NYC Salmon and Bagel; Icy Woods Walk

The next morning those of us without gluten allergies enjoyed toasted everything bagels (from NYC of course) along with the salmon pastrami that I asked L. to pick up from Shelsky's, as well as some of their horseradish cream cheese. Honestly the cream cheese could have been more horse radishy and the salmon wasn't quite as delicious as I remembered it from the crazy bagel I had a while back. Though perhaps they didn't entirely live up to my expectations, I won't say that I was actually unhappy. I was very happy.

After breakfast and laying about for a bit, we took another walk adventure in the now snow covered woods.

We had an especially good time breaking ice, of which there were a few different sets. Here you'll see Fatty holding on to a tree while investigating this particular ice pool.

Here you will see me truly thinking that I was about to be eaten by the ice (it was hard to sense how deep it would be once we broke through, so it was a little scary for a second). Poor L. didn't have very warm shoes/socks and even though she was wearing galoshes they weren't 100% water proof.

Ice. Ice. Baby.

Stop. Collaborate and listen. This ice is going to glisten.

My hat in a new configuration.

A lovely morning and afternoon. I was very sad to see the two of them leave shortly after our walk but I was very glad that they had been able to make it at all.

Customized Bagel c/o Shelsky's Smoked Fish

As often happens when I visit L. and Fat T. (though didn't on Saturday morning), I woke up a bit earlier than my host and hostess on Sunday. So I determined that that Sunday was going to be the day that I finally checked out Shelsky's Smoked Fish. They're not too far from L. and T.'s abode and in my multiple visits over the last year, I always found the storefront looking welcoming, and more often than not there were at least a few folks sitting on the bench outside digging into some pretty good looking grub. Because I am a crazy obsessive food person who takes pleasure in reading menus on the internet, I already had a game plan about what I'd like to eat upon my arrival. And oh what a game plan it was.  I could have just chosen a bagel and a house made cream cheese, but they also had these more designer sandwiches. I was taken with the majority of the ingredients of ''The Tribute,' which were Horseradish Cream Cheese, Smoked Whitefish Salad, and Wasabi Tobiko. Well, I think it was mainly the addition of wasabi tobiko on a sandwich that really got me going. But I wasn't as interested in the smoked whitefish element. Once I got to the establishment I took advantage of the make-it-yourself iced coffee station and stood in line, waiting for my moment to specialize this already promising sandwich. And here is what I asked for: 'The Tribute' on a toasted everything bagel, but hold the whitefish salad and add the David Burke Pastrami Salmon. The look the dude taking my order gave me was absolutely one of skepticism. I felt a little sheepish but I held fast in the face of his amused incredulity and doubt.

After a bit more of a wait (it was pretty crowded but understandably so for a Sunday morning) the same man who took my order called my name and rang me up. This was certainly not a bargain bagel as far as cost. He basically chuckled at me as he ran up the order. He really seemed totally flummoxed about the one change I made. As I was leaving he said that I should let them know how it was...and that if it was any good maybe they'd name a sandwich after me. Which leads me to penning this quick note:

Dear Dude at Shelsky's,
I thoroughly enjoyed the bagel. The pop and bit of of heat of the tobiko worked quite well with the savory quality of the salmon. One final customization I would probably make would be to replace the horseradish cream cheese with scallion cream cheese. If you would like to name that sandwich after me I would be forever pleased, as I have long wanted something, anything, to be named after me.

Because here's the thing folks. It was a really tasty combination. I did feel like I would have preferred a bit of scallion over the horseradish, but even so I was not complaining. I ate the first half at L. and Fat T.'s dining room table and saved the other half for my Philadelphia return. Bagels don't usually hold up all that well on drives/eat delay, but I must say the second half was just as happy-making. Perhaps moreso because it felt like a rarity due to the distance between where it was made and where it was ultimately consumed.

There were definitely other things I wanted to try out at Shelsky's and I look forward to getting back there during my next BK sojourn.

