I recently visited Detroit. It was either snowing or below freezing the entire length of our stay, and yet I had the best time and fell in love with the city. Like all modern cities, Detroit is complicated. It seems impossible to talk about Detroit without acknowledging its struggles, which are certainly evident to visitors. But they’re not what I will think of when I think about this beautiful Rust Belt city. I’ll think about all of the friendly people we met, the beautiful things we saw and the delicious food we ate.  Its coolness and potential seem unmatched in American cities. I can honestly say it was one of the most interesting places I’ve ever visited and I cannot wait to return. It is another reason to love the middle of our country.

We packed a lot into two days, here are some of the highlights:

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My favorite fragrance company (D.S. & Durga) is now making candles and I am totally freaking out over them. This candle, man. It brings me back to the 80’s and being cuddled up in the backseat of a car with my mom and her fur coat. As the creators describe it:

On saffron tanned leather seats, in clothes that look like rugs, singing “we must never break the chain”. Lacquered chestnut paneling with puffs of burning fuel.

DAMN.

Jessie Mott and I went to grad school together, and since then she has been working as a successful artist (Whitney Biennial, yo!). I was most excited when I discovered she was printing some of her weird/wonderful animal drawings on baby clothes and selling them. Perfect for the kids in your life.

The Tartine empire continues to rule. This is easily my favorite book since the original Tartine, and features the compelling recipes from Bar Tartine. By next year at this time we will all be dehydrating everything, trust me. The book is smart, thorough, and aspirational. The first half of the book is a guide to the preservation techniques the restaurant uses (spoiler: many of them involved drying of fruits, veg, herbs, etc). I don’t know how many of these techniques I will actually follow, but I am really glad to know about them. The books feels fresh, which is rare in a cookbook. (caveat: My only wish for the Tartine crew is that they were more careful about editing their books. I always find errors, this one included. BUT! Don’t let that discourage you. The errors are usually easily detected and forgiven.)

Spice blends had always struck me as unnecessary, until I tried the work of Lior Lev Sercarz at La Boîte. Really sophisticated blends that you probably could not recreate yourself. I am an especially big fan of Orchidea, which is great in baking and sweets. Try using it in place of cinnamon in your favorite cinnamon/sugar donut recipe

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Nic Newcomb makes beautiful ceramics that I have admired from afar for years. These plates, though, I had to have. Like a sad rainbow. Also a good canvas for plating food.

I am using this to keep track of recipes. I think it gives me a real edge. read more+++

My friend Marjory started The Shortbread, a new online project about food. It features interviews with a diverse collection of people about their personal relationships with food. I love it and I am really looking forward to following along. I was honored to be included in the project, you can read an interview with me here. xo

Public Service Announcement: David Bowie Is is the name of an extraordinary touring exhibition that originated at the Victoria and Albert Museum and is currently making its only United States stop in Chicago. It’s an incredibly moving and inspiring show that I hope you all get to see (seriously, come to Chicago!). I am famous for how quickly I move through museums. I spent almost two hours in this exhibition and would have probably spent more time if I didn’t have plans to see it again. The show includes music, costumes, hand-written lyrics, artifacts (including the crystal ball from Labyrinth!), and videos, all tied together through an audio experience that seamlessly guides you through the exhibit. I generally feel ambivalent about museums. While I am optimistic about their educational possibilities and their role as collectors/protectors of culture, they often feel dead and I feel bored. It was nice to be in a museum space that felt alive. Crowds of people swaying to the sounds of Space Oddity. I left wanting to make things. I also left thinking about how much awesomeness one person can bring into the world.

I started following Caity Weaver on Twitter because of the essay she wrote about her experiences aboard a Paula Deen cruise (yes, that is a thing). I liked that essay a lot. But what I have grown to like even more, are her responses to Martha Stewart on Twitter. She’s amazing (and so is Martha). read more+++

I just reread The Heart is a Lonely Hunter which will always have my vote for the greatest American novel. It is heartbreaking and true. And best read in summer, the heat helps.

We spent the last weeks of 2013 in California visiting friends, family, and the ocean. It was a great way to end the year. I hope 2014 is off to a great start for all of you. I’ll be back shortly with food. xo

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The end of the year is nigh, and I am going to take a little break. I intended to post one last recipe, but then Beyoncé up and released an album (14 songs! 17 videos!) on Friday and I have been watching and listening to it like it’s my job (I wish it were my job!). I feel like I’m in high school again obsessing over an album and having a hard time talking about anything else. I apologize to anyone who crossed my path this week because I definitely made you talk about Beyoncé with me. I mean, she samples a talk on feminism by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on the album! So, Bey has distracted me from any cooking I might have planned on doing. Blame her! And then download the album and usher in the new year with Yoncé. Who needs food?

On a serious (and random?) cooking-related note, I also highly recommend these potatoes which are absolutely fantastic (and can be made in advance!). I plan on making them for every holiday dinner forever.

I’ll be back in January with more food and miscellanea. But I wanted to check in one last time before the new year and say that I hope 2014 is the best year yet, for all of you. Thanks for making this such a great place to hang out. See you soon! xo

Here we go, friends, the annual gift guide. My apologies that this is coming so late, with Hanukkah almost over. Hopefully you saved your gelt and can go shopping for yourself. As always, these are all things I own and love.

Plum Jam • Ayako & Family

Honestly one of the best jams I have ever eaten. Such a pure and beautiful plum flavor, and perfect packaging.

Triangle Cutting Board • Fort Standard

I like everything that Fort Standard makes and was eager to get my mitts on this cutting board. It is as beautiful hanging on the wall as it is on your table.

Boob Pillow • Gravel & Gold

Who doesn’t like boobs?

Sculpted Geode • Asrai Garden

These amazing geodes with pyramids carved into the top are one of my new favorite things. Chicago’s Asrai Garden is where I buy most of my rocks, and many of my holiday gifts.

Photobook • Artifact Uprising

I’ve always wanted to take a photo of myself holding something up against a blank wall. People seem to love it so much, and so this custom photo book provided me with a great opportunity. Artifact Uprising is a wonderful company in Colorado that makes beautifully designed and produced photo books and calendars. We gotta start printing our photos, people! This is a great way to start. And for the record, taking photos this way is just okay. read more+++