Field Notes 7.31.23
July both overstayed its welcome, and flew by in the blink of an eye. It started off quietly with a little 5 day break from work that included a quick overnight stay in NYC with Matthew, and his first time dining at Via Carota. I think we’re both still dreaming about the fried calamari topped with two of the most perfectly fried shrimp I’ve ever eaten. It made me wish I could jump right into one of the many photos of people eating fritto misto along the coast in Italy that my Instagram feed seemed to be filled with this past month.
I long to be away, far away, but for a variety of reasons traveling to Europe isn’t in the cards. For now. I’m trying to figure out how I can make it happen before year’s end. I wouldn’t even want to go in the height of summer since that’s when it’s filled with tourists. It’s more the nagging feeling that I’m letting myself down by just waking, working, mowing the lawn, rinse and repeat.
Of course, this isn’t entirely true. There was a quick adventure to the Cape last weekend to see the Barbie movie at the drive-in, and we will be going again for an entire week at the end of August. Summer is not all work and no play. It just feels that way. Life is always about perspective.
I’ve been spending time transferring more posts over from my old site, feeling sentimental about the day I let that space go for good. It feels like an impossible project but I’m making little dents here and there. One thing you’ll notice that’s new here is a section titled Grief & Loss. I’d been struggling to find the right home for my posts from the early years in my widow journey, mainly because I wasn’t sure how relevant they felt to who I am today and what this space is meant to be.
I started writing a novel-length post and realized it needed a proper home. The more things change, the more they stay the same. My relationship with grief is not the same as 12 years ago but the underlying emotions are still just as complicated and raw in many ways. I just have a different perspective when I write about them, and continuing to write about them without the pressure of a recipe is something I most definitely want to do. Although, my recipe for crispy buttermilk fried chicken lives in the Grief & Loss section because I can’t talk about fried chicken without thinking of Mikey.
All of the posts in the Grief & Loss section are for paid subscribers only. It’s not my intention to deny anyone anything, though I’m not sure that I owe anyone open access to my life in that manner either. The reason this section is open only to paid subscribers is because it’s a very personal journey. My years online and in social media have taught me not everyone respects boundaries or adheres to being polite, and so I wanted to create a space that feels safe and welcoming. There are a handful of posts there now, and it will continue to grow as I move more work over here.
You’ll also find some old favorite recipes have finally made their way here, too. The Ridiculously Easy Chocolate Chip Muffins are a reminder of morning sunrises on Cape Cod. Whole Grain Pizza Dough works wonderfully in the oven or on the grill. Sadly, there will be no local apricots here this season but that won’t stop from buying some at the supermarket to make these poached ones in honey, lemon & thyme syrup. And what ice cream sundae would be complete without hot fudge sauce?
Be well, and remember to be kind. —xo, j.