Hello again. The holidays are upon us. It feels like they arrive sooner and sooner as the years go by. Maybe that’s just what happens as one gets older. I think it’s also because my son is now 10 and he’s changing and growing so fast that you blink and half the year has blitzed by.
We enjoyed a lovely, low-key Thanksgiving at home joined by good friends who happen to live right next door. It’s the third year in a row we’ve spent together. We roasted chicken, made mashed potatoes and gravy, and as many vegetable sides as we could fit on the table. I always make something that involves pie dough ever since I discovered the ultimate gluten-fee pie dough recipe four years ago. I wrote about it then but it’s worth re-sharing. It is something to behold. The Only Pie Crust You’ll Ever Need…
I usually opt for a simple galette over a full-blown pie. This apple one sweetened with maple syrup is still a house favorite…
I’ve been absent writing here primarily because I have been deep in my groove teaching the last several months. I’m really excited about the direction my practice is going and I will start posting Pilates videos on my channel again in the new year. I’m really looking forward to sharing.
These sharp looking Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 are my new studio shoes that I’m loving. I can really sense my feet and the ground when I wear them. I have another pair for everyday use and someone often tells me “I love your shoes!”
At home we just finished watching Andor which was a stellar series. Rogue One is my favorite Star Wars film (and an excellent film in it’s own right, Star Wars fandom aside) so I had high hopes for Andor. It did not disappoint.
My go-to soundtrack at home these days has been anything from Nils Frahm. Beautiful, ambient, and always seems to suit my mood…
To keep my cuticles from getting haggard this time of year, the only thing that works like a dream is the cult classic Egyptian Magic. You can find it nearly everywhere (Costco included). I slather it on my hands before bed.
Something else kinda magic that I discovered lately thanks to Kate Moss is Sam McKnight’s Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist. Kate uses it on her self-decribed “shabby looking hair”and it is the only product I’ve ever used that really gives my own “shabby” toddler hair some life without any stiffness or stickiness. It’s my hair but way better.
Signing off with some wise words that a dear friend sent me last week:
“In order to understand the world and to understand ourselves we need to experiment with ideas, to revise our opinions, to have courage to make mistakes, and to start over again.”
I can’t believe I haven’t shared this before now, but last year I watched Nandi Bushell play this cover of Everlong by the Foo Fighters. Her talent is incredible but I’ve watched it so many times (my favorite part is at 3:38) just to witness the pure, absolute joy of her playing.
(Her drum battle challenge to Dave Grohl was accepted which you can watch on her channel.) But after you watch the above, watch her play live this last summer with the Foo Fighters at The Forum in LA. I had tears streaming down my face. #purejoy
September is the month of Italian plums, my favorite. A friend gifted me over 10 lbs of them and I straight up devoured 5 lbs within two days. The rest I cut and froze for the coming months of fall and winter baking. There will likely be several Marian Burros plum tortes made but also a new favorite tart using the press in crust from my gluten-free baking bible Alternative Baker and the frangipane from Aran Goyoaga’s (my other gluten-free baking guru) book Cannelle et Vanille…
Last year I had zero desire to shop (which maybe was a common thread for a lot of us during that first year of pandemic life) but this fall I’ve been craving a few new additions to my wardrobe. I just bought these Dr. Marten 1460 mono boots…
“We do so many things for the attention, to feel important or praised. But what if you had so much attention and so much praise that you couldn’t possibly want any more? What would you do then? What would you stop doing?
We do so many things for the money, whether we need it or not. But what if you had so much money that you couldn’t possibly want any more? What would you do then? What would you stop doing?”
Ever the valuable resource, my friend Omar has a helpful post on living with covid-19 these days with links to masks and at-home testing options. We also like the Evolve Together masks for our whole family.
“But then comes the magic moment when you realize you don’t actually have anywhere else to be, most days: You just have to be present, and to love them.
I’m lucky. My children are small, they’re not missing major exams or life events. I’m not stuck in the house with two surly teenagers who cringe every time I speak. I’m fortunate enough to be able to put work on hold for now, even if it means flattening the curve of my own career.
