Drive down the 101 near Santa Barbara
Greetings. I am checking in one last time for the year. If I haven't been posting, it's because I've been enjoying my first week of real vacation.
My first apple pie (ever)
The time has been well spent and in the company of friends and family...
Sitting by a fire, watching waves crash mere feet from the window, the sea punctured occasionally by diving pelicans,
Celebrating my birthday, and the end of finals, in the warm company of friends both new and old,
A first attempt at apple pies and Thomas Keller, the latter being a simple but not to be belittled sautéed shrimp in white wine and garlic (brining is the key),
Looking over all of of Los Angeles from Griffith Observatory,
Satisfying a craving for Korean food with dumplings and bibimbap,
Reading books on a new Kindle and reconsidering my aversion to modern technology.
This isn't the space to wax poetic on the significance of holidays in my life, so I will leave it at this:
Thanksgiving elicits gratitude,
Christmas stirs hope,
New Years breeds action.
That's it. I am signing off for the rest of 2011. I'll be baking more apple pies, making a chicken vesuvio (thanks, Saveur), and probably attempting more Thomas Keller recipes, all while enjoying plenty of good wine without the guilt of reading assignments.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas, or, to those who don't celebrate, time with all your loved ones, moments of reflection, and a hopeful beginning to the new year. Peace, love, and creativity to you all. See you in 2012.
