Friday Fuel

[image courtesy of iamblessed]

In loving honor of my best friend's nuptials in Philadelphia this weekend. Congratulations Pooj and Alex!

Tune in Tuesday: Repeat.

Sometimes when I discover a song I really love, I just put it on repeat. I play it over and over again, while I let the lyrics and notes sink in and saturate. If you are down with using your repeat button, treat your ears to a specific tune, preformed many times by many people, most notabley Bob Dylan: Girl From the North County. I just can't get enough of these versions (on repeat of course):
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash
Mason Porter
Joni Mitchell & Johnny Cash
Joe Cocker
The Black Crowes

For bonus points, check out Bob's lyrics:
"Girl Of The North Country"
If you're traveling in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was the true love of mine.

If you go when the snowflakes storm
When the rivers freeze and summer ends
Please see if she's a coat so warm
To keep her from the howlin' winds.

Please see if her hair hangs long
If it rolls and flows all down her breast
Please see from me if her hair hangs long
That's the way I remember her best.

I'm a-wonderin' if she remember me at all
Many times I've often prayed
In the darkness of my night
In the brightness of my day.

So if you're travelin' in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine.

Chill Out

Today we welcomed a very much needed break from the heat and I finally felt as though I could take a break at lunch and go outside without melting. I ran home for a bite to eat, and in less time than I took me to post this, I made the most yummy and refreshing chilled avocado soup (no cooking required!). I improvised a little since there was no crab in the house and I only was feeding one. So if you want the real deal (which I plan to incorporate into Taco Tuesdays as an appetizer) visit Bon Appetit; my improvised version below!

Chilled Avocado Soup
1 avocado - halved and scooped out
vegetable broth - about one cup
water - about a 1/2 cup
chobani yogurt (fat free) - two spoonfuls
kosher salt - a dash
cholula hot sauce - your preference
fresh cilantro - a few springs

Combine avocado, vegetable broth, water, yogurt and salt in blender/food processor until smooth. I used my Magic Bullet blender, and it worked perfectly. Pour into bowl and top with hot sauce and cilantro. Mine made about two servings.

Art on the Avenue

Every third Saturday in June, West Reading Main Street presents Art on the Avenue. A true street fair filled with art, music and food, it is one of the main events of the area that I anticipate every summer. This year was no exception and I had the good fortune of attending with neighbor and friend Tadd. We perused the shops and street vendors, grooved to local tunes and finally refreshed with the best of the Bloody Mary's at Bistro 614. The perfect way to kick of summer and a wonderful reminder of how far the Greater Reading area has come, and continues to grow. Cheers!

[delightul little must-haves from Just Curious]

[a new feature this year - art on the avenue]

[the best bloody mary in the world from Bistro 614]

Friday Fuel

[image curtoesy of 9.30]

Luck be a Lady

It has been such a busy week, but full of wonderful surprises and reminders of what a lucky lady I am. So while a proper post is in order, feast your eyes on this in the meantime (or look for me locally wearing a similar ensemble - but not drinking coffee of course!). Loving everything about this...

Tune In Tuesday: Two for One!

I spent a sultry summer weekend on a bluegrass bender. Friday was celebrated taking a road trip to Jim Thorpe to get down the ever-great Greensky Bluegrass. A truly remarkable evening complete with a delicious long drive through the rolling hills of the countryside, Tex-Mex dinner and BYOB attitude at the adorable and admirable Mauch Chunk Opera House. The company wasn't too bad either; local musician, picker and Best of Berks drummer, Daniel Bower joined me for the tour de grass.
Sunday evening was spent at Union Jack's Inn on the Manatawny sprawled out on my blanket soaking up the bluegrass pickin' of the Manatawny Creek Ramblers. There's nothing better than sipping on some suds, watching the stars come out and relishing in live (amazing) music. Bonus points that the band includes said friend, and rock star, Daniel Bower. So enjoy some fresh picked bluegrass for your summer play list - local and homegrown.