Living off the Dover Land

At six a.m. on a Tuesday morning, a father and son quietly creep through the woods around Dover, New Hampshire, searching for elusive brassica leaves, aster flowers, sunchoke and black garlic. All ingredients that the hunter and gatherer hope to plate up for tonight’s dinner at Stages at One Washington, one of the country’s top new restaurants owned and operated by Chef Evan Hennessey.

Chef Hennessey is bringing new meaning to the idea of living off the land to Dover and to anyone who visits, offering his guests locally sourced and foraged produce, and meat and poultry from farmers with whom he has longstanding relationships. Often going to the farms himself to see the animal husbandry and slaughter, he forms a relationship with the food before he prepares it, ensuring that the animals are happy and well-cared for, which is quite unorthodox and refreshing in today’s factory farmed food economy.

 

living off the dover land featured

Although Evan has spent most of his life in Dover, his culinary skills have been sampled and awarded internationally by the likes of James Beard and StarChefs.com where he recently was named the region’s rising star. His approach to creating novel culinary experiences each night is as fresh as whatever he’s picked that morning. Tonight’s dinner will be comprised of a twenty-seven course tasting menu, something that even chef Hennessey isn’t sure he can pull off. But that’s his whole philosophy.

He says, “We have something that we like to say: Never stop creating, never stop pushing, never stop. We wanted to create something that nobody has tried here yet. A restaurant that never stops changing, evolving, and creating. Our mission is to utilize produce, meats, fish, and products only from local farms. To create an old world approach to sourcing our food. A relationship with nature that evolves with growing cycles and schedules and local farms. Those farms growing vegetables and herbs just for us, and because of us. Raising heritage breed poultry, pigs, and sheep, just for us. Eggs from the farmers hands directly to us. Fish dictated by what the fishermen tells us they’ve just caught as they are coming back into dock. This system has led to our food constantly evolving, becoming more thoughtful, more purposeful, more rooted in history.

 

Dover Land

 

Tonight, I’m one of eight foodies sitting in the large kitchen that comprises one third of the space, while another twenty-two are eagerly awaiting their own portions in the dining room.  I taste two mouthfuls of ingredients like smoked duck, black currant jam, fried leek roots and honey caviar sorbet.

There’s a bite of cabbage, mushroom, smoked crème fraiche and black garlic.

DL

Another of preserved cucumber, long bean, sunchoke, artichoke and tiny yellow aster flowers.

jkl

Followed by peas, Romanesco, pickled mushroom, brassica leaves and forest flowers.

jk;

Pork neck, potato millefeuille, blistered carrot, rutabaga jam…

sdfsdfd

The courses go on and on and on, ending with sorbet that has been spun with house-smoked and caramelized popcorn.

At some point I simply lose count and the ability to know what exactly it is that I’m consuming. It’s all alien but I succumb to the invasion and it all tastes amazing and looks like art. I almost feel bad eating it.

I walk out feeling more satisfied from a meal than I can remember. Knowing the amount of work and care that went into each bite is remarkable, and I feel like I’ve just experienced what I used to think of as a cliché: food made with love just tastes better. Chef Hennessey loves what he does, and he pours that love and care back into the local community, making for a sustainable and unique top-tier restaurant in an unlikely spot. If you make the trip up through the North Eastern corridor to visit, it will be worth it.

11 Chic Ways to Bring Copper into Your Home Décor

Copper is the black blazer of home décor. Put it against anything and it instantly adds a touch of polish and sophistication. Less gaudy than the brass of the 80s and more inviting than the chrome of the early 2000s, copper is the metallic of the moment. Dulux, the British paint brand, named Copper Blush the Colour of the Year 2015. Its popularity shows no signs of waning, and with good reason. The warmth and grace of rosy copper, along with its reflective properties, add a little shimmer to any situation.

Whatever your budget or style, we’ve got ideas for how you can bring some sophisticated bling into your interior spaces.

 

1. Bright Lights. Big Impact.

Copper is at its most elegant, most potent and most electric when in the form of an elegant globe lampshade. Emanating light from within and reflecting it on the outside, a copper lamp puts the material on full display. No one does it better than Tom Dixon. The British designer is the visionary behind some of the chicest restaurants, lobbies and interiors of the world. If one of his pieces isn’t in your budget, don’t worry. There are plenty of odes to his work at more approachable prices elsewhere.

