Jul 5
I was all set to write you a post about this:
But then I realized that the recipe is written down somewhere in here:
That’s about 90% of my kitchen, almost half of which is cookbooks and all my files, and there’s no way I’m unpacking those boxes to find the recipe for that peach cornmeal upside-down cake.
But I promise I’ll be back in action next week. Or maybe the week after. And it’s worth waiting for, believe me.
Jun 28
This quickly approaching life transition (11 days. 11 days!) means a lot of goodbyes. Goodbyes to favorite restaurants, goodbyes to old routines, goodbyes to most of our belongings (either stored or sold or donated), goodbye to Pomona, and – most significantly – goodbyes to all of our friends, colleagues, and mentors in the area. Most of the time it hasn’t really sunk in that anything big is happening, but every once in a while I catch myself realizing that it’ll be the last time I’m seeing someone or going somewhere, or that I won’t have another chance to do something before I go.
I spent this last weekend gathered in Palm Springs with six of my closest college girlfriends, which coincidentally ended up being the last time we’ll all be together before two of us move away this summer. We lounged by the pool, we sipped cocktails, we laughed, and we had the sort of serious conversations that come from our shared liberal arts college background – as we generally do when we’re together. We managed to spend all three lovely days together without any sort of big teary goodbye, and I’m glad we spent the time laughing and acting like it was just another weekend, instead of something more intense. It was all left on a positive note, and I’m trying to focus on that memory as Brett and I speed through the next 10 days full of goodbye dinners and happy hours and brunches.
These might help.
Best garage sale idea ever. EVER. Especially when you’re trying to sell all of your furniture. We are brilliant, I say, even upon realizing we now don’t have anywhere to sit or eat or work or do pretty much anything …
A really good tip for what to do when you reach the sticky ends of a jar of honey.
No ice cream maker at home? If you’ve got a food processor, you can still make tasty frozen treats! Here’s how.
A big ol’ list of bar items you can make at home, including awesome things like coconut rum, tonic water, and Pimm’s.
On the heels of the “Big Gulp Debate” in NYC, an NPR interview about the psychology of serving size.
What Americans spend on groceries, and how those numbers have changed.
This quick little animation about Michael Pollans’ Food Rules is pretty fantastic.
Limeade with vanilla and toasted coconut … how could that not be fantastic? Perhaps for my little Palm Springs ladies’ weekend coming up soon?
Yep, I think I’d like this kitchen, please.
A list of real-life dinner party menus. Super helpful resource, and reminds me I need to start being much better about tracking the meals I make.
I LOVE TRIFLES! People should make them more often.
And in the category of things I love: Yes! Wine spritzers! I agree!
One of the reasons we’re so excited to embark on this huge year-long adventure and to settle somewhere new is that we’re looking for a place that feels a little more like home. Despite the fact that Southern California has technically been our home for the last ten years, it’s never really been a great fit. Neither of us ever really intended to stay after college (in fact, at one point I didn’t think I’d even stay all the way through), but things happen, and here we are.
A preview – I’m going to talk about home a little more, then you get this:
The unveiling.
Weekend Links, a day late. I’m in Oregon, and spent the weekend a little preoccupied with watching my sister-in-law become a doctor (way to go, Liesl!). I was also a little preoccupied with carving and eating above pig. Be glad I spared you the action shots.
Here are some really beautiful cakes that put all of mine (and probably all of yours) to shame.
Please tell me you’ve had an It’s It, if you’ve spent any time in the Bay Area. If you have, you’ll know why this is exciting. If you haven’t, it’s your chance to get one, wherever you are.
Why are humans crazy for crispiness? (It has to do with eating insects, but you can ignore that part if you want.)
1. Ben and Jerry’s has a flavor graveyard. 2. Ben and Jerry’s provides an outlet for requesting a flavor resurrection. 3. One Sweet Whirled was the best Ben and Jerry’s flavor ever created (see very old press release). 4. I cannot do this on my own, dear community of supporters and friends. 5. What? No. I was not obsessed with Dave Matthews Band for most of my teenage years, and do not somewhat irrationally still think he is one of the most attractive musicians on the planet, no no no.
If Obama wanted to drink some of his home brew with me, I would not say no. (More info about how Obama is a crazy beer hippie here.)
Speaking of beer, this list is timely! (Seeing as I will be in San Francisco at the end of this week, and that drinking beer outside is one of my most favorite activities in the world.)
Ohhhhh, I am a sucker for things shaped like places I love. I would like a Minnesota cast iron skillet and an Oregon cutting board, just FYI.
It’s really kind of hard to see what’s going on in these pictures, but the idea – a backsplash that opens to reveal shelving – is pretty brilliant.
Speaking of wealth – when I’m rich and want to “camp” accordingly, here is what I will do. (I cannot lie; this looks amazing and I want to do it really badly.)
My name is Bowen and I'm a cooking instructor/food writer/home cook in Seattle, WA. I'm dedicated to community-based food systems that nourish people and planet alike, and this site is an extension of my kitchen - seasonal, fresh food and cocktails made with heart (and sometimes an indecent amount of olive oil) to share with friends and loved ones.
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