Slow Down

Slow Food USA has organized Time for Lunch, a National Day of Action to get real food in schools and improve lunch standards. Just in time for the Child Nutrition Act's re-authorization this fall, Slow Food is ramping up support for their platform through "Eat-Ins" across the country.

When my Houston neighbor searched for a local Eat-In, simply a potluck with friends and neighbors, she came up dry. But being the Go-Getter she is, Kristin embarked on a grass roots effort to get her city on the map! So Houstonites if you're up for supporting a great cause [!] and willing to meet some incredible new friends [!!] join Kristin and crew by slowing down, eating local food and having one heck of a time.

Heights Presbyterian Church[event is not affiliated with any particular religion]
240 W 18th StreetHouston, TX 77008
September 7, 2009
11:00AM
If you're hungry for more information or to reserve a spot, email eatinhouston09@gmail.com. Please spread the word and be sure to sniff out events occurring in your own hometown!

[photo via Indybay.]

Peel Ya Own Shrimp

Though I just posted on Southeast Asia's flight of fancy, I assure you South Louisiana is a mecca in its own right. It, too, will provide plenty to write home about—that is if you can understand the accent. I've expressed my enthusiasm for shrimp a few times, so it's no surprise this video warmed my shellfish-lovin' soul. It also made me a bit homesick for my Mom 'n 'em. God Bless the South and people like Timmy!


Southern Living has some of the best culinary videos. My only beef is you can't embed them, only link or rig like above. C'est la vie.

Babes in Toyland

The local glossies in Malaysia are brimming with colors, textures and outlandish locales that take me on a vacation without so much as lifting a leg off the couch. If living here for five months means a slightly darker tan and more aggressive driving habits, will one year make me exotic, spangled and over-jeweled? If so, fabulous!

[photos via Sur la Terre.]

Sweetest Thing

Rumor has it Malaysians consume 1 kilo [2.2 pounds] of sugar a week, which explains the outrage over the current shortage! While my own confectionery intake is no where near those shocking numbers, I'd still like to preserve my saccharin goods in one of Tina Tsang's sweet and cheeky holders.

Small but Mighty

This fourteen minute Eastern journey alongside textile guru John Robshaw is worth every bit of the microscopic, hard-to-hear footage. It's a small but mighty glimpse into the craftsmanship and skill behind the legendary art of block printing.

Inside Information

Thanks to Susan for introducing me to Hand/Eye and leading me behind the scenes to photos of previously mentioned Suno. The spirited colors make me want to wrap myself up in a flurry of Kenyan Kangas and roll around for days in luxurious splendor! Surely I'm not the only one...

Fine Print

In case your restless schedule leaves little time to travel and even less time to stalk ethnic finds along the way, Suno is your one-stop shop for perfectly outrageous ensembles. The mishmash of fine prints and disparate textiles slay me. I'm itching to rip into my stash of fabric remnants pronto.

Motley Hue

Mad Steglers' fanciful photos remind me to:

01. hunt down [and purchase] wearable art during travels. My closet would gladly clear space for motley indigenous fashion.

02. reconsider the Substantial Cut. Every since moving to the Land of Holy Heat, I've contemplated chopping off all locks. Now, if only I could find where I put my moxie...

03. wear pants. This porcelain doll gives Lady Gaga a run for her money as she owns the "Oh, am I missing something down there" come-hither.

[via Hard Graft.]

Say When

Despite some here and there work jaunts to Milan, I don't know a lick of Italian. This may explain my minor error in belting out Kwanza, Kwazna, Kwanza while getting dressed this morning. Overhearing my show-stopping performance J asked me to repeat the little ditty and I, of course, enthusiastically obliged. Without missing a beat and doubled over in laughter, my nitpicky dear husband noted the proper lyrics were Quando, Quando, Quando. Details aside, I believe more people should name their children Engelbert Humperdinck these days. Sure beats the heck out of Apple, Destry, Honor or Pilot Inspektor.

