EVERY DAY is Earth Day...

Costa Rica

This past week was Earth Day and today is the Climate Rally on the National Mall in Washington,DC. It's been raining off and on today but I still might make it down for the celebration. Great cause and getting to see Joss Stone, The Roots and John Legend perform doesn't hurt :)

You might be asking what do the two pictures of beautiful Costa Rica have to do with a Climate Rally in DC...well it's simple really despite what some people are trying to make you believe the Earth is in danger and we have to start making changes in the way we live to protect it.Period.

Last weekend the weather was glorious in the DC area and I took advantage of it and did some hiking in Great Falls National Park and soaked up all that nature. Absoultely beautiful.

Great Falls National Park

We should all do what we can to reduce our carbon footprint. I enjoy nature, whether it is grandioise like giant waterfalls, a majestic mountain or a simple flower.Mother Nature has her own plan and agenda but we can help by being responsible stewards of this planet we call earth. Remember there is only one Earth, let's take better care of it and each other so we can have this...

Table Mountain - Cape Town, South Africa

simply flower petals - Earth

Is a Gourmand the same as a Glutton ?

Gourmand -one who likes good food and drink and tends to indulge in them to excess.

Wow ! that is a pretty harsh definition and I'm not sure it actually fits me but I LOVE great food and drink, but as with everything else...in moderation. Maybe I'll just call myself a foodie :). I love gourmet food whether it be dining out or preparing the meal myself. My definition of "gourmet" varies a lot  based on the circumstances. For example at a baseball game ,in the great outdoors, hot dogs with an ice cold brew is about all you need for a gourmet experience. A newspaper covered table filled with crab legs, crawfish,drawn butter and corn on the cob does it for me every time ! I think you get my point.

I will redefine being a Gourmand as someone who enjoys good food, drinks, their environment and most importantly their company at the time. A much more inclusive club don't you think ?

There is nothing like preparing and sharing a meal you created with love with your friends and family. Cooking is a passion of mine that I compare with making art. Using fresh ingredients and lots of love you can create gourmet dishes on a Viking stove or fat, juicy burgers on a hibachi grill at the park.

 Photographing food has been in news a lot lately and especially with cellphone cameras being readily available very easy to  do. ://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/dining/07camera.html?src=me&ref=general

 Also there are websites that highlight the sensuous nature of food and have created a new term called food porn because the dishes look so  delectable. http://foodporndaily.com/

Enjoy a few of my personal fotos of food and drink but make sure you get out to your favorite restaurants especially alfresco, fire up the grill, or season your cast iron skillet and make some magic happen ! Bon apetite !

Don't hate on Fred Sanford.

Spring is in full bloom. Easter has come and gone and the sense of renewal is upon us. One Saturday while hanging in DC snapping fotos I came across a flea market. It got me to thinking about the sense of starting over, whether it be a career, a relationship or a new way of thinking.

A lesson I have learned is to not discount anything too hastily but let ideas and thoughts marinate for awhile until I  can appreciate or dismiss them. Something that ultimately is not good for you may in fact be perfect for someone else you know. I guess the moral of this story is to keep an open mind.

Junk to you may be a gem  to someone else...or visa versa.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WqazleR3FE
 Sanford & Son theme song