tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90151881059794256152011-08-16T20:07:28.063-07:00"While life yet lasts, laughter and molasses." — Mexican sayingGina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.comBlogger2281100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-30176331514645266372009-06-23T11:10:00.000-07:002009-06-23T11:27:01.442-07:00

I've moved my blog over to http://ginahyams.com/blog/, so that it can live within my website. Please join me there. Thanks, blogspot, for everything.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-51299848608463762142009-06-21T19:29:00.001-07:002009-06-21T19:35:32.531-07:00

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-39523209507734195572009-06-20T09:15:00.000-07:002009-06-21T00:51:04.544-07:00

Radishes, radishes, radishes. I've been enjoying them the French way lately, sprinkled with sea salt on a sweet-buttered baguette. Today I'm going to try this recipe that I picked up at the local farmers' market.Grammar note: I spell farmers' market with an apostrophe at the end, but the below is how the referenced cookbook and this particular market seem to spell it. Any copy editors care to

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-44844045375000686192009-06-19T15:30:00.000-07:002009-06-19T16:42:09.128-07:00

For his birthday dinner last month, Dave requested that I make Frida's meatballs from Frida's Fiestas: Recipes and Reminiscences of Life with Frida Kahlo by Guadalupe Rivera and Marie-Pierre Colle. It's a lovely book in the tradition of Monet's Table. Does anybody remember that book? Somebody gave it to us as a wedding present in 1991 and I've been obsessed with yellow and blue kitchens ever

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-72804241417352665972009-06-15T12:02:00.000-07:002009-06-15T12:18:00.695-07:00

Hello! Lucky's custom letterpress Twitter icon.I'm heading down to San Miguel de Allende to visit my mom and will offer a "Twitter 101: They Don't Call It Social Media for Nothing" how-to/why-to/what-to workshop on Thursday, August 20, 10am to noon, at our house in Colonia Guadalupe. I will cut through the Twitter hype with clarity, a rockin' tutorial handout, and excellent snacks.US$25 or peso

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-36214666198201872022009-05-27T13:36:00.001-07:002009-05-27T13:40:16.984-07:00

From Accidental Mysteries: the Beauty of Bottle Caps

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-37790488932605291652009-05-20T08:43:00.000-07:002009-05-20T13:43:40.993-07:00

Me and Goose's friend Loki's mom, Hope Sullivan, who runs IS183 and who walks/runs/chats-about-writing with me at dawn now and then, and her artist friend, Dan Mahoney, at the Berkshire International Film Festival opening night party at Pearl's in Great Barrington. Photo by Seth Rogovoy.My head is still spinning from the incredible weekend of films. I don't have time for a full report just now,

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-19864974917025850992009-05-11T06:31:00.001-07:002009-05-11T06:39:41.190-07:00

The Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) opens this Thursday night in Great Barrington, MA. I will be tweeting live through the festivities at www.twitter.com/BIFFMA. Hope to see you there!

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-21756217748283050742009-05-09T10:55:00.001-07:002009-05-09T10:56:57.018-07:00

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-88090241493024570902009-04-28T15:59:00.000-07:002009-04-29T05:12:21.171-07:00

Here's a conversation Annalena, age 14, and I just had about FarmHouse Fresh Sweet Cream Body Milk .Gina: What do you think this stuff smells like?Annalena: It smells like peaches and cream.Gina: The box says: "Our cows eat cookies." Does it smell like cookies?Annalena: Not really. I think they just mean that it's sweet smelling. Like, it's really, really sweet.Gina: Yes, I agree. It's too sweet

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-31696433330658649812009-04-26T15:15:00.000-07:002009-04-27T05:43:15.559-07:00

We found these vessels in the barn. Anybody guess as to their vintage and original uses?

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-19818754112678691022009-04-26T15:08:00.000-07:002009-04-26T15:13:41.301-07:00

My mother-in-law says it's still too early for pots, but the weather was so gorgeous this weekend, Dave couldn't resist putting a few out.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-84942693770438366422009-04-22T15:50:00.000-07:002009-04-22T16:09:40.151-07:00

Glasses Under Consideration - View 1Glasses Under Consideration - View 2Current GlassesI know there are more important things to worry about in the world, but what do you think of this other pair of glasses? I See GB let me bring them home to show Dave and he's not home yet. I brought a friend into the shop this afternoon for a second opinion and she said she liked my current pair better. She

