Flavors of the Week

Lemon+salty butter+sugar ( will accept in the form of lemon curd or cake)

fig+prosciutto+Gorgonzola (currently enjoying as a pizza)

stone fruit eaten out of hand

pesto genovese+ salty butter+scrambled eggs+ whole grain bread (not toasted)

oatmeal+black pepper+bacon (salt, too)

everything bagel+cream cheese+lox (toast the bagel within an inch of it's life and layer on the plate in this order)

FINALLY!!

 Spring weather has arrived! We went on a long (windy!), sun drenched walk, had a picnic lunch in the yard, and I took my first bike ride of the season! 

The best part is, tomorrow will be even better!!!

Puppy Parenting

Poor puppy was sick around 4:45 this morning. We love him so! Brad put him to bed and then we both cleaned the mess he kindly left in the living room and the bedroom floor, rather than in the bed. Puppy is so considerate! We climbed back into bed to join our little patient. He crawled into my arms and rested his head on my shoulder. We fell asleep that way and woke up late. Darling puppy, we love him so!

October 8- "Pink"

 For about year now, my mother has been supporting a very close friend of ours through her final battles of terminal, stage-four breast cancer.Our friend and her husband are unlikely to make it through the next month of their respective battles with cancer (this  is also her second bout with breast cancer). They are both receiving palliative care.

 My mother is not a clinician, nor is she a researcher. She did not buy any pink, plastic, rhinestone encrusted tchochkes to proclaim her support of our friend to the world. But she is doing the most I've ever seen anybody do for the cause of improving the lives of our sisters in humanity who are suffering in this particular way. 

For the past year my mother has been going to our friends house, with other women from our Buddhist community, to  chant in prayer (sometimes for hours at a time)with her. My mother sometimes provides transportation to and from the hospital for treatments. My mother and the other women cook and clean for her and her family when the chemo has ravaged them, body and soul, beyond the point of exhaustion. These women spend time simply talking and laughing with her- this, I think, is the key contribution. There isn't a lab in the world that can produce this kind of healing. 

Yes, it STILL (in 2013, no less!) needs to be said loudly and often that IT IS RECOMMENDED FOR WOMEN AGE 40 AND OLDER TO HAVE A MEDICAL SCREENING THAT INCLUDES A MAMMOGRAM ONCE EVERY YEAR BECAUSE EARLY DETECTION IS KEY FOR MAXIMIZING SURVIVAL AND QUALITY OF LIFE. Yes, funding research to improve treatment and to find a cure is crucial. But with all our focus on creating rosy future, the hardships being endured by women  like our friend go un-addressed. I fear they are marginalized in favor of a shiny, pink, happy soundbite from a fundraising/ awareness walk. 

When I first saw this photo a day prompt I almost decided to abstain from participating that day. As a public health worker, I am VERY opposed to "Pinkwashing". How can taking a photo of something pink and then posting it on my far flung corner of the internet for damn near nobody to see be meaningful, rather than an act of "slacktivism"? What would I photograph that could possibly honor our friend and my mother's efforts? 

 

In the end, I decided to snap a quick photograph with my cell phone of something that is, to many, the ultimate act  of do-nothing-ness. It is a photo of my prayer beads in action. They happen to be pink.  This photo is of the Buddhist practice that is the foundation of the relationship between our family and our friend's family. When I chant with these beads in my hands, I can provide words of encouragement and emotional support for my mother, over a thousand miles away. When my mom does this she can find the energy to provide for our friend and her family. When our friend does this, she can find the courage to face the future with dignity. 

Photo A Day Update

Am I the only one who is keenly aware of the relativity of time? The previous two weeks felt excruciatingly long. Then, for whatever reason, starting around 7:00 AM on Saturday,  what I have experiencing as the passage of roughly 45 minutes is -to the rest of the universe- 3 hours! 

That said, I have taken a few photos...though not all for the challenge. I'm not above playing catch up though. :)

October 7- "Corner"

For a few weeks, Boston participated in Luke Jerram's "Play Me, I'm Yours" project! 75 Pianos were installed around the city to be played by...well...anyone! This was one I passed on my bike ride home from work, at the corner of Washington Square.

I think the next photo deserves a post of its own. :)

Catching up on Photos with Friends!