Bagels and Beach Scenes

Friday morning I awoke with the warmth. While the days were entirely lovely - not too hot, not too cool - the nights got a wee bit cooler than I had anticipated and the one sheet I brought coupled with jeans and a sweatshirt left to slight shiverings in the night hours, which caused me to close up the tent's inner and outer 'doors' to prevent additional breezes. This, in turn, led to quite a warm wake up once the sun got in the air and began to make its presence known on my nylon fortress. So. In any case. I awoke and was soon off to forage a little breakfast on Route 1. On the way down I had noticed Surf Bagel's large sign and thought that it seemed like a promising place to seek out my first meal of the day. I wasn't wrong. I enjoyed the everything bagel, toasted with scallion cream cheese. It was not revolutionary. It was not the best bagel of my life. But it was beyond serviceable. Or should I say surfbagelable? Ugh.

After breakfast and a little reading in the tent, which I had reopened for better cross ventilation, I began the .75 mile walk to the beach. On the way I noted this cactus flower in full bloom and this wasp-ish thing enjoying its pollen center.

By about the same time the next day this flower had shriveled to nothing. I'm glad I took the time to photograph it while it was in its prime. A sentiment I have about myself from time to time when looking at photos from my college days.

The beach. It was nicely uncrowded and a fair breeze kept me not too terribly hot even with the sun beating down. I must admit that I didn't see others swimming and the waves looked rough, so I did no more than get thigh-high in the waters a few times. In fact, even on the next day when the waves were less ominous I didn't go all the way in. I'm a decent swimmer with a pragmatic view towards the likelihood of shark death, but being alone I had to worry that no one would really be looking out for me in the unlikely event that I began to drown or get carried away in a rip tide (go with the tide, swim parallel to the beach til you get out...right?). This sense of caution prevented me from fully enjoying the swimming element of the beach, but the crisp coldness of the water balanced with long stretches in the sun and breeze...well that wasn't so bad. 

Far, far down you can make out the main bath house where the majority of day visitors pitch their various beach encampments. I was glad to be away from so many throngs of folks.

Unfortunately I can report zero dolphin sightings. Hopefully if I get to return in August they'll be in better moods to entertain me with their existence.

Rybread Bagel Sandwich

The day after the darts was tough. Consuming many a beer and staying up way later than I usually do wasn't easy on my brain. LW, however, made the whole thing a little less awful by asking me if I wanted Rybread bagel sandwich when she came into work. I heartily said yes. I may have even referred to her as my hero.

Bagel and Brooklyn Costco

We weren't quite as ambitious with our late night-itude as we had been the last year, which meant I was asleep by two on Saturday, which, in turn, made it not such a surprise that I was up by 9 on Sunday. As often is the case at L. and Fat T.'s I went out into the world while they slept and got myself a bagel from Mocha Bagel. I ordered an everything bagel with green olive cream cheese and enjoyed half of it well enough, but not enough to consume the entire thing. I miss the bagel factory.
Then L. and I put ourselves together and went to the Brooklyn Costo - land of the magnetic elevators. While L. had a proper list for things she needed, I was more of a 'if I see something sparkly maybe I'll get it' mindset. So, in the end, I walked out of Costco with a $6 bag of WASABI DORITOS, a rack of lamb and a thing of salmon burgers. Obviously. If anyone has recommendations on shredders, let me know because I think in order to become a proper member of society and remain identity intact/slightly less of a clutter monster, I need to get one.
After our return to Costco I briefly hung around before packing up my foodstuffs and self and heading back to Philly. The end.