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-31674419100454036742009-04-19T19:27:00.000-07:002009-04-27T06:32:22.056-07:00

Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell in His Girl FridayLast night I decided to channel my grief about the death of the newspaper industry into compiling a list of movies about journalists. I queried the Twitterverse and Google (which, interestingly, came up with different suggestions). Here's what I've found so far. Please add others in the comments section or email me and I'll add titles to the

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-62263924375642715492009-04-18T07:48:00.000-07:002009-04-19T07:17:09.648-07:00

Yesterday I endured my annual mammogram. I share this as a public service announcement: chicas, take care of yourselves. The staff at Fairview Hospital make it as stress free as possible and nothing unusual showed up in the X-rays, but still, it's hardly pleasant. I craved a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream as a reward. Instead, I had a Skinny Cow Chocolate Truffle Bar and treated my feet

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-18793251390404747212009-04-10T04:29:00.001-07:002009-04-21T15:08:13.711-07:00

If you know of anyone with room in their home and heart to care for a cat, please spread the word. A note from Jeffrey Borak:My wife and I are looking for a safe, loving, caring home for our 10-year-old neutered indoor cat, Molly. Because she has been bullied by three adult cats we have brought into the house, we have moved her into a comfortable room of her own, isolated from the others but

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-5810403575881869532009-03-31T17:20:00.000-07:002009-04-01T02:13:59.720-07:00

Video by Ben Garver of the Berkshire Eagle.Another new client is Hancock Shaker Village. The baby animals festival will run April 11 - May 3. I'm going to do special baby animals outreach to east coast mommy (and daddy) bloggers. Are you one or do you have any favorite parenting blogs I should know about? Thanks in advance for any tips.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-61139314561269449982009-03-31T07:01:00.000-07:002009-03-31T07:15:05.411-07:00

Posting in a hurry as I've got lots to do today, but want to let you know about my fun new gig as Tweetmaker in Residence for the Berkshire International Film Festival. Leading up to the festival, I'll be tweeting about the films and filmmakers (this year's BIFF schedule includes 70 films from 13 countries) and then I'll be a live micro-blogging fool during the event itself, May 14 - 17 in Great

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-78895007552393401432009-03-23T19:23:00.000-07:002009-03-23T19:31:40.712-07:00

San Miguel de Allende, February 2009Photos by Judith "JJ" Anderson

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-86336951453196411522009-03-21T13:35:00.000-07:002009-03-21T13:45:12.442-07:00

I've not read Eat, Pray, Love and resisted watching Elizabeth Gilbert's much-touted TED talk, as I thought I'd dislike her out of envy, but she's smart and charming and this lecture is inspiring.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-83721551259133394132009-03-18T11:54:00.000-07:002009-03-18T11:57:06.177-07:00

Nothing says summer is on its way like potato salad. Thanks to Paul for the link.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-11505677683436281882009-03-18T03:31:00.000-07:002009-03-18T03:33:10.482-07:00

My new website: TA DA

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-8563193711110088112009-03-03T06:06:00.000-08:002009-03-04T09:35:39.493-08:00

“Blogging is…to writing what extreme sports are to athletics: more free-form, more accident-prone, less formal, more alive. It is, in many ways, writing out loud.” –Andrew Sullivan, The AtlanticAuthor and editor Gina Hyams (www.ginahyams.com) will teach a one-day Intro to Blogging, Twitter, and Facebook Workshop in Housatonic on Sunday, April 5, from 1pm to 4pm. Topics: Nuts and bolts how-to with

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-50618656247117941872009-03-02T18:15:00.001-08:002009-03-04T10:58:42.376-08:00

Annalena and Hannah at the mercado on our recent trip to Mexico.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-14518020834957870022009-02-28T12:49:00.000-08:002009-02-28T13:11:23.736-08:00

It's still brutal icy winter here in Massachusetts, but every morning shower brings a burst of Mexican sunshine via some wonderful soap that I picked up in the gift shop at San Miguel's botanical garden, El Charco del Ingenio. I'm generally not a fan of perfumed soaps, but the products made by The Lavender Project at Rancho la Colorada are heavenly. They seem to carry the smell of fresh lavender

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-34375774074145526312009-02-27T09:36:00.000-08:002009-02-27T09:51:23.267-08:00

Annalena mentioned last night that she's taken to watching this video every morning -- that if she watches Smokey Robinson and The Miracles sing The Tracks of My Tears, she has a good day. I think back to when she was a baby and discovered the comfort of her thumb to sooth herself through the night. I don't know how she found this video or what exactly about it she finds sustaining, but on a

