a cafe called Au Kouign Amman

Hah! I just finished a batch of kouign amann and I must report this: I have finally (after 3 years) NAILED it.

Fully baked, very flaky, no burned bits. Perfect.

I had to eat one to confirm, the rest will now go to my niece as her birthday gift.

Amazing. I've only tried to make them once and it was a massive fail.

Yum, and impressive, Consuela!!

I had a lovely day, my sister drove us from Philly to DC and we had brunch with my friends, and then I went to the soccer game with one (sadly the other had to cancel as her kid was sick) and now we are chilling. The only bad part is it’s Sunday night and I have to work tomorrow.

Drew so glad you’re able to go to the funeral. (And t, and anyone else who makes it)

Quick recovery wishes for your dad, Atropa.

Fully baked, very flaky, no burned bits. Perfect.

Most impressive!

Drew so glad you’re able to go to the funeral. (And t, and anyone else who makes it)

Yes. May there be many hugs.

Has a lightning quick trip to Montreal to see Nick Cave solo (though Colin Greenwood from Radiohead was playing with him.)

I saw that show in Chicago!

{{{Jilli}}}

Made it to SF. So tired. I’ve done a couple of months worth of my usual driving mileage in the last couple of days. I don’t know why I thought that would be easy.

My dad did the not tell his daughters about his hospitalization thing. Screaming seems like a reasonable response.

Congrats on the successful baking, Consuela!

Poland may have some good electoral news. [link]

I went to a chestnut festival today. I came home with some goodies—chestnuts and baked goods containing them. They were offering the new, blight-resistant American chestnut saplings, but as I rent I couldn’t take one. If I’d known they’d have them I would have asked my landlords if they wanted me to nab one. Oh well. Still, it’s nice that they’re available. My great grand nibblings may sit under chestnut trees someday.

I will be there in spirit, if not person. David, add my love and wishes to all the others for JZ's life celebration. I will try to follow her fierce tradition of caring and fighting for people with love and compassion.

Shir, Nilly, you and your families are constantly in my thoughts right now. I am trying to avoid hot takes and knee-jerk reactionaries on the internet. My friend here is helping keep me focused on the people and who are suffering and need relief, rather than lash out about politics and culture wars. We don't need more war. We need peace. And a lot of it.

Drew, chicks dig scars. But that said, CAREFUL next time! This isn't Iron Chef!

My heart's aching but it's dull sometimes and I'm working through stuff by focusing on what I can do. Not what I can't.

I'm so grateful to all of you who are able to go to Jacqueline's funeral. I wish I could be there too, but David and Matilda, I'll be thinking of you all day tomorrow and holding you in my heart.

Also grateful for Shir and Nilly being OK and able to check in from time to time.

Atropa, wishing your dad a quick recovery.

{{{Buffistas}}}

DavidS, wishing you guests who recognize you're grieving and give you space for that. Barring that, wishing you friends who'll run interference.

Shir, Nilly, as we say on this side of the schism, /i Dona Nobis Pacem