A really big dill
Annie & Alison Newsletter #4
You know that feeling when something you never thought would happen, happens? That zinging sensation in your fingertips? The way you instinctively sit up straighter, carried by a new energy in your chest?
I had this feeling on Tuesday night, when a little Instagram notification popped up saying: “@alisoneroman mentioned you in their story.” I leapt off the couch SO high!
Backstory… Some of you may know that Alison Roman has a weekly newsletter, which includes a recipe. A very particular subset of the internet then proceeds to make said recipe and document it on social media. This week’s recipe was Potato Leek Soup with a veritable mountain of dill (or as Alison says, #lotsofdill).
It was a warm day, so I went for a nice long walk around our neighborhood. As is usually the case, my walk ended with a stop at Whole Foods, which is just a block away from our apartment. I like going there to look at the produce and various kinds of flours. Sometimes I chat with the seafood counter guy. This time, I purchased leeks and potatoes and went on my way.
That evening I posted a picture of my in-process Potato and Leek Soup and tagged Alison. Two hours later, this happened.
I’m sharing it here because it thrilled me, and because it felt like maybe she’s seen this project? Maybe she hasn’t, but she will eventually, right? I’m just so excited.
On that high note, here’s this week’s reviewed recipe round-up:
Tiny Salty Chocolatey Cookies (you’ll want to eat the whole plate)
Long-Roasted Eggplant with Garlic, Labne, and Tiny Chile Croutons
During this week of cooking…
I learned… how to trim and clean an artichoke. Which was an empowering experience! The best part? Scraping out the fuzzy center with a tiny grapefruit spoon. And with it, I learned how to make aioli, which consequently means signing up for a very sore forearm from all the whisking. #worthit
I watched… Oprah’s interview with Meghan and Harry. I’ve never been interested in Britain’s Royal Family, and I’m still not, mostly. But this interview. It was a compelling 2-hours that had me simultaneously on the edge of my seat and shrinking into the couch with sadness. Oprah crushed it, no surprise. Her questions were like an expertly wielded surgeon’s knife. They went deep into the heart, but still inflicted as little pain for the patient as possible. She is a journalistic master, and she looks great in pink. I really liked watching Meghan Markle in Suits, but this interview gave me a whole new respect for her.
I listened to… several friends remind me of what is true. I received a few, what I’ll call, annointed, phone calls from friends to catch up throughout the week. All of the calls ended with that friend graciously reminding me that who I am and the phase of life that I’m in is exactly what it needs to be. No more, no less. My presence is enough.
So, dear reader, I hope you know that you too are enough, just as you are, wherever you are, and wherever it is that you hope to go.
xo,
Annie
You go, girl!