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-20443714600797382302009-02-24T15:18:00.000-08:002009-03-07T06:25:04.101-08:00

Well, don't I feel special...as it happens, the March Berkshire Living community event is also an off-shoot of an article I wrote. The press release follows below. This event is free and the two panel members are both super smart and lively. Hope to see you there!*************************************************Kripalu executive chef Deb Howard and Dr. Nina Molin, founder of Ananda Health Center

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-77834158716138569512009-02-12T11:23:00.000-08:002009-02-27T14:39:19.135-08:00

February 27, 2009 UPDATE:Here's a link to Charlie Deitz's WAMC report about this event.The following event flows from (but is different than) my recent BBQ cover story about Annie Selke. This new lecture series is like our own little Berkshires TED conference...be there. Call soon, though, as seating is extremely limited.BBQ: Berkshire Business Quarterly EventspresentsThe Visionaries Breakfast

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-3251613192057011932009-02-12T07:35:00.000-08:002009-02-12T07:57:02.199-08:00

Greetings from Cafe Etc. where there is miraculous wireless Internet connection. A quick hello. The previous post refers to my mother having had a small stroke. The good news: Her prognosis is excellent and poco a poco she's getting better each day. Her doctor and neurologist make house calls. They think she'll be walking in about a month. A physical therapist now comes daily to the house, a

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-85198034902950583302009-02-01T15:01:00.000-08:002009-02-01T15:05:47.204-08:00

Started the day thinking about faith, for good reason it turned out.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-80892234555783387712009-01-29T15:47:00.000-08:002009-01-30T06:14:19.448-08:00

Here are the other new page designs for my website. Click on the images to enlarge them.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-42719781517305827462009-01-27T13:07:00.000-08:002009-01-27T13:23:01.124-08:00

After various stops and starts, I'm super happy to report that Heather Rose is nearly done redesigning my website. The above is what she did with those Mexican wrestler postage stamps I picked up in San Miguel. This is the contact info page (double click on the image and it'll enlarge). Each page of the site has a gorgeous Rothko-like collage of Mexican walls in the background and many of the

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-85870103525695939362009-01-22T14:40:00.000-08:002009-01-23T11:49:53.321-08:00

My buddy Susan Davis tagged me for this meme over on Facebook...and I do whatever she tells me, so:Rules:Once you've been tagged (and please consider yourself tagged if you're reading this), you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you (please feel free post your list in the comments section if you don't blog yourself). At the end, choose 25 people to

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-53248628596158389452009-01-19T17:17:00.001-08:002009-01-21T08:58:32.713-08:00

Rachael Ray visits Camp Unleashed in Becket, MassachusettsNative New Yorker Annie Brody moved from the 22nd floor of a Manhattan apartment building to a cottage on a dirt road in northeast Columbia County, New York, six years ago, after she adopted her first dog. The relaxing effect that living in nature had on them both inspired her to create Camp Unleashed, a getaway for dogs to unwind and "

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-25000708420364394942009-01-16T12:46:00.000-08:002009-01-16T12:53:59.466-08:00

I'm posting altogether too many photos of myself lately, but I thought you, too, might wish to Obamicon your profile picture in honor of our new president's upcoming inauguration. Click here for Paste Magazine's nifty free application.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-31951299548824156032009-01-11T12:26:00.000-08:002009-01-11T15:01:24.578-08:00

First things first: Here's a photo of me in my new glasses. They were designed by Frenchman Cyril Dray of I See GB in Great Barrington and manufactured by Zip+Homme in Japan. I've been wearing them for a couple of weeks now and like them very much, even if they're not magic like my much-lamented former green pair.My family didn't warm to them until we toured the Sol LeWitt wall drawing

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-83558982079125513972009-01-05T16:12:00.000-08:002009-01-05T17:03:52.960-08:00

I'm delighted to report that my mother's book, How Painting Holds Me on the Earth: Writings from a Maverick Painter and Teacher is now available via amazon. It says temporarily out of stock, but I'm quite sure that when one orders the book, Lulu.com prints a copy right up on demand.Here's an excerpt:ATTITUDES by Leigh Hyams Painter Philip Guston used to say “Frustration is one of the

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-22733911478024499362008-12-28T04:39:00.000-08:002008-12-28T04:40:45.208-08:00

