gretchenalice.com

We all want to change the world.

2011-12-27T10:52:00.000-07:00

These were my 2011 "goals to be better." Not resolutions. Ahem. The original post is here.

1. Equal amounts of input and output, input being everything I take in and output being everything I give back. I'm still not perfect at this, but I got an awful lot better. Here's to more improvement in 2012.
2. Catch up at my own pace. Yep. This made my life so much easier.
3. Love Austin. Done a million times over.
4. Don't buy unnecessary things. Maybe? A little? I made a conscious effort, but I don't know if it helped.
5. Watch more Doctor Who. Totally. I still need to watch the David Tennant seasons, which should give me something to do while I wait for the series to come back next fall.
6. Take more photos. Done. Having an iPhone has been great for this, but I'd still like to learn how to better use my DSLR.
7. Take an interior design class. This didn't pan out. I did get lots of real-life experience with my apartment. Someday!
8. OR take a sewing class. Nope. Chuck Testa.
9. Have fun with Goodreads. I had so much fun with goodreads. My usual goal is to read 50 books a year. By the end of 2011, I should hit 45 or maybe 46. Good enough for me.
10. Spend more energy focused on building relationships. I'd like to think I accomplished this. I've made some incredible friends here in Texas. They have shaped my experience here in so many wonderful ways.
11. Make a conscious, daily effort to be grateful. Yes, but this doesn't end with 2011. Onward and upward!

Christmas Expectations

2011-12-15T14:41:00.000-07:00

It's amazing that I didn't end up with some serious misconceptions about Santa Claus thanks to this photo.

My parents get in town today for five days worth of a Texan Christmas Adventure. When we were ironing out details, my dad reminded me of something that my mom did when Phil and I were younger. At the beginning of December, we'd sit down and make a list of our "Christmas Expectations." Ranked in order of importance, we would say what we wanted to happen during the month. There was some room for dreaming large (ride the Polar Express!) as well as learning to curb our impulses. (Make gingersnaps AND lemon bars AND mincemeat pie? Pick two out of three.)

From my mom's standpoint, it must have been a godsend to know how to make your kids happy at Christmastime, when stress runs high and oustide temperatures run low. My expectations usually included "going to see the lights," "visiting Santa at the mall," and "setting up the Nativity." Phillip would want to watch Home Alone, a movie that inspired a notebook filled with ideas on how to infiltrate my room. When I found the notebook in the summer, I was so charmed that I couldn't possibly begin to be mad at him.

When Dad asked me this year, I laughed at the memory of our planning sessions, the result of which we'd leave taped up as a to-do list. My wishes have mellowed out a little. This year I'm hoping to watch The Adventures of Tintin at the Drafthouse and see the Nutcracker with my mom. But as I grow up, my Christmas Expectations lie more in the small festive moments. I've listened to Judy Garland's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" more times than I can count. I sang in the church choir. I've punctured the skin of clementine oranges with my thumb, giving way to sweet segments of fruit. I haven't seen a single snowflake and I'm perfectly okay with that. I've thought about the Savior and his birth and sacrifice. So all in all, I'd say that my Christmas Expectations have been met and wildly exceeded.

Six-month-old Gretchen could hardly handle the excitement of Christmas.

A very happy Christmas to you and yours!

The City So Nice They Named It Twice

2011-12-05T08:12:00.001-07:00

"Its other name is Manhattan." -Michael Scott

Well, I think while most people would agree that I wasn't a perfect NaBloPoMo poster (I mean, who forgets to blog on the LAST DAY?), I hope you'd also agree that this was a fun little project. Enjoy a random sampling of some other pictures that didn't get posted.

Dear New York City,

I think you're simply grand. Until we meet again?

Hugs and kisses,

Gretchen

Let All Of Oz Be Agreed

2011-11-29T23:27:00.001-07:00

One of the major highlights of the trip was finally getting to see Wicked. I've waited eight long years for that moment and watched family members and friends get there long before I did. (Bitter about this? Me? No...)

Because of the wait and the excessive playing of my soundtrack, it took me a while to get settled in to the musical. Elphaba and G(a)linda weren't exactly the Elphaba and Glinda that I was accustomed to hearing. Around the second half I finally got adjusted and was able to have a marvelous time. One thing that surprised me was that the sets and costumes were heavily Steampunk-influenced. Lots of cogs and corsets, so I loved that. Glinda ended up being a delightful Good Witch and the Wizard was wonderful, as he should be. Our Nessa Rose was the very same Nessa from the original production.

The traveling production is coming to Austin at the end of January and I'm ready to see it again!

Taking A Bite Out Of The Big Apple

2011-11-28T21:18:00.001-07:00

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry for that post title. As you might expect from me, I made a point to eat some pretty incredible things during my trip.

One night we ate dinner at this teensy Italian place in Hell's Kitchen (Cara Mia, I think?) and these little tomato caper crostini bits were hands down the best part of the meal. And they were FREE.

