but at least the book made it to the top 250!  Many thanks and love to all.  Your support is terrific and means the world to me. For those of you who still want to read it, the link is here: Just click on

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-71907782314483853442010-05-03T09:14:00.004-04:002010-05-03T09:21:56.335-04:00

After months of grabbing quick meals, I've been dreaming of getting back into the kitchen and cooking up some of my favorite meals...which usually involve some form of pasta, fresh cheese, and thick, crusty bread.  So this weekend as I finished up my remaining projects for school, I had some free time, so I cooked for some friends.   Eggplant parmegiana, pasta with homemade sauce, a fresh green

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-82805477057718288152010-03-06T14:08:00.000-05:002010-03-06T14:08:52.728-05:00

And yet...she lived thousands of years ago.  Taken with my new favorite lens...Canon 50 mm.

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-8521159876125502622010-03-06T10:13:00.000-05:002010-03-06T10:13:29.187-05:00

 

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-11640547148091343232010-03-06T10:05:00.000-05:002010-03-06T10:05:02.074-05:00

 I loved the expression on his face and the wisdom there.  

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-73769680560355269512010-03-05T22:49:00.001-05:002010-03-05T22:51:46.806-05:00

Easter Island, would you believe?  Not quite.  Taken with my newest toy--a 50 mm Canon lens.

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-53320766588953620902010-02-22T14:26:00.000-05:002010-02-22T14:26:38.817-05:00

Sometime life sneaks up on us and gives us a kick in the pants.  Our dreams get derailed.  Our plans go up in smoke.  The unexpected happens.  So today, I'm happy to share you with some uplifting words from one of great minds at TED.  It's a 3 minute talk...and 3 minutes well spent.  Enjoy!

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-20031921939904499572010-01-17T15:21:00.004-05:002010-01-17T16:11:59.383-05:00

Landscape Tuscany Originally uploaded by enzo.tiberi Thanks so much dear friends, for participating in the Pick A New Title for my novel survey. You’ve given me valuable information about which names spark the reader's interest. I realize that some of you wanted to judge the titles based on the plot, but my purpose at this point was to find out which titles had “grabbing” power. So without

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-5878951792422121612010-01-08T12:19:00.002-05:002010-01-08T12:24:54.494-05:00

This week I got a great tip on a fantastic lens at a seminar at B & H Photo in New York.  The instructor was describing lenses that cost thousands of dollars, but happened to mention that their 50 mm f/1.4 lens for $89.00 was one of the best deals Canon offers.  Of course, I promptly bought it.   This shot of Tiffany's doors was taken with my brand new lens at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-10607807502153787342009-12-16T12:38:00.001-05:002009-12-16T12:42:34.446-05:00

Now that I'm finished with school, I'm heading back into the kitchen.  How wonderful that the holidays give me an excuse to bake some wonderful treats.  Here's one that Alex and I baked last night that is absolutely decadent and delicious.  When Alex took his first bite, he could only say, "Oh my God.  Try this."  And so I did.  The chocolate was luscious and blended beautifully with the peanut

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-50656268657075871712009-11-02T15:33:00.004-05:002009-11-02T15:41:47.264-05:00

Pizza Night ... Originally uploaded by beebo wallace Great pizza and pasta in a strip mall? I didn't believe it until our friends Rich and Kathy took us to Paesan's Restaurant in Winthrop.   Literally in the shadow of the jumbo jets flying overhead from Logan Airport, Paesan's reminds me of the local Italian restaurant from my childhood with checked plastic table cloths on the table, a baseball

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-80119925332937537322009-11-01T21:30:00.000-05:002009-11-01T21:30:13.471-05:00

Savannah Shadows.  Taken last week with my Canon Rebel XT. 

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-62245429128688453522009-11-01T21:18:00.001-05:002009-11-01T21:19:30.635-05:00

A round porch?  Only in Savannah.  Taken last Monday morning with my Canon EOS Rebel XT.