 

Amanda Nisbet Design
Image Courtesy: Amanda Nisbet, author of Dazzling Design | Designer: Tom Dixon

 

2. Functional Copper

In our eyes, beautiful objects are even more beautiful when they serve a purpose. Sure, there are some gorgeous tabletop sculptures and decorative balls out there, but many of us live in small spaces where we have to make every inch count. Enter: copper accents with a function.

 

Copper Paul Leobach
Image Courtesy: Kontextur via Kenneth Schiller

 

Copper Candles
Image Courtesy: Target

 

3. A Copper Wall

A little sheen goes a long way, but a lot goes even farther. If you’re ready to make a long-term commitment to copper, an entire wall of the shimmery material is the way to go. Architect Jeff Sherman, of Delson or Sherman Architects, outfitted the two-story wall of his master bedroom in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn with multiple copper panels. He chose copper because he knew that “it would improve from contact with skin over time, rather than smudge like a painted surface.” He did the installation himself, which was no small feat. Because it’s heavy and very ductile, working with the ribbons of copper was like working with “a 25 pound fettuccine.” The effort was clearly worth it. We love the way the copper is reflected in the mirrors across the room and knowing that it will only look better over time makes it even more appealing.

 

Copper Wall
Image Courtesy: Jeff Sherman of Delson or Sherman Architects PC

4. Copper Prints

If an entire accent wall isn’t in the cards, you can still enliven your walls with a copper print. This ethereal moon phase calendar is available from Little Lark’s shop on Etsy. Once 2016 has come and gone, you can cut off the bottom portion and keep the upper square as a timeless portrait of the moon on its own. If you’re not as inspired by celestial bodies as we are, check out other sources for affordable prints online like 20×200  and Society 6 .

 

Moon Print
Image Courtesy: Christy Nyboer of A Little Lark 

 

5. Charger It Up

Do you know about chargers? They’re purely decorative plates that peek out flirtatiously from beneath dinner plates, protecting the tablecloth from spills. Perhaps you remember a version of them in brass on your aunt’s Thanksgiving table in the 90s when they became popular. In reality, they’ve been around since Biblical times, and they’re an easy, affordable way of dressing up your table without investing in a whole new set of tableware.

 

Williams Sonoma
Photo Courtesy: Williams Sonoma

 

6. DIY Copper Ladder

An elegant copper ladder is no farther away than the plumbing aisle of your local hardware store and a weekend afternoon. Brittany Cramer, the mastermind behind the blog Brittany Makes, pulled together this beautiful piece to occupy an awkward wall space in her newly renovated kitchen. The result is stunning, but functional. Even the staunch non-DIYers among us will be inspired by her ingenuity. For instructions and more photos, visit her blog.

 

Copper Ladder
Photo Courtesy: Brittany  Cramer of Brittany Makes 

 

7. Bling-y Books

While we don’t advocate judging a book by its cover, we’re willing to make an exception for those that are truly beautiful. A big book with a copper foil cover makes an intellectual statement for your coffee table. This cheeky leather notebook by Nuuna pushes the envelope with its message that “You Are So F**** Special.” If you don’t care to leave your inner thoughts out for all to see, you could turn the journal into a guest book, asking visitors to leave a favorite quote or musing.

 

Nuuna Book
Photo Courtesy: Nuuna

 

8. Copper-colored Window Treatments

What better way to enjoy a rosy-fingered dawn than through a rosy copper curtain? This semi-transparent copper-hued fabric from the legendary Création Baumann catches and refracts the light as it enters. We would also love to see the cocktail dress Maria von Trapp would fashion out of these.

 

Copper Window
Photo Courtesy: Création Baumann

 

9. Copper Throw Pillows

Embrace the softer side of copper with metallic throw pillows. It’s another way to explore the copper trend with minimal commitment and expense.

 

 

 

10. Don’t Forget the Bathroom

A copper accessories set is an instant facelift for your bathroom. No demolition required. The beautiful thing about copper with a rosy hue is that it plays well with other metallic colors, so whatever fixtures you have now, a copper soap dispenser will most likely only enhance it. We love the sleek simplicity of this set from Anthropologie.

