i wrapped a scarf around my neck.
this afternoon.
and took a quick jaunt.
to midtown.

popping into my favorite shop.
to stock up on basil soaps.
and frida kahlo candles.

before visiting the bakery.
for twine-wrapped mozzarella sandwiches.
and kombucha.

i came home.
and sat at the picnic table.
nibbling on lunch.
and savoring a kingsolver novel.

**

a chill is in the air today.
but i'm alright with that.

i feel like the earth.
is back where it should be.

waiting for the warmth.

winter afternoon

jars of dried rosemary.
and midwifery study.

the smell of roasting olives.
& roasting beets.
in the air.

preparing for a big snow tonight.


a winter afternoon.

currents...

my days.
have been a revolving cycle.
of.

dylan records.
documentaries.
research.
marathon training.
nephew visits.
whole food runs.
bread baking.
AM yoga.
fried egg + avocado sandwiches.
and the possibility of becoming a midwife.


the current is fast.
but i feel calm behind my oar.

tartine.

after a year of reading this book.
and multiple viewings of this video.
i finally mustered up the gumption.
to attempt tartine bread.

first.
i mixed a starter.
and then i studied it.
fed it.
learned its pattern.
and its smell.

and when it was ready.
i made a leaven.

and then a dough.

and then.
this morning.
with snow gently falling outside.
i made a loaf of bread.

a good loaf.
with a thick, crunchy crust.

and i sliced into it.
still steamy and warm.
from the oven.

and i slathered it with cherry preserves.

and i wrapped a portion of it.
in brown paper.
for my sister.

and i went to sleep.
after a long night of working.
with the scent of fresh bread.
still hanging in the air.

little things.

so many little things.
just beneath the surface here.


freelance projects.
bread baking.
west coast trip planning.
first birthdays.
walnut wood.
sherlock holmes.


the quiet calm of life.
bubbling with content.

winter quiche

temperatures here have been mild.
balmy even.
and they've left me unsettled.

there's something about january.
that begs for the crunch of snow.
beneath your boots.
and
clouds of your own breath.
in the air.

i'm anxiously awaiting spring.
and my hands in the warm earth.
but i wouldn't mind a small flake.
or two.
in the meantime.

***

it did seem a bit cooler this morning.
my feet feeling chilled on the kitchen tile.
and so it was perfect.
that i had already planned on making brooke's quiche today.

i rolled the overnight dough out on the table.
and filled its shell with:
sauteed kale, mushrooms, and garlic.
herb-laced eggs.
and sliced peppers.

the warmth from the gas stove.
permeated the house.
and the smell that wafted from the kitchen.
was divine.

***

the sun hasn't really peeked from the behind the clouds.
so i plan on staying in awhile this morning.
big slice of quiche in hand.
while i curl up to enjoy the rest of this.

***

here's to a day that nearly feels like winter.

discovering skyr

on a whim.
i went to whole foods after work the other morning.

the aisles were uncharacteristically vacant.
the flowers fresh cut.
and the loaves of bread still warm.
and steamy.

as i was leisurely exploring.
i came across this yogurt.
and in keeping with the spirit of spontaneity.
i bought a few flavors.

i came home.
peeled one open.
drizzled a touch of honey on top.
and immediately fell in love.

far and away.
the thickest.
most delicious.
yogurt i've ever tasted.

spoonfuls of bliss.

***

also:

been watching this addictive british masterpiece.
reading this simple, beautiful book.
and melting into winter landscapes while listening to this.


***

oats & outdoors

vanilla bean steel cut oats.
and more fresh grapefruit juice.
this morning.

followed by an afternoon.
in bean boots.
raking near-frozen leaves.
and collecting lovely pieces.
of found cherry wood.

my mind is overwhelmed with ideas.
for my next carving project.

the morning after.

the holiday was lovely.
all lights. and love.

i spent the morning.
packing up ornaments off the tree.
and sipping fresh squeezed grapefruit juice.

the weather is so mild.
a warmish winter.

apple verbena jam + sharp cheddar grilled cheese.
fresh coffee.
the new issue of kinfolk.
and thick knit socks.

a combination culminating into wintery bliss.

snow + brunch + twinkle lights

chicago was magical.

all awash with:

gently falling snow.
farm-fresh brunch.
and midnight twinkle lights.


christmas was palpable in the crisp air.

i feel thankful & refreshed.

***

ps: loving this christmas song.

maple syrup and winter snow

snow fell today.
the perfect little winter dusting.
coating sidewalks.
and tree branches.
and porch railings.

i curled up in a fluffy flannel sheet.
and drizzled this yummy syrup.
over steel cut oats.

the perfect morning.


headed for chicago today.
bon iver in the windy city!

it's the stuff christmas dreams are made of.

ushering in winter

lately:

lemon + honey + ginger syrup tea on cool mornings.

l.l. bean boots on frosty evening treks to work.

christmas records & the tree rising.

roasted olives

warm roasted olives.
with olive oil + thyme + lemon juice.

enjoy them any way you please.

or as i do.

on a late fall afternoon.
paired with:
crusty wheat bread.
roasted beets.
and fresh goat cheese.

loving...

loving//

these words:

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you simply, without problems or pride.
I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this--
in which there is no I or you.
so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand.
so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close.
Pablo Neruda


this recipe:
creamy baked eggs & vanilla cardamom french toast


this video:
josh vogel

eggs & oxfords

the days.
as of late.
have been introspective.
layered.
they pulse and buzz.
with the life-force of discovery.
and wonder.

i've spent them.
wearing in a pair of oxfords.
traipsing cities and forests--
with a pentax k1000 around my neck.
and cooking up the freshest of northern farm eggs.

this woman's incredible music
has been the soundtrack of my sunrise and moonlight.

it plays on in my head.
long after the notes have ceased.

// midnight moon

{polaroid 600 image of plums + pentax. impossible film. with the back peeled off.}


i'm making this incredible cake.
using a bowl of juicy.
ripe.
midnight moon plums.

i was drawn.
immediately.
to their deep color.
and their lunar name.

it's fitting.
that i arrange them.
atop a sweet batter.
on a clear night.
under a half moon.

comfort food

in the summer i find i cook less.
i eat so much fresh.
and raw.
right off the vine.
drizzled with a bit of olive oil.
or only lightly sauteed in a herby sauce.

but when the temperature tumbles.
i begin craving comfort.
something homemade.
something warm.
and so i find myself positioned by the stove.
baking.
creating.
transforming fresh ingredients.
into a dish i can't help but savor.

most recently.

i feasted on--
farm fresh fried eggs on toast.
home-grown home-fries.
and these addictive chocolate beet muffins.


spot-on. and delish.

: love letters and leaps :

sometimes.
when the nights start getting cooler.
and the sky turns a few shades darker.

the best and only thing to do.

is meet your friends on the corktown sidewalk.
under a full moon.
for hot barbecue sandwiches.
and fresh peach tea.

the very act of it.
is the final love letter to summer.
and the first leap into fall.

+++

:: le petit zinc

had an incredible lunch.

at my favorite little restaurant in the city.


paired together with old friends.

and the perfect amount of late summer sun--

the day was extraordinarily good.