leslie sophia lindell

forget the cherries, it’s entirely about the crabapples.

admin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:34:57 +0000

I’ve always anxiously awaited cherry blossom season until I met these crabapples.

I mean,

JUST LOOK AT THEM…

right?

sometimes all I need…

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:55:52 +0000

… is a little abstract color and texture to perk me up.

it’s obligatory, if you must know.

admin — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:13:07 +0000

Time for late-Winter-but-here-comes-Spring cherry blossom photos!

You never leave someone behind.

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:53:05 +0000

You take a part of them with you and leave a part of yourself behind.

the chef: part three, ¡buen provecho!

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:39:35 +0000

As our day with Paco neared it’s conclusion,

his girls looking on jealously,

he put the final touches on our meal (this being the Postre de Chocolate y Tequila with hand-hewn chocolate fans for decoration – insert happy sigh)

… the table was set with all the spoils of his efforts …

… so we could most happily get down to business.

Please, please, please do yourself the favor of spending a day with Paco should you ever find yourself in the magical town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. It is truly one of the most memorable and rewarding days I have experienced. Ever.

the chef: part two, xoconostle and rajas.

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:27:37 +0000

The xoconostle is a member of the prickly pear family (a bit more savory/sour end of the spectrum) and grows from the tips of cactus leaves. These were roasted and featured in one of the three salsas assembled this day. Note that Paco makes all of his salsas by hand in a molcajete. These mortar and pestles made from volcanic rock are fabulous but unfortunately a bit heavy to carry home. I will have one someday!

Hard work deserves a reward (or two). This tequila is tinged with the essence of jamaica (otherwise known as hibiscus).

The man’s hands… some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.

… back to work roasting poblanos for the rajas con crema.

Now I’m hungry.

Stay tuned for the third installment from Paco’s kitchen!

the chef: part one, tortillas.

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:50:45 +0000

During the trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mati Rose and I were blessed to spend a magical day working with Paco Cardenas. We began with a tour of the mercado where we met Paco’s favorite vendors, made a fortuitous stop for carnitas (another story for another time), and then moved on to his open air kitchen where the cooking began. This experience is hard to explain in words, luckily I have many images to share. We begin with the making of the tortillas…

… tomorrow, three salsas and the rajas con crema!

the most beautiful vendors

admin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:02:42 +0000

of San Miguel de Allende…. and perhaps three of my most favorite photos. Ever. *ESPECIALLY THAT FIRST ONE*

the jambs

admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:58:11 +0000

of San Miguel de Allende.

I am enjoying the “work” of sifting through the plethora of images I took whilst spending a week in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico more than I can express.

Have I ever mentioned my deep and abiding and transcendent love for Mark Rothko?

Yes, the previous two sentences have everything to do with one another.

treacherous oh-so-beautiful winter.

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:11:31 +0000

This garden bed series was shot during a recent, particularly frigid, winter sunrise at stone edge farm & vineyards.