Year: 2022

an easy feta, tomato and chickpea appetizer (or lunch!)

Published by fairfaxhill

Hello! I know it’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I’ve been super busy with visits, trips, birthdays, work, and what seems like all the medical checkups and appointments we didn’t have in two years all squeezed into the last month! My sister came to visit and that is always a treat. We explored a few places in Marin and San Francisco. We went to a trade show and caught up on our lives. It was fun! Then, we celebrated Sarah’s birthday. She turned 18 this year, which is hard to believe. We went down to San Diego to look at the school she might be going to. It was hectic but good. I am in denial of all that’s coming our way when she actually moves away for college. (Deep breaths!) As I said, all the activities this month haven’t left much time for cooking or knitting anything new — but last week, when I saw this recipe on Instagram, I really wanted to try it. The recipe is by @smittenkitchen. Apparently, …

spring in the air, bubble waffles + my new bedford pullover

Published by fairfaxhill

Spring is in the air, flowers are blooming, and birthday season is just beginning for our family. This week we celebrated Patrick’s birthday. A nice dinner at Marinitas, the local restaurant which we’ve decided sells the best margaritas in town, was the perfect place to celebrate mid-week. The celebrations continue for the other March babies this weekend, which should be fun. Center Depot in San Anselmo: a nice treat after a morning walk I’ve been eyeing the Center Depot in San Anselmo for months — I drive past it right when they open after I drop my son off at school in the mornings. It is located about a mile from downtown San Anselmo, and I keep imagining myself stopping by with Patrick or one of my friends after a brisk morning walk on the weekend. (We’d deserve it!) I find the little camper truck super charming. Plus, the fact that it’s located in a less commercial section of town makes it even cuter. You can get bubble waffles, Italian sodas, a.k.a. “sparklers,” doughnuts, hot cocoa, and espresso drinks out of …

week 9: comfort food + a lovely film

Published by fairfaxhill

White Borscht I made soup this week, and it was just what I needed — a hug in liquid form. I had never made borscht before; I thought it was a Polish dish, Russian perhaps; I didn’t know it was Ukrainian. The recipe was in Sam Sifton’s NYT Cooking newsletter last Wednesday. The second I saw it, I wanted to make it. I love potatoes. The recipe is by Gabrielle Hamilton, another NY Times writer and author of Blood, Bones & Butter, which I now want to read. The soup was delicious, and I will make it again, I’m sure. Get the recipe and try it yourself (potential paywall) here. Belfast This morning I watched the most beautiful movie. I’m sure most of you recognize the picture. It’s called Belfast — one of the best movies I’ve watched in a very long time. No wonder it has been nominated for several Academy Awards, including best picture! I think everyone should see it. Enjoy your week!

week 8: focus on mental health

Published by fairfaxhill

Week eight of 2022 ended sadly. Another war and more people dying for no good reason. What does war solve? To write about what I was making this week, or to tell you what delicious recipe you should try next, seems completely irrelevant. And honestly, I haven’t been inspired to do either since Thursday. Actually, even before the events of the past few days, I have been noticing myself feeling kind of blah about everything. The pandemic has lasted too long; even after vaccinations and now with the new post-pandemic “normal” slowly setting in, everything has changed so much. I think I’m just exhausted, and it seems like there’s no end to bad news. All this led me to an article by Adam Grant about languishing. He describes it as a mental state in which you aren’t quite depressed, but are not flourishing, either. He wrote it to describe a general lack of joy and direction many people were experiencing in 2021. But in 2022, I can relate. In his article, Grant tells us that …