Chris Nordquist
It was bound to be a cold, snowy, mostly indoor weekend for our outdoors-loving daughter, and so I thought I would brighten up Julia’s room with an early Valentine’s treat. On Friday morning before the first flakes flew, I went to New York’s flower district (28th street, mostly between 6th and 7th Avenues) to get [...]
{ 6 comments }
Sometimes it’s the little things –both that bring great satisfaction, and that drive you crazy. Just inside the door of our New York loft is the entrance to our home office, and it’s there that anything we’re carrying –mail, packages, keys, glasses, phones, and our bags– tends to land. Mostly, this works as our desks [...]
{ 2 comments }
When I picked a jar of smoked paprika out of the spice drawer in our New York apartment and noticed a sticker that read “Best before 2/2007,” I realized I had, as they say, an opportunity for improvement. Our spice drawer was a messy jumble of mismatched jars and tins, most of which I had [...]
{ 8 comments }
We’re on vacation this week in Brasil, and I never appreciate this great piece of gear more than when I’m on the road. We’ll be away from an internet connection for a couple of days, but when we return to Rio, I’ll update you on some of our experiences in this beautiful country. Originally posted [...]
{ 9 comments }
Julia’s been on tour — last weekend in New Orleans with David to see his family and this week in Tacoma to see mine. We’re all having a ball. Here’s a repost of a Holiday favorite, a traditional Norwegian Christmas cake that I make for family and friends during the Holidays. It looks like something [...]
{ 8 comments }
I’ve spent nearly a week exploring this sprawling, crowded, orderly, clean and eminently civilized city, and I feel like I’ve barely begun to find what Tokyo has to offer. Every time I emerge from the city’s extensive (and amazingly clean and efficient) subway system it seems like there’s another delightful cultural, commercial or culinary surprise [...]
{ 9 comments }
Many years ago, when I was returning from a business trip to London, my luggage was loaded into the taxi, I got in, and we just sat there at the curb. After a while, I asked the driver why we weren’t leaving for the airport. He replied, embarrassed, “Oh, Sir, I’m so sorry. With all [...]
{ 9 comments }
Last week Julia walked into our bedroom wearing a plastic kitchen funnel on her head and singing “Happy Birthday.” Two of her buddies have had their second birthdays in the last couple of weeks, hers is just around the corner, and she’s way into the concept. The party hats seem to have made a particularly [...]
{ 14 comments }
Actually, it’s more like a year of daily spa treatments for $4.95. Yes, I exaggerate, but this little nylon cloth is better than any scrubbing lotion, exfoliating cream or loofah that I’ve ever tried. Wet and primed with a little soap or shower gel, it gently scrubs away dirt and grime and leaves my skin [...]
{ 8 comments }
Who doesn’t love candlelight?. It’s warm, festive, romantic, and flattering (the reason it’s romantic?). It can also be a little expensive. Until recently, I never paid much attention to the cost of candles. Except for pricey artisanal beeswax models, the price of candles always seemed reasonable –$2 or $3 for a taper, $8 – $20 [...]
{ 2 comments }
Smitten Ice Cream’s “Brrr.” Smitten in San Francisco makes your ice cream on the spot using its “Brrr” machine that freezes your order with liquid nitrogen –in 60 seconds. It sounds like a gimmick, but the super fast freezing produces and incredibly smooth treat. I’m hoping for a home model.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. I make most of our ice cream at home, but Jeni’s Black Coffee flavor is better than mine. And (unlike Smitten or me) they ship.
Ultima Thule dessert bowl by Tapio Wirkkala for IIttala. An icy bowl for your ice cream.
Alfred Dunhill linen and silk scarf. For breezy beaches, airplanes, cinemas and other chilly places this summer.
Grady’s Cold Brew. Add this delicious handmade coffee concentrate (brewed with chicory and spices) to milk and ice to make a refreshing New Orleans-style iced coffee.
