I haven’t posted a playlist in a while, but I wanted to share the haunting new video from my dear Ivana (aka Eddi Front). It’s the perfect soundtrack to the cold winter weather we’ve been having here in New York.

Kate Lebo of Pie School flew into New York yesterday and her and I were in The Drink’s kitchen prepping pie dough for Gala Gala Hey! until the wee hours of the morning.

Here are the apple pies that Kate will be offering today:Cheddar-Crusted Apple PieWhiskey Crumble Apple PieHoney-Ginger Apple PieBrandied-Apple Cardamom PieOld Fashioned Plain Apple Pie 
WE ARE SO EXCITED. Hope to see you in a few hours xoxo 

The Bored Vegetarian & The Drink present…

GALA GALA HEY!

An Apple Festival Featuring Pie Stand Sunday, October 7th, 2012
2:00pm – 10:00pm
The Drink
228 Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn, NY 

Apples! Fall! We love them, so we’re throwing a big ol’ party to celebrate all things apple: apples pies, apple cider, apple brandy, bobbing for apples, songs about apples(?). We’ll be offering free classes about apples and making apple pies, as well as lots of apple treats for you to eat and drink. More details to come.

About Pie Stand

Pie Stand is a semi-regular, semi-secret pie social hosted by Kate Lebo, an award-winning baker and poet from Seattle, Washington. The premise is simple: Kate makes a seasonal selection of the best pie you’ve ever had. You stop by for a slice, a drink, and a chat—or you can order a whole pie ahead of time by e-mailing kate@pie-school.com. Kate’s the author of A Commonplace Book of Pie (forthcoming in fall 2013), and she runs Pie School, a cliche-busting pastry academy whose mission is to make pie as easy as it’s supposed to be. More info at Pie School.

Pie Stand will be baking up five varieties for Gala Gala Hey! Keep in mind that you can PRE-ORDER WHOLE PIES, just email Kate: kate@pie-school.com

– Cheddar-Crusted Apple Pie
– Whiskey Crumble Apple Pie
– Honey-Ginger Apple Pie
– Brandied Apple Cardamom Pie
– Good Old Fashioned Perfectly Plain Apple Pie

We have lots more brewing (ripening?) for October 7th. I’ll be posting more info here, or you can check out the invite (and invite your friends!)

Hospitality just released their first full length on Merge Records. I just can’t get enough of it.

I’m very excited to be teaming up with Mardi from Spout & Pea for a Kitchensurfing dinner on Friday, January 27th. 
You can come too! There are limited seats, so please follow the link to join us. Eat Your Veggies Friday, January 27, 2012, 8:30 PM 9mmedia627 Broadway, Manhattan 
Lovers of vegetables, Mardi & Bethany met at Brooklyn Fork and Spoon, a supper club hosted by Mardi in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Both self-taught chefs, Mardi & Bethany join forces for a seasonal winter menu sure to inspire the vegetarian in you.
Menu:
Bruschetta with Ricotta, Meyer Lemon Zest, Honey & Arugula
Bruschetta with Artichoke, Kale & Walnut Spread
Fennel & Apple Salad with Toasted Pecans, Shallots & Pecorino
Quinoa Linguine with Sage Butter, Brussels Sprouts, Shallots & Grana Padana
Shortbread Cookies with Homemade Nutella & Bourbon Soaked Pears
Tickets are available HERE. Hope to see you there!

Smashed Potatoes with Balsamic Tomato “Jam”Mixture of small red, white & purple PotatoesExtra Virgin Olive OilSea Salt
“Jam”1 container grape Tomatoes1/2 white Onion, finely chopped1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oilpinch of Salt
Bring water to boil in a pot. Poke potatoes (I made six) with a fork and add to water. Throw in some salt. Allow to boil until potatoes are tender but not overcooked (should have followed my own advice). Drain and allow to cool slightly. Using a utensil of your choice (I used the bottom of a measuring cup), smash potatoes flat. Place on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Season with sea salt. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 mins until crispy. For the “jam” Saute onion in olive oil with a bit of salt over low/medium heat until translucent. Add grape tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. Cover and allow to cook for about 5 minutes or until tomatoes begin to split. Using a spatula or other kitchen utensil of your choice, smoosh (not a culinary term) tomatoes gently. Cover again and continue to cook, stirring occasionally as liquid reduces. Once the consistency is a bit thicker, remove from heat and serve with smashed potatoes. This year will be my first time staying in New York over Christmas (I usually fly back to WA), so I decided I should buy myself a New York priced Christmas tree ($30 for a three foot tree! Seriously?!) My mom was lovely enough to send me my childhood ornaments so that I had something to decorate it with. We never had a flashy Christmas tree growing up, so I went all out with tinsel and colored lights.

