Here’s what I’m most excited about this week!

1. A dawn flight into Chicago – My sister woke me up just as we came over the Windy City. With a last minute 6am flight out of Nashville (see #9), I slept most of the flight, but woke in time to marvel at this beautiful city I call home.
2. The cafeteria at Central DuPage Hospital – With my Grandma in the hospital this past week (she’s doing much better now and back home!) I was grateful to discover the hospital’s food court had lots of freshly prepared options that were all incredibly reasonably priced. In a place where people are feeling vulnerable and afraid, it was comforting to share a good meal.
3. Frozen homemade kringle – it’s nice to show up with something homemade when my family is going through a tough time. With a busy week (see #9), baking wasn’t an option, so I pulled a Kringle I made a few weeks ago (from this cookbook) out of the freezer and brought it home to share.
4. Toaster tongs – ever get tired of burning your fingers trying to get that baguette slice out of the toaster? Well I sure did. Toaster tongs are saving my fingers, and mine are magnetic so they stay right with my toaster.
5. The small pot of pink roses my husband bought me for Valentine’s Day.
6. The Best American Food Writing 2019 – edited by Samin Nosrat, this collection of essays is as diverse as it is fabulous. I’m currently reading the essay titled “A Kingdom from Dust” by Mark Arax. Also, I will read basically anything with Samin’s name on it.
7. Spindrift sparkling water – I’ve long been an addict of La Croix, but I just discovered Spindrift. While La Croix has the benefit of being 0 calories, with nothing added other than some flavorings, Spindrift uses actual fruit juices to create a much more fresh and enticing flavor. And though they aren’t no-calorie, I haven’t encountered a can with more than 17 calories, and the flavor difference is absolutely worth it. I got mine at Costco.
8. Deb Perelman’s Street Cart Style Chicken – While this recipe has been a longtime favorite, it forever won me over this past Saturday night when the mouths I had to feed doubled from two to four – and three of those four were strapping young men. I threw some more pre-made naan in the oven to toast and without any more extra work than that we were all happily fed. Plus I’m eating leftovers as I write this. It’s only available in her cookbook.
9. Spring training – the only things I love more than baseball are my family and food, seriously. When pitchers and catchers report to spring training, I walk around and tell everyone “Happy New Year” and thoroughly confuse them. Plus, it’s a sign that spring is on its way (eventually, at least)!
10. Tartine: A Classic Revisted – I visited this bakery when I traveled to San Francisco last November, and I literally have not stopped thinking about it. In an effort to keep it’s delightful pastry in my life, I just received my copy of their cookbook and I can’t wait to dive in.