what portland means to us

When I was a kid, I used to order vacation pamphlets over the phone. I doubt they even make those anymore now that we have the mighty internet, but they were like little magazines for cruises and vacation spots. There were pictures and descriptions and they'd lay out pricing for the cheap packages ...

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let's have a drink

We are back just now from a dance party. After a whirlwind couple of days in Portland, and then back late in the night last night, I woke up early to get to my last day of making coffees at the little French Grocery, at least my last day for now. And then we went to a garden party which turned into ...

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fruit tapioca

When I ask you a question, you always come through. Holey, moley. And when you take those few minutes in your day today to zone out and procrastinate on the internet (Who me? Procrastinate on the internet? NEVER!)--read through the comments from the last post. Really, really beautiful, guys. I'm ...

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the home cook

When I was seventeen, I auditioned for the theater program at Julliard. Actors are a loony bunch, always convincing themselves that they are exactly what they tell themselves to be. I remember waiting in the hallway, dressed in my serious long black skirt, loosening my jaw, breathing deeply. ...

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lemon-pickled turnips

  Sometimes, a pickle can make all the difference. I'm not talking about cucumber pickles that you eat on their own, or as a spear alongside a sandwich. I'm talking about that which I seem to have started to call "pickle" as if it were just another taste on the plate. ...

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yesterday

  Well, we are very nearly back up to snuff here. I have a recipe (first canning recipe of the season!) and a book that I'm excited to share with you, but I thought that today, while I get this all finished and sorted, I would share a bit of our day with you. And if you didn't get a chance ...

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under construction

Oh dear. The site seems to be in a bit of a pickle. But I'm working on it. I promise. I'm hoping to have it all fixed up in the next day or so. In the mean time, happy mother's day, to all mothers and all others. We're all in the business of creating and nurturing wonderful things, and so on this ...

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roasted radishes and brocolli raab

Years ago, when Sadie's hair was toddler-thin and Rosie was remarkable in her resemblance to a potato (I say that lovingly, of course, but anyone will tell you that it was true), I worked as a governess to three girls. I think I've told you about them. I don't know what stories I have told you. ...

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dirt

I'm doing my best to take a few days off from the kitchen so I can give some attention to this vast expanse of dirt (er, soil) that I have so ambitiously laid out for myself. It's going well--I've got the potatoes in there, as well as radish seeds, white turnips, dill, rosemary, lupines for next ...

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rhubarb cinnamon polenta cake

I hope that Nigel Slater has a couch in his kitchen. I like to dream of sitting on that couch, feet up, glass of something yummy in my hand, as I watch him cook. He just seems like someone who would open up when he's making dinner, and I bet his stories are as good as the meals that follow. I bet ...

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