on simmering (or, 6 things I learned in 2015)

The past few weeks have passed by so quickly, what with Christmas and visiting family and literally hundreds of essays to read, that I've hardly had any time to process the end of the year. Thankfully, a few much-needed conversations with friends (who are good listeners and talkers) have given me space to reflect on my strange, often frustrating, unexpectedly and unconventionally wonderful 2015. So here, before I forget, is a probably incomplete summary of what I've learned:

the beginning or the middle or the end

I have a few confessions to make. (Don't I always?)

hometown dreams: 5 reasons why I'm leaving new york city

(a little song I wrote about coming and going)

After 2 years, I'm moving back home to California in two(!) weeks and would be remiss if I didn't write a lengthy, introspective post explaining why:

(I'm also secretly hoping it'll save me from exhausting conversations, but who am I kidding, no one reads this anyway so I'm really doing this for my own catharsis--what's new?)

how to: make your own white chocolate bark

Ah, December. I had such plans for you. Gift guides galore with practical, desirable gifts you can actually afford (I'm looking at you, Tasting Table, and your $250 leather and copper basket). A list of NYC winter essentials (read: really good hand cream). At least one outfit post. Party snack ideas. DIY edible gifts, plural.

salted caramel apple galette

It's the end of Thanksgiving week! You can find all my favorite holiday recipes here.



Hi! Thanks for being patient while l figure out, by trial and lots of error, how to work within reason to produce consistent, good content. I appreciate it more than you know.

Well, the big day is right around the corner and it's time for the last #OOTThanksgiving recipe of the year: dessert. And since dinner is enough work as it is, the ideal dessert should be fuss-free but elegant. The humble galette, aka the lazy man's pie, delivers on both of these fronts, and this salted caramel version is a winner: a combination of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples nestled in a flaky pastry crust, covered in a caramel sweet enough for kids but salty enough for grownups. If that doesn't sound like a befitting end to a glorious meal, I don't know what does.