 

11. In The Closet

If you’re not ready to take the copper plunge in the more public rooms of your home, then opt for sleek hangers in your closet. Like wearing beautiful lingerie, only you and your loved one will know they’re there. Ooh la la.

 

Copper Hangers
Photo Courtesy: The Modern Shop 

Pros and Cons of Going Paleo

It’s the diet craze du jour for celebrities and serious nutritionistas alike, but what does the Paleolithic diet, a.k.a. “going paleo,” actually entail? Broadly, it means eating only what our primitive ancestors did: meat and fish, eggs, nuts and seeds, vegetables and fruit. Strictly off-limits foods include dairy, grain products and anything processed. Sounds like it could be healthy…but how difficult is it to eat like a caveman in 2015?

Let’s start with the facts. The modern paleo diet was introduced in the 1970’s by a nutritionist and exercise physiologist named Dr. Loren Cordain. He contends that advances in food production and processing have changed food more rapidly than our digestive systems have evolved to process it. We cannot adequately digest many modern-day processed foods, he says, resulting in increased risk for a host of chronic diseases.

Cordain’s theory remains a topic of debate among nutritionists, but that hasn’t stopped the paleo diet’s boom in popularity. Dozens of variations exist, each with its own slightly tweaked set of rules and promises of unique health benefits. Among the most widely followed is the version espoused by Dr. Mark Hyman, who famously counseled the Clintons after Bill’s quadruple bypass surgery in 2004, which emphasizes diet as a means to detoxify the body and cure disease.

In spite of its popularity, however, the paleo diet recently placed dead last in U.S. News & World Report’s 2015 Best Diet rankings. Evaluated by a panel of dieticians and health experts, paleo came in at number 35 of 35 trending diet plans, based on a variety of factors including nutrition, safety and probability of weight loss.

If you’re thinking of going paleo, first weigh the pros and cons:

Pro: You’ll Eat Only Unprocessed, Whole Foods

While there’s much debate among nutritionists about the “ideal” diet, virtually all agree that there are major health advantages to eating fewer processed foods, especially those high in sugar.

Con: It’s Highly Restrictive

The list of forbidden foods for paleo dieters is lengthy, which could make it difficult to stick to long term. Beans and legumes are not allowed, a definite downer for non-meat eaters.

 

paleo diet

Pro: It’s a Nutrient-Rich Diet

Unlike cleanses and other hyper-restrictive weight loss plans, the paleo diet packs plenty of nutrients. Protein is definitely not in short supply and with proper meal planning you’ll also get loads of vitamins, fiber and even calcium (coconut and dark, leafy greens are good, paleo-friendly sources).

Con: Eating More Meat is Costly for You and the Environment

According to Cordain, over 50% of the paleo dieter’s calories should come from animal protein. That can add up to a hefty grocery bill. There’s also the steep environmental cost, including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation and water pollution.

 

paleo diet juice

Pro: You’ll Probably Cook A Lot More

The paleo diet’s numerous restrictions, including butter and vegetable oil, make take-out and restaurant dining a challenge.

Con: You Might Gain Weight

One of the diet’s major pitfalls is that it can be very high in saturated fat, which can quickly add up to extra pounds. If you’re considering the Paleolithic diet for weight loss, be sure to moderate your red meat intake.

 

paleo diet steak_edited

Bottom Line:

The paleo diet can be a useful tool to kickstart healthier eating habits, but it requires some planning and make-ahead meal prep. Load up on nutrient-rich veggies and lean protein, like poultry and fish, to keep saturated fat low and the odds of slimming down high.

Which Celebrated Female Movie Director Are You?

From Meg Ryan’s brilliantly faked orgasm in When Harry Met Sally  to the heart-pounding explosions in The Hurt Locker, women directors are responsible for some of the most iconic moments in film history. Yet the vast majority of movies are still directed by men. According to a recent report from the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, women directed only 7% of the highest grossing films in recent years. The entrenched discrimination against women in Hollywood is so dire that the ACLU just filed a grievance with state and federal agencies to help boost representation of them behind the camera.

In celebration of the incredible women directors who’ve created cinematic masterpieces despite the odds, we bring you this quiz. Find out whose style, subject and voice most match your own sensibilities, and maybe you’ll discover your next favorite movie, too.

