I got to attend a preview showing of the new National Museum of American Jewish History today. Such an amazing museum. My grandparents would have LOVED it.

A kitchen-prep still life from tonight dinner.

Sunday afternoon, I went with Scott to run up and down the Art Museum steps (his trainer-prescribed exertion for that day). He did it 15 times, while I only managed a measly eight (those stairs are killer).

On the way over to the museum, I noticed that there were a few boxes of bananas leftover from the half-marathon that had been held in that area earlier in the day. They were still there when we were finished with our self-induced torture and so I grabbed a couple of bunches to bring home.

They’re still on the counter, ripening a bit more. Tomorrow or the next day, I’ll peel and half them and freeze them on a cookie sheet for future smoothies. I know that bananas are cheap, but I still got a thrill out of getting a few pounds of them for free.

Squash!

The first time I lived in Philadelphia was January through May of 2000. Instead of going abroad during college like many of my classmates, I came to east for a semester.

It was during this time that I first got to know a woman named Simone. She and her husband Bob were members of the Philadelphia Subud group and adopted me during this first stint in Philly. I dog-sat for them when they went away and knew their home as if it were my own.

When I moved back to Philly in 2002, I reconnected with these generous, giving people and they became part of my extended family in this city.

Simone, a glowingly lovely woman died on October 4th of cancer. This picture is from meetinghouse where her memorial was held today. I still cannot believe that she’s gone.

Friday nights Scott plays D&D with friends and so I have the freedom to make anything I want for dinner. Typically it includes things on his no-go list like mushrooms and squash. This particular night, I made leek and mushroom risotto. It was divine.

Purple cauliflower and a beloved blue bowl.

I really do try to vary my photos and not just take food photos all the time. But sometimes my dinner just looks too good.

I got home from work and the light outside our windows was so gorgeous.

This is how we spent MANY of our evenings. Laptops out on the coffee table, TV on in the background. It’s particularly cozy on a chilly, November night.