Outside the comfort zone!!!!!!!!!

Anyone that knows me will happily acknowledge that I don't like hiking, and even the smallest attempts are without a doubt outside of my comfort zone.  After all, I am for sure a creature of comfort and was naturally,  born in the chinese sign of the pig.  However, I don't like to be a killjoy and so I let myself be convinced today, to do some hiking to follow along the two powder hounds (Forest and my dear husband), whom I was skiing with today.

Here is a small sampling of thoughts that went through my head as I ventured outside my oh so comfortable space:  Why did I agree to this craziness, I should have eaten only half the chili verde at lunch, the polyester of all my ski layers is starting to itch, I should definetly not have had the cigarette after lunch, I must have a cigarette after I accomplish this task and finally, there are really some beautiful spots to see if you are willing to hike the distance outside of the comfort zone.

Finally we arrived at the peak of "Ontario Bowl", only for me to discover that the challenging part was not the hike, but rather the descent of this already far too cumbersome journey.  Halfway down the steep incline, Forest,  my dear friend and ski guide of today, had the brilliant idea, that this is worthy of a post on my blog and I could not agree more.  After all, what's worth doing is worth documenting.

Looking down!!!!!

Looking uphill!!!!

my powder hound husband

powder hound Forest

In all fairness to my two companions, I will admit, that the experience was a fabulous one, to the point where I forgot that my polyester was itching.  All I kept thinking was, how beautiful it was to be challenged to ride through the trees in knee deep powder.  In closing, I was tremendously proud as looked up the steep incline that I had just descended from.  It made me think of the following quote:

All growth happens outside our comfort zone into the unknown. Everything we know now used to be unknown to us. Every time we fear the unknown just remember that the unknown is just another aspect of us which we haven't met.

unknown

Source: Jim Paredes

I even think I might do some more hiking in the future.  Who knows, Mount Everest is looking like a possibility, just kidding.

Forest and I

Looking up

Looking down

At the bottom looking all the way up!!!!!

Here's to being outside the comfort zone and here's to living the good life......

Pizza Pizza!!!!

Have you ever noticed how the most noble ingredients in cooking seem to combine best with the most pedestrian of all food.  For example: Caviar and scrambled eggs, or, caviar and potato pancakes and similarly, shaved truffles on baguette with butter (my personal favorite) and as I had it on saturday evening, truffle pizza.  I want to say, you have not lived, until you have had a truffle pizza.
On Saturday night, Matt and I were invited to our good friend Forest's home for truffle pizza and some other yummy delights such as chicken tangine, however, nothing would compare to Forest's homemade truffle pizza. I want to point out, though, that secret of this delight lies in the very essence of the ingredients.  First, Forrest made his pizza dough from scratch, second, I contributed my fresh rock size truffle for the shavings as well as really high quality truffle oil,  and finally, it takes at least 3 kinds of cheeses to create the right stringiness (fontina, parmesan, and mozzarella) that make this a die and go to heaven journey. In this case the pizza also included some beautifully sauteed mushrooms which only added to the amazing flavor of the truffle pizza.

Truffle pizza

Upon interviewing Forest as to how to make the pizza, I was astonished to learn, that is really pretty easy contrary to my previous belief.  Here's what I did after consuming such heavenly delight.  I went straight home, ordered my pizza stone, cutter, and my pizza peel from Sur La Table and downloaded Forest's recipe for pizza dough from the Frugal Gourmet (which I am including below):

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=302720

Homemade pizza has some great applications, as the options for toppings are limitless and can be very unique and suit the tastes and flavors of the person making it.  It is not to be compared with any pizza that you might order from some cheap fast food chain (which everyone knows, I despise).  Also, if you have kids, it is a great way to get them involved in making their own food with toppings that mom might approve of, which in turn inspires them to eat their own little creations.

So I hope some you will incorporate a home made pizza into your repertoire of cooking and throw away your fast food pizza delivery's phone number.  Here's to great pizza,  and here's to living the good life.

The Belgian Luxury Wrinkle

I would make the argument that anyone who knows me, knows that I have a thing for Belgian linen anything, particularly all things bedding.  As far as I am concerned, if it is not linen it's not worth sleeping on.  My obsession does not limit itself to just my bedding, but  my kids' bedding, my upholstery fabric, my drapery fabric, my table linens, well you get the picture...

Orchid's Libeco linen bedding in white and pink

I do agree, it may be an acquired taste for many so let me point out some things about this noble material. First, it is the only material that magically keeps you cool when hot and warm when cold outside. Second, it has the largest absorbency capabilty of any fiber (try drying a glass with it and you will never use a plain cotton kitchen towel again) and additionally it has the most beautiful texture in my opinion of any material.

