Cookie Tree

I helped out Rhinebeck's Sinterklaas celebration this December by reviving the Giant Cookie Tree tradition at the Beekman Arms & 1766 Tavern.

Many of the cookies were decorated by my students at the Cookie Decorating Workshop in Rhinecliff at the Morton Library. (see me with Joanne Gelb)
More next time on the Speculaas Cookie diorama!

Jessica Bard's Culinary Services started today! Will start a new website today- jessicabard-dot-com. it link it will work best for JBCS. That's it for now. Will learn to archive and hide all previous posts! Where is photo?

Waiting to hear from HGTV re:bridal show.
Working on Pear Updsidedown cake for FC
Figuring out how to make time for Ric's book.Practising Paella making for private cooking class on Saturday.
Figuring out how to get rug from NYC on MOnday after the gift show (My Crate & Barrel discount runs out on Tuesday!)
Trying to make time to reply to all emails. Hard to keep up!
Must share kitty pictures!

ADDENDUM
I have not fogetten it's 9/11. Just dealing with it in my own way.
I will not do another post without spell checking & reading over (which I just did and was horrified- not so much at my imagery & description but my incomplete thoughts and really bad misspellings . Train of thought if all wonderfull and good as an exercise for me but I should force people into reading it. I will make things tighter as I go foward with posts... Ugh!
Here's me in my Garden where I'll be tomorrow morning!

BREAKFAST WITH THE IN-LAWS

Callum (my husband) and I arrived at his Dad's house in Saugerties on Saturday evening. After a photo shoot with latest in puff-ball-dom, we headed out to Democratic Fundraising Shindig at Don's Barn. Well, it wasn't just a barn but a beautiful farm in fertile flatlands nestled against the shadows of the Catskill Mountains. It was dark when we finally got there but colored lights strobed out from the barn dance floor reflecting off the siloh and into the crowd of partying citizens. Tiki torches outlined walkign paths around the gardens and lotus pond. yes LOTUS. I forogt my camera. We walked right through the center of the pond on rope-tied split plank causeway that barely skimmed the surface of the duckweed covered water. Torchlight was blocked out wher the ginormous lotus leaves ambled out from the edges of the shore. Dried lotus stems stuckout here and ther and I was dissappointed I had missed their season. As we rounded a gentle curve just beyond cedar bent-wood gazebo I saw a fullon lotus still in blossom and another still hlding itself tight together. Awed I stared as long as I could manage . Callum tried to touch it but it was just out of reach. I think that made it even more romatic and mysterious. It was quite cool and damp so we finally ehaded back to the party.
I hung out with Kate for a while- it was nice to see her twice in one week! She's doing remarkable well ofr just recently undergone a double mastectomy. Inside the barn, a few wild women woere dancing and I considered joining in, but my attention was drawn to Antonia, Kate's 5 year old daighter. She and some other kids were in the hay mow swinging on the rope from one side of the loft to the other. The hay bales were old, musty and mostly broken up but still somewhat staggered to create levels of difficulty. The older kids climbed higher and swung farther but the little ones were still rippin' it up! With the strobes and a spinning mirroed ball (and glitter all over the dusty barn floor) I was easily, yet vicariously enjoying the experience of childhood play. My reverie was broken by the host making an announcement to introduce the candidates. He was funny and brief so it was painless. I was impressed with the solidarity of the group. The door prize winner was selected and to an uprorious drumroll, an old door was paraded out to the openly dissappointed recipient. The rest of us thought is was pretty fucking funny.
I went out back to the dark part of the garden and peed on their compost pile while admiring a fifteen foot tall tower of morning glories.
Simon, Callum's brother, asked me to dance and I finally gave in. There was quite crowd dancing now and the music was loud enough that I decided to let go and get into it. I screamed along with the b-52's , from love shack to rock lobster. I noticed a pair of young lovers falling from the rope into the hay. The girl was giggling, but almost embarassed that she was enjoying herself in such a childish pursuit. I've always had a confidence that I have pretty good rhthym and keep my butt shaking in time with the beat even though I'm sure I looked spasctic especically while my mouth was moving and sinign along the whole time. For a moment I became very self-conscious of my garlicky-hummus breath. I looked up and the hay area was empty. Now limbered and liberated, I ditched simon and quickly hopped up into the hay mow. A chubby but sweet kid follwed me and I asked him to show me the ropes. he didn't get the pun. instead he grabbed the thick coir rope byt the ten-inch thick knot at its base and walked-skooched backwards up the hay.
"Try it from here" he said.
"You show me first." He took a deep breath and lunged foward just missing getting his legs around the knot. It was already too late as he smashed into the more solid section of hay on the other side. I rushed toward him to see if he was okay. The mushroomy-haydust smell was overwhelming as made my way, feet falling into soft crevises with everystep. It was like being in a boucny house that didn't bounce. It was all coming back to me. I helped him up and we made our way back to the prime launch site. It was my turn. I left and got the knot positioned just right between my thighs without pinching myself. That satisfaction was short-lived as I crashed into the hay and spun wildly before dropping into the itchy pit of loose hay. The kid shouted from the top and I gave him the okay sign. The music was still loud which helped me remain in an altered state. As I made my way up with the knot in hand he held his hand out anxiously. I tried to swing the knot up to him but it's heavy and didn't get far. I ended up walking it right up to him and applauded as he made a successful swing. It was my turn once again. I visualized my path took a half step up higher behind me for maximum speed and lept on the knot. Gloriously, my arch was fast and smooth reaching high over the opposite side. It seemd almost slow motion as I swung back across the sea of hay and lighted on the bale I had lept from. What a perfect run. I let the kid take another turn and went again. not quite as sublime as my first run but ot bad. It made me remember how as kids we'd keep going for hours to keep perfecting the launch, the arch, the landing. (It's funny to think that our bedroom in the barn is the very same space where we used to swing.) I should have left it at that but of course I had to go again, after calling Simon and Callum up to share in the joy. I was tired and losing focus. I was also trying to show-off now. I went up higher and as the kid was saying "Whenyou go from there it kinda makes you go left too much" I didn't hear the end of what he was saying but I sure as ehlll felt it. I smashed into the hay but hed on and swung right around and agaisnt the wooden slats on the wall. It was the kind of hurt that you can make feel better by rubbing for a bit and then eat a piece of cheesecake.

