New Jersey

An Actual Real, Live Blog Post (Cue Applause)

July 1, 2010 By heather 8 Comments

I took exactly two photos in Jersey this trip. This is one of them.

The other one you probably would be even less interested in because it’s of my niece and the family dog. Both with Phillies hats. (I call Brandy the family dog because though she belongs to my parents, we’ve all adopted her. All except for my husband, who in general is not a fan of dogs. Unless they’re the dogs that lie around all day with no energy.)

To sum up: beach, greasy foods, a winning Phillies game (with a walk-off homerun–we ordered that in advance). Exciting stuff.

The good news is my travels are over. Which means a return to routine. Which, oddly enough, means a return to interesting things to say.

Isn’t that paradoxical? It seems when my life is more interesting, I have less to say. When life settles into the mundane, I become Chatty Chatterbox once again. I think it has something to do with the posture of contemplation. (In fact, I already have some thoughts churning regarding this. You could say I’m contemplating contemplation. Don’t worry. You know I’ll share.)

So until churned contemplation becomes solidified into something resembling butter, I’m signing off.

Filed Under: blogging, giggles, New Jersey, Phillies

Land of the Free and Home of the Brave

November 23, 2009 By heather 8 Comments

I’m speaking of New Jersey, of course, the land upon which God will model the new earth.

As much as I love this great state, I had second-guessed my decision to take my annual trip. With finances what they are (or aren’t, rather), did I need this research trip? I know the area, the mindsets, the lifestyles. I know how things work.

Going was the right decision. I had been afraid about writing my next novel for multiples reasons. Those fears haven’t left. But ideas begin to shout over the fears. Besides some logistics, as I walked the streets of the town, Sarah began to emerge. She told me about her childhood, where she went to school, and the beauties and pains of early marriage. She told me about the chemical spill across the street at the dry cleaners.

Now, I’m ready to tell her story.

I suppose this relates to the importance of setting. It’s more than the location of the story. Setting dictates the rhythms of life. It’s bound up with character. I needed to breathe Sarah’s atmosphere to know her.

And I might have snuck in some fun while there, too.

Filed Under: New Jersey, setting, travel, writing

A Plea

July 7, 2008 By heather 10 Comments

I beseech thee, oh bakers of bread, slicers of meats, suppliers of groceries, upon thy honor to apprentice thyself to a Jersey baker, deli worker, and grocery supplier.

Why doest thou not slice deli meats so thinly? Learn ye to slice thy fineries onion-paper thin. Why doest thou not stock the very same American cheese as is found in so great a land as New Jersey? Learn ye to cultivate cheese with such flavor. Why doest thou not carry Ambrosia rolls and pork roll? Learn ye to discover such delicacies of life. Mayn’st thou not develop independent bakeries as fine as McMillan’s? Learn ye to mold and icing with such panache.

How now, chefs? Get thee to an Italian home!

Oh, creators of ravioli and lasagna, wherefore art thou, pasta makers? Do not deny thy father and mother but bringest them and make thy way to the desolate land of Dallas. Or, if thou will not, I will again attempt to persuade mine husband to traverse to the Garden State–garden indeed in land and comestibles.

(To eat or not to eat, there is no question. Whether ’tis nobler to clog mine arteries with panzarottis or fast from God’s treats. To eat, perchance to have high cholesterol; aye, there’s the rub!)

I beg of thee, Wawa’s, to set up shop in the south! Oh, how we needest thine expertise! Oh, how I mourn the loss of hoagies.

I thank thee, ye suppliers who understand the necessity of introducsing such delectables to the land of the hungry–items such as Breyer’s ice cream, Entenmann’s pastries (especially chocolate-covered donuts, which no longer carry partially hydrogenated oil), and Tastykake specialties. I sing thy praises, Fred’s Philly Cheesesteaks on 15th Street, ye who provideth me with the glory of Philly, shipping daily for my delight. How you thrill in caring for those in your charge.

I beseech thee, Dallas, discover the pleasures of South Jersey foods!

Filed Under: bakeries, cheesesteaks, food, hoagies, Italian food, New Jersey, panzarottis, South Jersey

Pristne Stanice…

June 22, 2008 By heather 11 Comments

It’s good to be in a land where people get you. You guys know what I mean? They understand why you crave the foods you crave or want to be the places where you want to be. They understand why you need to be by water.

Water people. That’s who we are.

Note to those who don’t live in Philly or South Jersey: that’s pronounced wooter people.

That’s another thing. They understand you. Period. They understand when you ask for a glass of wooter or when you say "Coke," you mean the brand, not any soda. Of course, why would you drink Coke when you could have Birch Beer (Pennsylvania Dutch, please).

After a few days with family, a day in Philly, and two days at the beach–well, a day and a half–I’m feeling home. I’ve had revelations (don’t ask me what now–I’m hungry and craving good Italian). I’ve researched for my next book. And I’m home.

Pictures and videos to follow at some point.

Next stop, the healing powers of the ocean…

Filed Under: New Jersey, vacation

New Jersey in 1000 Words or Less

October 5, 2007 By heather Leave a Comment

I’m back. Visiting your roots, your childhood and your parents’ childhoods, refreshes the soul.

Since this was a research trip for me (and it worked–it answered a lot of questions about my current WIP and got some ideas germinating for two more), I took pictures. Tons of pictures (if a picture is worth a 1000 words, how many words does that make–and, more importantly, Misfits, does that count toward my daily word count?).

