Fresh picks, pg 46

I bought carrots, an apple and a lemon to execute the unconventional method of juicing in this part of Food & Gathering, only to watch the carrots wither in the fridge. It seemed like such a waste of vegetable matter, and I felt guilty using 3 carrots for one juice that I would slurp in 3 gulps. Then, equally guilty when I didn't end up using them. Slightly better when I just went to a juice bar and bought a juice, which I've never done. It was also the first time I'd patronized this neighborhood establishment, which also has bibimbop, if you're so inclined. If you can figure out their name from their sign, you're smarter than me.

Shrimp with tomatoes, rice and spinach, cardboard insert

I'm starting to get really faithful in the kitchen testers and recipe developers at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. I can't believe how many of these recipes I've ever glazed over in my readers as an MSL reader, and thought I didn't feel like making that. From now, I'm going to try them even if they only sound remotely good. Case in point, last night's dinner. It was so good and easy to make. It would be a great weeknight dinner, and only required picking up shrimp at the fish market.

Spring reads, pg 68

In the Good Living section of the May 2014 issue of Martha Stewart Living, there are 3, home/craft/style books recommended. The 1st, The Inspired Home: Nests of Creatives by Kim Ficaro and Todd Nickey, is a clever book on how to organize your home based on the way you accumulate things. If you're a collector, or a minimalist, for example. I really appreciate this, because I don't know about you, but I can't stand looking through home and garden magazines and thinking, "these other people's homes are pretty, but what would I do with all my stuff?"

The Exquisite Book of Paper Flowers by Livia Cetti is about making paper flowers. Perfect for the art teacher in your life!

3rd, and the only one available at the Brooklyn Public Library, is Buvette: The Pleasure of Good Food by Jody Williams with Julia Turshen. I'm so lucky that the one I'll actually get to look at in person is the cook book! I'll be sure to let you know how it is when I'm off the waiting list! The dishes featured in the magazine look just up my alley. Scallops with nutty brown butter, anyone?

Bittersweet, pg 4

Every issue of Martha Stewart Living features a book of the month for it's Living Book Club. This month was Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore. This was one of the projects I was the most excited about, because I'd get to read a whole book, something I haven't done since I had a baby 14 months ago. I've spent every free second over the last 4 days reading this, pushing off other chores, to get it done. I can't say I recommend it to anyone except teenagers, who might be naive to the historical context of the plot twists, and might brush off the surfacey symbolism as juicy detail, but I was grateful to have an excuse to read something other than Goodnight Moon for once. 

(Image via mirandbw.com)

Drip dry glasses, pg 26

Does anyone else remember that episode of Desperate Housewives where Orson shows Bree his method of cleaning stemware with vinegar and Bree gets all hot & bothered and decides then and there that Orson is the man for her? Martha suggests a much quicker method in the May 2014 issue of Martha Stewart Living. Dripping the glass dry upside down. I've been using my wine glasses quite a bit lately while trying to drink the rest of the Lillet style cocktails I bought last week. It's so sweet that I can only drink 1 a day.

Saving vegetable scraps, pg 50

This is something I've always wanted to do, but never been able to save enough scraps for stock. I've been cooking so much lately, I've got plenty saved up. I plan on using the stock I make to cook beans and poach eggs!

Oven baked blueberry pancake, pg

I liked the idea of this, but I'd use a smaller cast iron skillet next time, to make the pancake a little thicker, or double the recipe. It's a great method for pancakes for a crowd, though!