Wheels in Florence

I know it is a complete cliche - but I couldn't stop taking pictures of bikes and scooters all lined up in Florence. More than once I found myself wishing I had one to ride around too - although since I was in town over Easter Weekend there were huge crowds and just getting around on foot meant a lot of weaving in and out, so I'm guessing a bike would have been a bit of a challenge.

A scooter would have come in handy the days I decided to trek up some of the hills of Florence to take in the view - it was a hike, but the views were worth it.

I'll admit there was a bit of me sad that my Italian holiday didn't include a ride on a bike with a basket full of flowers or on the back of a vintage Vespa...clearly I've seen too many romantic movies set in Italy.

"What a great big world, I better find a way to stay."
Band of Horses - How to Live


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Laredo

Band of Horses - Laredo

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The Streets of Lausanne

I'm in London for an event you might have heard about somewhere on the news....Because I plan to experience as much of the Games as I can, I've scheduled some posts to keep this little blog of mine going while I'm gone (and to help me catch up with my never ending backlog of photos taken on other trips.) If you want to keep up with me in real time, and see a few of my London photos, catch me on Instagram @jamieshaw_lj.

I love looking at street photography - but I'm not much of a street photographer - it makes me feel self conscious to be out on the street with a camera taking pictures of strangers. Does anyone else struggle street photography for that reason? I find I worry about it less when I leave the dslr home and use a smaller camera.

True story - these two photos are the same street. The top one was taken on Saturday the bottom on Sunday. This is a town that REALLY does shut down on Sunday.

When I typed the title of this post I immediately started singing Band of Horses' Laredo - and couldn't figure out why until I remembered a Johnny Cash song: Streets of Laredo. I think it is safe to say Laredo and Lausanne have very little in common, but still, my mind and music can bring them together. Pin It

Cooking 101

This will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me - but I'm not much of a cook.  I'm convinced it is because I usually just can't be bothered.  I'm the type of person who is satisfied most evenings with some yogurt or an omelet.  But for the last few months I've had the desire to improve my skills just so I don't feel so clueless.  I decided to get a jump start on my New Year's Resolution and set a goal (publicly) of learning how to cook (at least a few things.)  I'm hoping that by sharing my goal and progress here I'll find the motivation to follow through.

I started simple - with one of my favorite foods - tomato soup.  From nearly as long as I can remember my comfort food was tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.  When I was a kid, Campbell's was my go to.  As an adult I discovered Pacific Organic Food's Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup - delish!  But recently I found a new favorite.

Last October my mom and I went to Copenhagen and London, such amazing cities.  While in London always wanted a quick (but WARM) lunch.  We discovered a restaurant chain called Pret a Manger - like Starbucks in the US there seems to be a restaurant on nearly every corner.  I had their tomato soup on our first visit and kept dragging my mom back there for lunch every day because I couldn't get enough of that soup.  On our last day I finally got my mom to try it and she fell in love.

We both talked about how we'd miss that soup.  My mom, being the go getter she is, decided to do something about it.  She got home and emailed the restaurant to see if they had a cookbook with the recipe in that could be bought.  Better yet, they sent her the recipe in reply.  We did some googling to translate the recipe to US measurements and started experimenting (well, she experimented, I tasted and commented.)  We've finally settled on our favorite version of the recipe.

I decided it was time I learned how to make it on my own, and I have to say, my first (and second) attempt at real cooking worked out well, even if I had to eat leftovers twice a day for four days.

Any recommendations on what this beginning cook should try next?

I think having the right music to accompany my efforts made the difference.  For this recipe I went with Band of Horses - just the right mix of mellow and rock for my mood and the soup.
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Music Week Day 3

Today's list again comes from amazon.com's $5 mp3 album sale, but this is a list of albums that are on my wish list that I'm debating picking up during the sale.  If you own any of them, I'd love your input:

• Train - Save Me, San Francisco:  I loved their single, "Hey, Soul Sister" but will I love the rest of the album?
• Band of Horses - Infinite Arms:  I loved their previous album and love, love the song "Laredo" from this one.
• Frank Sinatra: In the Wee Small Hours: I feel like I need to add this to my collection just because I don't have any Sinatra in there and what is a collection with out some old school classics.
• Brett Dennen - Brett Dennen: I have two of his other albums, which I love, I want this one to round out my collection.
• Old 97's - Blame it on Gravity:  Would fill a hole in my Old 97's collection.
• Bat for Lashes - Fur and Gold:  Have a couple of singles which I love, but will I love the entire album?
• Joe Purdy - 4th of July: Love his voice, want to add more to my collection.
• Cat Power - What Would the Community Think:  Love her, and am missing this one.
• Kate Bush - Lionheart:  Don't have more than a song or two of hers in my collection, but I hear her name frequently as an inspiration to other artists I love.
• Buddy and Julie Miller - Written in Chalk:  Americana artists I've ready great things about.
• Steve Azar - Slide on Over Here: His "Sunshine" is one of my favorite songs of the past few months, can't figure out why it isn't doing better on the radio.

This sneak peek from Band of Horse, "Factory" moved their album from my wish list to the purchased list.  I don't know why, but I have a weakness for bearded musicians.

What's on your musical wish list?

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