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-7361469513867694862009-11-01T20:27:00.009-05:002009-11-01T20:56:29.557-05:00

"Mornin'" people call out as we walk around Forsyth Park, joining a mix of locals with dogs and students in shorts and sneakers who head out in the early morning, in the cool air that doesn't linger long. Savannah rolls out of bed late most mornings, so when we head up Bull Street and stop for tea at Gallery Espresso, we have our choice of seats inside or out. On our visit last week, my tea of

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-88036242698017246082009-10-21T09:12:00.001-04:002009-10-21T09:12:43.081-04:00

St Fagans - Old School (literally) Zeiss Ikonta 521/2 6x9Originally uploaded by VEB Zardoz the GravyboatWell, I'm back at school. On both sides of the desk. I'm teaching English two days a week and taking two classes at U Mass Boston on Thursday nights, getting training to learn how to create web-based instruction. It's exhilarating to be back at school. To be quite honest, I'm one of those

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-35275456338686224582009-09-27T15:31:00.010-04:002009-09-27T15:57:19.763-04:00

Here is Arthur Schwartz' recipe for noodle kugel. Who's Arthur Schwartz? The Food Maven, of course, who for years had a wonderful food talk show on WOR Radio in New York. If that weren't enough to make me a fan, he also loves Italy and Italian food and has written a number of Italian cookbooks, which I use religiously. I was thrilled to meet him earlier this year at a conference on exploring

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-48222101104416965642009-09-22T10:43:00.003-04:002009-09-27T15:31:18.161-04:00

BrisketOriginally uploaded by Another Pint Please...One of my joys of the holiday season is cooking for friends and family. Although I wasn't cooking in my own kitchen this year, I helped my sister-in-law Alyson prepare dinner for 15 in her Harlem apartment. Chopping, dicing and stirring with her in her bright and sunny kitchen with city views of brownstones and pre-war apartment buildings gave

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-91629161330475995342009-09-18T22:40:00.004-04:002009-09-18T22:44:53.624-04:00

Taken with my Canon EOS Rebel XT in the Boston Public Gardens.

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-10276278509830297522009-09-09T14:07:00.002-04:002009-09-09T14:09:54.665-04:00

Taken in the Boston Public Library with my Canon EOS Rebel XT.

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-35587144805893593002009-09-05T23:34:00.005-04:002009-09-05T23:39:20.183-04:00

Prius with Obama StickerOriginally uploaded by AlexJohnsonThat's what I was thinking the other day as I drove my Prius to the recycling center, and went shopping with my eco-friendly grocery bags. Then, I had a good laugh at myself for feeling so ecologically holier-than-thou...Until last Thursday night when I was driving home from Boston. Tired from a day of meetings and hours of driving, I

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-32523002865221832009-08-24T08:06:00.008-04:002009-08-24T10:15:35.504-04:00

I finally found it. The perfect ice cream. Imagine this. Premium vanilla ice cream laced with chunks of brownies and chocolate chips, and threads of smooth, creamy fudge. It's worth eating salads all day in penance in order to savor a guiltless cup of Moose Tracks at Bailey's Bubble, my new mecca. It's in Wolfsboro, New Hampshire on the north-eastern rim of Lake Winnepesaukee. I think it's

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-15489733142724800532009-08-13T21:41:00.008-04:002009-08-14T06:55:10.224-04:00

fontgombaultOriginally uploaded by EJGcatholic...not the UPS guys, silly. But the monks--specifically the Trappist monks who make those delicious jams and jellies that we love so much. Now we adore them even more after they sent us a case of jellies gratis, to apologize for a processing glitch in a jar of preserves we had bought from our local grocery. How's that for smart public relations?

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-64405673604803275052009-08-11T11:11:00.009-04:002009-08-11T11:35:11.885-04:00

That's what I said after I tasted this delicious potato pancake,which has now become a staple in our house, along with Dr. Praeger's California Veggie Burgers, Spinach Pancakes and Broccoli Pancakes. Dear, dear Dr. Praeger has rescued me from the culinary tundra I've stumbled into now that Rich has declared his undying allegiance to vegetable kingdom and has sworn off meat. Created by two New

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-77953668010794940862009-08-11T10:57:00.005-04:002009-08-11T12:44:16.651-04:00

Faded,paint crumbling. We pass it season by season on our morning walks. We wonder who the house belonged to and why it was abandoned years ago. Curtains still hang from the windows. Boxes on tables are barely visible from the street as if the occupant decided in mid-move just to stop packing. A mystery. What do you think happened?

