Holy Smoke!

The guy sitting next to me just said "Holy Smoke!" to show his surprise at something and it made me wonder, what is the derivation of that phrase? So I Googled it and I found out the origin here but more importantly, I found the site My Holy Smoke.

I thought this was so original and such a healthy way to honor someone who would appreciate "one more round of clay targets..." as their site says.

The ConceptSeveral years ago I was talking with my friend and co-worker at work one evening. We were discussing the passing of one of our relatives and the topic of conversation turned to our own demise and whether we preferred burial or cremation.  I told my friend that I had some cost, waste of space and ecological issues with burials and that I thought I wanted to be cremated and in some fashion, have my ashes tossed into a river or spread through the woods.

My friend  smiled and said "You know I've thought about this for some time and I want to be cremated. Then I want my ashes put into some turkey load shotgun shells and have someone that knows how to turkey hunt use the shotgun shells with my ashes to shoot a turkey. That way I will rest in peace knowing that the last thing that one turkey will see is me, screaming at him at about 900 feet per second."

I realized that my friend was describing almost exactly how I wanted my ashes to be spread.  How perfect to have my family and friends honor me by using shotgun shells with a little bit of my ash in each one.  Whether my shells get shot at sporting clays or live birds or put on the shelf, even in death I could be ecologically sound and useful.


From that statement, we started a company that can take your or your loved ones ashes and produce an eco-friendly way  to spread or use those ashes while conducting a favored activity.
With care and reverence, we can place the ashes of your loved ones into almost any caliber or gauge of ammunition.  
I plan to donate all my organs to anyone who wants them but I still get a bit squeamish about donating my whole body to science.  The thought of some medical school students digging around in me is too much bear.  I know this is immature but I can't get over it. 

What do you think?

Create Your Own Custom Wallpaper from Spoonflower!

You may know of the Spoonflower site for custom fabric but now they offer
Custom Wallpaper & decals!

The prices are super reasonable:
$5 for linear square foot or  $60 per 12 foot roll

Greetings From Spoonflower,

Today we're jumping up and down with excitement as we introduce two new, eco-friendly products that we hope will change the home decorating landscape: custom wallpaper and wall decals.

Custom wallpaper has long been the province of high-end home décor, but we've set out to take the same approach to custom wall coverings that we've taken to fabric over the last four years – to turn it into a product that anyone can try. Wallpaper from Spoonflower will sell for $5 per linear foot (24" by 12"), or $60 per roll (24" x 12'). Unlike traditional wallpapers that can be maddening to take down, ours is removable, which makes it perfect for renters and college students. It's also not vinyl, like many other products on the market, and the material is PVC-free, so it's perfect for nurseries and kids' rooms.

We're also launching three sizes of peel-and-stick wall decals – 5" x 5", 15" x 15", and 30" x 30" – that can be easily removed and repositioned. Like the wallpaper, our decals are printed using eco-friendly inks, but the decals use a tough polyester material that's perfect for any room in the house, as well as for upcycling old furniture, and decorating trays, refrigerators, laptops, and many other everyday items.

Along with the additions to fabric, you'll find that the pages on our site for ordering fabric or configuring and managing your designs have changed. We hope the changes are for the best and that you'll find the site easier to use. You can read more details by visiting the new wallpaper welcome page.

Thanks for being part of Spoonflower!
Cheers,
Stephen Fraser
Spoonflower co-founder

Brooke Astor Auction @ Sotheby's

Source: Sotheby's

Here's a fun find from the Sotheby's catalog for the September 24th & 25th auction of items from Brooke Astor's estate, there are 900 lots being offered in four sessions over two days.

It is a carved rock crystal dachshund on a carved quartz pillow with gold tassels! The estimate is $4,000-6,000, I'm sure it will go for much more. It is really charming & unique! There are a few other adorable & original items as well as a few "reasonably" priced items (relatively speaking!) You can check out the entire catalogue online.





  

Source: The Daily Truffle

I liked the dachshund because my dog, Bacon, is a dachshund mix. Mrs. Astor had two dachshunds named Boysie & Girlsie. What's your favorite item & why?