Now,  to the wrinkles that everyone is so concerned about:  Personally, I do not iron my linen sheets as I believe the wrinkles showcase the texture of the material.  I do hang my sheets up on a hanger to dry, which eliminates almost all wrinkles and just leaves the beautiful texture of the linen.  There is a big myth out there that linen sheets are laborious to care for and for those out there who insist on wrinkle free sheets, owning linen sheets could be an undertaking of vast proportions.  However, if you are like me and choose to live with the beauty of texture, I promise, once you sleep in linen you cannot go back.  I would like to quote Mr. Karl Lagerfeld, whom I would consider a connisseur of life's finer things, when asked in an interview, what his idea of luxury is.  He said:  "Freshly ironed linen sheets every day."  Now there is a man after my own heart, although I think un-ironed is also luxurious.

What, you might ask inspired my thoughts on linen, today?  Well, some of the great linen comes from Belgium and my preferred company of choice is Libeco.  My dear blogger friend Greet Lefevre, mentioned them in her post about exhibitors showing at the upcoming "Maison et Objet" gift show in Paris. Her blog www.belgianpearls.blogspot.com is a fabulous account of all great Belgian design (also, I want to thank her for mentioning me in her post this morning).  In any event, you know my heart will be racing when I visit the Libeco linen stand next week at the "Maison et Object".  I leave you with a picture and link of Libeco's online catalog (www.pagegangster.com/p/kWdK5/).

Here's to indulging with the luxury wrinkle and here's to living the good life....

Ultimate Chicken soup!!!!!!

The other day, I was watching "Tyler's Ultimate" show when I came
accross this truly fabulous take on Chicken Soup.  It's chicken soup
on steroids so to speak.  I was so inspired, that I took to making it the
very next day.  My only adaptation was that I added one chopped
leak (I am addicted to leaks).  Here is my work in progress on the stove:

The fabulous aspect of this soup is the addition of chicken-apple meatballs and cheese tortellini.  Trust me, this soup is nothing short of genius and pretty easy to make.  Below, find the receipe, courtesy of Tyler Florence and Food Network:

Ultimate Chicken Soup

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Ingredients

For the soup:

• Extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 large carrots, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 ribs celery, sliced
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 fresh thyme sprigs
• 3 quarts low-sodium chicken broth
• 5 parsley stems, plus 1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
• 4 black peppercorns
• Kosher salt
• Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, for garnish

For the meatballs:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• Olive oil
• 6 links organic chicken-apple sausage meat
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 handful fresh parsley leaves
• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 2 pounds frozen cheese tortellini, store bought
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

For the soup:

Set a large stock pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, half the garlic, carrot, onion, celery, bay leaf, and thyme and gently saute until fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes. Pour in chicken broth, add parsley stems, black peppercorns and salt, to taste. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer while you work on meatballs and tortellini.

For the meatballs:

Caramelize the diced onion in a saute pan with a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, egg, onion, thyme, parsley, and cheese to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until they all come together. Season with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet with a few tablespoons of olive oil until just smoking. Use a small ice cream scoop to drop meatballs onto skillet. Cook, turning, until golden brown.

Drop tortellini straight from freezer into soup. Cook until they float. Once meatballs are browned, add to pot of chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 or 3 minutes. Give soup a final seasoning and serve in shallow bowls with a small shower of Parmesan, olive oil, and parsley.

 
Bon Appetit and here's to living the good life........

Mountain Style

My dear mother would tell you that as a designer I have dabbled in every design style known to mankind.  In the early nineties it was shabby chic, then it was opulent french, then it was David Hicks style mid-century, and after that,  Hollywood regency. After this era, circa early 2000, I feel I started developing my essence and really got into danish and european mid-century, mixed with some traditional pieces.  I should thank all the high ranking shelter magazines at this moment for featuring my designs throughout my career, and indulging my creative viewpoints as they were, at each moment. I have to always laugh about my mom asking me how many changes a person possible can go through, and she might be right given the fact that she is a beige on beige true minimalist.  I am not joking if I tell you that she still owns the same sofa's from 20 years ago, and she has owned certain pieces of furniture for so long, that they are now considered collectors items by authorities such as "first dibs".