(Please select one answer for each of the following six questions…)

 

[quiz=2]

One-take Wonders: 6 Incredible Music Videos Shot in a Single Take

Action movies and reality TV depend on quick cuts to heighten what’s happening on screen. But sometimes, one continuous take can pack an even bigger punch. Here are six music videos that push the limits physically, emotionally and technically of what’s achievable in a single take. No editing required.

 

Call Your Girlfriend, Robyn (2011)

 


With the stamina of a world-class athlete and the fashion sense of a dystopian teddy bear, Robyn dances her heart out for three-and-half minutes straight in an empty soundstage. Perfectly timed lighting changes and 360-degree camera moves bring out the triumph and heartbreak in Robyn’s vocals and elbow thrusts.

 


 

 

No Surprises, Radiohead (1997)

 

This one will leave you breathless. Thom Yorke stares straight at you from inside a diver’s helmet as it slowly fills with water. His literal suffocation excruciatingly echoes the metaphorical suffocation in the song’s lyrics. You can get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the video in the classic Radiohead documentary, “Meeting People Is Easy.”

 


 

 

Two Weeks, FKA twigs (2014)

 

What’s better than FKA twigs? A giant FKA twigs surrounded by a handful of miniature FKA twigs dancing. Here, the multi-talented Brit presides as a golden goddess over a bevy of mini-twigs in one glorious panning shot. Though she typically directs her own videos, this one was directed by Nabil.

 


 

 

Hunter, Bjork (1997)

 

https://youtu.be/CyM5wow-hUk

It took one day of shooting in a studio and months and months of post-production to put together this uncanny and futuristic video. In a pure white environment, a purely bald Bjork shifts shapes between her human body and that of a translucent blue polar bear. She’s alternately the hunter and the hunted, beautifully underscoring the song’s lyrics and her own struggle to find creative expression. Her longtime creative collaborator, Paul White, directed the video.

 


 

 

Blood Brothers, Ingrid Michaelson (2012)

 

https://youtu.be/JHVLpTyGgt0

Although technically only the first couple minutes of this video were shot in one take, we’re including it because time-lapse makeovers are such fun to watch. This one came out a couple years before Cut Videos’ wildly popular “100 Years” series. Through hair, makeup, costume and set changes, Ingrid Michaelson transforms herself into seven music superstars before your very eyes. She proves her lyrics right: “we’re all the same under a different name.”

 


 

 

This Too Shall Pass, OK Go (2010)

 

Leave it to OK Go to dress a marching band in ghillie suits and get them to dance in a swamp. This exuberant and flawlessly executed video is actually the second one for “This Too Shall Pass.” The other one features an elaborate Rube Goldberg machine and was also shot in one take, the band’s now signature visual hook.

Dinner, Delivered with a Side of DIY

City dwellers have always enjoyed the perks of delivery, an unspoken quid pro quo of eschewing the conveniences of Suburbia. While the novelty of 3 AM egg rolls at your door may have faded with age, a new generation of meal delivery services is aiming to take its place. The concept is simple, but genius: Deliver all of the nutrition and satisfaction of a home-cooked meal in a format that’s as easy as ordering take-out.

In recent years, a slew of new companies has started offering meal kit delivery, each promising freedom from the tyranny of meal planning and grocery shopping. A typical kit includes one recipe and everything you need to make it, down to that single tablespoon of vinegar (everything arrives pre-measured) or pinch of saffron. In addition to convenience, these services claim to be a waist-watchers best friend, thanks to fresh ingredients and strictly controlled portion size.

For the busy gourmet or the bloated Seamless addict, it sounds like it could be a dream come true. But how do these services stack up? And is it really worth saying “sayonara” to your grocery store forever? Before you make your decision, check out this review of five major players in the meal kit delivery game.

 

Blue Apron

Blue Apron

A pioneer in the field, Blue Apron has quickly grown a following of loyal customers around the country. It offers two meal plans, one for couples (or friends or roommates) and one for families, designed to feed four to six people. After choosing your menu type — either “meat and fish” or “vegetarian” — Blue Apron selects recipes for you, which you have the option to change. If you’re new to the whole “cooking” thing, don’t sweat it. Blue Apron’s recipes are virtually foolproof, thanks to easy step-by-step instructions and accompanying photos. Bite for bite, Blue Apron runs average to slightly less expensive than its competitors. The two-person plan costs $9.99 per serving with a minimum commitment of six meals or $60 per week; the family plan is $8.99 per serving with a minimum of two meals or $71.92 per week.