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-4962822803792222392008-12-25T13:47:00.001-08:002008-12-26T06:14:32.074-08:00

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-65758286829536665862008-12-24T07:30:00.000-08:002008-12-24T07:36:21.079-08:00

Our living room window. Christmas Eve 2008.Now I understand why Dave thinks the plastic Christmas icicles that people decorate their houses with in California are tacky.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-20277903273099828142008-12-22T12:50:00.000-08:002008-12-22T13:10:15.820-08:00

Casa Sierra Negra del SurI'm pleased to announce that I'll be teaching a one-day Blogging Boot Camp in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico on Friday, February 20, 2009, 10am to 2pm at Casa Sierra Negra del Sur (Black Mountain South House…i.e. the fabulous Hyams-Barrett family compound).Topics: Nuts and bolts how-to with helpful hand-outs galore, super savvy marketing tips, and oodles of creative

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-76452106117967608662008-12-20T07:05:00.000-08:002008-12-20T11:55:58.886-08:00

Here's what Goose and I saw this morning as we walked down the driveway to fetch the paper.Eight or so inches of snow.Our house and barn.Campfire circle in the woods.Plowed driveway entrance.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-25707655929154148032008-12-19T06:37:00.000-08:002008-12-20T07:04:27.087-08:00

Happy holidays from Los Hyams-BarrettDos Mujeres Mexican Folk Art carries a slew of wonderful Mexican tin ornaments including this one.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-22432654541066719162008-12-17T15:51:00.000-08:002008-12-20T07:04:54.645-08:00

Photo by Dayne KellyMy glasses frames sprouted an irreparable crack over the weekend. I called Dave from the Petco parking lot in Pittsfield to report the sad news. He tried to comfort me with "honey, you are more than your glasses," but I wasn't so sure. These weren't just any glasses. They were the best glasses in the history of glasses, or at least the history of my face and glasses.I found

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-26080094168002668292008-12-10T17:28:00.000-08:002008-12-11T05:07:50.017-08:00

Looking through a folder of old digital photos this evening, I stumbled on this shot of Susan, Anne, and me celebrating the almost-sale of Searching for Mary Poppins and S's and my 40th birthdays at Tabla in New York. I'm wearing the fabled lucky green sweater, which will soon be transformed into a keepsake felted something thanks to Kari of Chixon.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-66305885029627279542008-12-07T14:21:00.001-08:002008-12-07T16:20:33.042-08:00

A change of pace from our neighbors' winter berry-trimmed wreaths, inflatable snow globes, life-sized manger scenes, and flickering no-room-at-the-inn candles in windows, eh?

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-57065009623534215232008-12-06T04:31:00.000-08:002008-12-06T04:46:55.930-08:00

Photo by Erik Jacobs for The New York TimesSol LeWitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective recently opened at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. I haven't yet had a chance to trek to North Adams to see the spectacle, but fortunately the exhibit will remain up for 25 years. Here's a link to a New York Times article about it.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-52092304680758723142008-12-04T06:19:00.000-08:002008-12-04T07:28:22.127-08:00

I've started hand-washing (or rather, machine-washing on the gentle cycle) my dry clean-only sweaters as a cost-savings measure...which is mostly working fine, except that doing so somehow ruined (shriveled up and shrank) my beloved lucky green Eileen Fisher sweater. I bought that sweater to sell the proposal for Searching for Mary Poppins (which linking the title just now, I see is currently

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-84937273966316714052008-11-30T16:22:00.000-08:002008-11-30T16:54:12.414-08:00

"Blog to reflect. Tweet to connect."I don't know where this quote originated. I read it via Debbie Stier whose Twitter stream I stumbled upon a few days ago -- how I don't remember, I just liked that in her profile, she described her profession as "Publishing Insurgent."I figured out how to feed my Twitter updates to this blog (see right), so those of you who don't want to join the fray can still

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-62027648300650337432008-11-24T03:18:00.000-08:002008-11-24T03:20:39.415-08:00

I woke up happy, with this song blasting through my head. Perhaps you, too, would like to watch this video again.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-64315164474570732102008-11-20T14:11:00.000-08:002008-11-20T15:13:35.479-08:00

Annalena and I went to the mall yesterday in search of a homecoming dance dress (alas, I'm not finding the winning Forever 21 strapless, black and gray-striped, silk bubble dress online to show you...14 year olds are the only creatures with any business wearing such a confection and junior rocks it). Anyway, it's already Christmas at the mall. Normally, I abstain from holiday music until December