I used my favorite kitty angel ornament as the tree topper. I’ve had this thing since I was about 3 years-old. It’s been through a lot.

I also added creepy dollar store Santas to my shadow boxes. This is about the extent of my festiveness. 
I’m thinking of doing an ode to Greenpoint with a Polish-themed Christmas dinner. What are your favorite holiday food traditions?

Attn: NYC readers!
BYOB (Bring Your Old Books) is THIS Sunday!! 

a community bookswap and benefit for Housing Works.
Sunday, October 9th, 12pm – 6pmPublic Assembly70 North 6th Street in Williamsburg$2 donation (suggested) to enter.
Swap books, donate books, listen to fine music from:
DJ Ian Michael JacksonDJ Spindler 
Early drop-offs can be arranged. Please email bethanypickard(at)gmail.com
About Housing Works Bookstore CaféHousing Works Bookstore Cafe is a non profit bookstore, café, and event space in SoHo. All of our merchandise is donated, we are staffed almost entirely by volunteers, and 100% of our profits support Housing Works, Inc.’s mission of ending the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of life-saving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts. Learn more about events, volunteering and donating, or shop online at www.shophousingworks.com. Or visit us at 126 Crosby St. btw Prince and Houston. 212.334.3324.

Please come and support two great things! Housing Works and READING! 

Pho Cyclo Seattle, WA
Someone, anyone – Do you know where to find the best pho in New York?

BYOB (Bring Your Old Books)
a community bookswap and benefit for Housing Works.
Sunday, October 9th, 12pm – 6pmPublic Assembly70 North 6th Street in Williamsburg$2 donation (suggested) to enter.
Swap books, donate books, listen to fine music from:
Ian Michael JacksonSpindler 
Early drop-offs can be arranged. Please email bethanypickard(at)gmail.com

About Housing Works Bookstore CaféHousing Works Bookstore Cafe is a non profit bookstore, café, and event space in SoHo. All of our merchandise is donated, we are staffed almost entirely by volunteers, and 100% of our profits support Housing Works, Inc.’s mission of ending the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of life-saving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts. Learn more about events, volunteering and donating, or shop online at www.shophousingworks.com. Or visit us at 126 Crosby St. btw Prince and Houston. 212.334.3324.

If you noticed a spike in posts through March and April, it’s because I had *ahem* some extra time on my hands. As my friends and family can attest, I don’t do well with nothing to do, so I filled my time with cooking, book swap planning, show booking and countless hours of resume/cover letter writing. 
After what were honestly some pretty difficult weeks (should I change careers? do I need to leave New York? Why why why etc. etc. etc.) I am very happy to report that I am now working with a catering & events planning company based in Brooklyn. Though I’d been working in music/technology throughout my career, I’d been wanting to do something more creative and incorporate some of my side projects (putting on events, food, photography) into my job. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, but I feel like I’m right where I want to be. It really is true that things work out for the best. 
That being said, if you’re looking for a caterer (vegetarian or not!) in New York, you should email me!  
Here’s some pictures from the last few weeks!

The flier for BYOB is finished! It’s so soon. Please spread the word. 
Also, I’m putting on this show at Public Assembly on June 23rd with Old Flame Records:
Total Babes (members of Cloud Nothings)Shiv HurrahLittle Racer
Last weekend I went to the first Smorgasburg and got some Faux Gras from Regal Vegan. SO GOOD. 
I think that covers everything. I bought a stove-top grill so I can grill bok choy and make pancakes (not at the same time). Thanksforreadingloveyou.