So...I messed up and I thought 8:00 was Friday's picture, but it was actually Sunday's picture. I also slept through both 8:00 hours on Sunday. Sorry.  Anyway here are my photos from the past few days:

Friday, October 4 - 8:00 (Should have been "In Motion")

A swingin' Friday night in the Askins-Hewitt household! While our friends were being total rock stars at the Voodoo Glow Skulls show, we opted to stay in to watch one of our favorite shows, Red Dwarf. I love the ska, but they're a a little louder than what I'm prepared to endure after a long day of work. (Read: I'm too old for that shit!)

Saturday, October 5: Afternoon

Saturday afternoon was quite felicitous! We ended up running a few errands and then walking around downtown. Even in the city, there is a decent amount of leaf peeping to be had! 

Sunday, I took no photos. Kiss my grits. 

Monday, October 7- What I saw today

 If I took a picture of what I actually look at all day, it would be a major HIPAA violation. So instead, I will share my kitchen window. I love cooking, I love coming home, and it is one of many details in my apartment that facilitates my fantasy that I live in Middle Earth. 

Want to play along? Daily photo assignments can be found here. Share yours in the comments! Also, if you want to see photos from these assignments that were artfully taken, with an actual camera (not quickly snapped with a cell phone), please visit Home Says Hello! 

Photo a Day- with Friends!

October 1, 2013: Something Colorful

October 2, 2013: Light (could I have been any less creative?)

October 3, 2013: Me, today. 

For the month of October, I am doing a photo a day challenge. In order to increase my chances of completing the challenge, I have convinced dear cousin to also participate! She is a professional photographer (read: genius artist in the medium of light and humans), and an insightful, tender, profound writer. In short, everyone hoping to escape from being labeled a "philistine" should be following her blog.

If you want to participate too...or just want to jump in on a day with a particularly moving prompt (which is what I usually end up doing), please do! And please share  your art in the comments!

Dabbling in a September Photo Challenge

Here are my photos from September 8 and September 9:

September 8- Close Up

 September 9- From a Distance

Summer Picnic Club

Brad and I are two for two weekends in a row that included picnics. We are hoping to go on as many picnics as possible as long as the weather holds out. Brad said that he was so surprised at how good it has been to just sit in the grass. I think our apartment is pretty quiet for being in one of the busier neighborhoods in the city, but I still feel like the constant buzz our urban life is more draining than we realize. Even only two weeks in, our picnic ritual feels like a meditation of sorts.
 

 Last week we were so lazy that we didn't even pack a picnic. Instead, we stopped at BoLoCo on Park Street and took our burritos and NUTELLA MILKSHAKE(!!) to the Boston Public Garden. We spread out our blanket in a nice sunny patch to watch the Swan Boats go by, and we even saw a wedding! Tres exciting!


This week we were a little more prepared (and we had the time to put something together, as it is a three day weekend for  Memorial Day). We went to a park closer to our apartment that turned out to be a nice quiet oasis. I think it added to the relaxing vibe that the meal required very little preparation, and even less equipment to tote to the park. We just reveled in the simplicity of it all.

Feel free to share some of your favorite picnic menus in the comments, or let me know what you think of this one!

My favorite part of The Hobbit Is...

Like all good nerds, Brad and I went to see The Hobbit when it came out in the theater last year. And yes, it was all the things everyone said it was (visually stunning, faithful to the books, entirely too long, etc.). But I think my very favorite part of the movie was the most innocuous moment, and probably not shared as a favorite by most people.

I just love the 20 second part towards the beginning when Frodo visits his uncle, and he takes an apple from a basket right at the front door, presumably meant to welcome, or to see off  visitors (obviously, of the most respectable type only).  Having a basket of fruit at the front door is just about the most charming, hospitable thing I can imagine! In addition to apples, I think bananas, oranges, plums, or nectarines that would normally be stored on the counter-top would be quite at home at the front door to encourage anyone using the entryway to take one for the road, thus avoiding the temptation to pick up one of those overly-sugared, half-hearted pastries at  a Starbucks. See? The benefits are endless!

Have you ever been inspired to take a part of a story or a movie and incorporate it into your real life? How so?

Lately I've been very entertained by youtube videos of re-imagined movie trailers. They are trailers of well known films presented as though they were for movies of a different genera. For example: Mary Poppins as a horror film.

Anyway, here is a round up of my three favorites. Enjoy!