Back at my father-in-law's we did a wine tasting for the bebefit dinenr their hosting on Thursday (I'm the chef) Then we retired (w/biscotti) to the living room for a wild game of Scrabble. Not. Though I must say Callum and I actaully came up with more than four letter words!








THE NEXT MORNING
I awoke a bit stiff and sore. Then I felt the actual bruise spot on my inner thighs where the rope knot had pressed. If I ever got those as kid I don't recall. I didn't mind though becasue it helped me remeber the experience of the evening. It was magical and I'm so glad I didn't let that opportunity pass. Perhaps it has something to do with the previous night's conversation. An inlaw had just been teaching a course (Wholistic Orgainzing for the Home or something) at Omega Institute for Holistic Studies (up here in Rhinebeck) I asked what other course were in session while she was there. She mentioned something about 'Play" and I had a feeling it was an expensive workshop for adults who have lost their groove, lost touch with their inner child etc. and need permission to act like kid. I digress.
I'm going to add photos of my wonderful waking up in Baryy & Judith's wonderful house and the magical breakfast they put on.

The air was so crisp I didn't wat to get out of bed. I just lay there studying the swiftly passing clouds thorugh the skylight.
















Callum sauteed shards of the puff ball and mixed them with sausage and herbs to accompany the eggs.















I especially enjoyed the special dark Jamacian marmelade. I wish I had time to write about the two previous nights. Each tale woud be as long and have as many photos: The night before in the city- dinner w/ family at Pearl's. The night before that a gilrs night out at Shangrila for Beth's Birthday. Ultra weird but totally fun. Long drive back along Route 28 towards to full moon.
The morning ebfore a hundred garden shots of bees in my flowers... , the night before that at the Clarkes, for dinner witha monkey girl in the trees...
(Sorry I have NOT re-read or spell checked. just too much for now.)
over & out.

Windy Weddings, Wine, Wine, Wine, and Male Models
Had a great Saturday despite the cold and dreary dampness!
Let's start at the end before the beginning. Poor Lars got his hair seriously chop-shopped while doing a runway show for Prada. (more later...)





Callum encouraged me to go to the gym. Here I am post-tan and pre-stationary bike on which I read and caught up w/all of the most pathetic celebrity gossip. I've got to remeber to bring a BOOK next time!





We made is just in time for Caitlin and Kale's Wedding at Milagros, in Tivoli. The space, a former church, is available for events. Pictured here is the upstairs (they have a chair lift for disabled folks). Kathleen Mandeville presided. Caitlin and Kale shared their own vows in the midst of a 20 person wedding party and 200+ other guests of freinds and family.