I know, better than most, that these things are temporary. And I know that next week, when our son has his (surprise!) Zoom birthday celebration, he’ll remember that all of his friends and family ate chocolate chip pancakes in tandem. He won’t remember that he didn’t have a party this year. Because like all hard times, I suspect, his enduring memories of this time will be of our love, and his joy.”
Prepping my garden beds I discovered a few potatoes carried over from last season. Back into the dirt they will go…
Rebecca Solnit’s conversation with Krista was one of the very first ones I listened to when I first discovered On Being. It has been a useful conversation to revisit as we navigate these uncertain times…
“When all the ordinary divides and patterns are shattered, people step up to become their brothers’ keepers,” Rebecca Solnit writes. “And that purposefulness and connectedness bring joy even amidst death, chaos, fear, and loss.”
Seth Godin is one of the wise and generous thinkers that never ceases to inspire me. He is calm and clear and holds us accountable to think bigger and outside the box, and be better humans. From his daily blog today…
Donald Robertson is an excellent example of someone who thinks outside the box and has carved his own path. I really loved his “Painting and a Story”…
The Kid Should See This is a wonderful resource for watching and learning about all the cool things…
And because we all need to keep our humor during times like these…
It’s hard to articulate so instead of fumbling for the words I will give you this from the ever-wise Brené Brown…
This is truly a both/and moment: both frightening and formative. Both uncertain and hopeful. And despite the legitimate troubles for so many unsure when they’ll be able to work and earn a paycheck, there is still so much goodness if you look for it.
We watched the Seattle Symphony livestream Mahler Symphony No. 1 all together curled up in bed last weekend. Metropolitan Opera has nightly free streams for the duration of the Met’s closure. I have never seen an opera before and I’m so thrilled for the opportunity to see some of the best…
“The single most important practice in Stoic philosophy is differentiating between what we can change and what we can’t.
Use your time wisely: don’t let the possible weeks or months of isolation be for nothing. You can’t control how long you’ll need to engage in social distancing, but you can control if you spend that time productively. The version of you who steps out of quarantine at some future date can be better than the version that entered it, if you try.”
I can’t work from home teaching my clients like I’ve always done. But I am finding a new way to be useful and share what I know.
“We think the future is something that happens, rather than something we make.”
— Ryan Holiday
I started a YouTube channel Pilates Everyday. The first video is a 5 minute basic Pilates mat that my clients are to do everyday. If you have never done Pilates before, start there and keep it simple: Prioritize repetition over perfection. It isn’t going to be good right out the gate. Don’t worry, just keep at it and do your best. Through repetition and deliberate practice it will start to come together. Just move. Pay attention. Don’t rush. Enjoy yourself. Repeat.
Take care of yourselves. Practice self-discipline. Be kind. Look for the good.