 


 

Plated

Plated
Plated

If you’re chefing to impress, Plated could be the service for you. Though pricier than other options — $12 per person for regular meals — Plated offers diners the ease of delivery combined with the flare of a special occasion. With menu choices like “Indonesian Beef Rendang” and “Roasted White Sweet Potatoes with Chinese Broccoli and Flowering Chives”, Plated is a sure-fire escape from the weeknight recipe rut.

 

 

 


 

Hello Fresh

Hello Fresh
Hello Fresh

With the meal kit delivery market reaching saturation, Hello Fresh sets itself apart by promising the very freshest ingredients possible. A recent informal survey of friends (who had used the service — and who also happen to be restaurant chefs) confirmed it lives up to the hype. All ingredients were top quality (they exclusively use premium brand Murray’s chicken, for example) and arrived looking and smelling just-off-the-farm. Hello Fresh has another distinguishing factor, for better or worse: the absence of calorie restrictions. While most delivered kit meals fall between 500 and 600 calories per plate, Hello Fresh averages around 900 calories, though the recipes are created by an in-house dietician and not lacking in nutrients. Hello Chef costs roughly the same as most of its competitors, around $10 per meal, but vegetarians take note: while omnivores can enjoy a range of meal choices, meat-free offerings are limited.

 

 


 

Green Blender

Box-and-ingredients_green blender
Green Blender

No time to cook, even if it’s kit-style? No problem. A service called Green Blender invites you to sip your nutrients instead. Created by a fitness blogger fed up with “glorified milkshakes” parading around as health food, Green Blender offers a rotating lineup of smoothie recipes with pre-portioned, seasonal produce and “superfoods”, like chia and flaxseeds. Each delivery includes five pouches to make five different smoothies. With flavors like Tropical Mojito and Sacha Inchi Orange Creamsicle, Green Blender offers a taste of the exotic delivered to your door. At $10 per serving, Green Blender costs about the same as other meal delivery services. Unlike those competitors, however, Green Blender does expect you to own a knife and a cutting board for basic prep like chopping.

 


 

Home Chef

Home Chef

More of a newcomer to the DIY dinner scene, Home Chef is gaining popularity with high-end foodies. That’s because the recipes, 10 different options per week, come from restaurant chefs. The instructions are definitely geared toward the home cook, however. This service also boasts the advantage of allowing diners to prioritize low carb or low-calorie menu choices, and to register any allergies or dietary restrictions, like gluten. Starting at $7.99 per serving, Home Chef is priced in line with the competition, but, sorry, California friends; it’s currently only available in 30 states across the East Coast and Midwest.

 

8 Wildlife Rescues on Instagram You Want to Follow [Like Now]

Get a daily dose of adorable when you follow this list of wildlife rescues. And then share them on your social media to bring awareness to the amazing work these organizations do to help animals.

 


 

1. Black Jaguar White Tiger Rescue

Promoting animal rights to an audience of over 2.4 million followers, add these guys to your feed for a steady stream of spectacular big cat adventures.

Instagram: @blackjaguarwhitetiger | www.blackjaguarwhitetiger.org


 

2. Greenwood Wildlife Rescue

Few things are as adorable as tiny woodland creatures needing a helping hand. Greenwood Wildlife is an animal rescue site caring for roughly 2,300 critters a year, across 135 furry, fuzzy, cuddly species. Instagram: @GreenwoodWildlife | www.greenwoodwildlife.org  

 


 

3. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is considered the most successful elephant and rehabilitation rescue in East Africa. Unfortunately, these majestic creatures are still widely poached, along with their not-too-distant-cousin the Black Rhino, endangering both species. This rescue’s “Orphan’s Project” works to reintegrate orphans back into the wild in Tsavo.

