Pho-nomenal

Why it took me long to try pho, I really don't know. The important thing is that I have now tried pho, eaten pho and am quite smitten with pho. If you are not familiar with pho, it is a Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat.

On Saturday, Aidan attended a Boy Scout merit badge workshop in Clifton Springs, which is just off the Thruway between here and Rochester. Once James and I got Aidan settled in his cinematography class, we continued on towards Rochester, where we had a few hours of fun planned. Our first stop was Trader Joe's, and it was our first trip to a Trader Joe's since leaving the Atlanta area. How I adore Trader Joe's, miss Trader Joe's, and wish that we had one in Syracuse. We left with a big bag full of goodies and only spent $20. Sigh.

In the same shopping center as Trader Joe's, we spotted an Orvis store. James' eyes lit up with delight when he saw the sign; he claimed not to know that the store was there and he was correct, because this past weekend was the grand opening. He spent some happy time examining the men's clothes and the fly fishing gear while I tried not to get trampled by well-heeled patricians intent on getting the perfect boiled wool vest. Nicely made clothes for sure, but not my aesthetic.

James had researched places for lunch and when he told me that he found a Cambodian restaurant with excellent reviews, I was sold. I have wanted to try pho after seeing it featured on numerous food shows, most recently on Top Chef New Orleans. So after a stroll around Historic Pittsford, including a stop in The Yarn Source, we drove to The Soup Spoon.

The proprietors of The Soup Spoon were friendly and helpful. Since pho is traditionally a Vietnamese dish, I asked about the difference between Vietnamese and Cambodian cuisine. The nice guy behind the counter told me that the two are very similar with only slight differences in ingredients. He then emphasized that the pho they serve is his family's recipe, and that every family has their own way of making pho. Every recipe starts with slowly simmering beef bones, but everyone adds their own favorite ingredients to make it their own. It is kind of how everyone makes chili a bit differently from anyone else.

James and I both ordered our pho with steak, and we also got an order of veggie spring rolls. In a word, lunch was delicious. The spring rolls were fresh and crunchy, served with a spicy-sweet sauce and a peanut sauce. The spring rolls, however, were quickly forgotten when the pho arrived.

The aroma coming from that bowl of soup was intoxicating. The server suggested that we customize our pho with the selection of condiments - sugar, pepper, fried garlic - and scallions, sprouts, cilantro, and lemon wedges. I added the pepper, garlic, scallions, cilantro and lemon, breathed in the delicious aroma, and dove in. Although I quickly identified the flavor of lemongrass, I gave up trying to figure out any other flavors and just ate.

I forgot to take a photo before I started to eat, so here is the partway through photo:

It looks like a fairly generic bowl of soup but trust me when I say it was not. It was astoundingly delectable, rich in flavor and if-I-die-right-now-I-will-die-happy delicious. I alternated between using the spoon to sip the broth and using the chopsticks to eat the noodles and steak.

How I wish The Soup Spoon would open a location in Syracuse - right next door to that Trader Joe's would be perfect. Until I can get my next pho phix at a restaurant, I am going to try and make it at home.

It's all in the wristlet

Plain and simple, I adore handbags. I try not to buy too many and keep the cost of my handbags fairly reasonable, but a new hobo/tote/crossbody/satchel is always a temptation for me. One of my current favorite brands is Vera Bradley - you know, the colorful fabric handbags. Inside Stitch, the Vera Bradley blog, is one of the many company blogs that I follow on Facebook; it's a great way to learn about new product releases, special promotions and contests. Emphasis on CONTESTS.

Several weeks ago, Inside Stitch held a customer appreciation giveaway. All you had to do was comment on the blog post and five winners would be chosen at random to receive a Vera Bradley Smartphone Wristlet. And I was chosen! (I just looked at the blog post and saw that 2,545 comments were left on that post - wow.)

I got to pick the pattern for my wristlet and I chose Bittersweet, which is a bright red, rusty orange, golden yellow and warm umber floral print with a black-and-white houndstooth accent pattern. I do love houndstooth!

Today my prize package arrived, much to my delight:

The card, from the Vera Bradley stationery line, contained a handwritten message:

 

The cellophane bag contained my new Smartphone Wristlet and a set of emery boards (in the Summer Cottage pattern):

Just for the record, I do not have a smartphone. But my LG dumbphone fits in my new wristlet just fine, in its own little compartment secured by a snap flap:

In a separate zip section, there are three card slots, a bill compartment, a gusseted coin purse and an outer ID window:

When I run out for a quick trip, such as picking Aidan up from an after school meeting, or when I'm toting a knitting bag and don't want to also tote a handbag, a wristlet is the perfect bag to carry. And a free wristlet is even more perfect - thank you, Inside Stitch!