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-58588533096111179842008-11-19T14:48:00.000-08:002008-11-19T15:25:49.980-08:00

Anne Bramley is a food scholar, university lecturer, writer, cook, and host of the internationally acclaimed podcast, Eat Feed. She was born in a Midwestern blizzard and has thrived on all the best things cold weather provides, from her grandmother's "snow ice cream" to deep-winter snowshoeing. She has also traveled the world, living in England, Germany, and United States and learning from each

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-24164750891200325852008-11-16T10:52:00.001-08:002008-11-16T10:57:58.850-08:00

The love dog awaiting pack hike in Kennedy Park this morning.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-70157139257358337232008-11-15T11:39:00.000-08:002008-11-18T03:54:50.667-08:00

Hello, Imaginary Friends --As I type this entry, a wildfire rages in Santa Barbara and my thoughts are with Lotusland, an extraordinary garden that seems to be in the fire's path. I took Dave there for his birthday years ago. It would be sad to lose this historic treasure. If it survives and you haven't visited, I suggest you book a trip there pronto.I spent the week at an organic juice

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-6984261295987222402008-11-09T12:49:00.000-08:002008-11-15T20:08:53.293-08:00

Next Saturday, November 15, singer-songwriter-composer Duncan Sheik will perform selections from his hit musical, Spring Awakening (which won eight Tony Awards in 2007 ), along with other original material, at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington. Spring Awakening original cast member Lauren Pritchard will join him for the concert. How fun is that? Be there!And please consider joining me as a friend

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-23361693188560687452008-11-06T05:12:00.000-08:002008-11-06T05:22:20.984-08:00

O to Joy from Ben Hillman on Vimeo.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-14467041333934185842008-11-05T05:16:00.000-08:002008-11-06T19:59:48.968-08:00

Zilly Rosen of Zillycakes in Buffalo, New York, built a likeness of our now President-Elect Barack Obama using 1,240 cupcakes. Click here to read an interview with the artist-baker.I feel proud to be an American this morning.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-86366096446214353362008-11-03T10:21:00.000-08:002008-11-08T18:13:04.343-08:00

I'm posting these photos with the grudging permission of my daughter. For the record according to her: I am the most annoying blogging mother e-v-e-r. But isn't she cute?Dave and Annalena in Provincetown last summer.Look out, world. Baby's got contacts and a metal-free smile. We celebrated the unveiling of her straight teeth this morning with hot chocolate at Haven in Lenox.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-87781140408363580712008-11-01T11:03:00.001-07:002008-11-04T17:36:34.136-08:00

"There is more time than life." -- Mexican proverb"Day of the Dead celebrates the intimate, continuing relationship between the living and the dead. Like the celebration of a birthday, it reconfirms annually the love, goodwill, and generosity that the beloved can count on, no matter that they are dead."

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-39420458320372378272008-10-28T07:26:00.000-07:002008-10-28T08:26:27.537-07:00

There's wintry mix in the forecast for tonight in Massachusetts. I'm thinking it's a good day to win a free trip to Tahiti. Thanks to Wendy Perrin for the 411 (via Twitter...like I've been saying: people, it's useful!).

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-2899577395968603322008-10-27T12:25:00.000-07:002008-10-28T08:19:15.201-07:00

Canyon Ranch in Lenox is generally guarded like Fort Knox, access limited to those who can afford to spend a couple grand per day to retreat and recharge. Rumor has it it's where Hilary Clinton went to regain her equilibrium after her defeat in the primary election. I don't know if that's true or not, but I can report firsthand, having spent a few days there on assignment earlier this year, that

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-4986213146113916322008-10-26T16:02:00.001-07:002008-10-26T16:47:19.114-07:00

Regular readers of this blog may have noticed that I've been switching out the profile photo a lot lately. I've been testing the recent Berkshire Museum photobooth shots to see how they might look on my revamp-in-progress website. My mother wrote this evening: "You seem to be specializing in Tilted Head and Recipes these days. Have you any straight-on vegetarian head shots? ...Nice shot of the

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-52966839676013193492008-10-25T11:44:00.000-07:002008-10-27T06:02:02.654-07:00

Grandpa Bob's TruckMidnight Blue 1997 Ford Ranger XLTOnly 25,000 miles (literally, he only drove it to the post office and to the dump)Like new condition (Bob took care of his stuff)2-wheel drive, 5-speed4-cylinder engineGood gas mileage$3,500 firmCall Dave: 413-281-9310