Instagram: @DSWT | www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

 


 

4. BatsQLD Flying Foxes & Microbats Inc.

Bats fall under the category of “so ugly, they’re cute.” And a few minutes on this feed will have you convinced. A self-funded volunteer group, its members are dedicated to educating the public on bats and flying foxes. They work diligently on habitat conservation projects, and the rescue and rehabilitation of injured, ill and orphaned bats up until release back into the wild. Instagram: @BatsQLD | www.batsqld.org.au  

In the name of everyone at BatsQLD, Pantaloons says thank you and gives a big hug to everyone who has made a donation. With the help of all our followers who were donating, liking and sharing our pictures and spreading the word, we raised an incredible amount of $5407 during the month of May! We were really overwhelmed by this positive response. You guys are fantastic! Those vital funds will cover the cost of food for our furry friends for the entire year and takes a heavy weight off our carer’s shoulders who cover all expenses out of their own pocket. Over the last year, we did more than 400 rescues and had 300 animals in crèche at the end of baby season. Every furry patient needs approximately 300g of fruit per day and will usually be in care for a couple of weeks – which means a lot of fruit chopping and a big expense. Thanks to you, financially, we are now all set up for the next year and the upcoming baby bat season. We will keep you posted on our work, with more pictures and stories about our furry friends. A photo posted by BatsQLD (@batsqld) on

 


 

5. The Kangaroo Sanctuary

A lima bean – that is the size of a baby Joey when born. The Kangaroo Sanctuary is 90 acres of bushland home to 25 kangaroos. All lovingly cared for by Chris ‘Brolga’ Barns, the star of Kangaroo Dundee by AGB films. He hopes to build the first wildlife hospital in Central Australia on the grounds of this sanctuary.

Instagram: @TheKangarooSanctuary | www.kangaroosanctuary.com

 

Love my morning milk! #kangaroodundee #NTaustralia #RedCentreNT #SeeAustralia #

A photo posted by Home of Kangaroo Dundee (@thekangaroosanctuary) on

 


 

6. International Animal Rescue

Literally meaning “person of the forest,” orangutans are rapidly losing their rainforest habitat to make way for community growth, farming, and industrial modernization. The International Animal Rescue (IAR) aims to rescue and rehabilitate orangutans stolen from their mothers, locked in captivity, or otherwise displaced. Instagram: @IARorangutanRescue | http://www.internationalanimalrescue.org/  

 


 

7. Zoological Wildlife Foundation

Looking through this gorgeous feed run by an accredited wildlife expert is definitely the next best thing to going there. Zoological Wildlife Foundation (ZWF) in Miami offers its followers an array of stunning imagery and video footage of the diverse animals living there.

Instagram: @zwfmiami | http://zoologicalwildlifefoundation.com/

 

 


 

8. Humane Society New York

We know, we know…we said “wildlife” rescue, but without fail these dogs and kittens are wild at heart! For over a century, the Humane Society in New York has been housing, caring, and re-homing dogs and cats to loving families. In fact, they are responsible for helping a staggering 38,000 dogs and cats every year. Instagram: @HumaneSocietyNY | http://www.humanesocietyny.org/  

Kitten adventures! #adopt #rescuecat #catsofnyc #catsofinstagram #blackcat #kitten #hsny #model #hearst A photo posted by Humane Society of New York (@humanesocietyny) on

10 Stunning Woodblock Prints from Japan

You can almost smell the sweet cherry blossoms and taste the salty sea air when you look at the work of legendary 19th-century artist, Hiroshige. At a time when traveling long distances was arduous, if not impossible, Hiroshige’s woodblock prints of Japanese landscapes, festivals and monuments let people experience the wonders of their country without leaving their hometowns. You can do the same today with these 10 gorgeous selections from the Library of Congress’ Prints and Photographs Division. Explore more of the LOC’s phenomenal collection containing more than 2,500 pieces of art by Japanese artists from the seventeenth through early twentieth centuries here.