No matter what, my mom has kindly taken on the role of design editor, for as long as I can remember. When we would shop together, she would kindly help me refine my choices, the sequence of events always running the same course: I spot the item that I cannot live without, and she would at that point question me with: What is the application of such a piece? This would usually end up in a response such as:  I am not sure but I have to have it and I will find an application. Needless to say, my storage facility is ever expanding much to the dismay of my husband who is getting the bills for such storage.  However, one day I will have the most fabulous store with all my beautiful finds, that had no application over the years.

Contrary to my mom's concern about all my changes, I do feel that I have evolved as a designer through experimenting in the various phases and that all my dabbles have lead me to an understanding of what is my true aeesthatic.  Certain things were passing fads, never to be used again, and others are mainstays of my work, that I believe to be evident no matter what project I take on.  So I leave you with my take on "mountain style" which are some quick snapshots of our living room and dining room here in Deer Valley.  

I would like to dedicate this post to my mom.  God knows, it takes a lot of love and patience to witness all those changes, and she certainly has done so by always standing by me and supporting me even when she silently questioned some of my crazy choices.

My mom and I in an "editing moment"

Mutsch, here is to you and here is to living the good life.....

The greatest Risk!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes, living the good life involves great challenges and risks.  I do believe that the saying"nothing ventured nothing gained" does hold true. Those of you who know me, are aware that I am by no means a "live on the edge" person, but I do believe, that some risk is necessary, to grow and reach bigger heights than otherwise possible.  It would appear that the universe was ready to test me on this principle in a major way.

About 18 months ago, I was pregnant with our second child (a boy).  For the first 3 months of my pregnancy, everything was just as it should be.  I did my routine check-ups and tests, and up until that point all tests had come back normal.  So much so, that we took off from LA on a long Sag Harbor vacation in August.  However, upon doing my amneo tests, the lab discovered a duplication of chromosome 15, in my unborn baby boy.  I will not bore you with the specifics of genetic analysis but suffice it to say, this was a very bad result.

From one day to the next, my happy pregnancy world had turned to Satan's cave.  Suddenly, I was meeting with a battery of genetic experts to make predictions and asessments on the possible health implications on my baby.  What I discovered at that point, is that science is so advanced in some areas,  and so not advanced in others.  Matt and I were facing, making the most crucial decision in our lives to date, based on a risk factor analysis that in my mind, resembled that of playing poker: One in ten, or 10% likelihood, were the odds we were given, that our child could be severely retarded, and a 90% chance that our child would be just fine.  The binary nature of it, only added to the urgency of the situation.

How to make the decision on a human life with so little conclusive information?  We had already done all the tests to narrow down these odds, and were still waiting on the results of one very new and experimental test, that might shed some more light on the outcome.  Unfortunately, the clock was ticking as the legal right to terminate a child ends at 20 weeks of gestation.  Google had become my best and worst friend, as the information about chromosome 15 babies was limited and scary.  The days were rolling by and my deadline was nearing. We had already consulted every friend (even long lost friends who knew various experts in New York city), family members (and we didn't all agree on the course of action - the old school "stone age" philosophies of my dad especially swayed towards the belief that there are just too many tests anyways), people with similar experiences, doctors galore, and finally our inner voices.

I will never forget the feeling of my unborn boy kicking inside of me as I was contemplating terminating him.  But, our last test result was still not available, and without it, our outlook was not good. So we decided to schedule the termination on the last possible day of my 20 week deadline, in hopes of having news prior to it.  I spent my time, coming to terms with what my ultimate decision should be, praying each day for a sign, any sign, to tell me what to do. All the while my sweet boy was kicking inside of me with a gusto that seemed to cry out: "Hey I am here and alive inside of you".

I would have to say that the last few days prior to my termination date were some of the worst in my life.  I also needed to consider Orchid, my daughter, who at that point, was wildly excited at the prospect of her new baby brother, and would come in our bed every morning, kissing my stomach and saying: "good morning baby Tarzan (her name of choice)".  How would I explain all this to a 4 year old, once all was said and done?  Two days prior to my scheduled termination, we decided to get out of the house and have an early dinner with Orchid, in the hopes of some easy distraction.  As we were in the car, Matt's phone rang.  It was our genetic counselor asking Matt if I was still pregnant?  Yes, he said and her response was "Oh, thank god".  He turned the speaker phone on so I could listen and what followed was a jumbled explanation about the final test results that we had been waiting for.  I was so hysterical at this point, that I was crying and laughing at the same time.  She offered to meet us at her office if we could get there right away, to explain in detail the great news.  We were able to reach our dear friend Brett, who of course was willing to meet us at a street corner in Los Angeles, to take Orchid for ice-cream, while we would meet Dr. Falk and focus on the test results.  Here's to having great friends, when you need them.  Again, I will not bore you with the specifics of genetic analysis that she gave us, but the bottom line was, that the test had come back as positive as possible, and so her analysis was that this baby in all liklihood would be fine.  She said to us then, that there would be two major moments, where we would be able to see if something was wrong, which would be at birth and at 1 year of age. She also said, that she cannot advise us on deciding to continue or to terminate the pregnancy as 50% of couples in our situation had indeed decided to terminate with good reason. But she felt our risk factor had dropped to about 3%.
When we left her office, I felt so clear.  I had gotten the sign that I had prayed for, and no matter what the outcome would be, I was sure now, that I was meant to give birth to my boy and that this was one of life's risks, that I need to take.