You can also register to bid online if you can't make it to NYC or to the Sotheby's auction house on York Ave (btw. 71st & 72nd St.)

Good luck!

ABG

Friday night veggie dinners

The Natural Gourmet Institute hosts Friday night dinners at their 21st St location in NYC. It is a cozy & charming spot.

I think it is the graduation project for the new chefs. It is really fun and the food is out of this world. You'll marvel at the fact that all of the ingredients are vegetarian. For example the ice cream in one of the desserts was made of coconut milk. I found this out because at the end of the meal the chefs come out & you can ask questions.

It is $40 per person for a multicourse meal.

"Friday Night Dinner at The Natural Gourmet has become a culinary magnet for savvy New Yorkers and visitors alike. Savor a delicious and unique experience when Chef Instructors and students of our Chef’s Training Program pour their expertise and enthusiasm into a three-course vegetarian dinner that is both innovative and beautifully presented."

You can make a reservation by calling:

212-645-5170 (ext. 0)

I know this doesn't sound like the ideal summer Friday plan but they fill up fast so you'll want to book ahead for fall now. I just called & the next available date is Oct 12.

It's fun to walk around the nabe afterwards to help your food digest!
The WSJ just wrote an article about the revival of Madsion Sq Park.

48 W. 21st St., 2nd floor

New York, NY 10010(between 5th & 6th ave.)
Closest Subways: E, C, F, M, N, R, 1, 9 or 6 train to 23rd Street.

Bon appetite!

P.s.: It is BYOB so grab a couple of bottles of vino before you head over!

Man cannot live by bread alone

August 7th - Spirit of the Grain: Bread & Spirits with Tuthilltown Spirits

Of course I discover this on the day the last class is offered! Mineral Springs Summer Series:
Spend a summer evening at Le Pain Quotidien in the heart of Central Park. We will explore and learn from New York's culinary pros at our alfresco communal table on Tuesday evenings all summer.
To register: www.skillshare.com/lpq or email events@lepainquotidien.com

Le Pain Quotidien Mineral Springs is located in Central Park (W 69th Street Entrance).

I live less than 2 blocks from this spot & often walk my dog in & out of this entrance, this is just embarassing.

http://www.lepainquotidien.us/#/en_US/bakery_classes

'Sconset Garden Tour

I love looking around old homes and if it is a nice day and the garden is open it makes it even better, put this all on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic & I'm in heaven!

In August the Nantucket Garden Club conducts its annual fund raising event that is anticipated each year by everyone on the island. For more than 50 years, the Annual House and Garden Tour has become the venue to have a glimpse of many historic and new homes and gardens on the island. Each year a different neighborhood is selected...from 'Sconset to Monomoy to Brant Point. The Garden Club members provide exquisite flower arrangements to compliment the rooms in the homes. The event is held on a Wednesday afternoon in August and is well attended. The revenue from this major event supports the local community in conservation projects local scholarships and provides club educational programs and conference expenses.

58th Annual House & Garden Tour
Presented by The Nantucket Garden Club, Inc.

Member of the Garden Club of America
Wednesday, August 8, 2012, 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
A Walking Tour of Houses and Gardens on Baxter Road, Siasconset.
Tickets $50.00 (cash or check)In early August, tickets will be available on Main Street and on tour day at each house.Also Boutique, Unique Boutique and Plant sale, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Ticket Information & Advanced Ticket Sales: Contact Merrielou Symes (508-228-6654)

Hungry Palette

Next time you're driving up & down I-94 pull off at the exit for Stonington (91). It has the cutest little beach & picnic area right at the tip of town. You can let you dog out for a romp, stretch your legs & have a picnic (there is also a porta-potty just in case.)

You'll go right past one of my favorite shops, the Hungry Palette where the
owner, Sandra Loveland Bragdon designs the hand-screened fabrics and clothing. They have 5 different lengths to choose from in skirts which are ready-made or you can order one to your specs. They also have handmade sweaters, a few hats and some terrific silk lined lightly quilted jackets and now, new this year tunics!