 

Mount Fuji, Japanese Woodblock - Photo by: flickr/The Library of Congress
A view of Mount Fuji behind maple trees in Tokyo, 1858

Massaki of Suijin Shrine, Japanese Woodblock, Photo by: flickr/The Library of Congress
View from Massaki of Suijin Shrine, Uchigawa Inlet and Sekiya, 1857

Mishima Station, Japanese Woodblock, Photo by: flickr/The Library of Congress
Travelers and residents at the shrine and inns at Mishima station, 1855

Otsuki Fields, Japanese Woodblock, Photo by: flickr/The Library of Congress
Otsuki fields in Kai Province, 1858

Horikiri iris garden, Japanese Woodblock, Photo by: flickr/The Library of Congress
Horikiri iris garden, 1857

Tokyou Tanabata festival, Japanese Woodblock, Photo by: flickr/The Library of Congress
Tokyo during the Tanabata festival, 1857

Satta in Suruga Province, Japanese Woodblock, Photo by: flickr/The Library of Congress
The sea at Satta in Suruga Province with Mount Fuji in the background, 1858

Hasedera in Yamato Province, Japanese Woodblock, Photo by: flickr/The Library of Congress
Hasedera in Yamato Province, 1859

Suido Bridge, Japanese Woodblock, Photo by: flickr/The Library of Congress
Fish in front of Suido Bridge and Surugadai, 1857

Meguro drum bridge, Japanese Woodblock, Photo by: flickr/The Library of Congress
Meguro drum bridge and sunset hill, 1857


Images Courtesy of  The Library of Congress flickr

5 Recipes for Your Next Hawaiian Luau

Need weekend inspiration that doesn’t break the bank? Almost any budget can enjoy a backyard tropical vacation without any reservations or TSA hassles.

Pin up some pictures of Hawaii to your vision board. Then, take a look at these simple recipes of Hawaiian food and BBQ specialties that’ll bring a little lei-sure time to your next weekend.

 

Main Dishes

Hoisin Honey Glazed Pork

Read full recipe at Delish.com

 

Hawaiian Ahi Poke

Read full recipe at A Spicy Perspective

 

Side Dishes

Lomi Lomi Salmon

Read full recipe at Hawaii for Visitors

 

Skinny Hawaiian Slaw

Read full recipe at The Skinny Fork

 

Dessert

Guava Cake

Read full recipe at Valerie Kukahiko of Kuki’s Kookbook

 

10 Literary Twitter Hashtags Worth Your Attention

Haven’t got the resources to spend a summer at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop? Why not fashion your own cyber community using Twitter? Follow any or all of these hashtag writing exercises and other prompts and you might just finish your novel after all.

 


 

1. #FridayFlash

Exercise brevity with these hashtag challenges asking that you get to the point in around 5 words. Or at the most 1000. Flash fiction is a worthy exercise to get perspective on the weight of your words. And it’s also great fun.

 

 


 

2. #BookFaceFriday

Ever feel like you really got into a story? Take it to the next level by posing with your favorite classic books or modern fiction books and use this hashtag to share book-face meld shots easily worth a 1000 words.

 

 


 

3. #AskAgent

Literary agents worldwide are on the Twitter sphere to answer your pressing questions about the writing business. Follow to hear fellow writers’ concerns about publishing as well as what’s happening with new media like digital books.

 


 

4. #WritingPrompt

Most workshops recommend free writing to explore lurking ideas, and quick visual or verbal cues can sometimes spawn an entire short story. See where it takes you.    


 

5. #BookStoreBingo

Booksellers hear the darndest things. And they share them on this hashtag which acts as a compendium of all the strange things people ask bookstore staff. Get to know your future audience.

 


 

6. #NaNoWriMo

National Novel Writing Month is probably the internet’s most demanding writers’ challenge. One month, one novel. The community of support though, might be just the thing to make it happen.  

 


 

7. #PubTip

Another utility hashtag to get to the details of the publishing business, writers can use it to learn about things like what genres are currently oversaturating publishers, and other market facts.    

   


 

8. #WriteGoal

Everyone knows the anecdotes about stating a goal to achieve it. It really does work. So tag your aspirational word counts or chapter completions, and get one step closer to your dream.

 

 


 

9. #ReadWomen2015 (and 2014)

Created by writer Joanna Walsh (@badaude), this hashtag points readers to books, essays and articles about women in the writing and publishing fields.  

   


 

10. #WeNeedMoreDiverseBooks

Hopefully we’ll just call it #books one day, but for the moment, follow this hashtag for stories inclusive of more diverse perspectives and cultures.

 

A lifestyle magazine inspired by author Sylvia Day