Sameness

Angelina Jolie with her parents.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt with their children.

(Photos via weheartit)

The family jewels

The other day I bought these four pairs of earrings and one golden ring at Forever 21 for my two daughters. Grand total: $15.40. (I'll be borrowing the ring.)Gem Tear Drop Earrings, $6.80.Pillow Ring, $3.80.Studded Hoop Trio, $4.80.

Do your mother-in-law's opinions about home decor matter?

Remember last week I mentioned that I had scored two fabulous mismatched benches at the flea market? They're unique, sturdy and compliment our dining table nicely. However when my mother-in-law came over to see our new place, she remarked, "Oh. Your dining room set--isn't that something you see outdoors?" I think she had a picnic table in mind.
(Photo via Design Sponge)

The Sartorialist and the Flea [Market]

Living in a metropolis like Los Angeles definitely has its perks. Today street style photographer Scott Schuman from The Sartorialist (no surprise here that it's one of my fave blogs...Map That Outfit!...) will be signing his self-titled book at The Beverly Center in West Hollywood.Needless to say, I want to go. However, there appears to be another book signing today--one which unfortunately trumps yours, Scott. And that would be by Jeff Kinney (New York Times bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series). Two of my kids will be attending this highly anticipated event and I, of course, will be accompanying my children. Perhaps I'll get lucky and be able to juggle both signings...break away for a work thing...pick up Big Sis...do homework. Maybe dinner.It is becoming routine on Sunday to pay a visit to the famed flea market at Fairfax and Melrose which the LA Times notes "is great for browsing the bazaar or hunting the bizarre." My daughter and I bought dresses we absolutely adore. AND, the whole family is benefiting from my additional purchase of two gorgeous, slightly mismatched wood benches.

(Top photo via here; third and fourth photos here)

Absolutely Not Martha moves to Los Angeles!

It's been quite the adventure thus far--moving a family of five from a small college town in New England to the second largest city in the United States. (This may explain my lack of posting these last few weeks.) One of the best things to occur in preparing for the move was getting rid of STUFF. My mantra to husband and kids had become: We're keeping only what we use or find beautiful. Countless trips to The Salvation Army, Goodwill and the dump/recycling center felt really good.

Posting may be a little spotty during the next couple of weeks. But I should get into my new groove very soon.

(Photo via Flickr)

It's not EXACTLY one of those blog posts about wedding things.

A few days ago my son and younger daughter (not prom girl) were playing an online game of Family Feud. This is what I overheard...

Question: Name something you're afraid which might show up late to a wedding.

Son's Answer: Groom.

Daughter's Answer: The cake.

(Gorgeous photography by Mel Barlow)

Attention fashionistas! I need your help finding prom dress for my girl.

Heeeeeelp! Please. My sixteen year-old daughter just got asked to prom by a senior. Now because it's not her prom (she's a junior), she's thinking shorter-length dress. I associate prom with full-length gown--but she does have a point. (Not to mention more sense of fashion than I do.)

So. I welcome any thoughts you have on this. And if you really wanna get involved in our PROM DRESS PROCESS--email me (jackie at VanillaSpoons dot com) links to fabulous dresses. If I receive at least a couple submissions, I'll probably do a post similar to the ugliest fashion finds exhibit.

[By the way. It might be helpful to know that the girl we must dress is 5'6, with lovely figure and medium-length dark brown hair.]

(Photos via here and here)

Gluten free dining in the #1 small arts town

Northampton, Massachusetts (a.k.a. Paradise City) is a pretty cool and funky place to live. Smith College is located here. And "Noho" was once dubbed the Number One Best Small Arts Town in America. According to American Style Magazine, it's one of the Top 25 Arts Destinations. The New York Times picked Northampton as the best place for retirees in 2007.

(Via Flickr)


A vibrant Main Street filled with shops and art galleries, downtown boasts more restaurants than your usual small New England college town. There's also a bazillion coffeehouses. Duh.

(photo via Flickr)


The Calvin Theater was once Northampton's largest movie theater. It showed first run films for almost 70 years. The Calvin closed temporarily in 1994, but was later renovated and re-opened to house mostly live performances. We saw k.d. lang perform here. Like Adele (read the post below), another gorgeous voice. Also went to a few Commonwealth Opera productions here. And, yes, was lucky enough to catch a couple of flicks at the Calvin back in the day.

(photo via Flickr)


Ralph Nader made a stop here before Election Day. Notice the ice cream cone in the background. That's the famous Herrell's Ice Cream.

(Photo via Flickr)



Stripey guy in Northampton.

(Photo via Flickr)


Decent fare at this bar/restaurant with emphasis on bar. Haven't been to Packard's in a while. I just liked the greens in this picture.

*Please note, I don't know anything about the gluten free friendly status at this place.*

(photo by Justin Chung)

So if you live nearby or are just passing through you may want to visit some of the following places, road tested by me and my family. They're sure to please gluten free palates and gluten glutton ones alike.

