New England lesson #132:
"Frost heaves" is New Hampshire code for spine-crunchingly bumpy roads.
(And I thought it was Snow Miser with a tummy bug.)
Friday, March 5, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Deal flash: Restoration Hardware outlet, Wrentham
Love shopping days like this!
The Restoration Hardware outlet in Wrentham, MA had lots of lighting at incredible prices today, including a pair of Schoolhouse semi-flushmounts in polished nickel ($59.49 each), several pendants including Optic, Schoolhouse, Benson, and Clemson, and lots of sconces. Also, they had many drapery panels and rods, all on sale at an additional 15% off. No coupons needed.
Lighting for kitchen and laundry room bought today:
Vintage semi-flushmount in polished nickel: Originally $119, Outlet Price $35.49
Optic semi-flushmount in polished nickel (2): Originally $199 each, Outlet Price $59.49 each
Total original price: $517
Total outlet price: $154.47
Total savings: $362.53
I love being able to outfit my spaces in posh pieces without the posh prices.
The Restoration Hardware outlet in Wrentham, MA had lots of lighting at incredible prices today, including a pair of Schoolhouse semi-flushmounts in polished nickel ($59.49 each), several pendants including Optic, Schoolhouse, Benson, and Clemson, and lots of sconces. Also, they had many drapery panels and rods, all on sale at an additional 15% off. No coupons needed.
Lighting for kitchen and laundry room bought today:
Vintage semi-flushmount in polished nickel: Originally $119, Outlet Price $35.49
Optic semi-flushmount in polished nickel (2): Originally $199 each, Outlet Price $59.49 each
Total original price: $517
Total outlet price: $154.47
Total savings: $362.53
I love being able to outfit my spaces in posh pieces without the posh prices.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Trigger
What's wrong with this picture?
The folks from Massachusetts may say, "Why is she barehanded? Where are her gloves? Doesn't she know it's winter?"
And the Texans among us may say, "Why in tarnation is she holding the gas pump nozzle?"
And that, folks, is the culture gap between MA and TX. You see, in Texas, there are these clever devices called trigger locks. They enable you to fuel your vehicle without constantly squeezing the gas pump handle. Instead, you spend those very important few minutes surfing your iPhone or checking the state of your cuticles or (as I often do) making goofy faces at your children through the window.
In Massachusetts, these fuel pump trigger locks have been disabled. No longer can I start fueling, lock the trigger into place, and let the fuel pump do its merry work. At first, I thought this was simply a product of New England's Puritan history. No slacking off! You must work for your fuel. Squeeze. SQUEEZE!
I was wrong. This is apparently for my own protection. Spark-induced fires have been caused by folks getting back into their cars, building static electricity by rubbing against upholstery, and grasping the nozzle again. Now, I've lived and driven in Texas for well over 20 years, and I've never seen a single gas station fire. However, I have to admit that New England seems to be far more staticky than Texas. (See previous blog about static.)
So you Texans, enjoy your hands-free fueling. There are Americans out there who don't have this luxury.
The folks from Massachusetts may say, "Why is she barehanded? Where are her gloves? Doesn't she know it's winter?"
And the Texans among us may say, "Why in tarnation is she holding the gas pump nozzle?"
And that, folks, is the culture gap between MA and TX. You see, in Texas, there are these clever devices called trigger locks. They enable you to fuel your vehicle without constantly squeezing the gas pump handle. Instead, you spend those very important few minutes surfing your iPhone or checking the state of your cuticles or (as I often do) making goofy faces at your children through the window.
In Massachusetts, these fuel pump trigger locks have been disabled. No longer can I start fueling, lock the trigger into place, and let the fuel pump do its merry work. At first, I thought this was simply a product of New England's Puritan history. No slacking off! You must work for your fuel. Squeeze. SQUEEZE!
I was wrong. This is apparently for my own protection. Spark-induced fires have been caused by folks getting back into their cars, building static electricity by rubbing against upholstery, and grasping the nozzle again. Now, I've lived and driven in Texas for well over 20 years, and I've never seen a single gas station fire. However, I have to admit that New England seems to be far more staticky than Texas. (See previous blog about static.)
So you Texans, enjoy your hands-free fueling. There are Americans out there who don't have this luxury.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Kid-friendly fried turbot fillets
Wild-caught turbot fillets were a featured special in my local Whole Foods. A thing I like about buying specials (aside from its being very budget-friendly) is that it pushes me to try new foods and new recipes. I had no idea what turbot was. After cooking it, I still couldn't identify a turbot from a salmon in the wild, but I do know that fried turbot is yummy and kid-friendly (and an excellent choice for Fridays during Lent).
A note about bones: the portion of the fillet towards the tail has the fewest bones. So if serving children, that's the portion that you should give them. Thanks to the Whole Foods fishmonger for that very helpful tip. The turbot fillets I purchased from them were boneless.