Here are a few (I’ll try to keep it down):

Since I told you about Eastern State Penitentiary: here’s what would greet you at the entrance, although from pics I saw of the original, he was added later.

Philadelphia City Hall: you can’t really see much of the tower on the right side, but on the top stands William Penn (guess what: Pennsylvania was not named after him but after his father ’cause a good Quaker would never name anything after himself).

Elfreth Alley: oldest houses in the States still lived in. The road is teeny tiny.

A building on Haddon Ave in Collingswood, one of the two towns in NJ where I grew up.

The church I grew up in.

You know I had to put a pic of the shore. My mom and I stayed in Ocean City for two days. These morning clouds worked their way inland giving us Irving Berlin blue skies and the perfect temperature in the afternoon.

Christ Church cemetery (partially dedicated to Angie): where Ben Franklin and four other signers of the good ole Declaration that started it all are buried (as well as some other interesting folk)

Filed Under: New Jersey, travel

Why We Should Move to New Jersey

September 30, 2007 By heather Leave a Comment

I’m still in Jersey and am putting a PowerPoint presentation together to convince my hubby that we should move to NJ. So here we go. (Man, do I love this place.)

Hoagies (warning—there will be a lot of food on this list; my mom and I planned our trip more around food than even family): don’t even think about calling them subs.
Philly cheesesteaks
Panzzerottis (told there’d be food): not anything close to calzones, fyi
Trees—this includes the different types, the number of them, and the beautiful colors in the fall. We’re here right at the beginning of the change. Almost overnight. Of course, my family laughs at our oohs and ahhs over such meager colors. We ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Wait ’til mid-October.
History—you go into Philly and it’s first this and first that. First, first, first. First capital, first printing press, first president of the U.S., first prison in the States (first penitentiary in the world—the thing looks like a castle, which is on purpose, of course, to scare the new immigrants who would’ve associated the castle with a harsh authoritative hand; inspired by Quakers, the designers wanted to create a place once inside that would inspire penitence and a changed life). You can’t walk two steps without being immersed into history like the signing of the Declaration and Campbell’s soup and Ben Franklin (who apparently did everything except invent Campbell’s soup). And the architecture–some European, some colonial, some modern. When I get back, I’ll take the time to put some pics up. Then there’s my personal history and my family history. It’s all here.
Location, location, location—hop on a train and 10 min. later you’re in Philadelphia. Two hours from NYC, three from DC. An hour from the shore (a great shore at that) and three from the mountains (think skiing, Chris).
The tomatoes and corn and blueberries and peaches and apples. NJ is called the Garden State for a reason. You can’t get veggies bursting with flavor like this in Texas.
Italian country—I love my Italian food. You can’t get Italian food like this in Dallas. (Interestingly enough, I used to think I’d miss Mexican food if—no, when—I move back home, but with Mexican migrant workers now putting down roots, Mexican—true Mexican, which I prefer to Tex-Mex—restaurants pop up everywhere, along with every type of Asian and Middle Eastern.)
Four seasons. They have all of them up here.
The artsy section of Philly with galleries and shops and all that fun stuff.
And I haven’t even been to the shore yet–we go tomorrow.

Added to the list after posting but before visiting the shore:
Water ice–similar to snow cones only if you consider a fine snow powder the same as ice cubes.
Variety in the style of houses–so many types as opposed to the DFW 2 types.
Cheaper gas. Seriously.
Cheaper tolls. (And don’t even try and bring up that housing is oh-so-much-more expensive in Jersey. Dallas is almost caught up in prices. I checked. Love you, dear.)
Barber shops with the real twisting barber shop red and white thingies.
Traditional small shops–I only saw one Wal-Mart.
Wawa’s coffee. So good. Jam-packed in the mornings. If you say it’s like 7-11, I’ll punch you in the nose. Very few Starbucks here.

I’m sure I’ll think of more.

Things I love but can’t put on my husband’s list:

Watching the Eagles game with other Eagles fans. Hard to come by in Dallas.
Actually, that’s it. If he would listen to me, I think he would find that he would love NJ (ahem).

Filed Under: New Jersey, travel

Yay! Times 3

August 14, 2007 By heather Leave a Comment

1. I’m going to Jersey! My mom and I decided to go the last week of September to visit relatives. We’ll see the ocean (YAY!–although by that time, it will be much too cold to swim or don bathing suit even, though I will most likely venture a toe in until I can’t feel it any longer) and eat. I’m already planning our menu. Hoagies, cheesesteaks, Italian water ice (pronounce wooter ice), panzarottis, more hoagies, Kohr Brother’s frozen custard. Oh, my, the things we’ll eat. Oh, and the family we’ll see. Of course.
2. The braised short ribs on my second try were the delectable comestibles I imagined them to be. Moral: try and try again. Scrape the pot and try one more time. Bang kitchen accessories around and pre-heat the oven one more time. Oh, and a word to the wise (although if they’re so wise, why do they need my word?) – don’t steam artichokes. Much better to boil them.
3. Um. In my excitement, I forgot. But in the absense of yay number 3, I’ll let you know what’s coming up tomorrow (or maybe later today): my speaking information. I do speaking for retreats (women’s, college, singles) and special events. Tomorrow I’ll have more information for those of you who are interested while I’m waiting for my website to get done (which is harder than it looks – that HTML!).

Filed Under: cooking, New Jersey, travel