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 [...]
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What can I say? They’re beautiful. And, apart from having good taste in friends, I can’t take any credit for them. The flowers were for a cocktail party at our New York place last weekend to celebrate Spring and, surreptitiously, David’s birthday. The occasion called for something very special, and so I called our good [...]
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We’re back in New York now, but managed to fit in a short trip to London after our days in Paris. In London our balance between work and play shifted toward work, but we still found time to have some fun. We stayed at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, which is one of the oldest hotels [...]
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When I went to the market today, I thought I’d grab the bull by the horns and try to make a nice Valentine’s Day bouquet out of a dozen red roses. They’re not the most original gift (I got a weary look from the clerk when I checked out), and the special Valentine’s arrangements on [...]
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Someday I’d love to have a great florist (and we know a brilliant one –Zeze Flowers in New York) deliver fresh flowers to the house every week. I’d come home on, say, Tuesdays to see what beautiful seasonal creation they’d left on the dining table (and, while I’m fantasizing, in our bedrooms too). In reality, [...]
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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 [...]
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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 [...]
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‘Tis the season to find quick, delicious and special little snacks for Holiday entertaining. Here’s one. One of the best things about living just off 10th Avenue in New York City is our proximity to Tia Pol, a tiny, cozy, crowded and wonderful restaurant specializing in tapas and wines of Spain. If I’m in the [...]
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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 [...]
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A couple of months ago, David gently led me into the living room in Southampton and said “I’ve got something I’d like to talk to you about.” I don’t like our pillows anymore.” After a few seconds of denial, a little annoyance, a bit of bargaining (“All of them?”) and momentary sadness, I accepted, after [...]
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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.