Mary Poppins as a Horror Film

Harry Potter as a Teen Comedy

The Shining as  a Romantic Comedy ("Shining")

Quite Continental Charm School: Day 10

I know. I fell off the wagon. But that is no reason to not climb back on! So here we go with lesson #10: A Proper Foundation. 

I have minimal requirements as far as frilly underwear goes. I actually have a couple of pairs of plain old cotton Hanes cotton "Hipsters", that I love simply because they are a pretty color. My three favorites are a pair that are a gorgeous shade of plum, a demure shade of mint, and a feisty shade of cerulean.

As for bra's I recommend that every woman have a convertible bra in her arsenal. I'm really not picky about bras, but I do have one absolute requirement:  minimal padding. Just a little for modesty. I like a nice even lining not those push up types with about an inch in the bottom of the cup.

I'm not sure what more there is to say on the matter... any other thoughts would be more than I care to have floating around the internet.  Instead I direct your attention to the fabulous pinterest boards of Alison Rubke, one of the fine curators of Faire Frou Frou.  

A small sample of Alison's brilliant eye for glamour... via

Well, you see. What happened was...

Every week, I go to the farmer's market, and I say to myself,  "I'm going to buy these berries/cherries/whatever-gorgeous-seasonal-fruit and I'm going to bake something awesome with them."

Then I get home and I eat the lot in one sitting...


And that's why we're not having strawberry shortcake today. Because I ate a pound of strawberries in two days. Oh, Lord. 


But hey! Maybe it's because the fruit is not meant to be fussed with! Maybe, it's wonderful just the way it is, and it would be a crime to defile it with all that butter, sugar and heat! For crying out loud, it's Summer! It's too hot to bake! Maybe all these recipes were meant for times when you couldn't just enjoy them straight from the plant. 

Yes, I ate a pound of strawberries...and it was Summer. It was wonderful.

This lovely photo is from Warwikshire Living Magaizine, in a pleasant article titled "Strawberry Summer".  

Quite Continental Charm School Journal- Day 9

Today's Lesson: " A life lived with purpose".  This really is a central tenant of the philosophy by which I've chosen to live my life. In my 25 years, I have learned to always be doing one of three things at any given moment:

1. Making a determination-Deciding what I want my life to be.
2. Soul searching for the path to that determined outcome. This must be revisited daily for evaluation of the path taken so far, and for thoughts on what to do next.
3. Take action based on soul searching to make dreams come true. 

I will keep this one brief, because I think the Charm School post is quite good, and thorough. 

Quite Continental Charm School Journal- Day 8

Today's Lesson is "Family Jewels". I don't really wear jewelry. I've inherited a beautiful, delicate, gold bracelet from my grandmother who passed, had a charm necklace from childhood to the age of 22, and many pairs of pearl earrings. All of those things no longer belong to me. For some reason, I just cannot be trusted with jewelry, because I always break it or lose it...or both. Right now, I really only wear my engagement ring. So far, so good.

I think one advantage of the engagement ring, is it is more than a gift. It is a symbol for my relationship with someone I see every day. I never want him to think I take his gesture lightly. A lot of times, I sit on the train and admire my lover's declaration of commitment to me. Over 2 years after his proposal , people often mistake me for a newly engaged bride to be.

I remain ambivalent about jewelry. One of my personal philosophies is,"Things bring you down". So I'll continue to wear my ring with gratitude and pride, but only time will tell if I manage to accessorize further...

Quite Continental Charm School Journal-Day 5

Today's Lesson: "Winterize your skin". I found that the link to this lesson did not work from the "table of contents" post. I did a quick google search, and the link on this post will get you to the instructions on how to love your skin. Obviously, it is no longer winter, and this winter was particularly mild, here in Boston. However,  I still managed to neglect my poor epidermis, and I found this lesson to be very necessary to prepare myself for the warm weather. So, today I took the time to pamper my skin, and here are my own field notes on the process:

1. I noticed the QCCS post did not mention one very important step in the care and keeping of one's skin (and other body parts), and that is STAYING HYDRATED! I am making it my goal to drink one glass of water before and after each meal, in addition to any other times throughout the day, that I feel moved to wet my whistle.

2. I used a moisturizing/exfoliating sugar scrub from Lush on my haggard feet and legs.

3. I sealed in the moisture and protected my new delicate skin with a generous slathering of Cetaphil Cream on my legs and feet, as well as just a general coating all over my body.

