weakness

I love food.

No, not a surprise, is it. Nor should it be a surprise that I have a reputation as a food snob. Pricey mushrooms, name brand chocolate. People have me tagged.

So. Bloody. Unfair.

Let me start by saying that I am a VERY good dinner guest. I recall years ago someone I already didn't care for terribly much joking that you could always tell where I sat at dinner parties because it would be near a large potted plant, and remnants of my dinner that I couldn't stomach would have been hidden there. Hmmmm... nope, still don't like him years later.

Anyway, I have my weaknesses. Not that I'll reveal them ALL, but they are there. And so, in DC, I indulged one: fast food burgers and fries. Mmmmm... fries. Crispy, soft on the inside, hot, salty. Oh so good!

I met up with Dan for lunch one day at the recent conference. Limited time and, on the weekend, limited good options nearby. Almost by chance, though, we came upon a Five Guys outlet.

I know we have them in Chicago, but I've never been. Hey, I have food snob cred to keep up - I almost never go get fast food beyond Subway, Sbarro, or burritos in the student centre at lunch. This was my maiden expedition, and Dan offered good advice on ordering.

Ultimately, though, it was a good burger and an embarrassment of fries. A small order, in the cup, then more shoveled into the bag. No, please, don't stop. Heaven!

No dessert - gilding the lily if there were. Just a full belly and... hmmmm... did I go nap afterward? I can't recall.

Small UP delights

Another quick post - guerilla blogging? Ah well. I AM trying to push some thoughts and images out there, so small credit to me at least!

We spent the weekend with Conrad's family up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. A very relaxing weekend, and mostly sunny to boot. Time spent out at the lake, time spent driving and seeing the sights, time spent sampling local wares/goods/produce. As you may guess, there's more to report back when I have more time.

For now, one of my ever more frequent list entries, this time focusing on a few of the small delights that we enjoyed this past weekend even if fleetingly...

We caught the tail end of the strawberry season at the Escanaba Farmers Market, and were rewarded with berries that tasted like strawberries should taste.

They have Old Dutch in the UP. Happy recollections of my favourite childhood brand, and a treat I allow myself almost every trip up there.


We missed their prime, and many of them appear to have suffered highway-side mowing, but a couple of ladyslippers were there, in the patch we return to every year, reminding us of their elegant blushing beauty.

small vanity post

I keep meaning to catch up on this blogging thing - I think I should rename the blog to Peter Can't Keep Up or something similar - and I do have things to say about the recent DC experience (food!) as well as the holiday weekend up in the UP (food!).

I will, I promise. All good things, etc.

For now, a vanity post. New shirts for the DC conference, a whole slew of them wheeled out. Short sleeves were my theme for the most part, though I wore long sleeve to the Merritt dinner at the Folger.

And you know what? Really, I rocked those shirts, truly. Day in and day out. Fun clothes to brighten up the life of a librarian.

;-)

A number of the shirts have shown up in posts already, but I think this one is best anyway. Admit it, you want it...

wrapped around their fingers.... um, paws

There isn't much to say in this post. I simple want to get a few shots of Coney and Buster up. If ever there were two dogs who had me completely at their beck and call, it's is the two of them. I cannot overstate it, I LOVE the two of them, and if TK and Michael ever want me to come stay a week and take care of them while they go off on vacation, I'd be sorely sorely tempted.

No really, just look into their eyes. Frickin' adorable!!!!





Addendum: I wrote this Monday night for posting on Tuesday. I now learn from TK that today is the ten-year anniversary of him and Michael adopting Coney. Nice timing for this post, and a terrific occasion to mark. Coney, if I were there now, I'd offer any belly rubs your way. A hug at mininum!

8 years of Annual together

Ah Martin...

:-)

In the last post, I raved about Todd. Best friend, roommate at conferences, groomsman to be. In this one, I rave - again, as promised - about a roomie. Martin. 8 Annual conferences together (and 8 Midwinters, plus weekends in Denver, Santa Fe, and Chicago). He deserves a bit of praise. More than that.

Martin and I met back in New Orleans in 2002. So very long ago now, and yet we can still pull up memories (and in-jokes) from back then. We've enjoyed many shared hilarious episodes - the Carlos and Noble dinner comes to mind, but also the Beard Toucher incident in TO and others.

Martin is, however, not just a fun roomie (who also coordinates outfits with us - yay!!!).
He is someone I respect to the utmost professionally. ALA members, vote for him if/when you can for anything. He is more than worthy, and I say that without hesitation.

Conrad and I were happy to be in attendance when Martin and Mark had their commitment ceremony a few years back. We'll gladly steal a few ideas and, in fact, steal Martin outright: he will be our MC at the reception, and we KNOW that will make for a lively, engaging, and fun evening for all.

(Side note: wow, I'm being heavily sentimental lately, I know. Two milestones ahead within days of each other: 40th birthday and 10th anniversary of moving to the US/Chicago. Indulge me a little if you will.)

It was another enjoyable time in DC, then. Good meals out (I was most happy with Zaytinya for the food,

but loved all the time we shared and was especially pleased to be at that dinner in the gorgeous Folger Library), some shopping at H&M, gossiping about ALA members until late at night. The stuff that conferences are made of. Thanks Martin for this 8th great year. Many more to come!

TK/Baltimore

Monday evening, but no coaching, so it feels like Sunday. Back to work tomorrow for a shorter week, and then, come Saturday, Todd arrives.

