New Loft: the “Library”

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

One of the most problematic spaces in our new loft has become one of our favorites.  I recently showed an out-of-town friend some construction photos.  I was struck by the transformation, so I thought I’d indulge in a little before-and-after here. (Btw, we’re not really sure what to call this space. The realtor’s floor plan […]

Pasta with Chestnuts, Sage and Pancetta

Friday, November 25, 2011

Don’t worry –this isn’t another post about Thanksgiving leftovers.  I like them as much as the next guy (preferably straight from the fridge), but by Saturday, I’m ready for something new. This is a dish I’ve made over and over this fall.  The seasonal flavors — sage, earthy and slightly sweet chestnuts, and the always-welcome […]

Roasted Cranberries with Orange and Jalapeño

Sunday, November 20, 2011

As anyone who reads this blog knows, I’m always up for cooking something new for dinner.  When it comes to Thanksgiving, though, I become a rigid and sentimental traditionalist.  I want it all just like last year and the year before, and for me that means turkey with sage stuffing, mashed potatoes and pan gravy, […]

John’s Salted Pistachio Ice Cream

Sunday, November 13, 2011

One of my favorite rituals this summer was sharing a cup of pistachio gelato with Julia.  We both love it  –if it’s good; that is, flavored with the subtle, unique taste of fresh green pistachios and little else. This ice cream is something different, though, and I’d never had anything like it until my friend […]

Preparing for the Big Birthday Party

Thursday, November 10, 2011

I think it was a great success.  Last weekend David’s mother Jeri turned 70, and we threw a party for her at our loft in Manhattan.  Twenty of Jeri’s girlfriends from her home in New Orleans flew in for the occasion (no husbands, except hers), and around 50 guests from New York joined them for […]

Dinner at Marta’s

Monday, November 7, 2011

I was in San Francisco the last week of October, and, as usual, the highlight of my visit was dinner with my friends Marta, Dan and John.  We’ve cooked together for many years, and this dinner came together like all the others –easily and over a cocktail or two and wine.  We made a loose […]

Our Little Witch

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

I had suggested a butterfly, and for a while she was into swimming like a dolphin (on the hall carpet), but by mid-October she had made up her mind:  she would be a witch for Halloween.  Last week I got a clarification:  she still wanted to be a witch, but a good witch, preferably one […]

Dining Chairs: Update

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Ok, I know.  Enough already with the dining chairs.  But your comments and emails on this have been so helpful that I wanted to go just one more round on this before we make a final decision. To refresh your memories, we settled on these chairs –classic Milo Baughman designs from the 1970s.  Their scale, […]

A Quick Visit to London

Sunday, October 16, 2011

We’re back in New York now, but managed to fit in a short trip to London after our days in Paris.  In London our balance between work and play shifted toward work, but we still found time to have some fun. We stayed at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, which is one of the oldest hotels […]

Greetings from Paris

Monday, October 10, 2011

David and I are on a short trip to Paris and London, and we’re having a lovely time.  It’s full-on fall in Paris — the leaves are turning, it’s a little chilly, and, of course, there’s the daily drizzle.  No matter, though.  Paris does grand very well, but it does cozy even better. We’re staying […]

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