Life on a Movie Set

NYC Aerial No.2, Image by Kaitlin Rebesco

Turn just about any corner in New York and there’s a significant possibility of happening across a film crew or photo shoot. At this moment, in fact, the trailers for a primetime TV show are camped out on the street where we live. As a child of the 80s my fingers are crossed for a Tom Selleck (Magnum PI, anyone?) or Donnie Walhberg (New Kids!) sighting during my evening walk with Maddie…

Only Google knows for sure, but I’d wager that NYC is the most photographed and filmed city in the world. Certainly it’s got to be in the Top 5, right? Backdrops galore: cobble stone streets in the Meatpacking District, serene lakes in Central Park, bustling taxis and tourists in Midtown – and I haven’t even mentioned the iconic Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, or Statue of Liberty. I can’t blame the film directors, Instagram-ers (guilty as charged), and fashion photographers either – it’s just so darn picturesque!

With all of these images floating in the back of my mind I usually feel like I’m in the middle of a movie even when I'm just running errands or riding the subway. This being the Upper West Side, 90% of the time it’s probably something of Woody Allen or Nora Ephron variety, which is about my speed. Give me brownstones, coffee shops, and the menagerie of strollers and dogs. No Taking of Pelham 123 or Goodfellas for this girl, thank you very much.

I’m curious to see as time goes on and we put down roots here whether that feeling of discovery will change or dissipate. Will I stop noticing the details? The angels in the architecture? In my heart of hearts I hope it doesn’t. I hope I never get complacent about all that New York has to offer. I hope I never lose that sense of wonder that this amazing city is where life has taken us. 

Scouting: Chip Hooper

Yesterday I made a trip to a Chelsea contemporary art gallery to see an exhibit of Chip Hooper’s Surf Series at the Robert Mann Gallery on W. 26th Street. One of my resolutions in 2014 is to graduate from point-and-shoot or iphone photos and actually learn something about photography. But, I have to be honest: my new camera is a little intimidating – multiple lenses, a variety of settings, where to start? So, this little excursion was part inspiration, part encouragement and wow was it worth the trip.

Chip Hooper Surf #1082, 2003; Image: Laura Messersmith

Chip Hooper Surf #2010, 2012; Image: Laura Messersmith

The gallery has a group of 8 large-scale black and white photographs that fill up the relatively small space. As the name of the series more than implies, the subject matter is the ocean – specifically detail shots of waves and water in motion off the coast of Northern California and New Zealand. Unlike a traditional seascape that might include a glimpse of shore or sky these images are so up close and personal that they appear abstract. Beautiful.

Chip Hooper Surf #1176, 2003; Image: Laura Messersmith

Chip Hooper Surf #2000, 2012; Image Laura Messersmith

While I was there one of the gallery assistants told me that Chip Hooper made these images over the years in between shots of what he was really there to photograph. That essentially this body of work came about somewhat unintentionally and eventually evolved into being the actual subject. That blew me away. If these are his one-offs, then I have some serious work to do...

All in all - I am definitely glad I made the trek to the other side of the High Line and I have a feeling I’ll be keeping closer tabs on the Chelsea gallery scene from now on!

Salmon with Lentils

Ina Garten, aka The Barefoot Contessa, and her cookbooks are already a source of guidance for basic recipes, but her show serves as my inspiration for more adventurous culinary efforts.  Now that I’ve got the essentials down it’s time to branch out. I’ll choose a recipe from an episode of the Barefoot Contessa to try in my tiny New York kitchen. We’ll see if I can keep up with the Contessa!

Ina Garten in the Kitchen, Image via Philly.com

Episode: “Ina’s Take Out”

The Set-up: A last-minute floral emergency has scuttled their lunch plans, so Ina is bringing her friend, Michael, ‘take-out’ at the shop.

The Menu: Roasted Shrimp with Thousand Island Dip, Sautéed Salmon & Lentils, and Pecan Bars dipped in chocolate.

0:30 – Ahh, springtime in the Hamptons.

1:00 – Ina gives me a heart attack by starting the Pecan Bars with “20lbs. of butter” j/k! A little slow this morning… I should have had a cup of coffee before I started watching not during.

2:00 – Helpful tip about using room temperature butter in baking. I always forget this step and end up with microwave butter – forgive me Ina!