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-85098930776888142992009-08-06T08:33:00.003-04:002009-08-06T08:35:37.434-04:00

Taken on the road in Boston in a garden off Lewis Wharf with my Canon EOS Rebel XT:

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-72448787556295915182009-08-02T21:19:00.006-04:002009-08-06T10:26:16.083-04:00

I don't understand the allure of the RV. Aficionados claim it's the perfect getaway vehicle, but unless you're willing to tow a car behind you, you're limited to going to state parks and other rural places. It's not economical anymore either, given the price of gas. And if you lug a car, trailer, boat, bicycles, and hundreds of other things from home with you, then you're faced with the

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-12853975755278241912009-07-26T11:42:00.003-04:002009-08-01T23:02:31.884-04:00

Pyramid of Kukulcán, Chichén-Itzá, Yucatán, Mexico, originally uploaded by jmhdezhdez.Conversation #1 at the only local Mexican restaurant in this area:Me: What's the Mexican population here?Restaurant Owner: Well...there's me, my wife, my daughter...Conversation #2 at the local gym:A man is complaining to me about a wallet being stolen from a locker at the local gym.Man: I think it's the

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-24300165181193351532009-07-17T11:30:00.005-04:002009-07-17T11:48:05.176-04:00

...in a stroller. Why? Their owner explained that the one on the right has a hip problem and needs surgery and the one on the left tagged along for the ride.This is my favorite shot of the week, taken with my Canon Rebel XT.

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-15752846690174181202009-07-17T10:59:00.010-04:002009-07-17T11:27:36.899-04:00

Like Elaine on Seinfeld, I love muffin tops. They definitely are the best part of the muffin. But the calories always stop me from enjoying them on a regular basis. Well, after discovering Vitatops, I'm in breakfast heaven. These 100 calorie muffin tops are not only delicious, they're also healthy for you. If that sounds like an oxymoron (how can anything with vitamins and minerals taste

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-50266896363311903272009-07-15T07:56:00.003-04:002009-07-17T10:39:50.167-04:00

exhausted, originally uploaded by Dalla*.How tired was I? So tired that I drove to the gym after teaching, parked the car and decided I'd shut my eyes for a few minutes before I got out of the car and worked out....Twenty minutes later, the phone rang and woke me up. It was my son."Where are you, mom?"

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-70037065308763769532009-05-24T14:38:00.005-04:002009-05-24T14:44:18.236-04:00

Our friend Dean, who is a naturalist, tells us that this is a carnivorous flower, beautiful but deadly for insects, which are lured by the lovely scent and then are trapped inside the petals.

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-33581703475458009862009-05-14T10:37:00.004-04:002009-05-14T10:48:35.352-04:00

Here's the description from You Tube: "More than 200 dancers performed their version of "Do Re Mi", in the Central Station of Antwerp. With just 2 rehearsals they created this amazing stunt! Those 4 fantastic minutes started the 23 of March 2009, 08:00 AM." Apparently it's part of a promotion for a Belgian television program looking for someone to play the leading role in the musical "The Sound

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-63910632825458475462009-05-03T20:42:00.005-04:002009-05-03T20:59:42.448-04:00

Timeless Beauty, originally uploaded by A Fool in Miami.As we were driving north last week on I-95 on that scrubby stretch from Jacksonville to Savannah, we started to notice cars laden with luggage and the telltale clothing rod stretching across the backseat. Cadillacs, SUVs, RVs and even a Maserati--they all had shirts swaying in those backseat closets. (Is this an unwritten rule?) Unknown to

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-58151275867614225492009-04-14T21:22:00.007-04:002009-04-14T21:38:50.672-04:00

dentistes, originally uploaded by thomaseagle.Receptionist: "How's your son?"Me" "Great."Receptionist: "Where's he studying?"Me: "Savannah."Receptionist: "Oh that's right. He's such a nice young man."Me: "Thanks." Receptionist: "Does he like it down there?"Me: "Yes, but he's going to end up in a big city--New York or L.A. That's where the jobs are in his field."Receptionist: "I'd hate to

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-82202002498213237552009-04-06T20:30:00.008-04:002009-04-06T20:49:04.775-04:00

365 Project - day 65, originally uploaded by * ire *.I was doing research for a food article when I stumbled across Dunkin Donut's latest contest. (Really! It's true. I only hang out at their store by the drive up window.) The winner of the Next Donut Contest wins $12,000 and the chance to have his/her donut produced as a limited edition. Twelve runners-up earn $1,200, a year's worth of

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-41711963205690355472009-03-31T08:45:00.005-04:002009-03-31T13:14:06.876-04:00

