Tour de France Summer

The Tour de France 2012 starts today, and in honor of this famed event I have posted one of my favorite photos of my wife, Amy Nawrocki, attacking a huge hill in Hamden. You can't tell from this photo, but this hill is like the Alp d'Huez. Seriously, if either of us ever gets up this hill, it will be a banner day for our clan.

Video Review of the Insiders' Guide

This is a review by Jill Merriam, the Dealer for the People. It's great to have someone find your work, and find it helpful.

Tender Barbecue Pork Ribs

Fall-off the bone tender pork ribs with multi-grain rice...the secret? A simple crockpot.

The Squirrel Tells Me

The work of sawing wood awaits. I have to finish writing a book first (and perhaps a second one) but I must prepare for the winter. Between now and then I shall mow the lawn, but it will never replace the good work of creating firewood. Soon, Mr. Squirrel, I will attend to that pile (and the others). Soon.

Duck!

Soft Shell Crab at Heirloom

Uhm...delicious. Soft shell crab at Heirloom, the restaurant attached to The Study hotel in New Haven. One of the best of its kind I've had.

Bike Ride Across Connecticut

Amy and I just completed our bike ride from Hamden to Massachusetts yesterday. What an adventure! More to come with that - but for now, I need to go soak my aching legs in a bath of Icy Hot.

Author's Panel at the Barnum Museum

As part of the new lecture series to gain support for the tornado-struck Barnum Museum, Michael Bielawa, Lennie Grimaldi, and I discussed Bridgeport in some detail. I was proud to be part of the kick-off of this series - and I urge everyone to help the museum in any way you can; it is one of Connecticut's treasures.

Fascia's Hazelnut Truffle

Want the recipe for this delectable treat from Fascia's Chocolates? Get yourself a copy of A History of Connecticut Food today!

Northern Leopard Frog?

My niece Julia holding one of the frogs who live in our back yard. Northern Leopard Frog, perhaps? Anyone?

Lune de Miel at Books New Haven

Why are people so afraid of poetry? That’s a question that’s been plaguing poet Amy Nawrocki, of Hamden. Now, with her new collection, Lune de Miel, being released in August, she talks about what people are missing when they dismiss poetry out of hand... Read the rest at Books New Haven. .

At Best Video for Insiders Guide to Connecticut

Real Life Survival Guide Episode 49 - Work, Health, and Luck

Had a great time at Gouveia Vineyards talking with Bruce Barber, Duo Dickinson, Gerry McGuire, and Elisabeth Petry. Listen to the entire episode here.

Review of Lune de Miel

"That trip—with its pilgrimages to landmarks and great art, and exploratory meanderings through the avenues and bars of Montparnasse, the Latin Quarter, and other locales favored by writers Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Anais Nin, and Henry Miller—does not unfurl in Lune de Miel in the frenzied swirl of action one typically associates with travel. Instead, Nawrocki’s poems are filled with detail that is evocative and almost holy..."

Read the rest here.

The Importance of Perspective

Amy and I taught ourselves to take close-up food photos last year, in pursuit of A History of Connecticut Food. We had a few minor setbacks, one of which you can see above. But every mistake is a lesson, and it taught us the importance of perspective in food photography!

Afoot in Connecticut 52 - Food Trucks

Bridgeport Contemporary Club

Amy and I gave a presentation for the Bridgeport Contemporary Club at the Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield last week. It was a wonderful experience telling them about Connecticut wine, a wonderful meal, and a wonderful group of people.

At Jessie Camille's

Amy and I gave a presentation on A History of Connecticut Wine for the Naugatuck Exchange Club this week, and had a great time at Jessie Camille's restaurant, and with everyone from the club.

At Earth Day at Hamden Middle School

Here I am working the table for the Hamden Historical Society at the middle school's annual Earth Day celebration.

Still Revolutionary

The full video is here. It's starting to grow on me.