An Urban Girl

The other night, after dinner Mr. Urban took my parents and our girl on a walk. I stayed behind to sit and look out the window, although I could really use the walk myself.  But I am lazier than usual these days.  It could be this huge bump that I am carrying around my midsection all day long.  A bump endearingly named Lemon by our girl. I never did sit and look at the window.  The prospect of being along in the kitchen with my cookbooks was too delicious. Serendipitously, I found the easiest recipe for summer fruit tarts.  By the time the lovies returned we had two tarts and a pot of coffee to celebrate with! If you like to make some tarts tonight just get some rectangular puff pastry, organic fresh fruits (I made one apple and 1 peach tart), a spoon or so of organic cane sugar, a few drops of vanilla and lemon juice and some powder sugar. Cut the fruits into thin wedges and mix with a spoon or so of sugar, vanilla and lemon juice.  Place the puff pastry (I cut t

My parents arrived for a visit with the Urbans last night.  They have been cramped for time lately, what with them being busy, hobbyist, social butterfly type people.  But finally all the stars aligned and they announced that they would come for a quick visit.  And in true Persian fashion, they decided to drive over from Vancouver as road trips are So Much Fun.  Yes, as you guessed, my parents are not Type A's like us Urbans.  While they enjoyed the scenery in Washington and Oregon and Northern California in their relaxed, tip-toeing fashion, chit chatting and enjoying farm fresh peaches they picked up along the way, we I counted the hours and the miles...   When they called me from a French restaurant in Eugene, Oregon on their "Pit Stop", to let me know of the delicious Muscle dish and Pomme Frites they had just enjoyed, I had to resort to deep diaphragmic yoga breathing to stop myself from rushing them back into the car and on the the road.  Oh, and by the way

Friday morning was a perfect blend of over cast and peek a boo sun rays.   We all woke up early and when Mr. Urban was heading out for his run, we decided to tag along for a walk of our own.    Later, before I had to drop off the UrbanGirl at school,  I was thrilled that Mr. Urban could meet us for a leisurely lunch at a French cafe nearby.  Their baguettes and croissants are always fresh and the sandwiches are delicious and the cute Paris bistro tables and chairs on the sidewalk transform you to another place.    Picture from: Lisadeneffe.com While having lunch I tried to sweet talk him into postponing meetings and suspending to do lists for an afternoon rendezvous at the movie theater after I drop off our girl at school.  And so it was that I spent Friday afternoon in total bliss, not only in the company of my sweet Mr. Urban, but also in the company of my most revered Mr. Woody Allen.  To Rome with Love is definitely worth a watch.  It is colorful and beautiful an

I fell in love with Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc At Home cookbook when I first laid eyes on it almost 3 years ago.  I have given it as a gift, but never splurged on it for myself. I have even stopped by a local book store before a party or two to sneak a peek at a few of its recipes. Mr. Urban who has observed this peculiar behavior, decided to end this madness once and for all, and surprised me with my very own cellophane wrapped copy of Ad Hoc on our new kitchen counter when we moved in. Summer days are lovely.  They have always been.  I wake up early to meet them.   Especially here in the woods, where the cool morning air bares a faint smokey, woodsy smell that intoxicates you.  And what's more if you go for a walk on the path outside, you are greeted with fresh horsey droppings, courtesy of our local equestrians.   And all this takes me right back to my childhood summer days by the glorious Caspian Sea or the beautiful mountain villages nestled in the nooks and cranni

I have missed this space and the time each week or so to sit down and jot down some thoughts and happenings. Life has been busy on many fronts.  Mr. Urban, our girl and I found a place in the woods.  In the country.  And have tried making it into a home fit for us Urbans.  An easy enough task we supposed.  Especially when I was sitting in the comfort of our old place, flipping through all the Country Homes magazines, and Mr. Urban was creating idea books on Houzz.com, some time back in March or April.  Easy, Peasy. He became our contractor.  I became our designer.  And as soon as the project began on May 1st, we have each cursed the day we signed up for these jobs, out loud, at least a few times a day.  He lost a bunch of pounds through the process.  I gained a bunch.  Typical coping mechanisms.  Kitchen Nook Before I will spare you with the gory details.   Finally, we have moved in and unpacked.    But our job is far from over.  Still, doors won't stay open, some l