Loving

THE LADIES OF CASTOR & POLLUX - LADY NO. 7 | February 2, 2010, 1:37PM -- Posted In: Loving

Welcome to the seventh installment of the Ladies of Castor & Pollux.

Sydney is New York by way of Texas which means she's loud and funny yet sophisticated and subdued. Upon first meeting we
realized that we had worked at the same interior design firm years ago and also have a close mutual friend in common making me
feel like I've known her much longer than I actually have. I always think of her as someone who has a beautiful love affair
with New York - she takes in this city like a long drink and is always celebrating what it has to offer. I think you'll see that in her answers
below; so go ahead - fall in love with New York and Sydney.

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The Ladies of Castor & Pollux - Lady No. 7 - Sydney Maag

Photo by John von Pamer

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Favorite recipe?

Crostini With Chicken Livers and Crisp Fried Sage

8 oz chicken livers

2 T white flour

4 T olive oil

Handful of fresh sage leaves

1/2 onion - peeled and crushed

2 garlic cloves - peeled

3 T Vin Santo or Marsala Wine

1 T Brandy

2 T capers - drained and rinsed

4 pickled gherkins - finely chopped

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

12 thin slices of Ciabatta bread

Rinse the chicken livers and pat dry on kitchen paper. Dust lightly with the flour. Heat olive oil in a deep frying pan. When very hot, add
the sage leaves and let them frazzle for a few seconds only before transferring to a plate with a slotted spoon. Add the onion and garlic to the
pan, lower the heat and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the chicken livers and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes to seal. Pour
in the wine and brandy, if using, and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the chicken livers are tender; they should still be slightly pink on the
outside. Add the capers and the gherkins to the pan and remove from the heat. Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on a baking
sheet and toast in a 400 degree oven for a few minutes, until golden. Meanwhile, transfer the chicken liver mixture to a food processor
and blend to a coarse paste. Spread on the hot crostini and serve at once, scattered with the fried sage leaves.

Last great book you read?
Rogues Gallery by Michael Gross.

Summer drink of choice?
Champagne.

Animals-names and breeds?
Luna, a Parson Russell.

Do you exercise? What do you do, if so?
I take a myriad of different sculpting, stretching and core classes at Clay. Elsewhere, I like to hike, swim, play tennis
or take a leisurely bike ride.

Salty or sweet?
Both, but definitely love salty more if I had to pick one on the spot.

Who inspires you and why?
My Grandmothers inspire me because of their long lived lives. The wisdom, knowledge, acceptance and forgiveness
they possess can only come from a life well lived. They inspire me to live and love and be the best I can be.

Pool or ocean?
Ocean!

Favorite city?
New York City. So nice, they named it twice.

Last great vacation?
Trip to Texas with my son to see my Grandmother and the rodeo.

Favorite tv show?
I Love Lucy.

Weirdest job you've ever had?
Wow. That was definitely in the OR as a glorified scrub when I was in high school.

Favorite restaurant?
Minetta Tavern.

Favorite object in your home
My Great-Grandmothers bed in which my son now sleeps.

Favorite piece of clothing?
Most of my vintage peasant blouses and a very cool floor-length velvet leopard print dress from Castor & Pollux!

Favorite blog or website?
There are way too many - an obsession of mine! I have many linked on my blog.

Something you're scared of?
Bad manners, bad drivers, saying goodbye and Sarah Palin.

Favorite record?
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On.

Favorite popsong?
Frankie Valli - Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You.

Your Ideal day?
My ideal day is waking up early while it is still and quiet outside and having a delicious and very strong cup of coffee. Morning
reading/writing meditation to center and focus. A movie, a drive or an endless walk exploring the sites, sounds, smells and textures.
An exercise class followed by a spa treatment with an amazing meal after either made by me or by friends or at one of my favorite
restaurants. Maybe another movie or the theater or some music followed by another nice walk home and then a nice hot bath and off to bed.
Sweet Dreams.

Favorite gift you've ever received?
My gorgeous son - Wylie!

Favorite flower?
Magnolias, Gardenias, and Orchids.

Astrological sign?
Virgo.

What do you do for a living?
Interior Design & Lifestyle.

Where do you live?
NYC - Lexington Avenue between 26 & 27. The Middle East Side.

Your lucky number?
9 and/or 3.

What piece of art would you buy if you had no budget?
Marden, Twombly, Basquiat, Richard Serra Sculpture.