let’s hang…out in Brooklyn! Part 1 – Brooklyn Flea

toy store window on Court St.

At this time last sunday, we were contemplating the need for jackets (!) as we strolled around the Fort Greene neighbourhood of Brooklyn.  It was an ambling shuffle of contentment, our bellies full of fish tacos, jalapeno pupusas, cheddar and truffle smothered soft pretzels, handmade salted caramels, and bracingly good black coffee, all procured in the basement of the Brooklyn Flea.

Swanky digs for a flea market! image via www.brooklynflea.com

During the winter, the Brooklyn Flea is held in the former Willamsburgh Savings bank which was built in 1929.   In its time, it was the tallest building in Brooklyn, boasting a 512 foot clock tower.  My little point and shoot camera couldn’t do justice to the most impressive indigo and gold glass mosaics that line the vaulted ceilings.  While it was hard to keep from looking up, we managed to tear ourselves away from the architectural details and do some browsing.

Swanky vintage shades for a hobo!

You thought I was joking about the pretzel, didn't you?

Trying to work the Dame Edna angle. And failing.

stone figure at the stairs leading to the basement of tasty wonders.

Stay tuned!  Tomorrow, adventures and visual delights in Red Hook.

A Farewell to February

This has been a really tough month.   I’m ready to feel more peace, hope, expansion and courage from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.  Take note world, I’m ready to yell this from the rooftops.

Things that got me through the past four weeks:  skating on the rideau canal with my mom with the wind at our backs…wheeeee, having lots of fiercely loving women around to rally my spirits, nuzzling the softest puppy ears ever,  kind and generous words from the people I work with, and having a very special Hobo to hold my hand and astonish me with his bravery and calm strength.  thank you. thank you. thank you.

Hobo G with the latest addition to the softie menagerie, Stinky Pie the skunk. Both of them have kind faces and cute noses.

February I bid you adieu.

fun with your face: tofu

A seemingly casual meal takes a dark and twisty turn (foreshadowing: you can see it in the eyes!)...

How do you like my incisors? I'm going for a Where the Wild Things Are vibe.

hmmmmm, do I detect a hint of ginger in the marinade?

savoury scones and perfect potholders

It’s not hard to want to whip up a treat  in the kitchen when you’ve got such inspiring tools to work with.   Behold, the loveliest and jauntiest pot holder I have ever owned:

The combination of one of a kind bias tape, antarctic wildlife and polka dots make me want to plunge my hands into hot, gaseous situations every day. How's that for a testimonial?

Big thanks to my pal C., for her excellent taste when it comes to gift-giving.  I wish you’d been around to sample some of these:

Scones with old cheddar, thyme and scallions. Nary a scorched fingertip in sight, either!

Here’s the basic recipe, via Orangette, that I like to use when the scone craving hits.  And this recipe for fig and fennel scones, from the amazing food blog In Praise of Leftovers,  is the next one I’m going to try!  Num num num.

splinter-free underfoot

Thank goodness for hiring professionals to install our new floors.  It’s been a long time coming and we are so happy to be able to check that one big matter off of our massive to do list.  This time, we got off easy, just having to pack up our stuff and dismantle the kitchen.  The crew that came to do the install worked crazy long hours to finish the gig and have my utmost respect.  It is meticulous and physically demanding work.  Did I mention they did a great job too?

The whole week was reminiscent of our first few months living in the half-renovated house…no kitchen, no tv, no internet, monoliths of furniture piled in corners, eating a lot of takeout and cereal,  sleeping on a mattress on a dirty subfloor,  and fishing through garbage bags of clothes, covered in fine layer of sawdust and rubble.  I’m totally selling this whole home reno thing to you, aren’t I?  Here’s an “in process” photo:

a photographic masterpiece I like to call "dog butt and new subfloor"

And the pristine, shiny surface of prefinished solid oak.  So fresh and new, you could’ve eaten off of it!

Fresh out of the package and onto our subfloor.

Needless to say, Sadie quickly helped us get over the preciousness of the new floors, by inscribing her nail marks into the wood.   We, in turn, suddenly got more clumsy and have been dropping a record number of gouge-worthy objects in the past couple of weeks.  Sigh.  I guess we could’ve paid more for the “distressed, antique finish”.  Instead we’re DIY-ing it.  We’re handy that way!

It wasn't me! Have you seen Hobo G's toenails lately?

One step closer to finishing the trim work and picking out paint colours.  I can’t wait!