i never thought i would say this

i am officially sick of going to ikea (at least for the next year or so)- i don't mean to sound ungrateful because we have gotten some truly great furniture and housewares at affordable prices. . . but we've gone so many times in the past few weeks that we know exactly what time it opens, recognize thomas the customer service associate and know exactly WHICH aisle and bin to get components for our storage closets!  so yes, we're definitely starting to settle in and the husband asked me today if i felt like i've moved to the suburbs. 

honestly, no, i feel like i'm in another part of brooklyn.  there are a multitude of fantastic restaurants and bars in walking distance, community gardens galore, easily accessible subway and bus stations, grit mixed in with uber hipsterness (at least kensington/fishtown does not have the shishiness of northern liberties). so far i love our section philadelphia. it will take some time for sure, when it feels so familiar and when it feels like home rather than some new adventure. . . picture of front and back yard below!

but we are off to a good start and our neighbors are unexpectedly friendly. . forcing me out of my shyness and nyc silo mentality. dare i say i see some potlucks/dinner parties ahead? 

today the boy and i ventured to mid century warehouse in their new fishtown location (this is AFTER going to ikea to get more outdoor furniture and hangers - seriously 8 wooden hangers for $3.99 can't beat it!).  we had scored a beautiful dentist (we use for liquor) cabinet and dresser years ago. . .and hoped to find the perfect table/desk for the bedroom.  while we left empty handed from MCW, we did explore kensington avenue and a nook of vietnamese restaurants.  

we ate at Cafe Pho Ga Thanh Thang.  no menu.  cash only.  they serve two things.  chicken and beef pho.  we ordered two large bowls of chicken pho and a plate of chicken- all for $22! the broth was delicious and while i was slurping away, i happily surveyed the tables full of vietnamese, latino, thai and caucasian guests.  tables turned quite quickly yet there was a line out the door to get in. . . can't wait to try the bun bo hue place next door and thang long across the street.

a good summer read

on my morning run through haverford college's nature trail, i listened to an interesting episode of "freakanomics" about government employees gone wild. 

apparently, the government publishes an ethics guide called the "encyclopedia of ethical failure" which gives true accounts of government employees who have acted unlawfully or otherwise have demonstrated seriously bad judgement in their positions

e.g. one former naval officer cheated on his wife and got his mistress pregnant, than tried faking his death to his spouse!

i will be checking out the full document tonight. . . but wanted to share the link, enjoy!

whirlwind

almost as quickly as i made the move some years ago from LA to NYC (a month from decision making to unpacking my boxes in brooklyn), the boy and i have found ourselves a new home in the city of brotherly love.

despite great effort and strategic planning- things unraveled unexpectedly.

the boy gets a job in philly we find our dream house in fishtown.  i tell my boss we are moving out of NYC- they are not okay with it so i start job hunting. we move in with my brother and sis-in-law. my company decides they are okay with the move but then an offer i can't refuse comes along.   

in a couple weeks, the dust will begin to settle. . .then, there will be time to explore the new neighborhood, uncover philadelphia's treasures, and start some new adventures!

uncovering the culinary delights of Ft Greene

my first experience with ft greene was years ago attending a friend of my husband's housewarming party.  to this day THAT loft remains perhaps the coolest real (a.k.a. not in a magazine or t.v. show) apartment i've ever been in.  high ceilings created a sense of spaciousness that one longs for in NYC, a to-die-for walk-in close, books neatly stacked up in towers, an antique clothing rack with jeans artfully displayed, and the clincher . . . an enclosed backyard patio!! being owned, remodeled and decorated by an uber designy couple didn't hurt.  nonetheless, int hose days ft greene was still a bargain to live in and felt remote.  there was little in the way of shops, entertainment or restaurants.

no longer a hidden gem, ft greene is rapidly developing with new restaurants galore, cute boutiques and a farmer's market stationed in the park.

the boy and i had a chance to meet up with friends at the brooklyn sandwich society last saturday.

um.

WOW.

in terms of food alone- literally, the best brunch i have had in a really long time.  i ordered the roasted oyster mushrooms served with creme fraiche and seasoned with rosemary and topped with an oh so rich, runny duck egg.  a bowl of generously buttered, crispy bread was thoughtfully provided to sop up that unctuous yolk.  

for the table, we ordered to share (1) biscuits & gravy that would make any southern grandma proud and (2)  "meat in a skillet" aka duck sausage and berkshire bacon (we should have ordered 2!). the biscuits were moist and the duck sausage gravy imparted amazing flavor (i am really over bland gravy, i mean what's the point and such a waste of calories?!)

every morsel was mouth-watering and delicious with succulent flavors not for the faint of heart or health conscious.  these guys are doing it right and i can't wait to try their dinner menu!