We are coming off of a long week of epic snow here in Seattle…
School closures allowed for some good sledding runs in the backyard…
There was also boredom (my son’s). So I made him read “Let Children Get Bored Again” in the NYTimes. Kidding, but it is a great article that you should read. It’s a good reminder for us adults too…
And in a throwback to my childhood, we made Shrinky Dinks. While my son was busy drawing characters from Zelda, I traced a favorite photo of him…
I made the soccatas from Gwyneth Paltrow’s new cookbook The Clean Plate for breakfastand they are super easy and so satisfying, especially on a cold winter morning…
I harvested the remaining kale from the garden that I planted back in August, just in case it didn’t survive the heavy snowfall…
Which reminded me to make a Row 7 seed order. I ordered two pounds of the Upstate Abundance Potatoes that were a hit last summer and a packet of these new absolutely beautiful Tetra Squash…
I had my eye on that classic Filson briefcase to carry my laptop but my husband just gifted me his AER Commuter Bag that I love…
Brandi Carlile’s 2007 album The Story may be the last cd I ever bought before everything went digital. I used to listen to that title track over and over when I was alone. I would crank it up so loud, her powerful voice overwhelming everything. I have now watched and listened to her recent grammy performance over and over which brings tears to my eyes every time and I can only think “what a badass.” Thank god for artists and thank god for music…
Samin Nosrat’s book Salt Fat Acid Heat was one of my most favorite cookbooks last year and I have given it as a gift several times. She is a talented teacher and I loved watching her four-part series on Netflix this weekend. I especially loved the last episode where she prepares a gorgeous roasted vegetable salad at home and hosts friends for dinner. I am so inspired I have revisited her cookbook and am reading it cover to cover…
It was only a matter of time - I caught my first cold of the fall/back-to-school season last week. Time to start taking daily immune support. This one is my favorite…
I also consumed a lot of strong ginger and lemon tea with raw honey. You can make a big batch of ginger juice in the blender, but now that I have a proper ceramic ginger grater it is easier than ever to grate ginger in seconds. I can’t imagine not having this little tool in my kitchen…
Re-inspired by Samin I have spent the bulk of my weekend in the kitchen. Making chicken stock in the Instant Pot, our favorite cookies and a batch of the best granola…
I have also made this caramelized onion and lentil pilaf from Nigella Lawson twice this week. It is so easy, economical and delicious. I would happily eat it for breakfast, maybe with some sautéed spinach…
While in the kitchen I’ve been listening to a lot of Bach, a perfect companion - particularly if Yo-Yo Ma is involved…
“These are the kind of things we need for the tired spaces of our world. This is the way we need to move forward in a world that is so interested in being comforted by the damp blanket of bad stories. We need stories of belonging that move us towards each other, not from each other; ways of being human that open up the possibilities of being alive together; ways of navigating our differences that deepen our curiosity, that deepen our friendship, that deepen our capacity to disagree, that deepen the argument of being alive. This is what we need. This is what will save us. This is the work of peace. This is the work of imagination.”
— Pádraig Ó Tuama
We spent last weekend in the hills outside Santa Cruz at a family wedding. It was an incredible party and there was an amazing band so we all threw down and danced the night away. I finally got a chance to wear this gorgeous dress from Doen…
A little inspiration for your Sunday. Watch this video...
I subscribe to Maria Popova's incredibly thoughtful weekly digest. You can read today's here and then subscribe for yourself.
If you've never been on Brain Pickings before, be sure to set aside some time to explore. I learn so much from her, especially book recommendations. The recent favorite being this one, Cry, Heart, But Never Break.
Speaking of books, I just finished Rebecca Solnit's Hope in the Dark. (Maria Popova happens to have a review of it here.) I'd also highly recommend listening to Rebecca's conversation with Krista Tippett.
On the flip-side of dark, I've added this bright and sunny hair-on Clare V clutch to my wishlist...
It finally feels like spring around here. My peas are coming up through the dirt, the rhubarb is thriving and the morning light is returning.
The last several weeks have been intentionally quiet and lovely. Lots of time in the kitchen and increasingly more time digging in the garden in between the rain showers. Lots of music, little news. Lots of thinking about my work and composing a meaningful life, and that my son will be turning five in a few weeks. It feels like a proper spring renewal.
On the music front I've been listing to Bon Iver's latest album 22, A Million on repeat. Specifically this song cranked up...
I bought a set of these multipurpose stainless clips last year and they remain one of my favorite and most useful things in the kitchen...
So I got out the fabric scissors and hacked off the ends to give them new life, and now they are pretty perfect.
I first learned about the Ooni pizza oven last fall and we finally ordered one. I gotta say, it is pretty epic. We are making pizza for a crowd for my son's birthday so I've been dough recipe testing and practicing my skills. The winner is the dough from Franny's...
The recipe is in Franny's cookbook (which Melissa Clark co-authored) and also in Melissa's newest one. In her book the recipe is in grams which I prefer and also makes it super easy to double or triple the recipe. (We let it rise for the full 48 hours by the way.) You can also find the recipe online here.