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-60538182593405391102008-10-24T06:17:00.000-07:002008-10-24T06:46:40.601-07:00

Beef poster by Steven NormanI have a certain fear of cooking meat, but the Dutch oven gives me hope of not screwing it up. This morning at breakfast I announced my intention to try my hand at brisket. Dave said, "Isn't that the name of one of Sarah Palin's children?"I'd be most grateful for any brisket tips.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-40042648540046337172008-10-22T10:00:00.000-07:002008-10-22T12:35:44.184-07:00

Writer, director, and producer Caren Cross is a first-time documentary filmmaker who became obsessed with wanting to figure out why she and others had abandoned their lives in the United States to live in a small town in the mountains of central Mexico.Caren’s undergraduate degree is in painting. She was diverted from that passion after seeing Frederick Wiseman’s documentary, Titicut Follies, an

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-91784610771929467322008-10-21T20:00:00.000-07:002008-10-21T20:12:51.485-07:00

YES WE CARVEFor stencils to carve your own Barack O' Lantern, click here.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-12291454883164476862008-10-19T17:29:00.000-07:002008-10-19T17:47:57.673-07:00

My daughter turns 14 tomorrow. All clichés about time passing much too quickly apply. Here she is at age 8 during her Fruits phase in Oakland, California.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-50602155294512488552008-10-19T10:03:00.001-07:002008-10-19T16:41:23.703-07:00

One of the voyeuristic thrills of Facebook is the window into your friends' friends' lives when one of your friends makes a comment on one of their friends' posted photos, which suddenly gives you access to a stranger's photos. These glorious fall foliage images by Catherine Niles of Salisbury, Connecticut showed up in my Facebook news feed when our mutual friend Nancy commented that they were

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-32068984984000553052008-10-17T11:53:00.001-07:002008-10-17T11:56:40.645-07:00

For Susan and Anne

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-59517313865542670452008-10-16T07:03:00.000-07:002008-10-16T07:14:26.926-07:00

It's a thrill to walk down the driveway to fetch the morning paper this time of year. Each day new trees explode with color.Fall foliage in the blueberry patch.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-65993885688411603662008-10-13T20:21:00.000-07:002008-10-13T20:43:24.915-07:00

Mexico's not the only place with color. Here's what's going on now at our house in the Berkshires. Pretty swell, eh?

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-59930180290674151622008-10-13T19:29:00.000-07:002008-10-13T20:13:37.202-07:00

These cell phone snaps don't do it justice, but here's a peek at the Hyams-Barrett family compound in San Miguel...Aaaaaaaaaah.Steps to roof terrace.Roof garden.Hammock on roof terrace.Sitting area in courtyard garden.My mom's kitchen and studio table topped with paintbrushes.Day bed in my mom's studio.Blurry shot of our kitchen, but I love the tile.Our living room. Note subtle product placement

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-82174764323748210132008-10-11T18:27:00.000-07:002008-10-15T12:23:31.496-07:00

I post these images of the recent Fiesta de San Miguel parade for those who dismiss San Miguel de Allende as being the Disneyland of Mexico, its authenticity ruined by margarita-swilling Texans. Scratch the surface and it's clear that life goes on there as it has for centuries.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-57385309755545502742008-10-09T09:51:00.000-07:002008-10-16T14:44:17.767-07:00

I paid a visit to the magic supplies stall at Mercado de San Juan de Dios in search of a few lucky talismans to bless my new website. For years I've written with a little bottle of Mexican Wite-Out filled with "extracto original gota de suerte" (drop of luck original extract) next to my computer. Today I found three special spell-casting soaps: one for "pronto dinero" (quick cash), one for "

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-83393273702688838932008-10-08T10:52:00.000-07:002008-10-08T11:08:17.046-07:00

I'm in the midst of a website redesign and my designer, Heather Rose, wrote yesterday asking that I bring back a letter with my name on it and a San Miguel postmark. I don't know what she plans to do with it graphically, but trust her instincts, so made my way to the correo this morning.I could not believe my good fortune when the only stamps in stock were these limited edition ones depicting El

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-13595660212845989512008-10-06T14:19:00.000-07:002008-10-23T08:58:34.843-07:00