4:00 – Cut to a montage of stem-trimming and ribbon tying at the florist shop…

5:00 – These pecan bars are no joke – my count is 9 sticks of butter so far. Might need more coffee to be sure.

6:00 – Ina says “Pea-can” like a Yankee (me too), my Texan friends would not approve. Apparently it’s “Puh-cawn” in the South.

10:00 – So. Many. Pecan Bars. I think she might have made enough for everyone in town.

10:30 – Chocolate ganache is happening people. This is about to get real.

12:30 – The flowers Michael just delivered look gorgeous – note to self: lilacs in a low vase when spring comes.

13:00 – On to the Roasted Shrimp. Mmm, fresh lemons.

14:00 – I think the last time I had Thousand Island dressing was in 1988 – I think she’s going intentionally retro.

20:00 – Now the Sauteed Salmon with Lentils. Examining my life’s work and realizing there’s a gap. Why have I never made lentils?

22:30 – Hooray it all goes in one pot! My kind of cooking!

24:00 – Salmon time. The old sear/sauté on the stovetop first, then roast in the oven trick. Brilliant. I think this recipe needs to go on the list.

28:00 – Michael is a lucky guy. This lunch looks delicious and he can rock a bright peony-pink sweater.

29:00 – The sweater clearly inspired the choice of flowers – Michael just gave Ina peonies! If making lunch = bouquet of flowers I am in!

29:30 – Aww, hugs. Annnd scene.

Final Thoughts:
Room temperature butter – use it!
Lentils are not as scary as I thought.
Befriend a fabulous florist.

My version of Salmon with Lentils, Image: Laura Messersmith

Lessons Learned: 

I made the Salmon with Lentils dish after watching the episode and was pleased to discover that the recipe really is as easy as Ina makes it look. It’s also small kitchen-friendly: 2 pans, 1 cutting board, 1 bowl, and a few basic kitchen tools are all you need. 

The salmon preparation is very similar to cooking restaurant style steaks – sear in a very hot pan and finish in the oven – and the filets came out perfectly. I was initially suspicious of the vinegar in the lentil recipe, but I decided to trust Ina and boy am I glad I did. I was out of red wine vinegar, so I used white wine vinegar instead and I was really glad I did. A small splash really perks up the dish and nicely compliments the earthy flavors – don't skip this ingredient, you'll thank me. Extra bonus - I didn't tell Mike what I was making in advance thinking the lentils might spook him, but he actually really liked this pairing (even the lentils!) and requested that we make this a regular in the dinner menu rotation. I'd call that a success!

Verdict: 

Give this one a shot for sure.

A Drop of Golden Sun

The sidewalks of the Upper West Side make for great dog-watching. Grab a cup of coffee, camp out on a bench for a few minutes and you’ll see an amazing variety of furry pups pass by. Gigantic great danes, hand-bag sized yorkies, bounding vizslas, stately bulldogs, vigilant terriers, and our golden girl: Maddie, the self-styled mayor of the block.

All Images: Laura Messersmith

Maddie-pup’s daily activities break down something like this: 75% brainstorming blog ideas (read: sleeping), 8% warmly greeting every person & dog she meets, 7% soliciting snuggles, 5% monitoring Central Park’s squirrel population, 3% begging for Honey Nut Cheerios, and the remaining 2% mischievously pulling the stuffing out of her toys. Not a bad life, especially when the occasional Shake Shack french fry comes her way from a soft-hearted picnicker.

I’m surprised sometimes by how happy-go-lucky Maddie is, because her days weren’t always so comfortable. Three years ago she was found on streets of Dallas – she had no tags, no microchip, no collar and apparently no owner searching for her.  Blanche DuBois-style she had to rely on the kindness of strangers who, thankfully, delivered her into the care of a local rescue organization.

After we adopted her I realized that offering a home to a dog that needs one is a gift. It’s a gift to the dog, certainly, but Maddie’s presence has been a gift to our family too. She brings a bright spot into every day life and reminds me to enjoy the simple things.

So, I do. I enjoy her inquiring nose over the side of the bed in the morning, her playful prance when she knows it’s time to go for a walk, her soft ears (perfect for stroking.)  I enjoy the gift that is Maddie-pup. Just ask my Instagram feed.