Springs happens slowly and almost imperceptibly up north. First, the foot-thick sheath of ice on Lake Winnipesaukee starts to crack. Wider and wider patches of free flowing water start to appear near land at first and then in wider and wider arcs. As you can see from my photo shot this morning, the crack is widening. In about 2 weeks (mid-April I'd guess), we'll have "ice out"--the day when

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-3703100905073198592009-03-26T21:34:00.003-04:002009-03-27T08:29:33.765-04:00

_Cotilleos-gossip ., originally uploaded by amparogue.I love the sense of community in the city. If this strikes you as odd, here are some examples from our visit to New York this winter:Scene 1:R and I are getting on the elevator in a friend's building with at least 200 tenants. We're heading up to their apartment. A woman we don't know is already in the elevator waiting for the doors to

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-62798487788492050982009-03-26T11:43:00.003-04:002009-03-26T12:13:01.050-04:00

Segredo, originally uploaded by Lídia Ramalho.On the streets and in the subways this winter in New York City, I picked up a lot of impressions and filed them away in notebooks or on camera. This time, it was lips. This needs some explanation. In the gym, I'd see her working out. She was trim, athletic...her blonde hair caught up in a pony tail, swaying as she lifted weights. From the back,

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-56733266820443444842009-03-11T16:57:00.005-04:002009-03-16T21:25:21.027-04:00

There's such a thing as too many choices. Sometimes I don't mind--like the chance to have my decaf Dunkin Donuts with a shot of vanilla, light, 1 sugar---which they only get right about 25% of the time. But that's the price you pay for having so many options. When I'm cooking for company, I'm happy to oblige those who are vegetarians or allergic to shellfish, but sometimes I feel put upon--like

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-19422048523871444742009-02-27T12:06:00.029-05:002009-03-05T17:20:31.580-05:00

Tea kettle, originally uploaded by canbalci.It took me just a second to say yes. A tea tasting at Dean & DeLuca hosted by TWG Tea? Of course, I'd go.After all, I consider myself a tea aficionado. One might say I have more than a little knowledge on the subject. After all, I mail order tea from British importers because I can’t find my favorite brands locally. And I prepare it according to

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-85452597181384627952009-02-22T21:16:00.003-05:002009-02-22T21:20:15.645-05:00

My favorite shot of the weekend. A restaurant in Grand Central Station. Taken with a Sigma macro lens 70-300 mm.

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-30527471564688494422009-02-11T20:37:00.021-05:002009-02-12T09:03:03.404-05:00

This picture reminds me of the meals I suffered through when I was young, growing up in the days when Saucy Susan shrimp cocktail was considered the height of fine dining, along with a hunk of Velveeta on a Ritz cracker. That bland slab of baked ham, frozen peas heated to lukewarm, and candied yams,glazed beyond recognition, make me shudder with nostalgia. So, that's why I turn into a sulky and

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-32500918056087862882009-01-30T14:02:00.014-05:002009-01-30T14:51:32.359-05:00

I love that line from The Sopranos. Corrado "Junior" Soprano says to Tony, “We’re dropping like flies.” Tony tells him, “It’s all that charcoal broiled meat you people ate.” Uncle Junior replies, “Nobody told us ‘til the 80’s.”No doubt too much of a good thing is dangerous to your health. That goes for alcohol or bacon or even ice cream. I consider myself relatively health-conscious. I

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-64846774897134226782009-01-27T11:44:00.008-05:002009-01-27T12:14:33.673-05:00

Coming home after a long absence, I yank open the refrigerator and peer inside at the unfamiliar bag of grapes or leftover container of rice, wondering if indeed Goldilocks had dropped by and rearranged the contents. Unlike the editor-in-chief of Saveur Magazine who displayed the contents of his refrigerator in the January/February issue, revealing pristine rows of neatly stacked packages and

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-78889963926907540492009-01-08T21:54:00.015-05:002009-01-16T20:17:57.999-05:00

"How can you stay in Harlem and not go to Sylvia's?" our friend John said to us a few weeks ago. He's right. Sylvia's has been a Harlem mecca for legendary Southern-style home cooking since the 1960's. Contrite and perpetually hungry, we agreed to go. Sylvia's Restaurant at 328 Lenox Avenue is owned and operated by the Woods family. Sylvia and Herbert, who met in a bean field when they were

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-23197641927230572362009-01-07T09:07:00.003-05:002009-01-07T09:12:11.530-05:00