Today's purchase: This note card by Gusano de Luz.I swore to Dave that I wouldn't shop on this trip given the fact that we're heading into New England winter heating bills and my economic future is hazy...but of course I had to check in on my favorite spots today...the news: we are in the midst of an enthralling Mexican wrestler moment here in San Miguel. El Santo is turning up on almost as many

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-80549714075353631932008-10-05T12:22:00.000-07:002008-10-11T18:40:29.151-07:00

Photo by Deb Hall -- see below for links to more of her fiesta photos and to information about her great folk art shop.After a breakfast of fresh jugo de guayaba (guava juice) and huevos mexicana at Casa Crayola's sweet new cafe, my mom and I headed up to the Jardín so that I could get some pesos from the ATM machine. On the way there, we stumbled upon part of the Fiesta de San Miguel, the

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-69824303563999046812008-10-03T12:57:00.000-07:002008-10-03T14:19:14.077-07:00

Thanks to Karen Templer for this link (via Twitter...see: it's useful!) to these fabulous vintage poison labels. Perfect to print out and affix to cocktail glasses for your next Halloween party.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-79338889032615149682008-10-01T13:40:00.001-07:002008-10-01T13:47:16.415-07:00

He who is most happy about my new freelance writer lifestyle.I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said:"Lord, help me be the person my dog thinks I am."

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-31755872478724204422008-10-01T04:58:00.001-07:002008-10-01T05:00:07.985-07:00

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-23774919441953767352008-09-30T09:24:00.000-07:002008-09-30T09:31:54.577-07:00

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-14042489670771435752008-09-30T06:29:00.000-07:002008-09-30T14:00:39.630-07:00

Note: Not my tableware.I'm going to break in the Dutch oven today with Irish beef stew. This recipe and photo come via Elise at Simply Recipes Food and Cooking Blog. I'm going to substitute leftover Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale for the Guinness. Irish Beef Stew Recipe Ingredients1/4 cup olive oil1 1/4 pounds stew beef, cut into 1-inch pieces6 large garlic cloves, minced6 cups beef stock or

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-26325508427675047542008-09-29T09:36:00.000-07:002008-09-29T09:44:39.779-07:00

I stumbled upon this useful article about ways of thinking that lead to writing procrastination while "researching" Twitter. Those of you procrastinating by reading my blog might want to read it, too. Ahem and amen.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-90223394654033800082008-09-29T07:36:00.000-07:002008-09-29T07:52:18.696-07:00

Dutch oven and Goose on the porch.Last night during dinner with my mother-in-law in Connecticut, I mentioned my plan to be all about soup this winter. Dave and Annalena rolled their eyes. Babs asked if I have a Dutch oven. I replied that I have a large pot, like for pasta. She said I need a Dutch oven and that she had an extra one she could give me. So now I have this beautiful blue Dutch oven.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-46674694528137916542008-09-27T13:15:00.000-07:002008-09-28T04:26:45.615-07:00

A week from today, I'm flying to San Miguel de Allende to visit my mom who lives there. She's asked me to bring down crunchy peanut butter and steel cut oats. It's funny what one misses living in a foreign country.When we lived in Mexico and friends asked what they could bring us, I always requested Peet's coffee or California wine. Ten years later, good coffee and wine are available in San

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-21083131755328535642008-09-26T13:47:00.000-07:002008-09-29T13:13:20.575-07:00

The world does seem to be coming to an end and I suspect I'm not the only person craving distraction. This fun meme comes via fellow Lowellite, Rachael.1.Your rock star name (first pet, current car/motorcycle):Mecca Outback2.Your gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe):Mint Chip Boot3.Your soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born): None Sarasota4.Your Star

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-58912713321459789232008-09-26T03:56:00.000-07:002008-09-26T06:56:30.303-07:00

Jenny Holzer from the Survival Series Times Square, New York, 1985–86 Jenny Holzer has 2626 followers on Twitter, while she herself is following only one person, Guy Debord, who is dead. Hmmmmmmm. No wonder she's so productive.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-84932914050897074052008-09-25T13:28:00.000-07:002008-09-25T14:04:16.791-07:00

I don't know how long I'll keep it up, but for now you can find me on the road to ruin...http://twitter.com/ginahyams

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-84064154784287043012008-09-23T14:03:00.000-07:002008-09-23T14:27:59.284-07:00