Today is Sky's first birthday and it is with great joy that I can say,  that my biggest risk in life provided me with the greatest reward.  He had his one year check-up a few weeks ago and is a happy, strong, and most important, healthy one year old boy. I will say, that there are not many days, that I don't look at his beautiful face and think about the fact, that he was 2 days away from not being and how blessed I am to have been able to persevere through the greatest risk of my life.  I hope this post helps anyone who might find themselves at such a crossroads. My goal is not to advocate any choice in this matter, but rather to highlight my journey through this challenging time.  I leave you with some pictures of our beautiful boy Sky and a quote from Henry David Thoreau:

"We must walk consciously only part way to our goal and then leap in the dark to our success"  Happy birthday Sky and here's to living the good life.

Sky Gregory Coffin

Sky & Orchid

Sky & Orchid

Sky &  Mommy

Sky & Daddy

My little man and I

Talisker cabin

A few posts ago, I promised information about the Talisker Cabin and so here it is.

Literally, this is a cabin, in the middle of the mountains tucked nearby a ski run.  Breakfast and lunch is served everyday in this beautiful and cozy outpost.

The view from the cabin's outdoor terrace is spectacular and the food is excellent.  The honorable mention needs to go to the 'Chilli Verde"

Chilli Verde

The interior of the cabin is straight out of a Ralph Lauren lifestyle advertisement.

Cabin Interior

My friend Forrest and I

It's a great place to come to and swap the morning's ski experiences with other members and friends, as the cabin is intimate and there is always someone to run into.  Most of all, the cabin epitomizes Park City's beautiful setting up in the mountains.  I leave you with a picturesque view from the Talisker cabin as we embark back on our skis for some more skiing fun.  Here's to living the good life.

Forrest, Matt, and I after lunch

View from Cabin

The ultimate gift!!!!!

Every year on the night before my daughter Orchid's birthday, I reflect back on the night that changed my life. Let's start with the actual birthing aspect.  Whoever could really fully prepare you for the torture and pain a human being will experience as they attempt to give birth to a baby.  I don't care if you had an epidural (i had about ten), not had had an epidural, pushed naturally, had a c-section or the worst of both worlds, the emergency c-section (my scenario of course).  The nature of childbirth ensures, that you are bonded forever to the child that is about to be born. In retrospect, i do feel that it was a small price to pay for the bundle of joy that I received that night after 8 hours of pushing and finally delivering Orchid via c-section.
The day Orchid was born, also changed my emotional make-up as a person.  Prior to her, my description would read something like this:  Natasha Esch, interior designer, wife of college sweetheart Matt, daughter to Gaby and Dieter Esch, in that order. My priorities in life up until then were limited to achieving creative nirvana through my design business, trying to be a good daughter to my parents, and a good wife to my husband.  All these things are still true today and I try to achieve all of them, however, my ultimate priority has changed the day I became a proud mother.  These days, my challenge in life is do justice to the incredible gift that I have received, by being the very best mother I can be.  Being a mother is a humbling range of experiences and puts you in touch with levels of emotions, that you did not think you were capable of.  Joy, laughter, frustration, fear, anger, love, patience, are just some of the attributes that I think need to be mentioned here.
Most of all, becoming a mother has made me appreciate my own mother on a whole deeper level.  I now recognize that it is because of my mother's guidance, deep love and life lessons, that I am able to manage life's challenges and lead a fulfilled life filled with joy and happiness.

My mom, Orchid and I in beautiful Anguilla

Happy 5th Birthday Orchid and here's to living the good life....