It was a beautiful service. I cried even!





Caitlin and Kale and their posse, did a bang up job on decorating the church/event space.
(That's Jen in her fab little black dress.)









Not only does Milagros have a cool upstairs bathroom, it was actually free. When you've got to go really bad it is such a high to find a truly pretty watercloset all ready and waiting for you!













OK- so we snuck out for an hour or so to another party nearby. Nicole is an old freind I ahrdly get to hang out with. I really wanted to show my support and see the freinds and student she's amassed since I introduced her to the area. (I can't take all the credit but it did start in my office at the CIA in 1999 when she temp'd for me -fresh from Kentucky!)

Pilates students of Nicole hosted the party for her at their lovely home. Callum was drooling over the in-home pro espresso center.
Nicole, snaps a shot. Check out Nicole's website- she has great studio on Warren Street. www.pilateshudson.com








Someday I will have a bookshelf like this- complete with the ladder on rail...



Here's some screen porch ideas for Courtney. It's time now to share the link to her fabulous blog (See my raves about it in my first entry) www.fromacafe.blogspot.com



Quite a lovely house. I think I overheard someone saying it's on the historical register.
The air was charged w/pre-storm energy and vibe.


Callum fed the fire, a potbelly in the yard. We're totally going to copy that idea.
(We're working on his "look" so be patient- He's not angry here, really)






This is me against the solid rock wall and birch tree mise en scene.
I was hoping the wind would pick me and take me away with it...


















I like these colors on me, non?

This is just part of the wine, wine, wine. I was supposed to be having only beer. Oops. I did acually have some water too.










This is a special ham from Kentuckythat Nicole's dad sent on.
I couldn't get enough of it!

OK, I know 2 bathrooms in one blog post is excessive BUT can you blame me?
Large soapstone sink, toilet & bidet, open tiled shower-for-two. I felt like I was back in France...










I made freinds with Lars, a male model. Look at those cheek bones. We actually had a really great talk about the bizness. I was not surprised to hear that Zoolander jokes and references are still common within the modeling community. That was a pretty silly but funny and lighthearted comedy. I'm going to watch it again soon!
Callum couldn't take it any longer and made me leave.
I'm going to email Lars back about apartment possibilities in NYC. if anyone else knows of any-let me know.

We went back to Milagros and enjoyed delicious carrot wedding cake.
We danced the rest of the night away with CAitlin and Kale and friends including Graziella P. and Natasha B.S.
Oh yeah, I just remebered we walked down to the Moray and snuck in their closed dining room while Callum had a beer. It's much swank-er than when "Ruth" used to run it...

Ok that's it. This post has taken me an hour. That's too long. But this is why I take photos; to tell a story. I've got to maybe give myself a time limit or something. Hey, at least these aren't attached to an long-winded email sent to an unsuspecting group of my friends...

Puff Balls and Game Birds
Yesterday at Warren Kitchen & Cutlery was SO busy. Not only did we have lots of new Japanese cool ceramics to put out but I started two new weddingh registries. Mom quit her job and got two new part-times in the same day! (hwlping a high-end sweater knitter and me@ WKC!)
Helped customers right up to 6:30 (store closes at 5:30) then striahgt home
Did a quickie recipe test for
Pan-Seared Quail w/Creamed Leeks (I used Squab instead)
and Roast Chukar (partridge) Warpped in Bacon and Thyme. (Photos)
AND Puff ball steaks fried in butter (Photos)
Callum was so crazy about the squab (all dark meat) but I thought it was fine. Creamed leeks came out perfect depsite the long-ish cooking time . (Recipes will be published at end-of month so I'll post whole article then)

Big clean-up and then turned in early and actually watched a whole movie w/o falling asleep- REal quality stuff: The New Dukes of Hazard. All-star cast.
I love Willie Nelson!
That's all for now!
(I still don't know how to get photos in-step w/ corresponding text...)
Jessica

Overwhelmed. Dont' know where to start tonight's post.
I will revert to LISTing
Today's accomplishments :