Brunch at Sylvia's in Harlem. Crazy wait, but the soul food was worth it. I was so hungry that I started to eat before taking pictures, which I try to avoid. (There, that's me at my most insufferably blog-esque.) Hash browns, eggs over easy, fried chicken--all drenched in Sylvia's special hot sauce.

The last night of the trip, I was still full from Magnolia's. But as I was standing right next to Village Pizza while I waited for my mom to get a New York Times from the bodega next door, I realized that this was my one shot to get a New York slice. As you can see, the crust was crisp and thin and the ratio of cheese to sauce was perfect.

There's a little bakery/deli next to the Manhattan Temple called the EuroPan Cafe, although it's jokingly referred to as the temple cafeteria. My Italian panini boasted fresh mozzarella, artichoke heats, and three kinds of cured meat. When my dad asked for a bite, I'm pretty sure I just glared him down. No way was I going to share this little beauty.

Georgia On My Mind

2011-11-27T22:07:00.001-07:00

I love Georgia O'Keeffe because she loves New Mexico in the same way that I love New Mexico. It's a love that is reckless and brazen and without abandon. Of course, her museum in Santa Fe is a much greater collection of her work, but I was thrilled that she got wall space in the Met's temporary Alfred Steiglitz exhibit.

Impressionist

2011-11-26T20:50:00.001-07:00

Definitely my favorite exhibit...

Modernity

2011-11-22T20:30:00.001-07:00

From the Met's modern wing...
(My favorites were the paintings by Josef Albers. I was so in love with them that I completely forgot to take pictures. True story. Another favorite was Shimmer Bright by Barnett Newman.)

I love watching people watch art. I'd like to do a project based on that.

The picture above is the only one where I remembered to write down a source. It's Ellsworth Kelly's Spectrum V.

I think the one on the left is called Sunflowers. It was stunning in person. I also got to see my second Piet Mondrian. He's the guy responsible for the blocks of color, usually in black, white, yellow, blue, and red. A few years ago I saw one at the U of U's art museum and it blew me away. The brush strokes were so delicate and meticulous. Having been raised on art, my appreciation for modern work has grown tremendously over the years.

The Great Goddess

2011-11-21T21:25:00.001-07:00

Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Diana

More scenes from Zuccotti Park

2011-11-19T17:40:00.001-07:00

Next week is museum/art week! I'm rather excited.

#Occupy

2011-11-17T06:52:00.001-07:00

That Sunday we happened to be in the same neighborhood as Zuccotti Park--all politics aside, it made for the best people-watching of the weekend.

New York Fashion, Day Three

2011-11-15T23:00:00.001-07:00

There's this running joke in my family (possible word play?) about how my day is incapable of taking photos that include your feet. However, I like the angle of this shot. Thanks, Dad!

New York Fashion, Day Two

2011-11-14T23:16:00.001-07:00

New York Fashion, Day One

2011-11-13T22:21:00.001-07:00

Now That Your Rose Is In Bloom

2011-11-11T23:48:00.001-07:00

This picture is the first one I took on the trip. I was waiting in the Austin Airport, re-reading The Book Thief and listening to Seal's "Kiss From A Rose." (I was delighted when Community used that song for the Jeff/Dean music video this week.)

Red Letter Day

2011-11-10T22:09:00.001-07:00

Crossing Guard

2011-11-09T23:00:00.001-07:00

Work kicked my butt today. Here, enjoy a photo of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Levain

2011-11-08T22:31:00.002-07:00

A friend of mine recommended that we check out Levain Bakery. It wasn't too far away from our trek to the museum, so I dragged my parents through the Upper West Side, trying desperately to find it. Tucked away in a stairwell, a veritable hole-in-the-wall, we walked down the steps and entered the bakery equivalent of the TARDIS. (It was much bigger on the inside.) The whole place smelled of coffee and chocolate and hopes and dreams. Levain Bakery only sells four kinds of cookies. It's a deceptively simple business model. Granted, those cookies will run you four bucks a pop. When my dad started to grumble about the price, I told him to give the cookies a chance. So he did, and we followed suit, and all of our apprehensions melted away at the same rate as the warm cookies melted into our mouths. "This must be what heaven tastes like," I thought to myself.

I don't think my life will be the same ever again.

Moon River

2011-11-06T22:59:00.002-07:00

Alternate title: "And I said, what about Breakfast at Tiffany's?"

(That ampersand is perfection.)

Representin' in the city

2011-11-05T23:02:00.002-06:00

More info here.

I Love Those Cupcakes Like McAdams Loves Gosling

2011-11-04T22:03:00.002-06:00

Today's (okay, tonight's) post is a combo NYC/SFF mash-up! Crazy, right?!

In corner number one, we have Hey Cupcake! They're an Austin institution with five locations. I've been three times--once with friends and twice by myself because I'm that person that feels she needs a treat after a hard day of work or a long day of shopping.

The HC! photos come courtesy of my new Instagram account. You can find me under gretchenalice. I promise to only sometimes post pictures of the food I eat. I'll try to make the other photos at least funny or artsy. I love instragram because it takes away the work of editing and makes all my photos look amazing. I'm basically paying for an iPhone simply so I can have a decent camera with me at all times.