Helmet Law

Orchid and Matt with helmets

For all my fellow skier blog friends, here is a topic I feel very strongly about.  Last year at about this time, the moment had come, that after 35 years of skiing, I decided to wear a ski helmet.  Until then, I was your fashionable ski bunny who would zip about the mountain with my cute hats , goggles or sunglasses.  Two incidents led to this monumental and crucial decision.  First, the unfortunate death of Natasha Richardson occurred, and second, my daughter Orchid who was four at the time, posed the very simple but reasonable question as to why she needed to wear a helmet if I,  her mommy did not. Upon very serious consideration of her question, I decided that there was really no good reason, why I should not.  I decided at that very moment to wear a helmet when skiing and went out to buy such a safety device.

Me with ski helmet

To all you ski junkies out there, who are still not wearing a helmet, I would like to address the two major reasons as to why you are still not wearing helmets.  How you might think could I possibly know the reasons why you are not wearing a helmet?  Simple, I was you until last year.  The first reason is, that you helmet less skiers out there think foolishly, that you are an advanced skier, and therefore do not need a helmet because the likelihood of you falling is slim to none.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Even if you might not fall on your own accord, someone else less ski experienced could ski into you when you least expect it, causing you to fall and get hurt.
Second, unlike some years ago, it is no longer cool nor fashionable to not wear a helmet.  Just like bellbottoms, and shoulder pads had their moment in fashion, so did the helmet less skier.  Folks, if anyone is confused about this, let me state it very clearly, that moment is so over.  In fact cool ski fashions now include helmet styles and trends just like any other fashion fad.  Please go out right now and buy a ski helmet and know in your mind that your cool factor and fashion image will not be compromised, if you do this.
Especially if you have children, you owe it to them to set a good example and I am sure I don't need to tell you the old saying:  "Do as I say, not as I do", will not save the lives of your kids. On this final note, I would like to address all the Deer Valley Ski instructors out there: I know there is no requirement for you to wear helmets and I am glad to see that most of you do, but there are some of you, that don't wear one and I am appalled.  As instructors, you need to set the example and again, there is no good and valid reason for anyone to not wear a helmet at this point.
I am posting a link to an excellent website where you can get comprehensive info on buying a helmet as well as useful information concerning all things helmet.  Incidentally the tag line reads: No more excuses.

skihelmets.com

This blog is about the good life and no good life can be had without some safety precautions.
Here's to living the good life.....

Good Will Hunting

Every once in a while in the sea of cookbooks, comes one that is worth reading cover to cover and for all my foodie friends out there, this post is for you.  Barbara Lynch, one of Boston's finest chefs, has written her first cookbook called "Stir".

Aside from the fact that that she apprenticed under Todd English at Michaela's , Olive's and Figs, here is the thing that makes Barbara unique and an interesting study.  Like Matt Damon's character Will in Good Will Hunting, she was a "Southie" raised in the housing projects in South Boston. Barbara has enjoyed one of those stellar rises to the top of the food world, that are very hard to achieve given the competitve space in the culinary world and the inundation of new chefs out there.  Today she runs and own 7 successful venues around the Boston, MA area that have been critically acclaimed nationwide.

Yes my dear foodies, upon reading this post, sprint to your amazon accounts to order this book.  Overnight delivery is the only acceptable speed for getting this book into your hot little hands.  Be sure to read her introduction, which is her amazing account of eating food from a can throughout her childhood to reaching the heights of culinary delights of foie gras and truffles.  Goes to show you, that there is hope for all of us in learning a deep appreciation of good food no matter what we might be accustomed to.  As a deep food lover myself, I thoroughly enjoyed Barbara's book.  I read it soup to nuts (no pun intended) until 1am last night and cannot wait to try my hand at some of her dishes.  Her raw meets elegant southie gourmet personality is so prominent throughout the book (the f word ever present while describing the passion of a particular dish).  Upon reading it, Barbara's passion has convinced me to try my hand at making my own fresh homemade pasta (trust me, that I never thought I would say this).  Pasta making aside, most of her dishes are beautiful in their simplicity, and their use of fresh ingredients, and are not complicated to make.

Here are some pictures from Barbara's book, of receipes that I will be attempting (please remember that I am a foodie currently living in 20 degree weather in Deer Valley, so my cravings tend to be on the rich and carb intensive side).  There are plenty of light weight receipes in this book, which I will pursue when living in milder climates:

 Gorgonzola Fondue with Lamb,

Baked Cheese and tomatoes with Black Olive Crisps,

Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Bites with Honey Mustard,

Creamy Leek and Potato Soup with Bay Scallops,

Butcher Shop Bolognese,

Prune stuffed Gnocchi with Foie Gras Sauce,

Seared Salmon with white Beans and Spinach and of course,

Vanilla Bread Pudding.

Bon appetit and here's to living the good life....