• Selpt in! Only 'cause i had to w/humungo hang-over.
• took long bath
• checked in on Grama
• Drove to Kingston, hanging on to steering wheel tightly as I thought I might hurl at any moment. Super Woozy.
• 11:30AM Dentist for 3 replacement fillings for celebrity-type smile (and perhaps improved health w/ less mercury amalgams in mouth!) Certainly a celebrity-style bill at four hundred and seventy six dollars! The nitrous helped my head very much but I was still quite out-of-it.
• Picked up headset for new cell phone (and nextdoor to cellone- a pint of my favorite Tangerine Peel Chickel- not easy to eat w/ half of mouth but I managed!) which I ate in the parking lot of Adam's while reading Cornelia's book. Another murder! Awful and exciting all at the same time.
• Went in to Adam's for my game birds- A hundred and ninety-two dollars worth! I was going to shop a bit more but I felt that was enough expenditure for one day and remember, I felt like SHIT - (I'm spelling out the money in case callum reads this- his eyes won't go right to the money part...)
• Straight home after that.
• Callum had had to move stuff on my desk to get his IP phone to work- so he can have super-legit homeoffice for telecommuting! I started doing other stuff to oganizzzzzzzze my office and started to feel better.
• Grama was snoring., never got dressed. She's been feeling badly.
• Gas company called and instructed me how to turn on gas tank and relight pilot lights in stove. A little scary.
• Called the car guy and confirmed my appointment for the 92 Jetta's month-late inspection- plus wheel bearings, rotar, caps, plugs, air filter and the ever-present VW door-handle debaucle.
• A few more minutes at my desk. Returned a few emails for next food styling job and concurrently came up with a recipe story to pitch: harvest desserts -Almost started working on it but was called by Callum telling me he saw my cat by the compost pile.
• Finally, Stokr had returned after almost 3 weeks missing. I coaxed her to the barn and fed her and cuddled with her for a bit. Then I locked her in so I could get some more work done. But alas. Grama was a bit stinky.
• I could feel my day slipping away from me.
• Showered Grama; washed her hair and her back. Dried between her toes and lotioned her up. As much as I hate doing all this for her I love to do it for her.
• Back at desk and realizing it's the 31st I had to pay some bills on-line. I managed three transactions and then out to kitchen.
• Swept the floor which was disgusting. Cleaned the top of the stove. NOT easy. I mean the full monty: oven cleaner, brillo pad, sharp knife and spatula to scrape off caked-on and baked on crud. My Dad had the audicity to say I missed a spot and about how he did it last time and we should have better scrubbers etc. I just wish he would say 'thanks" once in a while.
• Emptied stinky flower vases and cut the stems of the gladiolas and rearranged them.
• Cooked purple potatoes and kale that Graziella had brought the other day. If I don't cook this good stuff it will just sit there.
• Made Grama a plate with leftover sliced london broil. She ate in her room.
• Started a load of laundry (but forgot to start the machine so there it sits and now Bob is showering so it'll have to wait until tomorrow.
• Callum clocked out and cooked burgers in the barn and forgot to call me when they were ready and forgot that I was cooking the sides. Miffed but hungry, I joined them and made them eat their starch & veggies.
• Short session with the cat and decided to let her roam in the barn while I sorted all the shit from last night's cookout at the tipi. It was dark, we were drunk. Everything was shoved in baskets and totes. I made quick work of it though and CAllum is washing the dishes and emptying coolers.
• 
  
• On my way back to the house with olive oil and heavy cream, Bob caught me just outside the garage and noted how "we" should weed the stream flowers before the weeds go to seed which would be any minute. I put the food down and weeded for about 20 minutes. They pulled easily as it had been raining; the stalks swollen with water. I deadheaded the lupine and primroses and trimmed off dead fern fronds. It was rewarding and I'm glad I took the time. And I was wearing white, well-off white. It's awfully close to labor day.
• Fed the cats.
• Gave Grama her pills and some cold medicine.
• put dishes in the dishwasher, did a few items handwash, wiped counter, checked the litter box, left a note for dad to light the oven pilot which I had forgotten.
• it's never fucking ending around here.
• Back at my desk, I had to print out yet another layout- turns out I'm styling 2 stories on the same day. I'm going to charge EXTRA. Salsa Cruda and SMashed Potatoes- should eb fun regardless. Fine Cooking's Web master asked me to do 2 on-line videos for working with puff pastry and phyllo dough! ANd they also just added a possible demo gig (to represent the magazine) at a resort in February.
• Last nigth I designed a newsletter for Warren Kitchen and set-up an account with Constant Contact to manage the email list. It's 8:30 now and I want to go to bed BUT I will spend a few more minutes on this computer. Maybe YOU will get the newsletter sooner than you think!
• the clock is wrong on the front page just so's you know.
  

Thanks for listening!
ADios.