I don't smoke... thanks, originally uploaded by ƒreg.I love these vignettes that randomly happen on the street in New York, these flashes of a person’s life that are crystallized in one brief moment. Here’s one I picked up the other day when R and I were walking down Broadway. We were passing a woman who was getting a light from a man on the street. When she straightened up and started

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-58285471492064224222008-12-27T19:43:00.020-05:002008-12-29T22:45:17.252-05:00

Alberto Tartari, chef and owner of Il Melograno, has recreated a little corner of Italy in his restaurant on West 5lst Street and 10th Avenue in Manhattan. Named for the pomegranate which adorns most dishes on the menu, this neighborhood spot is just large enough to seat about 50 or so lucky visitors. Dishes are prepared in the Northern Italian tradition and feature imported Italian ingredients

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-87661744207955433622008-12-23T15:30:00.010-05:002008-12-23T16:23:13.974-05:00

Look at that beautiful pizza, fresh from the oven. A brick oven, that is. This was lunch the other day at Zero Otto Nove, a well-known spot on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx for delicious Italian food--and it was delicioso. The crust was ultra thin and light and had that requisite salty tang from the yeast. The toppings were fresh and delicious. We tried the classic margherita with a twist--

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-58105113403539873492008-12-19T21:47:00.003-05:002008-12-30T22:35:00.613-05:00

Paella a la Valenciana, originally uploaded by Sutanto.Friends were coming for supper last night and my oven shorted out, so I had to get creative. I had to find a dish that could be cooked in a limited number of pots, wouldn't be labor intensive, and was nearly fool-proof. Besides, I was staying at a friend's house and didn't have my cookbooks, so I did a quick web search and turned up a winner.

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-57907806769307633752008-12-15T16:46:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:28:57.004-05:00

This fellow, eager for his next meal, is cheerfully stirring his soup at 527 110th Street in Manhattan. Just around the corner other gargoyles are clinging to the buttresses at St. John Divine, but their purpose is quite different--to scare away the demons and keep the site safe for God. This friendly gourmand just wants to scare away those who want to dip their spoons into his soup. I admire

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-10225040497896778532008-12-06T10:40:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:28:57.004-05:00

Every picture tells a story. Maybe that's why I was so impressed with Jamal Shabazz and his work. The consumate street photographer, Shabazz finds inspiration in everyday scenes and gets to know his subjects before capturing their image. The two young men are Angel and Jesus, two friends hanging out in Times Square about 25 years ago. They're now adults--Jesus on the right is in prison and

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-87008677674035071322008-12-06T10:18:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:28:57.004-05:00

It’s nothing fancy, but the waiters are friendly, the food is fresh, abundant, and tasty, and the prices aren’t bad…for Manhattan. Besides, what’s New York without the deli experience? Rich always orders the tuna on rye with onions, which he declares tastes like none other. I’m more inclined to get the Greek salad, or the hummus plate loaded with sliced cucumbers and tomatoes, baba ganough,

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-23258146006571773622008-12-05T09:56:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:28:57.005-05:00

I Love Books, originally uploaded by Weeping-Willow is going bananas!!.Do you want to buy a book for someone for this holiday? Do you need some suggestions? Get ideas from 37 writers published by Penguin Group, including Khaled Hosseini, Michael Pollen, Julia Alvarez, Stewart O'Nan, Tomie de Paola, Elizabeth Gilbert...Just click on this link: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/features/

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-192500006068352172008-11-26T08:22:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:28:57.005-05:00

DSC_0002.JPG, originally uploaded by fredsworld.The Coffee Pot Restaurant 2050 W Highway 89ASedona, AZ When we were in Arizona two weeks ago, I was looking for a breakfast place where the locals go. When I read that The Coffee Pot offers 101 types of omelets and they leave a big pot of coffee on the table, my search was over. True, the parking lot is small and the line can snake out the door on

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-32370950262404434712008-11-25T10:43:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:28:57.005-05:00

Here are 2 of my favorite shots from our trip to Arizona earlier this month. Of course they can't truly convey the majesty of the Grand Canyon and Sedona, but they give you some idea of the enormity of these geologic marvels. That's me walking towards Cathedral Rock in Sedona--a place I definitely want to revisit for its beauty and spirituality. Energy from deep within the earth pulsates there