The first time I went to Hey Cupcake!, I got the red velvet. The second time, I wanted a red velvet cupcake but all they had left with was one of their Double Dose cupcakes, which is chocolate-on-chocolate. It was tasty, but it was not red velvet. This week, I was relieved to find out that they did have a red velvet cupcake in stock. All cupcakes cost $3. You can buy cute gift boxes for a dollar or milk for a buck fifty. The cake is dense and rich and everything I want from a cupcake. Also, the cream cheese frosting is incredible.

You can find locations at their website. They are also on facebook and twitter.

In corner number two, we have the red velvet cake from Magnolia Bakery on Bleecker Street in New York's West Village. I knew Magnolia Bakery from the SNL short and The Devil Wears Prada. My friend Sara makes their banana pudding and I think that she should open a food truck.

I ordered a slice of the cake and my parents got their lemon bars and coconut bars. We didn't actually try their cupcakes. I'm okay with this choice.

Their cake is sweeter and more moist than the cupcakes up top. The frosting is made out of whipped cream and it is a true delight. A slice cost six bucks, but you're paying for at least two cupcakes' worth. The milk also cost a buck fifty. I'm not ashamed to admit that I finished this for breakfast the next day.

You can find Magnolia Bakery at their website.

The winner of tonight's red velvet challenge...it's a tie! Magnolia's was better overall, but I don't live within a ten-minute driving distance of it. Hey Cupcake! takes the proximity advantage. I think I need a second (and third) opinion from both places.

New York in Bloom

2011-11-03T22:20:00.001-06:00

Both on the streets...

...and in the parks.

(I'm trying very hard not to make a Mayor Bloomberg joke...)

Brownstone and Brick

2011-11-02T21:36:00.003-06:00

I can't get enough of classic buildings. All of the brick and oxidized copper in NYC sent me into a tizzy.

It reminded of a print from the Paris vs. New York project. (Find the print here.)

NYC NaBloPoMo

2011-11-01T21:07:00.000-06:00

Hi friends! So I recently took a trip to New York City. You would know this and other things about my life if I were a better blogger. Alas, I am not. But lucky for you, it's November, which is the time of year when I actually make an effort. For NaBloPoMo 2011, I'm going to share a picture a day with you from my trip. I took five hundred photos over the course of a three-day period, so the tough part is going to be picking out which ones to share with you. Today's photo is a view of the skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge.

Austin City Limitless

2011-09-23T17:12:00.000-06:00

Welcome to a very special Street Food Friday! Okay, so it's not that different. But instead of featuring just one food truck, I thought I'd offer a music/food review of the Austin City Limits music festival.

(I'm the one on the left.)

My friend Audrei and I have been planning on attending ACL since Groundhog's Day. We hit up the Saturday Festival, getting there at 11:30 AM and staying until 9:30. I don't know how people do it for three whole days--I was exhausted. Luckily, they had the Austin Eats area so we could keep our energy.

(The only thing that keeps me from hating long lines is the prospect of food at the end.)

For lunch, I ate a cheeseburger from P. Terry's and a pork belly slider from Odd Duck Farm to Trailer. P. Terry's is a burger joint in town and I've been meaning to go to Odd Duck for ages. AGES. The burger was decent, but let me tell you about these pork belly sliders. I could eat nothing but these for the rest of my life. The bun was soft and sweet, the coleslaw had the right amount of tang, and the pork belly--well, it melted in your mouth faster than a popsicle in the sun.

(Succulent is the best word to describe this.)

Around four p.m., I grabbed a mini cherry pie from Pie Fixes Everything. (Doesn't it, though?) Not only was the packaging delightful, but the pie was mighty tasty. Of course, no one makes cherry pie as good as my mom. I may be biased.

(Still not sure if the fruit had been brought back to life by Ned the Pie Maker. I like to think so.)

Around dinnertime, I wanted something light and fresh. I settled on a pasta primavera cup from Mandola's Italian Market. I'm a really big fan of Mandola's--they have amazing gelato. My little pasta cup hit the spot.

(Bonus points for the green beans. Minus points for the mushrooms that were hiding at the bottom.)

Not only was the food rocking, but so was the music. We heard the following bands...

ACL Set List

The Warrior Gospel Band

The Antlers

The Belle Brigade (One of my faves!)

Young the Giant

City and Colour

Alexander

Iron & Wine

Fitz and the Tantrums (Hands down, the best show of the day.)

Gillian Welch (I adore her.)

Cut Copy

TV On The Radio

Stevie Wonder (Couldn't really hear him. It was disappointing.)

My Morning Jacket (Freaking awesome and hardcore. They were a fun group to see at the very end of the night.)

Oh, and then Audrei and I got invited by this random group of kids from Mexico to go to an afterparty where Chromeo was supposedly playing. We were like, "Uh....we've got church in the morning. But thank you?" Can't wait for next year!

For more Street Food Friday goodness, check out the posts from Lacey, Doni, and Jess!