An Ode to Fake Spring, Dreams and February
We broke out the sidewalk chalk this week when my youngest discovered a robin digging for worms in our front yard and declared it to be spring- though, as I type this now, I’m sitting in front of a window covered with the snow still coming down from the sky just days after a stunning, 60 degree day.
It is always around this time I eat my words a little about being a winter person; my socks wear thin in the soles, I am tired of the same four sweaters I recycle; my body, the last few years, responds directly to the amount of sunlight streaming in- and I would like to eat dinner, not in darkness, after 6 p.m. sometime soon.
But February holds so many gifts for us and our family: our baby’s birthday, the love we share for Valentine’s Day traditions ( R gives each of us our favorite flowers, spread all over the kitchen table, we grill steaks and mushrooms for dinner and cake. There is always cake), and one more unexpected gift, unique to this year.
I wrote a book.
I have been, in fact, writing a book for years but this was the month I put my head down and finished it with a proposal to boot, and it is now the hands of some agents and publishers to review. I’ve never felt more exposed, or more alive. To connect to others in this way- to reach through with words directly into hearts who may be hurting- is the ultimate privilege. Wherever it goes from here, I am exceedingly proud of the accomplishment of finishing something I started.
I talk a little bit about it as a guest on this delightful podcast, due out in March : https://www.facebook.com/deconstructingmamas . Speaking of podcasts, my friend Jess and I have been steadily building a media platform dedicated to Mamas called The She Interviews where we’ve been interviewing inspiring Mamas who are trying to balance all the things that come with motherhood, supporting a family and not losing ourselves in the process. I’m so thrilled that the podcast season one will be out in the Spring.
I would be remiss if I didn’t include the things giving me life right now, so these were the joy-bringers this week:
I made a desperate appeal to my online community to find my favorite candle and they DELIVERED. This is the only candle you need to close out winter and usher spring in: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MCW4WW3/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&fbclid=IwAR3rtlpMW8hOXDOKXV8CvO8Hpr3D6geIB0ZL62sR2XDbIVSudY6CYFTgaP0&ref_=ox_sc_act_image_1&smid=A1PDR1E7DYP3O5&th=1
I am still eating my words about my judgements concerning The Throne of Glass series before I actually read it. I finished book six, Tower of Dawn, and I am dragging my feet in getting the seventh and final book because I don’t want it to be over. I will mourn the loss of the mythological world Sarah Maas brilliantly built.
The cookbooks I leaned heavily on this past week to craft meals 3/4 of my family ate were: Weekday Vegetarians by Jenny Rosenstrach, The Barbuto Cookbook by Jonathan Waxman, and the The Kinfolk Table, curated by Nathan Williams.
I’m forever on the hunt for the perfect cup of coffee, and while my heart and wallet will forever support my beloved, The Coffee Potter I meandered yesterday to downtown High Bridge and found myself in the dreamy Scout’s Coffee Bar. Not only did they have one of the best Maple Latte’s I’ve had, their dedication to local artisans and businesses ( like, https://monsieurmeringue.com deliciously handcrafted macarons) was such a stunning revelation of how beautiful it can be when we recognize how much we need each other.
Finally, I ate the same egg sandwich/wrap every single morning this week:
And because I love you so much, I wanted to share how I made it. It’s less of a recipe than an assembly, which is often my favorite kind of recipe there is.
THE Egg Sandwich
You can assemble this using a roll, toast, or even a wrap to suit your needs and preferences.
I prefer a soft, scrambled egg on some days, and an easy-over ( is this a Jersey thing?) on others- both are delicious.
Toast your bread/roll, warm your wrap while your egg is cooking ( if you’re feeling indulgent, rub both sides with butter or olive oil and push it under the broiler for a minute or two.
After a minute or two of desired toast-I-ness, put a few slices of your favorite cheese ( but I suggest something like aged white cheddar or manchego- you want something more melty than stringy first thing in the morning) and put in back in under the broiler just long enough to melt the edges.
Place the cooked egg directly on top of the melted cheese and then add the critical components:
*Roasted Red Peppers ( you can swap out for sun-dried tomatoes if you prefer)
*Arugula
* Chili Crunch Sauce. Not negotiable. You can step fully into your bougie self and order it from Momofuku or, you can be like me and settle for the Trader Joes version
( which, in my humble opinion, is just as equally delicious).
May this coming week be full of the kind of love that makes you remember yourself- and that we belong to each other. The only kind of love that truly matters.