Gelato = better than American ice cream

So I just got back from Rome and had the opportunity to experience a gelateria on literally every block. Gelato, I would have to say is its own species...I think its a lot better than "ice cream" even though it technically meaaaannns ice cream, yeah its not. The featured flavors above are pistachio and hazelnut, pronounced "pis-ta-kee-oh" apparently.

Farmer's Market

The city of Boston does a complete 180 when the temperature reaches 70 degrees. Fair enough, so this weekend the days were spent primarily outside and at our favorite venue... basically, wherever there is food.

1. Dim Sum (hangover cure)
2. Tapioca ( why not)
3. Farmer's Market ( a must)

Highlights of the farmer's market:

I love the farmer's market because you get fresh produce for cheap! I probably save a good $20-$30 on grocery's by shopping here. I also love the aura of the place- all the colors, textures, smells of fruits and veggies really encapsulates the novelty behind the place. Another great aspect are the vendors themselves....constantly yelling out (in a boston accent of course), smoking cigarettes, being pushy like in the movie Aladdin.

my friends Alie and Magen trying to pick the best bunch of asparagus (only $1.00!!)

Asian Farmers....nicely posing prease

haha this guy was hilarious! quite some characters at this market...he struck this pose last minute, im glad I caught it. 5 dollar footlong?? Jazz fingers??

Oranges are in season..."i'll take 2 please"

just kidding...i'll take 6? just $1.00?? really?? you sure? ok fine, here's a dollar.

My friend John's first time to the market... such a noob. I think he enjoyed, he got excited about 3 boxes of blackberrys for a $1.50

Where can you find peppers for 3 for a $1.00?? So fresh and crisp you can bake, broil, grill, or eat raw! sooo yum

Did I mention they have FISH?? FRESHHH FISH!! (Aladdin scene reminder? anyone?)
cheap. good. fresh. case in point.

Every other week I go to the market to buy salmon, but this week they were out!! Such a travesty on all levels....because its lenten season and I need my fish fix. Anyways, this guy was there and I forced him to hold up a fish head hehe, well it made my day and I hope he got a kick out of some crazy asian lady forcing him to take a pic. ALSO... this man LOOKS like a real fisherman-with the beard, hat, and just the features of his face. His name is probably John, last name Silver, im putting money on it.

Sundays and Apple Pie

I always need a day or two to recover from any vacation, my body refuses to function, I can't think, but baking seems to nurse the nostalgia.

Garlic Mayo vavavoom

The first time I had garlic mayo was at a restaurant called Gourmet Burger Kitchen aka gbk in London which makes sense because it works best with burgers. It sounded intriguing... hence why I ordered it, and oh boy let me tell you it was the best thing since sliced bread.

I was used to eating burgers with mayo- growing up, my mom's version of hamburgers were mini patties served with rice mayo and ketchup (weird sounding I know, but soo good). Then this magical creation comes along, some genius decides to literally put minced garlic + mayo together and yes vavavoom!!

I make it all the time...SO EASY! Also works with french fries and I have yet to try it on fried fish.

London

Its 1:39 am and I have a major exam tomorrow, in a subject of which I am illiterate in... but a whilst studying a song on my playlist came up which just sparked my time of living in London. I dont know if I'm the only one going through this withdrawal or there are closet London study-abroaders who are keeping their emotions to themselves, but I MISS LONDON. In fact I miss all of Europe. I want to be in Europe right now drinking a cappuccino at a bistro in the park watching ducks reading a book while munching on a biscotti listening to a local street performer play the violin....(is that so hard to ask?)



OK enough procrastinating on my behalf, back to work! (missing you london)

to bake or not to bake?

Dilemma: when you are living in an apartment where you don't really have to pay the electricity bill, its tempting to start baking and cooking etc. - which yes it is fun and if I could get paid to bake all day I would. trust me.

NOW im in the mood to bake everything- even simple things like cookies and bread, but should I?? The thing with baking is time, money, and time...Its 10X easier to run over to the grocery store and pick up a loaf of ciabatta for a measly $2 rather than wait for the yeast to rise, etc, etc...

but OH the JOY in baking, in knowing what goes into your food, and learning the techniques- so worth it! maybe one day I will own a bakery like Meryl Streep in the movie It's Complicated, for now I'll just keep dreaming.

the little things in life that I love

So, working in the library can be a boring task, but it definitely gives me peace of mind sometimes...I can do aimless things like- update my blog. Purely, because I like keeping a journal, but I hate physically writing... typing = so easy.

I used to work Sunday mornings at the library (12pm is considered Sunday morning) and the first thing I have to do is:
1. update the stamps, meh... not so fun =(
2. OPEN THE SUNDAY PAPER =)

Wow, so I decided that hmm I love the Sunday Paper, its unlike any other day of the week, there are so many sections and added benefits. also p.s., I get to open the Boston Globe and The New York Times = win win. From this moment I decided- this is a little thing in life that I love, reading the Sunday paper, looking at the coupons and deals of the week... reading movie critiques, attempting the impossible crossword puzzle while- ahh sipping on my coffee = absolute bliss.

This inspired me to write down a list of the little things in life that I love, and so whenever I stumble upon this "little thing in life that i love" I should write it down, document it, unagi it.

First on my list: The Sunday Paper
The Sunday paper is like a good friend you see only so often, but whenever you see them its always good conversation, fun times, relaxing - carefree almost. A friend you dont really discuss work, family, or school with - but art, music, literature, fashion, food... all the comfort things. And that's what I enjoy- my once a week time to spend reading about movies, art, drinks, upcoming events, whatever... ahh c'est si bon =)