Dinner:

Exactly what I wanted*.



*And far easier to make than you might think.

SASQUATCH

I just love this series.

And I really really love my dear friend Puya.  I hope he doesn't mind I revealed the true identity of Sasquatch to the world.

BFF FO LIFE SUCKA

 

I know I said I would stay away until after I take the Big Test but...

I WENT TO LONDON AND PARIS FOR THANKSGIVING

And it was FABULOUS.  I got to see my beloved Puya and a whole bunch of old things that we just don't have in the States. And oh, the food...Here are some highlights:

I wanted to eat EVERYTHING in the Borough Market - giant pots of curries, piles of old crumbly cheese, mulled wine, and a strange fascination with pies?

 

Sasquatch!

 The Tate Modern Museum - which looks strangely like the Ministry of Love

 

The marvelous sunflower seeds exhibit - something like 5 billion handmade hand painted porcelain seeds

 

shArt?

Pop Art + Puya

The London Wall: It's kind of in the way...

A flying buttress at Westminster Abbey

Happy Thanksgiving!  We represented our homeland quite well I think with mashed potatoes, mushroom gravy, stuffing, baked tofu and pumpkin pie.

Puya's street in Brixton (London)> It snowed!

In Paris: The most eclectic flea market I have ever been to.  Unfortunately cheese and chocolates took up all the extra space in my luggage.

First meal in Paris! A light lunch of brie cheese, blue cheese, some other cheese and salade vert.

Sooo beautiful.

We showed up at Notre Dame cathedral as they were lighting the Holiday Tree. Puya was not amused. Also: note my adorable French hat.

La Tour Eiffel

Miracle of Miracles: Unpasteurized Camembert, Roasted, with Honey = Scrumptious.

On the sidewalk

Best-smelling bakery I've ever been in!

And the best baguette!

We walked across a bridge by the Louvre with little locks attached all along the sides.  Each lock had a couple's names on it.

In the gardens outside the Louvre: Sasquatch!

Christmas lights were up in the Marais, at least I think it says something about Christmas...

Back in London:

Whatever they're selling, I'm buying it!

 

My first (and only) taste of pot pie: wayyy too heavy for lunch! Or dinner!

I went inside, and it was actually quite classy.

The inside courtyard of the British museum has been enclosed with this gorgeous glass ceiling. I didn't have much time for the exhibits but it was quite impressive.

And to finish: More cheese. This one from a market in Paris, a lovely raw milk chevre with the perfect amount of tang.

CHEESE

The pudgy underbelly of government cheese:

Story Here



Also: I'm studying for the LSAT instead of flogging. See you after Dec 11.

Aaaaah where did my flog go??

I'm sorry to say this has become The Flog That Wasn't.  BUT, it's not like I've just been sitting around trying to think about something to post!!! Summer was just lovely, even with the bugs and the humidity hugs, and so here are some of my favorite fotos as proof.

Crafty Music Festival: DIY spraypaint!!

It's my foot....on a shirt!

Winey afternoon - Napa or Marengo, IA?

 Des Moines Music Festival: No amount of indie hotness can make DSM not suck.

Our Bountiful Garden

 

Harvest Fried Feast - Only Michael had the courage to confront the deep fryer

Bon Appétit!

NO VEGGIE ESCAPED THE FRYER!
(chile rellenos, pickles, thai chilis, garlic, and cucumbers)

"a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgment at how they carry it"

Last night Iowa City wowed me again by hosting a reading by the man who started Homeboy Industries, an incredibly inspiring (and cool) gang intervention program in Los Angeles. Father Greg, a Jesuit priest, came to IC along with two of his homies to read their poetry and talk about his book, "Tattoos on the Heart."  He didn't read from it but rather shared stories of what Homeboy Industries is and what it is doing to challenge the demonizing of gang members and the belief that some lives are worth less than others. Faced with all of the overwhelming problems destroying lives in inner city Los Angeles, Father Greg and Homeboy Industries are providing real solutions that transform the people and communities that need them most. They offer jobs at their 4 businesses and around town, free tattoo removal, and a bevy of classes and rehab services. "Nothing stops a bullet like a job" is their motto. Check them out, G.