With a spirit of thanks and a cup of warm by my side in the whirling winds of November, I compile this list to you. In the midst of six hours’ worth of cooking on Thanksgiving, days of hosting family, and travel planning for the very end of 2022, I sought calm in every way possible. These links are the best I witnessed, from the first of this month to the last.
For starters, here’s a Van Gogh. I love Vincent. Years ago, before I became a fan, I went to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. Now, I want to see as much of his work as I can.
All Quiet on the Western Front is a masterpiece. It’s a lot to take in, but a masterpiece all the same. Like many good movies, it was a book first. A rugged hardback copy is sitting on my nightstand as I write this.
This Instagram account has been a soothing balm for my worn-down creative soul.
This is the one recipe that made me change my mind on eggplant. I sauté instead of smoking, use cumin powder instead of seeds, throw in a teaspoon of regular ol’ Mexene as the chili powder (because that’s all I have), and serve over black rice instead of basmati. Mmmmm.
Personal pep talks that are as fun as they are encouraging.
A long form piece on an adoption in Afghanistan. The problem? The Afghan family says this child was taken. The case is ongoing and has some very powerful people behind the American couple claiming the baby is theirs now.
I listen to this podcast while cooking. It’s not exactly light dinner conversation, and I look forward to it every time.
The woman who realized someone was living in her attic.
This month, I baked bread for the first time! It was so good, I was sad when it was gone and I was reopening grocery store loaves. Three days later, I was back to kneading. Then, I made it again for Thanksgiving. Try this challah for yourself.
On that note, frum it up is one of my favorite YouTube channels. I find it and Emmi La so relaxing and cathartic.
My December recipe box has a vegetarian version of this stew on it. Mmm.
A beautiful essay on familial estrangement. I can relate, and I’m sure some of you carry burdens like these in your stories, too.
Every year, I make 90% of Thanksgiving dinner. Don’t worry—I love cooking, so I look forward to it. This year, I made a new topping for my famous apple pie and it was one of my best choices. Instead of a brown sugar cinnamon crumble, I toasted pecans and drizzled homemade caramel sauce with a tablespoon of brandy added to it over the top. That was the best pie I’ve ever made. The original recipe is here, but I only used it as an idea. What ended up on my table was different, but I’m sure this is good, too!
In line with new fall recipes, an acorn squash version of these stuffed mini pumpkins is in my recipe box. My original idea was to put them on the Thanksgiving table, but there was no time.
Finally, a view to brighten your day. Everything else seems small in comparison.
Books I read in November:
The Yellow Bird Sings
The Doctor’s Daughter
The Lord Is My Courage
The Paris Library
The Book of Lost Names
What did you enjoy reading, watching, etc. in November?
We saw Starry Night at the MOMA in NYC in October. Such an amazing experience.
I have yet to attempt a pie crust. It’s the rolling out and then crimping the edges that intimidates me most.
I just started Lessons in Chemistry, which has popped up on a lot of best of 2022 lists. Also finishing up Start with Hello by Shannan Martin. It’s given me lots to think about.