I've been craving coleslaw with a horseradish kick lately, nostalgic for Fog City Diner's spicy version and lamenting that I sold my copy of the Fog City Diner Cookbook when we moved to Mexico 11 years ago, as the recipe doesn't seem to be online.The following recipe from a Real Simple e-newsletter appeared in my in-box today. It looks good, though I'll use Greek yogurt instead of sour

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-56213770308031820202008-09-23T04:56:00.000-07:002008-09-23T09:58:02.328-07:00

There's a wave of Twitter washing over my world these days and much seductive peer pressure to join the action. Twitter seems like the Facebook status line on steroids, like 21st century haiku, like something I'd much prefer to do than, say, earn a living.Novelist Tayari Jones posted on Facebook last week that she was cutting back on Twitter. She un-installed the application TweetDeck from her

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-1535741310065120302008-09-21T12:04:00.000-07:002008-09-22T06:18:09.921-07:00

I heard about some ungracious backstage behavior when he performed here earlier this summer and thus gather he may not really be the nicest person...yet my heart skipped a beat this afternoon when I saw D.H. in line for the butcher at Guido's. I was tempted to sidle up to him and strike up a conversation about turducken, but contained myself, as this is the Berkshires where we let our celebrities

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-52619318959548428162008-09-20T14:57:00.000-07:002008-09-20T15:19:27.515-07:00

Dar Williams will perform at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington on October 3. I've been immersing myself in her music this afternoon to prepare questions for a blog e-interview with her. Stay tuned...Video interview with Dar Williams about the making of her new album, Promised Land.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-84569782645641953132008-09-20T05:01:00.000-07:002008-09-20T10:28:51.271-07:00

There was some seriously inspired and mysterious free jazz juju emanating live from the WBCR studio in Great Barrington yesterday. For more photos and a link to a recording of the broadcast, click here.The Players: Dave Barrett (saxophones)Michael Bisio (bass)Ed Mann (vibes, percussion, electronics)Todd Reynolds (violin and laptop)The Visionary: Paul Rapp

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-48496681382720851832008-09-18T05:40:00.000-07:002008-09-18T09:12:38.388-07:00

Yesterday my Shelley Memorial Movie Club friend, Jamie Puntin, who works as a sales representative for Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, volunteered to do the makeup for my new website author photo. I sat on a stool in her sunny kitchen while she worked her makeover magic.The after shot above is more Barbie than I wish to project professionally, but thumbs up to the dewy glow of the makeup. I wore

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-369631243545484492008-09-16T07:22:00.001-07:002008-09-16T07:41:14.986-07:00

Paige lent me her food mill to make applesauce with our bounty of Macintosh apples. It couldn't be easier to make or more delicious. Core and half a bunch of apples, cook them down for a couple of hours with a little water and a few cinnamon sticks, mill the mush, and add a little sugar. Voila.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-18043039721945024302008-09-15T16:38:00.000-07:002008-09-16T04:13:07.916-07:00

My husband, Dave Barrett (right), with the Splatter Trio.After a too-long hiatus, Dave is dipping his toe back into free jazz musical mayhem. He will improvise with Michael Bisio - bass (Charles Gayle, Joe McPhee), Ed Mann - percussion (Frank Zappa), and Todd Reynolds - violin (Ethel, Bang on a Can All Stars, Silk Road Ensemble) this Friday, September 19th from 3 pm to 4:30 pm Eastern. The

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-24721587564013585312008-09-15T09:17:00.001-07:002008-09-15T14:40:03.223-07:00

Photo by Bess HochsteinHats off to the staff of the Red Lion Inn for so beautifully hosting today's Good Morning America live broadcast. It was an epic undertaking. Click here for more photos of the concert.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-50435171045399436462008-09-12T07:20:00.000-07:002008-09-15T11:54:42.220-07:00

Next Monday, September 15th, James Taylor and Yo-Yo Ma will perform live on the porch of the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge as part of Good Morning America's "50 States in 50 Days" whistle-stop tour. See Rural Intelligence for more details about the broadcast.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-47611329957483034782008-09-11T06:18:00.000-07:002008-09-12T07:42:00.068-07:00

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9015188105979425615.post-84411648511365784812008-09-10T14:21:00.001-07:002008-09-10T14:34:52.671-07:00

Laundry and freelance writer world domination can wait 'til tomorrow. Goose and I spent my first day of freedom in Tyringham, picking blackberries and wandering down to Goose Pond with Bess and her Corgies, Hobbs and Duffy.

Gina Hyamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221720465413252376noreply@blogger.com0