Kid-friendly fried turbot fillets:
(adapted from a few recipes)
1.5 lbs turbot fillets
1 egg
panko bread crumbs
flour
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 clove garlic
oil
In a bowl, combine egg, mustard, and a minced clove of garlic. Heat oil in frying pan (I poured enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan in about a quarter-inch of oil.) Dredge fillet in flour. Dip it in egg mixture. Coat in panko crumbs. Fry in pan, flipping over when browned. Drain on paper towels.
Serve with tartar sauce (mayonnaise, relish, fresh lemon juice), lemon slices, or ketchup.
Every single child, even the picky one, ate their servings. One asked for seconds. This counts as a huge hit in my household. We ate the fish with a baguette and garlicky broccoli.
A note about bones: the portion of the fillet towards the tail has the fewest bones. So if serving children, that's the portion that you should give them. Thanks to the Whole Foods fishmonger for that very helpful tip. The turbot fillets I purchased from them were boneless.
Kid-friendly fried turbot fillets:
(adapted from a few recipes)
1.5 lbs turbot fillets
1 egg
panko bread crumbs
flour
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 clove garlic
oil
In a bowl, combine egg, mustard, and a minced clove of garlic. Heat oil in frying pan (I poured enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan in about a quarter-inch of oil.) Dredge fillet in flour. Dip it in egg mixture. Coat in panko crumbs. Fry in pan, flipping over when browned. Drain on paper towels.
Serve with tartar sauce (mayonnaise, relish, fresh lemon juice), lemon slices, or ketchup.
Every single child, even the picky one, ate their servings. One asked for seconds. This counts as a huge hit in my household. We ate the fish with a baguette and garlicky broccoli.
Tile
Is it weird when you spend precious babysitter time poring over paint and tile? Schlepping paint samples and countertop materials. Examining the very subtle color shifts that happen when you combine various materials under different lights. Growing ever more cross-eyed and confused. Is it...oh, I don't know...obsessive?
That's how we spent our most recent babysitter Saturday, fueled by breakfast at In a Pickle in Waltham. Yum.
And after all that work, I don't feel much closer to a decision. Here are some possibilities. Countertops will be a combination of antique heart pine and soapstone.*
*All choices subject to change due to fear, practicality, frugality, or sheer caprice.
Backsplash tiles will be 3x3, 4x4, or subway. I love subway tiles. I really, really do. And they're period appropriate to our house. It's unfortunate that subway is so trendy right now.
Pratt and Larson R-gloss tile blend:
A nice retro look that probably looks the most appropriate with the Aga.
Pratt and Larson Watercolor crackle tile blend:
Gorgeous glaze pools and crackle and depth of color. Really, really spectacular.
Trikeenan Autumnal Green:
A very nice pottery look. Specks of umber pick up the amber in the heart pine. Goes a bit celadon.
Trikeenan Autumnal Green and Random Autumnal (a mix of Autumnal Green, November Green, and Orange Umber):
This looked spectacular with the heart pine, catching even our tile salesperson's eye as she headed across the showroom with another customer. Unfortunately, the orange looks hideous with the black Aga.
After a while, you hit the wall. Colors start to blur. Everything looks pretty. Everything is possible. You feel vaguely dizzy and start to veer off-task. Hey! Blue is pretty. So is yellow. Hey! That's pretty too! Design-overload-induced ADHD. I'm suffering the aftereffects as I write. Maybe one day I'll achieve clarity. Maybe one day I'll give in and hire a decorator. Maybe.
That's how we spent our most recent babysitter Saturday, fueled by breakfast at In a Pickle in Waltham. Yum.
And after all that work, I don't feel much closer to a decision. Here are some possibilities. Countertops will be a combination of antique heart pine and soapstone.*
*All choices subject to change due to fear, practicality, frugality, or sheer caprice.
Backsplash tiles will be 3x3, 4x4, or subway. I love subway tiles. I really, really do. And they're period appropriate to our house. It's unfortunate that subway is so trendy right now.
Pratt and Larson R-gloss tile blend:
A nice retro look that probably looks the most appropriate with the Aga.
Pratt and Larson Watercolor crackle tile blend:
Gorgeous glaze pools and crackle and depth of color. Really, really spectacular.
Trikeenan Autumnal Green:
A very nice pottery look. Specks of umber pick up the amber in the heart pine. Goes a bit celadon.
Trikeenan Autumnal Green and Random Autumnal (a mix of Autumnal Green, November Green, and Orange Umber):
This looked spectacular with the heart pine, catching even our tile salesperson's eye as she headed across the showroom with another customer. Unfortunately, the orange looks hideous with the black Aga.
After a while, you hit the wall. Colors start to blur. Everything looks pretty. Everything is possible. You feel vaguely dizzy and start to veer off-task. Hey! Blue is pretty. So is yellow. Hey! That's pretty too! Design-overload-induced ADHD. I'm suffering the aftereffects as I write. Maybe one day I'll achieve clarity. Maybe one day I'll give in and hire a decorator. Maybe.
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