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-47003418549103788122008-11-24T08:34:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:28:57.006-05:00

coconut chicken soup, originally uploaded by mwhammer.When we're on the road, we're always looking for a place to eat where we can get a warm welcome, the food is predictably good, the waitstaff is attentive, and the prices are reasonable. When we find it, we keep going back. Isn't this what we're all looking for on the road? A home away from home. In Boston, we always return to Chilli Duck

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-60300208749548535032008-11-12T12:03:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:28:57.006-05:00

Not all the news in the literary world is gloomy despite the massive layoffs at publishing giants like Time Warner and Doubleday, closures of such magazines as Slate and the financial upheaval at book distributors like Borders.More and more often, I'm hearing pundits and writers likening this time period to the Depression and comparing the president-elect's challenges to FDR's. For me and many

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-67708851232474086642008-11-10T23:24:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:28:57.007-05:00

Bank robberies are the topic of these 2 movies which I highly recommend. The Bank Job (2008) is a true story of the 1971 London Baker Street bank heist, which netted over 3 million pounds and resulted in no arrests and no money being recovered. Why? Here’s where it gets interesting. The thieves, who plundered safety deposit boxes, inadvertently stumbled on documents and money that tied the

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-30183925980889134132008-11-08T12:33:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:28:57.007-05:00

Barack Obama: A mosaic of people, originally uploaded by tsevis.So how do I feel now that Barack Obama is our president-elect? In one word--hopeful.As Obama said in his acceptance speech: "Hope -- hope is what led me here today. With a father from Kenya, a mother from Kansas and a story that could only happen in the United States of America.Hope is the bedrock of this nation. The belief that our

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-53719808275136648242008-11-03T12:02:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:28:57.008-05:00

Wish You were here (in Venice), originally uploaded by angie_real © Angela Lobefaro.As election days approaches, people all over the world are watching. Here's one charming and uplifting appeal from 2 Venetian gondeliers who sing about their choice for the next American president. (Thanks Gianfranco for sending it to me!) Cut and paste this link in your browser:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-56572452325692788332008-11-02T13:55:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:28:57.008-05:00

View from my bedroom window early yesterday morning.

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-2660033847154917712008-11-02T12:40:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:28:57.009-05:00

Some people wake up hungry. I'm not one of them. I stumble through the first cup of coffee and grab a piece of chocolate (Lindt, of course) before heading out to the gym. I don't really wake up until I'm halfway through my workout. By the time I come back home, my stomach might start rumbling. On those mornings, I make oatmeal. Not the instant stuff, but good old fashioned Quaker oats, that

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-65905594885285761532008-10-07T16:38:00.000-04:002008-12-21T22:28:57.009-05:00

It’s 1964. In the middle of a snowstorm, Dr. David Henry drives his wife Norah to his office and delivers his own child. The baby Paul is perfect. But then, unexpectedly his wife bears down and a second child is born. After one look at his daughter Phoebe, he recognizes the tell-tale signs of Downs Syndrome and makes the fateful decision to spare his wife the agony of raising a child that’s

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-22329820658894768102008-10-07T16:32:00.000-04:002008-12-21T22:28:57.010-05:00

There will always be a special place in my heart for Sticklebacks and Snowglobes, which I read in manuscript form a few years ago. B.A. (Bunny) Goodjohn, a British writer I “met” a few years ago on Zoetrope, has written a delightful story about 8-year-old Tot, who is growing up in the Stanley Close housing project in the UK in the 1970’s and is funny and wise beyond her years. She adores her

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-67994369398659900112008-10-06T16:58:00.000-04:002008-12-21T22:28:57.010-05:00

winter meditation: loving-kindness, originally uploaded by conceptvessel.I'm still a little shaky this week. It got me in the knees even though I had prepared myself to see her in the ICU, hooked up to IVs and on a respirator. My mother's face was battered from the car crash, her neck swollen, her throat punctured with a tracheotomy tube. I spent mornings with her, standing by her bed,

P. A. Moedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15121653584180540590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825469390690724671.post-52954892272923293682008-10-06T16:20:00.000-04:002008-12-21T22:28:57.011-05:00

Be seeing you, originally uploaded by Olivander.It’s with great pleasure that I pick up my cyber pen and continue the dialog we began over 2 years ago. I promise to serve up satisfying and thought-provoking morsels for your entertainment and pleasure: Intriguing photographs that will catch your eye. Quirky observations about culture and society. Recipes that will make your mouth water.

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