Trains, Texts, Landscape and Fish

It looks like I'm on a role this week - so many posts after being silent for so long. Although I haven't been posting, I have wanted to write and record some events. Unfortunately I've forgotten most of them. So before it disappears into the land of the forgotten, I thought I’d share last night. Three things converged – I left work at 5 pm, I had switched my phone to vibrate for some reason, AND I actually felt my phone vibrate (not always the case). It was a text from a friend asking about lunch tomorrow (which is today). I immediately looked up to see if I could see him on the platform of the T station as we share a parallel commute. I sent a quick text back asking – he was two stops up. Long story short, wonderful city life, we were able to catch up on our way home. He got off and jumped onto my train that was right behind his. It was really neat and I’m totally not capturing the moment. There’s something about being jarred back into the living during the daily grind of the commute. Plus I have to admit txting does have its advantages after all.



And to add, just this morning, I was thinking how I actually don’t mind my commute – it’s generally 45 minutes each way and could really wear on you if it was in a car. This while I was desperately delayed getting into work. There was a fire on Mass Ave backing traffic up beyond belief so I sat on my bus double the time. Only to get on a train that was held up between stations due to switching problems. For me though, it was a nice excuse to not get into work right away and enjoy the end of my book – The Devil and the White City. I know the world fair must have burned down, but haven’t gotten to that part yet. I’ve lucked out as the previous book I just finished, 1776 also was a good read and kept my attention during the commute. (I love Dostoevsky, but don’t try reading him on the train).



I’ve had several recent acquisitions to report – small ones really. One I can’t mention as I bought two, one for me and one for mom for Mother’s Day but it just finally came this week and don’t want to ruin the surprise for Mom, although it’s not really that much of a gift. I did acquire a small, beautiful loveseat and chair of the Danish Modern era. Need to take pictures though as I forgot to save them from the craigslist posting. But one acquisition I can share is the nice little package I received a few weeks back of an Abstract Landscape in oil on hardboard. I was brought up in a home filled with art (mom’s an artist and both parents shared their love of culture). I used to think collecting art was something you did when you were grown up. I finally realized that I was grown up so have been acquiring little pieces over the years supporting local artists. One of my favourite pieces is an etching I bought from an art student while at Michigan. This piece below is from an artist on etsy. It’s just 6 inches square and a complete bargain (art is priceless anyways, right?) Now I just have to figure out how to hang it and frame it.



Finally, I have to report I did dive into the CSF. I’m afraid it’s a lot of fish for just little ol’ me. And I’m afraid of what I have to do to prep the fish. But I can share my share and learn some more cooking skills. I do hope the lobsters and everything is dead. Granted, they’re still needing a certain quota for my pick-up location, so it might all be a moot point. Time will tell.

Fish!

Interestingly enough I'm not talking about the fish I've been talking/writing about for a year now but haven't actually posted. What I mean is that when anyone even mentions the word fish, I automatically think of this:

I've been knitting fish day in and day out for a year now I think. Ok, a bit of an exageration, but there have been a lot of knitted fish in my life recently. I finally finished the blanket this weekend and it now belongs to the proud yet oblivious new owner, baby Braun. I didn't leave Sunday until it was done. I'll post pictures soon and release the posts that I had blogged over the months.

No, what I'm talking about today is real fish. Real, fresh, local fish. When I first moved to Boston I was so excited to have fresh fish. But I couldn't figure out where the fish market was. The best I could figure is to go to my local Whole Foods which just doesn't seem right. I wanted to go to the source. Granted I didn't do a lot of research, but I did ask around. Don't get me wrong, I've managed to enjoy a lot of great seafood - especailly my favorite clam chowder. But all at restaurants. Looking back, this might be for the best as I don't really know how to cook fish. I'm not really a meat/seafood cooking kind of gal. My strength is the baked goods and I subsist mostly on vegetarian fare in the house (with some bacon on the side). That is why I'm on the fence and have decided to sleep on it before deciding.

'It' being a local CSF that was passed on by my local CSA. New to me, CSF is Community Supported Fishery. And the one recommended was Cape Ann Fresh Catch (CAFC). I started reading and thought, absolutely this is wonderful, just what I want/need, sign me up. But then I read some more and realized I didn't know exactly what I was getting into. Still maybe a good idea but nothing to rush into (although these things have a tendancy to fill up fast). The questions I have are:

1. When they say "the fish will be dressed - cleaned and gutted, NOT filleted", what exactly does that mean? I think I figured out that means they'll still have the scales. I can deal with scales, I think. I've done scales on some fish before. Will they have heads and eyeballs? Will there be bones? Will there be a tail? What do you have to do with a cleaned and gutted fish before you start cooking it? I have really no idea.

2. When they say the fish will be placed on ice, how much ice? There's really only two pick up sites for me to consider - one in Boston and one two towns over from where I live. Boston is handy if the location is near work, but maybe not if I need to lug a bunch of ice home. Can I leave the ice? Will the fish be ok? Do I need the ice? I don't have any ice at home? I live in a fairly ice-free apartment. I don't really want to hop into my car every week and deal with rush hour traffic to pick up fish but maybe that's the easier way to go.

3. What do they mean when they say "half share of whole fish: 4-6 lbs per week"? Is that a lot of fish? Do I get several different types of fish each week? You can freeze fish right? All types right? I do like fish don't I? I hope so.