Wait! I forgot such an important thing. When my second faux 30th birthday party at the beach was canceled because of Hurricane Stupid Irene, this meant that I couldn't see L. or Fat T. as well as K. and J. And L. kept telling me that she had a present for me that she was going to give me at the beach, and I believed her because why would she lie. But I always get scared when someone repeatedly tells me they have a present for me because it means they're pretty excited about it, and that they think I'll be pretty excited about it. And that makes me worry that I won't be excited about it and then I'll have to feign excitement, and well you see how that might get a little weird (mainly in my brain). So when I arrived and L. ushered me towards a bag with a box in it...I didn't know what to expect. But you know what it was? It was magic times. You see, I have a bit of an obsession with a scent and wanting to smell like it but have been unable to find it for quite some time. The first brand of this smell was Eau Vert (which was probably a more pine-oriented scent than I actually remember it being), and I purchased it at a store in Takoma Park, Maryland when I was in college. Then, when that ran out, I found a similar scent at Basic French in Red Hook, New York. But when that ran out, I couldn't find anything that captured the smell I really wanted: verbena. Something not manly, but clean and citrusy without too much sweetness. Whatever, the thing about writing about smells is that it's difficult. The point is that L. knew about my ongoing quest for the right smell....and found this....and gave it to me....and it is perfect!
I'm going to put some on right now, even though I'm in full schlub/clean your room mode. Just so I can bask in its perfection and properly express gratitude to L. for a present that was most exciting and that I didn't have to fake my feelings for whatsoever. And another interesting thing is that the last time I went to Brooklyn I purchased Theme's Seashell eau de parfum...and liked it, but found it a little musky. But! When I spray a little of the theme on one wrist, and a little of the verbena on the other than gently rub together the result is pleasing. At least to me. I haven't really noted any uptick in people complimenting me on how I smell, but I can compliment myself well enough.

So all to say: Do not doubt L. when she says she has a present for you. And verbena is the bestest. Yay! Thanks.

Cafe au Lait and Montreal Bagel c/o St. Viateur

There were many potential things on our food list that simply weren't gotten to due to the limited time we were in the city. I had considered, at one point, whether it would be a harbinger of an eating disorder if I vomited in order to free up space for more meals ... but I really don't care for puking so that never got out of the 'idea' phase. In any case, Saturday morning we had our final Montreal meal at St. Viateur bagels, because you can't go to Montreal and not have a Montreal-style bagel. Or that's what I've been told. I love how cafe au laits can come in giant bowls. Love it.
We actually were both given one and a half bagels, which seemed generous. I wish I could say that I practiced self control and only ate one ... but self control, as anyone who knows me knows, is not one of my virtues. I went with the chive cream cheese, I think ... and it was good.
On the way back to the hotel to pack up our stuff we went into a used bookstore where most all the books were in French. I took some time looking at their collection of bird books. I think what I want is a tattoo of a chicken in a cross-style of Audobon and Japanese wood carvings. Or some other bird. Maybe a blue bird. Problem is, of course, that I have no artistic ability to draw like that, and I feel like most tattoo artists would want a little more to go on. Or maybe not. It's all very unclear to me.

Bagel c/o Mocha Bagel

On Sunday morning I got up a little before L. or Fat T. and went in search of a bagel. I ended up at Mocha Bagels. Their counter is very high. It's kind of intimidating. In any case, I asked for a toasted everything bagel with olive cream cheese. The man told me that the bagels were fresh out of the oven and then asked if I still wanted mine toasted, I said no, figuring that was the right answer. It was an ok bagel, though I still would have liked that added crisp factor of toasting. The olive cream cheese wasn't quite as potent and salty as I am accustomed. I didn't eat the whole thing because I had this sudden moment of 'if this isn't totally making you love it, why get fat eating it.' If I'm going to get fat, might as well only be through the consumption of things I truly love and desire. Maybe. At least at the specific moment in time.

Breakfast Bagel c/o Rybread

Another morning I didn't have to go into work til 10, but I was still up by 8 something, so I decided to go to Rybread and get myself coffee and a breakfast sandwich while finishing up Mockingjay (the third and final Hunger Games book). I sat at one of their two tables out front. The bagel didn't disappoint, though the coffee left something to be desired. I am persnickety about timing, and should have sat there and allowed myself to finish the book before getting to work, but I was convinced that I was going to be late. In the end I was 15 minutes early to work and 15 pages short of finishing the book. What's done is done. The book, for example, is now done. But I won't bother you with my thoughts on that. Just read it.

