In Bloom
The city is alive with blooms, baked goods, and bivales
I’m writing to you after one week of solo living. Everyone I talk to who lives alone loves it. I know I will at some point but I’m not quite there yet. There have been some nice moments (I love not using headphones in the house and only having my messes) and some hard ones. I’ve ordered a speaker, a recycling bin, and a hamper. Every new thing that arrives makes it feel more like home. Some highlights: my mom found very cute water glasses at an estate sale and I grabbed an old stool from my parents’ basement (my new favorite place) so people have somewhere to sit when they put their shoes on and off.
I have been watching The Pitt which is as good as everyone says (and emotionally devastating). I still want to get rid of so much, especially in the clothing department, but will purge in time. I’ve hit several snags in the cat adoption process but am still hopeful. Hillary gave me some great advice to create a playlist for chilling at home and I’m working on that to help set the mood when it’s just me. Seeking all suggestions and tips for living alone!
Outside of my apartment, it finally got warm this weekend and everyone went outside. I love the city in the springtime with so many flowers in bloom. This Thursday, paid subscribers will get my thoughts on the first month post break up (I survived, please clap) and what’s next for me. I promise one day I will write about recipes and broader things again, but we are not at that point yet.
Now, let’s dive in.
Something to cook:
Not exactly cooking but Julianne came over last Monday and I had limited ingredients on hand. I served us chunks of parm and pickles as a snack and then we went out to dinner. It was perfect for our palates and I got to use the plates and bowls I got when I lived in Guatemala.
I made the roasted cauliflower salad
wrote about in her newsletter (it’s from Kendra Vaculin at BA) and it was a lovely lunch. The roasted feta is a very nice touch and I skipped the capers. I adjusted the timing slightly to reach my preferred roast levels for each ingredient.James used to be part of an oyster CSA that also does occasional drops and I was lucky enough to be invited for a dinner featuring the bounty. He and Julia served raw oysters with homemade mignonette, oysters napolean (a term we made up, they were broiled oysters with fried onions on top), mussels marinara with pasta, and a spring salad with radishes and feta. Everything was so fresh and delicious and they used muffin tins to serve the oysters on ice without a mess—brilliant.
My contribution to this feast of bivalves was brownies (from a box) which I doctored up with olive oil, extra chocolate chips, and flakey salt. I baked them in a round pan, which I prefer for cutting as every piece has an edge. And alongside: Haagen Dazs Vanilla Bean ice cream.
Why is this night different from all other nights? Well, my mom had unexpected surgery this week (she is fine, recovering at home, and very grateful for doctors and friends) and we had to cancel our big seder. My dad had already started marinating the brisket so we did a very pared down seder on Friday featuring Dan Pelosi’s spring salad with mini mozzarella balls, peas, asparagus, and almonds from his book, potato kugel, vegetarian matzo ball soup (thank goodness my mom made this in advance), and matzo toffee. Next year, in good health!
Tilden made ramp butter, which she served with baguette for a special seasonal snack. I also got to meet her sweet dog Kiri, who is so soft and snuggly.
Something to order:
Julianne and I went to Cozy Royale for dinner and split the hippie salad, the olives and blue cheese, and a side of fries (their fries are so good). I love it there.
Elissa (read
if you don’t already) and I caught up in Bakeri’s calm backyard over scones, coffee and tea. Their scones are filled with fruit and less dry than some scones can be, which works for me!
We had a team Happy Hour at Esters, which was showing off on a sunny day. We grabbed a table by the window, shared some pizzas and a pretzel, and had some wine. I love going there solo or with a group, it works in many scenarios.
Delaney and I took advantage of the nice weather on Saturday and walked from the Union Square Greenmarket, where we gawked at the flowers and ramps, to Mary O’s Irish Soda Bread Shop, which I had been wanting to try. They make Irish soda bread scones served with Irish butter (so salty and good) and jam. We shared one and it was so good and there was no line. Would recommend.
We hung out in Tompkins Square Park and then got lunch at C+B , which is so good. I got tomato focaccia and they have great coffee. If I lived nearby, I would strive to be a regular.
I met Rose and Mandy for dinner at Kellogg’s and enjoyed their veggie burger, which is black bean based and made in house. You can get it with cashew cheese or cheddar and it comes with pickled onions, which I enjoy.
All the Forest Hills Pizza places were closed for Easter, so we picked up pies at From Rome to Brooklyn for a family lunch. My mom is doing much better and we all enjoyed some pizza and kale caesar salad.
Leah, Erika, Julia and I walked to Screen Door for after dinner ice cream. Their lines are long when the weather is good, so get there by 8:30 to make sure you get a scoop before they close!
Something to read:
I’m seeing Wedding Banquet this week and very excited. Enjoyed this interview with Bowen.
Happy hour with Hailee Catalano and Chuck Cruz. I love their Friday night dinners.
I love a breakfast meeting! More power breakfasts.
and I got a lovely breakfast this morning (more on that next week) and it was the perfect kick off to the week.The Color-Drenched Cult of Le Creuset and this much needed response from
(cookware is meant to be used after all)I get targeted with lots of wedding skin prep content (unsubscribe, please) and I loved this piece from
about what that process is really like. It’s hard to avoid the project mentality in all things personal.’s new newsletter is so good and this deep dive on Love and Basketball is excellent.The Vibe Check crew on the Blue Origin space thing.
wrote beautifully about being Jewish, Passover, and existing “in spaces where Palestinian justice and Judaism co-exist.”As I stare down an endless to do list, I needed to read
’s newsletter about intentional inefficiency. Sometimes time is meant for wasting.Some good Facebook marketplace tips via
andTake care!
xo, Abigail
Perfect little spring weekend!
Best way to start the week!