September Delights

1. I've decided that instead of calling my tendancy to smother my morning coffee with homemade whipped cream an “indulgence” (which would imply that it's an occasional occurrence), I might as well own it and call a spade a spade: a delicious habit. As my friend Christy agreed with me the other morning, “if you're going to do it, do it all the way”. Here's my go-to recipe should you also be inclined to make your morning a little more delightful.

 

2.  We did a lot of camping this summer: first to Pinnacles National Park, then to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and finally to Mammoth Lakes. I love going hiking, especially in the morning when it's cool, before it gets too hot, but no matter the time of day, a swim at the end of a long hike is maybe the greatest reward there is. This summer I hiked in my hiking boots with my favorite DarnTough socks (lifetime warranty!), but hooked by Tevas onto my pack with a caribeener so I could swim in lakes without worrying about a fishing hook in the foot. Favorite swim of the summer? Convict Lake in the Owen's Valley, hands down.

 

3. I'll admit that I'm a pen and paper type of gal when it comes to note taking, but I'm super picky about the utensil I use to write with. I have a fondness for mechanical pencils, especially this old friend that I've had since my days in architecture. I recently went to replenish my stock and discovered that my old faithful is produced no more. Thus began the hunt for an adequate replacement. After some trial (and some absolute garbage tbh), I've currently landed on this pencil. I like the slim, soft grip, the weight, and the replaceable eraser. I have to be sure to only use them in my workspace though, lest the small child in my midst decide it's the perfect pencil for making into a flag or drawing something Super Mario related after which it's gone forever.

 

4. We have a small citrus orchard on or property; 12 different types of citrus all procured and curated for our hillside simply for the pure pleasure of having fresh, in-season, warm-from-the-sun citrus. Some are exceptionally useful (Meyer Lemon, Genoa Lemon, Bearss Lime), others selected for the delight of eating fresh fruit out of hand at peak ripeness (I see you mandarins, Cara Cara and Trovita oranges), and the rest chosen for their exoticism (kumquat, finger lime, calamasi).  I really enjoyed diving back into The Land Where Lemons Grow: The Story of Italy and its Citrus Fruit by Helena Attlee (a book I actually bought and re-read, which only happens for subject I find truly fascinating). It's a book that reads a bit like fiction interspersed with recipes and details of citrus groves abroad that transport the reader straight into Italy.

 

5. I open up any one of Alison Roman's cookbooks at least 4 times a month because I know I'm going to find something delicious in there that is unfussy, simplified, and most of all, interesting to eat. She cooks the way I cook: loose measurements, no recommendations for specialty kitchen equipment, plenty of salt and acid to make flavors pop. I make her roast chicken with dates and lemon at least once a month and this custard truly is perfect for all the things. I have her dessert cookbook, which was a stretch for me to actually buy only because I'm not really a “dessert person” and I don't love baking, but there is a raspberry ricotta cake recipe in there that is life-changing enough (and made in one bowl) that maybe makes me think I should make dessert more often.