A Bagel for the Canada Transplant

The next morning K. was interested in having a egg sandwich. It seems that in Toronto such things don't exist. How can this be? How?! I always consider an egg and cheese (sometimes sausage) sandwich a clear mark of humanity's superiority over all other living things (not really), and to think that Canada is behind on such an important benchmark disconcerts me greatly. It was Easter Sunday, which meant that our first stop at Rybread was disappointing, as it was closed. So we went to Garden Fresh Produce and Deli. I'd actually had one of their bagel/egg sandwiches on another morning about four months ago, but I was so hungover on that particular day that I couldn't photograph the sandwich as much as shovel it into my mouth and hope against hope that my brain would stop hurting. All to say, they make a good sandwich.
We walked back to my place and ate on the deck. Because deck days are here again in a major way.

Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Strawberry Cream Cheese c/o Rybread

After dinner we returned to my house and hung out for a bit. E. had a very important micro finance panel to be a part of the next day so she retired a bit before L. and myself. The next morning we awoke at a relatively decent hour and managed to squeeze in a breakfast meal with E. before sending her off to the great beyond. While I usually am all about Rybread's sausage, egg and cheese bagels, I was feeling like switching it up a bit that particular morning. My chosen switch was still centered around a bagel, but on the opposite end of the sweet/salt spectrum. The cream cheese, strawberry, was plentiful and very, very sweet. The bagel nice and chewy on the outside but soft on the inside. I didn't quite finish the whole thing, but enjoyed that which I did consume.
It was also a beautiful day. You'll see more proof of that momentarily.

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Bagel

On Saturday the ominous feeling of sickness began to pervade my entire body. But I refused to acknowledge it. So I made a bacon, egg and cheese bagel. Look how nice it looks. I'm sure it was quite tasty too...but I only took a few bites before realizing that it just wasn't going to work for me. My sickness was not of the pukey variety, but something so heavy (no matter how delicious) just wasn't doing it for me. You'll note that I'm just post, post, posting away. Or maybe you won't note that. I'm noting it. I'm trying to catch up as much as possible now so that I won't be completely behind when I get back from JAMAICA. So, expect a slew of posts today and then nothing for a while. And then lots of photographs of me in sunglasses, probably getting pinker and fatter with each passing frame.

Breakfast c/o Mile End

Sunday morning L. and I walked over to Mile End Delicatessen to try what they had going on. L. was surprised that I wasn't familiar with the concept of a 'Montreal bagel' and so I was too. It's a really small space, so we had to wait for a bit before we were seated. I went with the 'Mont Royal,' which consisted of lox, potato and chive lattke and crème fraiche while L. had the bacon and egg bagel.
The food was good in my belly.

Bagel Factory Success, The Turning Tide

The next morning I got up far earlier than was strictly useful or wise and met up with T. for a bagel from the Bagel Factory. After two Bagel Factory fails over the course of this summer, I was concerned that something would go wrong. But nothing did! I ordered in the right place, I paid in the right place, we even managed to grab a table. Success all around. my bagel was a toasted everything bagel with olive cream cheese, and it was good.
After T. and I parted ways I returned to L.'s. We had plans to meet up with Fat T.'s parents a little later in the day, but they were delayed, so L. and I spent some quality time together.
We played Scrabble for a while, but L. got frustrated by how good I am. So then we just commented on each other's Facebook pages while sitting next to each other. It was fun.

Breakfast, Tattoos and Painted Nails

Sunday morning I made myself a bagel with cream cheese and sliced tomatoes. Oh yeah.
On Saturday evening J.'s sister painted all the kids' names. I had been rocking green nail polish and I think at least one of the two boys requested the color so they could be like me. Does this warm my heart? Yes. Yes it does. Then J.'s mother applied tattoos to the little ones. I think S. ended up with three tattoos on his arm, at least one of which had a pirate motif.
N. went with a bug on one hand, a parrot on the other.