*Please note [again]. These eating establishments are NOT gluten free. However, we have found them to be gluten free friendly. Ask questions. Explain your needs. But eat at your own risk. Everyone has his or her own comfort level when dining out.

Last week we had Sunday brunch at The Green Bean where my son LOVES the ginger buckwheat pancakes. Ironically, buckwheat is gluten free. Who'd have guessed that? The Bean is located at 241 Main Street in Northampton, MA.

(photo via Happy Cow)

Can't exactly recall what we ate but do remember that kids and I enjoyed lunch here last summer. Gluten free friendly, Bela Vegetarian Restaurant is at 68 Masonic Street in Northampton.

(photo via Happy Cow)

The India House at 45 State Street is excellent. Most items on the menu are gluten free. In fact, one of the restaurant's ads reads "gluten-free, and oh so good!" Oh so true.

Paul & Elizabeth's, a natural foods restaurant at 150 Main Street (in Thornes Marketplace) specializes in fresh fish and tempura. Though they are not a gluten free restaurant, they were able to provide us with a gluten free menu the last time we ate there.


Flayvors of Cook Farm, 129 S. Maple Street in nearby Hadley, is a great place to take the kids during the summer. Licking a gluten free ice cream cone and listening to the cows moo. What could be better? I'll tell you what. You can order a gluten free ice cream cake from Flayvors. Give them at least 48 hours notice. Choose two flavors. Cookie crunchies and fudge in the middle. Yummm.

(photo via Flickr)

A final mention goes to River Shark at 17 Montague Road in Amherst. Amherst is about 15-20 minutes from Northampton. My son loves this place. They make regular pizza and also offer a gluten free pizza crust upon request. The Shark used to serve up gluten free pasta. For $1! Unfortunately, it wasn't available when we dined there a couple of weeks ago.


Intersection of King and Main. Bellissima little town!

(photo via Flickr)

Oh Sh@#! Thanksgiving is next week

While I do feel somewhat inspired to attempt this Roast Turkey with Black-Truffle Butter and White-Wine Gravy (sans the gluten), I think it's a good thing that I won't. My mother-in-law and brother-in-law are visiting us next week from Los Angeles. He has suggested that we go out to an Italian restaurant on Thanksgiving. Hah. I don't think so.

You may, however, wish to try this lovely recipe from Gourmet food editor Shelley Wiseman. *Please note: this is not a gluten free recipe.*

Ingredients

* 1 (12-to 14-pound) turkey at room temperature 1 hour, neck and giblets (excluding liver) reserved for turkey stock
* 6 ounces black-truffle butter, softened, divided
* 3 cups water, divided
* 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots
* 2 cups dry white wine
* 4 cups hot classic turkey stock
* 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

* Equipment: kitchen string; a 17-by 14-inch flameproof roasting pan with a flat rack; a 2-quart measuring cup or a fat separator

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in lower third.

Rinse turkey inside and out and pat dry. Working from large cavity end, gently run your fingers between skin and meat to loosen skin, being careful not to tear skin. Push two thirds of truffle butter (4 ounces) under skin, including thighs and drumsticks, and massage skin from outside to spread butter evenly. Mix 2 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper in a small bowl and sprinkle it evenly in turkey cavities and all over skin. Fold neck skin under body, then tuck wing tips under breast and tie drumsticks together with string.

Put turkey on rack in roasting pan and pour in 2 cups water. Roast, rotating pan 180 degrees after 1 hour of roasting and adding remaining cup water, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into fleshy part of each thigh (test both; close to but not touching bone) registers 170°F, 1 3/4 to 2 hours total.

Carefully tilt turkey so juices from inside large cavity run into pan. Transfer turkey to a platter and let stand, uncovered, 30 minutes (temperature of thigh meat will rise to 175 to 180°F). Discard string.

Strain pan juices through a fine-mesh sieve into 2-quart measuring cup and skim off fat (or use a fat separator), reserving fat. Straddle roasting pan across 2 burners and cook shallots in 1/4 cup reserved fat over medium heat, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Add wine and boil, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until mixture is reduced to about 1 cup, 5 to 8 minutes.

Add enough turkey stock to reserved pan juices to bring total to 4 cups, then add to wine mixture and bring to a boil. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a 2-to 3-quarts heavy saucepan, pressing on and then discarding solids, and bring to a boil.

Mix flour with remaining 2 ounces truffle butter to make a paste, then add to boiling sauce, whisking until thickened. Simmer, whisking occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve turkey with gravy.

Cooks' notes: •Butter can be put under skin 1 day ahead; chill turkey, covered with plastic wrap. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before roasting.
•Flour paste (with truffle butter) can be made 1 day ahead and chilled.

OK, I'm tired now.

Pre-made bird from Whole Foods anyone?

(photo by John Kernick)