Things I am thankful for

To start with the obvious, but no less essential: my family, friends and health. Thank god, thank god, thank god.  

My colleagues

Having had really good bosses in the past, from whom I still draw confidence and inspiration

The centering effects of yoga and the comic side effects of zumba

Milo’s antics

My boyfriend fiancé for loving me so unconditionally and beautifully

My trips to Charleston, Buenos Aires, Miami, Maryland and Cape Cod this past year

For the beauty of Connecticut

For my Family Feud family

For not seeing tragedy up close

Comfortable shoes

Netflix

That New York still has the power to make me weepy with happiness and awe

Good dentists

The moment of climbing into bed each night

Wonderful books like Yes, Chef; All That Is; Wild and TheCookbook Collector

Sweet things

Friday nights

My new home

I hope that wherever you are, you are in a happy, grateful place. Happy Thanksgiving, mes amis!

It's the little things

What a week. I don't know if it was the full moon or what, but I was wretched and moody. Worked a ton. Slogged through every day. There were bright moments to be sure. But one of my happiest was having a most amazing almond croissant for breakfast. You can underestimate the power of a perfect pastry.

Sweet Freaks of the world, unite!

Paris, My Sweet was resuscitated last night. A year and a half after publication (remember that??), I had a joint reading with the fabulous Hilary Reyl and wonderful Ann Mah. But the best part of the night (aside from when the founder of the Writers Room recounted the time Julia Child cooked dinner for her) was meeting Kerrin Rousset (below, next to me and behind Ann) and Susan Hochbaum.

 

Kerrin is my international counterpart/hero with an enviable career in Zurich, giving chocolate tours, organizing Le Salon du Chocolat, writing about food and travel. The life. 

And you can't help but love Susan, if not for her lovely demeanor then for her keen eye and sly sense of humor. You do know her most amazing book, non? After gabbing and note-comparing, I'm excited to fire up my sweet sleuthing again. I've been much too delinquent.

Cake, flowers, cat

I'm trying to think of what I do with my time these days. I go to work. If I'm lucky, I walk to Dean & Deluca to ogle the cakes and flowers at lunchtime.

I come home and unpack a box, have a glass of wine, order a new lamp.

Milo's new sleeping routine leaves much to be desired—at least for me. He wakes me up between 5 and 6 in the morning. Even so, I find it tough to get to the gym and age, gravity and the drawer of gummies at my desk are taking their toll.

Soon, I'm promising myself, I will complete my book proposal. The holes in the apartment will be filled. I will be back in a rhythm that is alternately exciting and soothing. For now, I have to just go with it.

Waking up 41

Life has been pretty singularly focused these past two weeks. The new apartment.

A new neighborhood.

A new place to put my books.

It’s also been a time to reflect. How could it not be? Passages. They’re so bittersweet. I have so much to look forward to, and have said goodbye to so many other things, people and places.

In between getting settled in Brooklyn, I turned 41. I had a family reunion. I read a book about a wedding and saw a movie about life and love. I had this Colson Whitehead article bookmarked for some time and just got around to reading it, which seemed so appropriate.

I guess it’s all to say that life is so magnificent. So beautiful and so full of pain. So many little things and reasons to be filled with gratitude and love.

My Vegan Monday

Morning
Black coffee
Oatmeal with flax seeds and honey

Afternoon
Large green salad with grilled tofu
Dark chocolate 
A handful of peanut m&ms
Cranberry juice
Ginger tea

Evening
Hummus toast
Glass of Malbec

Ahhh... getting settled in the new place. Little rituals like Vegan Monday help make the chaos more normal. What have you been eating lately??