Everything Bagel Toasted with Cream Cheese, Smoked Salmon, Tomato and Capers

I had this twice for lunch. The first time I tried to eat it like a sandwich. It was still tasty, but unwieldy, so the next time I split up the goodness into two with much less mess.
Delicious, just delicious.

Bagel Factory Fail #2 and a Quick Hello to K.

The Friday before last I took a day off from work in order to get myself to Saratoga Springs with a few pit stops. The first pit stop was to Park Slope. There I had two tasks: see K. ever so briefly and pick up scores of food for L.'s bachelorette weekend in Saratoga Springs. K. and I agreed to meet at the Bagel Factory, but when I found it difficult to find parking I asked her to go ahead and order me a toasted everything bagel with salmon cream cheese, the exact same order that I had made a few weeks before with catastrophic results (uh, not really catastrophic). Bagel Factory Fail #1 was entirely my fault. It involved my ordering where I was supposed to only pay, which meant that the dude who actually made the bagels never knew of my order. So I stood there for ten minutes or so, as it got more and more crowded, and realized that unless I stepped up and tried to clarify the situation, no bagel would ever come. Then, in what strikes me as a rather standard cc move, I decided that I would just leave. Without my bagel. Without even trying to fix the problem. Ugh. So, this time around, K. ordered in the right manner but, when we finally sat down to eat our grub, it turns out that the predominantly Spanish speaking staff of the Bagel Factory hadn't been paying the closest attention to K.'s request, what with the Mexico world cup game on. Instead of salmon cream cheese, you see, they went with cinnamon. And let me just tell you, there are some mistakes that work out in your favor...not this one my friends. Bagel Factory Fail #2. I can only guess at what might be next for me and this establishment. We were doing so well, for so long, and now this.
I put my back seat down in order to get all the grub to fit. It was a lot of grub.
It was great to see K., who is in New York for a while (she usually resides in Toronto), though it was quite the rushed meeting. Sometimes we look cute and happy to see each other.
Other times we look crazy and/or triple chinned. Alas. You win some, you lose others.
The color of my lipstick, for anyone who might wonder, is "Relentless Raisin."

Hello Cholesterol, How Are You?

So after returning home on Sunday I spent a week working and not going out or eating anything of note, literally. Well, not literally, I did plenty of mysterious interesting things that I swore that I would not blog about. Shit. I just blogged about them. Falsehood. Crazy. Point: last Saturday it snowed and snowed and snowed and my lack of anything to eat in the house necessitated a quick walk to Whole Foods, where I bought half a dozen eggs, American cheese and an everything bagel. I returned home where I created an obscene home-edition of the very similar breakfast bagel I ate the previous Sunday (minus the bacon plus an egg and about two slices of cheese). I am a fatty. I like melted cheese. I cannot help myself. It was delicious with a little ketchup and green tabasco sauce, and it was the perfect way to start a snowed in Saturday.
I know it is obscene. Judge me. If you want me to make you one I will.

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Bagel

Sunday morning I was the third to awake in Fat T.'s parents' household. After lending a pair of pants to L., she and I set out with the purpose of breakfast in Huntington. Our first stop was not successful, as the wait was long and our time allotment was not, so we went further down the main street to a bagel factory (I don't know what it was called, but it definitely manufactured bagels). I ordered a bacon, egg and cheese bagel, half of which I ate there on the spot, the second half I ate for lunch on Monday.
It was satisfying.

Putt Putt in Charlottesville

On Monday we drove into Charlottesville for bagels from Bodo's. I had a toasted everything bagel with salmon cream cheese. It was decent, not the best ever. The cream cheese was a little liquidy, which was partially because the bagel was toasted but, I think, it would have been a little loose regardless.
Then we went to the local mini golf location and played a little. Note to most everyone: five year olds and three year olds aren't really into getting the ball into the hole legitimately...or at all.
It was fun nonetheless:)