4. I actually do a weekly face exfoliation (every Friday) using St.Ives Apricot Scrub. Otherwise, I wash with Cetaphil face wash.

5. My lip balm of choice is EOS. It is moisturizing without being heavy or sticky, smells GREAT, and is free of questionable ingredients. Plus, the packaging is modern and adorable!

Sometimes I am really good about taking care of and moisturizing my skin (usually during the Summer when it is on full display), and I notice then, that as long as my skin is looking healthy, I don't need to accessorize as heavily or even put on makeup. I look and feel healthy and beautiful just the way I am. I think that is the ultimate goal of this lesson, and this experience.

Before: Dry and Crackd heels

Before: Dull, ashy legs

After: Smooth and supple

After: Glowing healthy skin. Putting my best food forward, so to speak!

Quite Continental Charm School Journal- Day 7

I'm one week into my transformation, and today's lesson is "The Hostess Gift". My mom has nice little hoard of lovely treasures meant to show gratitude to those who welcome her into their homes. While I am aware of the value of this lesson, I do not often find opportunities to put it into action. As a grad student, a large portion of my social life is within the framework of a group project, or grabbing dinner in the basement cafeteria between classes. However, I do get a few opportunities to attend dinner parties during winter and summer break. On those occasions, I usually bring a baked good of some sort. It is nice to give gifts, even small ones, for reasons like " You vacuumed before I came over. Thanks!" I like to think that participating in this ritual I am helping to keep the spirits of giving, appreciation,  and community alive.

Quite Continental Charm School Journal-Day 6

Today's Lesson is "Be fashionably punctual".

VIA

 My best friend, Andi is the embodiment of that phrase. If she says "I'll be there at 8:15", she'll be pulling in the driveway at 8:14, and ringing the bell right on schedule! Part of the reason our friendship works is because we have this yin and yang thing going on. I'm usually punctual, but I'd say about 25% of the time, I find myself in a situation where I've managed my priorities so poorly it affects other people. Sometimes it's because I'm a chronic procrastinator. Sometimes it's because I have too many things to do that are equally important. Either way, this lesson is definitely hitting home today after several "mismanaged" moments in my schedule. Really, if you are late (and I don't mean those times when it truly is not your fault) it usually means you were not making the most of the moments leading up to that one.

I saw a pretty neat quote on pinterest (which unfortunately means it will go uncredited) today that I will use to "punctuate" my thoughts on this lesson:

"What are you doing today? Is it worth trading A DAY of your LIFE?"

Quite Continental Charm School Journal- Day 4

Today's lesson is, "A Firm Handshake". I was lucky to have a family that sets high stock by strong women, so I  had my first handshake coaching session at the tender age of 9. I also remember having a guest speaker come to my seventh grade social studies class talk about the importance of good posture, eye contact, and a firm handshake. I was taught the value of the confidence, honesty, and sense of purpose a good handshake conveys. After this lesson, I'll be sure to remember this as I graduate from school and enter the working world.

If you think your handshake could use some help, the lesson at the charm school has some great pointers.

Quite Continental Charm School Journal- Day 3

Today's Lesson: "Get a Library Card". I already have one, but I understand that the lesson is also about appreciating the value of free information in this country.Sometimes it may feel as though our society has abused, warped, and cheapened this commodity to the point of absurdity. However, the public library system remains a beacon of integrity. I live in Boston, so I am very lucky to have access to many neighborhood branches and the grand Central Library in Copley Square. I did not go to the library today, because I had homework (and plenty of reading) to do, and because the branch in my neighborhood is closed on Sunday anyway.

 I know for sure, the next time I go to the library (hopefully this week), I am making a bee-line towards The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. One of my professors of clinical trial design mentioned it during a talk about research ethics and I haven't been able to get her brief but powerful summary out of my head! As a newly hired research assistant in the area of public health I think it is paramount that I familiarize myself with this story- Heck! I think as a human being who strives to have respect and compassion for other human beings, it is important to know Henrietta's story.



I am so fortunate to live in a city where education and  information is so highly regarded. The Boston Public Library system is more than a gateway to other worlds by way of books (although that is a GREAT thing) but through the library system I have access to lectures, live performances, museums, digital information, lessons in practical skills, and even architectural tours of the Central  Library, itself. All I have to do is accept the responsibility of the care and keeping of my library card.

Tomorrow's lesson: "A Firm Handshake"