There’s talk of gift guides everywhere these days. Beyond the practical aspect of these, I’m drawn to reading them for the peek they offer into other lives. I could read them all year round—just as I like reading the New York Times’ Sunday Routine column or stories of people’s morning rituals or the Grub Street Diet every Friday.
Read moreGINGER MUFFINS
The holiday season is here, cozily tiptoeing its way into my days. One minute I was crunching on a carpet of rustling fallen leaves in the park, feeling all pumpkin-y and eager for the dark nights that herald the coming of Halloween. And the next moment, I blink, and the grocery store checkout aisle is lined with foil-wrapped chocolate Santas. My Pandora station plays Charlie Brown Christmas songs. Our mantlepiece is strung up with twinkly tea lights. Last night I lit a fire and set some red tapered candles out on the dinner table—how’s that for ambiance?
Read moreCOCOA LAYER CAKE
Brief love letters to myself, inspired by this tote bag, which I dearly want and makes me both laugh and nod sagely at the same time:
Read moreSALTY-SWEET PUMPKIN OLIVE OIL LOAF
“Wait, but Po, didn’t you just give us a recipe for a pumpkin loaf? Topped with pumpkin seeds? That you promised us was the absolute best?” Why yes. Yes I did. Thank you for paying attention! But see, you really can’t have too many excellent pumpkin loaf recipes. That would be like having too many pairs of cozy pajamas or too much Champagne. Wait, strike that, you absolutely can have too much Champagne—you heard it here.
Read moreDARK CHOCOLATE OLIVE OIL COOKIES
My dad sits in a wooden rocking chair in front of the fireplace. He’s wearing a wool sweater, warming his toes in the heat of the fire, and cradling my youngest niece who sleeps quietly on his shoulder. Picture books are strewn across the window seats and floor of our big open living room, which looks out over the ponds and the pastures and forest beyond. Dusk is falling in soft shadowy shades across the farm. Over in the kitchen, I lean against the edge of the countertop with one of my sisters. My mom stands across from us, making pizza for dinner.
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