ode to the otter

...in a lovely building on green street,

twas a twist of fate,

who knew my jolly neighbor would end up as my mate?

i knew it was meant to be and thought it a bit funny,

when i found out that growing up, we each had a pet bunny.

i am so very grateful that he entered my world,

with his sweet eyes and his luscious head of curls.

so silly together, he always makes me smile,

he's even run with raven and completed the 8-mile.

he's wonderfully loving and generous to all creatures

my mom loves him very much, but that's not his best feature!

he's brilliant and bright,

with an appetite for life

he's generous and sweet

he knows how to roast beets,

day in and day out, he sweeps me off my feet!

i love you, jonny otter!

snowsnowsnow!

snow, it's all the rage!

tried to board down Green Street! it wasn't very fast.

there are snowmen everywhere! it seems their creators make a point to showcase their manhood...

sledding down the art museum steps is so hot right now--though some people use boxes, air mattresses, garbage can tops, shopping baskets, snowboards,
AND BICYCLES!

I LOVE IT! being in this snowy wonderland is like we've suddenly won a free trip to Vail, Colorado without all of the pesky air travel, hotel expenditures and snooty skiiers! i'll take it!

pretty pretty funny

didn't watch the superbowl, but I did hear some buzz about a few ads.

this is my favorite:

maybe it's because I secretly wish there was a green police, and I could join the squad!

swell dwelling

last weekend we drank a lot!

...of chai from our french press, our new favorite device for all hot beverages!

all this drinking happened while moving jon's things upstairs!

it was fun to have his things and art mingling with my things and art.

we even mingled our mirrors to create a mirror universe!

our things are very happy together!

O-fish-uary

Less than a year ago, I wrote about my adventures with Margot and Richie, Jon's beloved pet goldfish. Margot left us over the summer, but Richie prevailed.

Until this weekend.

Richie was a great fish; charming, loving, with a great appetite for life and a passion for swimming. On the night of January 16th, Richie was made victim of a practical joke played on Jon by one of his friends who thought it would be funny to put Richie in a wine glass and replace him in his bowl with a can of gravy. Richie could not handle the trauma and fell sick, passing early this morning. Richie lived a rich life--he will be missed greatly and honored forever!

warm highlights

the weather outside is frightful!

in miami, iguanas are falling out of the trees because they are going numb.

we were lucky to enjoy a few days of warmth before the big freeze.

basking at the Botanical Gardens

eating a sandwich from la sandwicherie, purveyors of possibly the best sandies in the world

new years in the ocean

and it wouldn't be south beach without some beautiful creatures.

this is casper the bunny

all I want for new years...

is for the puppet show to happen!

you see, at christmas there was a perfectly wonderful puppet theater constructed with great care and love, but it seems the energy ran out and the puppet show never happened.

but alas...

i have faith that 2010 will bring a puppet show...or two!

family means fabulous food

hanging out in miami always includes awesome meals prepared by my mom and sister.

hats off to the chefs!

highlights included a delicious orzo, tomato and chick pea salad

tasty snap pea, ricotta ensalata, radish and mint salad!

petra's mascarpone and strawberry dessert creation was insane!

mom's traditional hungarian pea soup

quick mushroom and spinach quiche

and late one night jon and i ventured to a place that only makes empanadas...they were tasty!

overall it was a delicious time to share!

a serious and chocolatey day in south beach

after sunning on the beach with dad, i attended the magical 8-mile twas my 17th!

after, I bicycled home for a super-fast shower so I would be clean for Chocolate Yoga!

chocolateyoga was all about savoring delicious chocolate, savoring the moment and realizing that we are full of bliss; sometimes it just takes a little chocolate on your tongue to access it!

(ring ring)

THEN--met back up with dad for a movie; a SERIOUS MAN. all i can say is, GO SEE IT, seeeeeriously. then give me a ring so we can discuss!

a new york afternoon

jon and I drove up to New York yesterday to hang out with my dad and sister.

it was lovely.

(petra and dad)

(creeping vines)(the incredible High Line)
people-watching at the High Line

i was so impressed by the High Line. what an incredible example of innovative landscape architecture--and the beauty of restoring old structures to create new possibilities for green space!

tweedledee

on saturday, Jon and I attended the 2nd semi-annual Philadelphia Tweed Ride.

tweed rides have become an international phenomenon where bicyclists dress in tweed (i wore houndstooth) and celebrate simple pleasures.

this ride included a stroll through Rittenhouse Square

a picnic and gaming opportunity

and some good old fashioned group bicycling around the city.

as we sat in the sunshine watching a penny farthing go by, we felt transported to a simpler time!

soup-er fall

this fall I've been making "soups of the week."

last week it was leek, celery root, and white bean soup.

here it is pictured with some local friends for lunch; spelt bread & hummus, honeycrisp apples over arugula and meadow run farm sausage!

soups are fun because you get to play around with different ingredients;

just chop 'em,

sautee 'em in olive oil,

add water and let them do their thing for an hour or so! put them in a food processor and you're ready to roll!

halloweeeenie

a few dollars later...

(peter rabbit and a carrot)