Now on to a kicky 1960s pop song about waiting for love...not celebrating an African holiday.

Tight Leash

I'm not sure if this photo fuels my love for simple sandals paired with breezy frocks or temps me to ditch Burkly's tired leash and spring for something far more fabulous—and unexpected.

Buzzed

Lately my attention is being drawn toward all things black and yellow, but in a less than bumble-obvious way.


[1] Green Grass Necklace; [2] Momo's Latinesque CD; [3] Somerset Cape; [4] DVF Marlene Bag; [5] Scottie Romper; [6] Yvette Cut-Out Bootie; [7] Tassel Bracelet; [8] Tights ; [9] Sutra Sport Watch.

Lovely Bones

This 1913 corner lot beauty has smokin' period details, oversized doors and expansive porches that make my heart sing. With a little love and sweat equity, I could see the house of my Houston dreams in these lovely bones.

A Sore Thumb

I am constantly working on my green thumb capabilities despite my extraordinary talent to turn every plant under my watch a dreadful shade of black. And though the immortal succulent has even fallen victim to my ruthless ways, it doesn't stop me from practicing my way to horticultural perfection. These arrangements and landscapes are making me [and my thumb] green with envy.


And if push comes to shove, this could be a win-win solution to my gardening woes...

[photos via Brown Design.]

Seconds, Please

I'm eating up friend and photographer Julie Soefer's latest venture, Bling Bling Dumpling. Because not all of her work graces the website, Julie has cooked up a blog to showcase more of her sizzlin' skills. Another treat? One of her palatable photos landed a recent cover of Houston Magazine! I'll toast to that.

Bar Hopping

I'm over at The Voyage of V having a drink and chilling out. Come bar hop and join us; the more the merrier. Cheers!

Ragin' Cajuns

On my last market trip I hit the shrimp jackpot, leaving plenty of extras for future goodness. I've been debating which Cajun dish said extras would be privy to, but Chef John Folse's Shrimp Creole was a hard one to beat. While my kitchen may have smelled just like Grandma's, I assure you the mess I made in the process resembled nothing of her orderly ways. Nonetheless the end results were a hit—see J's grin of approval below!

Southerners: Don't fret over our liberal use of Holy Spices. We brought plenty of Tony's and Tabasco to our new home in fear of otherwise being blacklisted by the state of Louisiana...and our families.


Shrimp Creole
Prep Time: 1 Hour; Serves 6

3 pounds [21-25 count] shrimp, peeled and de-veined
¾ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup flour
1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped bell pepper
2 tbsps diced garlic
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup diced tomatoes
1½ quarts shellfish stock*
1 cup chopped green onions
½ cup chopped parsley
salt and pepper to taste
dash of Tabasco

In a 2 gallon heavy-bottomed sauce pan, heat oil over medium high heat. Using a wire whisk, add flour, stirring constantly, until light brown roux is achieved. Add onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic and sauté until vegetables are wilted, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes and blend well into roux mixture. Slowly add stock, a little at a time, stirring constantly until sauce-like consistency is achieved. Allow to cook approximately 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more stock should mixture become too thick. Finally, add shrimp, green onions and parsley and cook for 5 minutes. Season to taste using salt and pepper. [I was a good Cajun and also added the mother of all staples, Tony's.] Serve over hot white rice using a dash of hot sauce.

*The flavor of this dish will be greatly enhanced by the use of a rich shrimp stock. Just boil the shrimp shells in shellfish stock to achieve a concentrated flavor. If the thought of hunting down crustacean shells sounds like a nightmare, just use a simple homemade vegetable stock. Mine was still tasty regardless of this minor substitute.

Downward Dog

Upside Down Dogs is the ultimate way to kick-start the week. A daily dose of dogs flipped for our giggling pleasure, all waving their paws in the air like they just don't care. This site is 100% unadulterated tail waggin' material.