You take a part of them with you and leave a part of yourself behind.
You never leave someone behind.
February 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
the chef: part three, ¡buen provecho!
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.
February 9, 2012 By 1 Comment
the chef: part two, xoconostle and rajas.
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!
February 8, 2012 By 3 Comments
the chef: part one, tortillas.
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!
February 7, 2012 By 3 Comments
the most beautiful vendors
of San Miguel de Allende…. and perhaps three of my most favorite photos. Ever. *ESPECIALLY THAT FIRST ONE*
January 30, 2012 By 5 Comments
the jambs
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.
January 27, 2012 By 6 Comments
treacherous oh-so-beautiful winter.
This garden bed series was shot during a recent, particularly frigid, winter sunrise at stone edge farm & vineyards.
January 23, 2012 By 2 Comments
sometimes the best thing you can tell correct exposure to do is…
to f*ck right off.*
I have just returned from a life-altering week in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Forgive me if it takes me some time to sort through these ~ some of my most favorite ~ images of all time.
I am currently in the throes of deciding so many things… how best to share these images is a minor one… I am also concepting a MOST exciting new cookbook project… preparing to usher my boy off to a new life in college… soon to transition to a new home who-knows-where… San Miguel, perhaps?
An exciting, sure-to-be-bumpy, lucky, transformative and blessed ride I have ahead… call me grateful and exhilarated.
*(and stop worrying so much about how to set your camera properly – go ahead and shoot, baby, S H O O T .)
January 20, 2012 By 4 Comments
now I just walk, but I don’t mind the rain
singing so much softer than I did back then.
…
January 2, 2012 By 3 Comments
I wish you the happiest of happy new years!
may good health be your faithful companion,
peace your guarded ally,
love your perpetual guide
and may your 2012 be full of unexpected wonder.
love,
leslie
December 31, 2011 By 5 Comments