So those are the big three I need to wrestle with. I think I'll do it. It supports a good cause so won't be completly wasted if it doesn't work out. Plus I bought a seafood cookbook last year I really should try out. It doesn't really matter that I've only cooked fish probably less than a dozen times. I'll manage. Plus who wouldn't enjoy "a variety of the freshest haddock, cod, flounder, hake, dabs, grey sole, monkfish, pollock, and redfish - and possibly other seafood such as clams, lobsters and scallops." I hope the lobsters aren't still alive. I recognize I need to deal with my food having a face, but still don't want to deal with the death part.

Dress for Success

Last week, work was rough - busy. Unfortunately it's sounding like a broken record. I feel like I'm starting to get a handle on things (for now), but in an attempt to keep burn-out in check I had a three day weekend. Grandiose plans of running errands, spring cleaning, sleeping, laundry, knitting and watching my netflix movies. Well, I got two done on the list (sleeping and movies). Still feel like I need a break though - a nice true vacation, change of scenery However, in an effort to address the problem, I'm trying to pace things better at work, which brings me to the subject at hand - clothes.

Clothing for me is a nice escape. I don't have a large clothing budget. My style and approach has changed (I like to think the word to use is evolve) over the years. Half hobby, half scavenger hunt, half artistic expression (of sorts). Like everyone, my body isn't perfect, but I'm more comfortable in my skin these days, and skinny is in (not like it ever wasn't). And I've always been the type of person who dressed up to take a big exam - nice clothing makes you feel, well nice. There is a correlation. In a way clothing is therapeutic for me. I love the colors and textures. And I need therapy.

So over lunch, I spent time reading my blogs, several of which are fashion. I always love the Sartorialist - which I think is on everyone's list who follows fashion. I like the underlying approach of "old fashion" - buy a few key quality pieces that last over time - very french. My local TJ Maxx has the wonderful Designer's corner that I like to pick through periodically for affordable quality pieces. That's where I discovered Theory and Eli Tahari (elegantly understated fashion) which have to be my two favorites represented in the closet these days. They have some "of the moment" fashion but in their lines they also have some good solid pieces. Almost all my blazers and slacks are from them.

And I'm adding Teenflo to round out the list. I never heard of the brand before and although I don't love the name, they have a wonderful line. I recently discovered them at a Boutique store in Harvard Square, that is going out of business. On a side note, I never noticed the store before on JFK. Killing time before meeting a friend for dinner, I popped in. Apparently this was just the location for their liquidation. They were located around the block on a side street, up on the second floor. It might be the economy, but I think it might have had a bit to do with location too. Just a guess.

So now I find myself buying less clothing and it's working out marvelously for this city girl. In my apartment, I have one dresser and one small closet. When I moved in three years ago they were stuffed full. Now, with the new clothing style approach, I have a much smaller quality collection. Yes, I spend $60 on t-shirts, but I have less t-shirts this day that take up less space. Overall it's the same amount spent, just on less. Ok, that last part I did write unmercifully just to see if Dad is reading this. To clarify, I do buy $60 t-shirts but at very deep discounts. I used to scoff at people who would spend so much money on something like a t-shirt, but I understand now why they do. Having quality material next to your skin, walking around in clothing that fits well, cut for your shape is marvelous - you hold yourself differently. However, I still don't understand people who spend money on expensive t-shirts who can't afford to. There's a big difference - spend within your means (but that's another rant for another time).

So the whole buying less thing is working out wonderful. I write this statement, while sitting here in Marc Jacobs pants. Marc Jacobs!! The day I thought I'd being wearing Marc Jacobs, was the day I would own a Jaguar. Granted, no Jaguar on the horizon - have to see how Tata handles the new ownership. I wasn't wild about the whole Ford era. Again, rant for another time though, I digress.

The point is, finding that little special piece is wonderful. It's very much a process shopping approach versus product shopping. My poor brother would be miserable as he has a stamina of about 10 minutes for shopping. I understand this approach isn't for everyone, maybe not everyone will understand it. But stumbling upon new clothing lines or bargain places is marvelous. It's like when I discovered Webs. Yarn I could afford that wasn't synthetic. Amazing.

My latest find is through another blog, Daddy Likey, and is an online store. I'm not sure where I stand on online clothing shopping. I did luck out on my winter jackets this year but haven't had a wonderful track record in years past with catalogues. I do like to try things on and feel the material. But still, this place has some really nice vintage/retro yet still modern items. And from up and coming designers - it's no Gap. I was "window" shopping, and cam across an item I'm tempted to buy:

I like the longer tops these days - more elegant and also more practical - in the northeast exposed skin gets cold. The real clincher though, is the marketing - the piece is named, A Prairie Home Companion! How could I not buy it? I really wish I could see it up close and feel the flannel. It's not cheap, but with skinny jeans and not fully buttoned up and some jewelry could be quite cute. My theory is that by being retro, it's timeless. Not sure if this is true, but it does seem retro is more often 'in' then 'out'.

Now, I'm not sure if I've convinced you of my ways. But feel I should provide full disclosure. There is one down side to the "less is more but choose quality" approach. It doesn't work well when your life is such that you work many hours, crash when you get home and have no energy or time for chores. The Achilles heel to this fashion approach is laundry. I have to admit it's been nearly 2 months now since last I did a load. It's not because the laundromat is far - it's not, laundry is in the basement. It's not because I share the machines with my neighbors - I don't, I have my own set. I blame it purely on my old college trick of always making sure you have 3 months worth of underwear. That's all you need really. The rest you can make do with what you've got.