This, then, is the first of two promised raves about my conference roomies. TK, my best friend.



Oh, gosh, no worries. I think Dale (if ever he reads these) would retch if all I did was list off all the reasons that make Todd an incredible best friend. And I should hate to have to do that to the Silver Fox even if a slightly wicked side of me thinks it would be a bit funny. Instead, let me simply relate how very good it was to get caught up with TK after not seeing him for a few months. Better still, an overnight with him and his partner Michael in Baltimore on my way home from DC.

Things I do like about Todd include his humour, which extends to jokingly coordinating outfits at the RT social in DC. He's also one of the few people who can really tease me effectively and cleverly about my Canadiannness without resorting to that old chestnut "What's that all aboot, eh?" (Want to get on my bad list? Try that one on me some time)

But there are other things. Good conversation over dinner at Clementine (Taco Tuesday!)

and breakfast at Blue Moon Cafe (Captain Crunch coated French toast - mmmmmm).

Walking with Coney and Buster (who will merit their own entry), chatting together with Michael about the wedding planning ahead. Or - and here were some unexpected treats - bringing me along to the YALSA session with teens talking about best fiction titles and the Natalie Merchant performance (ah, that that could have gone on for another hour...). And then there were all his coworkers coming up to me and asking me if I was the one who made cookies...


So a mild rave about Todd - I hate to embarrass him too much with too many compliments (and rest assured, TK, our roomie has an upcoming blog entry, too!). Two last things to mention (short list):

1. Conrad likes him, and when Conrad likes someone, then I KNOW that person is a good person.
2. He'll be up there, with me, my best woman, and my sister, at the wedding (that I now can talk about openly), and that means the world.

It was only a short visit to Baltimore - I was on the way home from conference after all. This weekend will be another whirlwind here in Chicago, and then Conrad and I will have to wait a few months until we get to visit TK and Michael in their home. Already? To borrow from NuShooz: I can't wait.

post-ALA quick post

So here am I, ages removed from the last blog entry (scant opportunity/access while a week in DC, other excuses, blah blah blah), scarfing down lunch at home before Conrad gets here, we pack up, and head north to the UP. Time enough to at least say hello to my four readers.

[hello!]

So let me check in by saying a few quick words on recent things, and over time catch up in more detail:

A week hanging out with my best friend, Todd? Wow. Lucky me! More raving to come. Also, a note to self: make sure to have the makings of cookies for next weekend on hand.

Bonus marks for the quality time with Buster and Coney, those gorgeous Labs. I am truly in love with those dogs.

A week hanging out with my longtime conference roomie and close friend Martin? Wow. Lucky me again! And again, more raving to come.

Cute outfits!

Coordinated outfits!

Great food!

OK, Conrad just got in the door. Time to get motoring and enjoy a long holiday weekend as an honourary Yooper!

no oven, please!

I don't know what the Saturday high temperature was in Chicago. The actual number is immaterial to me. Hot. That's what it was. And yes, I do know it was far from the hottest it's been or even that I've known it to be. I am a polar creature, I think, and I prefer cooler temperatures.

And yet, I never object to the opportunity to dine out on the balcony. Friday night with Heather and Arek, Saturday night a mini-date night with Conrad. Bliss!






In this weather, I avoid turning on the oven (though I will likely get cookies for the conference roomies, TK and Martin, baked before I head to DC midweek). That being the case, Saturday dinner was a near repeat of Friday. Things that require scant cooking on the stove. No oven, please!

Salad-y things were the order of the day, and we're both fine with that. Some mixed nuts, a small dish of olives. A well-chilled Chardonnay. I set out a salad of mixed baby greens and some herbs with tomatoes, dressed with white truffle oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. White truffle oil is my magic go-to ingredient of this year, it seems. Rough life Peter. I also had a dish of asparagus, cooked and chilled, a drizzle of the oil, seasoned with salt and pepper, and then a grating of Spanish Mahon Curado cheese atop. Alongside this were a dozen plump shrimp I'd barely and gently poached in rose wine with peppercorns and a pinch of a spot prawn flavoured salt. The shrimp were chilled as well. Dessert? A bowl of cherries.

An ideal dinner - light fare with minimal fuss. Loading the dishwasher probably took longer than the salad, for example. And, happily, it keeps the apartment cool for the much-welcome night of EC.

Simple, easy food for an er-lee summer evening. Conrad and I just munched and sipped and chatted and were grateful for these simple pleasures.

could be honeycomb...

Sometimes it's better just to let the photos speak for themselves. I'll see about pulling the images from the real camera, but I think these iPhone shots capture nicely how lovely an evening it was. Sitting out on the balcony, noting the change of colour of surrounding buildings as the light softened. Clouds blushing orange and pink. Summer in Chicago.






"Every sleepy light
Must say goodbye
To the day before it dies"

sometimes I cook good food

Every once in a while I make a meal where I don't find myself thinking, "Hmmmm... next time I should do this..." or "Thank goodness we don't have guests over to eat this crap!"

Wednesday night was one of those times.

Mini date night out on the balcony, a warm evening, Conrad to keep me company. And this:

Roasted halibut and Swiss chard with a shallot and dried porcini sauce, roasted trumpet mushrooms, peas, and crispy fried shallots.


Once in a while, I rock.



(oh! peaches and raspberries with mint, Greek yogurt, and chopped pistachios for dessert)


Let's not even discuss the Thursday night dinner of "salad" concocted out of things I found in the fridge, however...