lillie in the city » everyday

hello summer!

lillie — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 23:32:17 +0000

There’s been a lot of growing + moving + shifting in the past few months with spring energy pushing us along. And now it’s suddenly summertime, and the sun is up, and the weeks feel a little more open-ended, and possibilities are expanding.

Last month Mischa + I moved out of our bright studio in San Francisco, saying goodbye to daily walks in Alamo Square Park and coffee shops on every corner. And we crossed the bridge to Marin (San Rafael, to be exact) to settle into a one-bedroom with a mountain view and lots of biking and hiking out the backdoor. For all my love of The City, I really love this not-so-big city life right now.

So summertime is looking good with this new apartment home to grow into and plenty of big and little adventures in the works. More hours in the day to get creative and get outside. Plus ever-more farmer’s markets, sweet peaches and sliced watermelon, and lots of sunshine and birds chirping out the window. Yes yes, this season will always be a favorite of mine.

listening to: Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show (listen)

Hello New Year!

lillie — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:06:29 +0000

The last month has been a whoosh of work, travel, family, friends, food, and celebrations. Lots of adventures to catch up in sharing here – and lots of new plans and ideas to get started for the new year. At the moment, I’m settling back down at my desk on this somewhat-sunny Monday morning, ready to start this week and this year off right. Cheers to 2010!

Winter on its way

lillie — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:42:27 +0000

The year is quickly slipping away. December is nearly halfway through. Winter is almost here–and we’ve started to feel it coming with crisp cold days here in San Francisco. Even with the steam heat pumping in our old apartment building, the chill still creeps in around the windows. This is the kind of weather that makes you want to stay curled up in bed all morning–but if you manage to make it out the door, the bay breeze wakes you right up and the bright morning sun warms you.

In the kitchen, we’re testing out our sourdough starter today, hoping for a fresh loaf of bread with dinner tonight. Nancy Silverton’s La Brea Bakery Cookbook is our guide. The damson plums from Mendocino are now in secondary fermentation, gurgling in a big one-gallon wine jug. We’re scheduled for an intro course at San Francisco Brewcraft next week. Today, awaiting our next produce box from Farm Fresh to You. This week, settling into our cheery and bright studio apartment, and on Friday, gathering new and old friends for a happy housewarming. Cheers!

Greetings to December

lillie — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:13:28 +0000

Greetings to December with bursting, bustling holiday cheer. Bring on the peppermint hot chocolate, mulled wine, maybe a little glass of eggnog. Add a sprinkle of nutmeg and a bit of peppermint. If you turn on the twinkling lights, I can handle a little chill in the air. I’m ready to weather the winter in San Francisco (and perhaps a snowfall or two in New England over the holidays?). Reflect, resolve, and plan before the calendar turns again. May the world be peaceful and joyful. Let’s eat pie until New Year’s.

listening to: Linus & Lucy by Vince Guaraldi Trio (listen)
Possibly my all-time favorite holiday song. Perfect for dancing around the living room.

Giving thanks

lillie — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:31:49 +0000

Just coming off of a beautiful long weekend in Mendocino. Day to day, I love being in the city – but boy it feels good to get away. It was a beautiful and full and relaxing weekend. The kitchen was bustling on Thanksgiving (just as it should be on every holiday!). We shared in a great holiday feast, plus lots of delicious meals and pots of strong coffee and sweets and snacks all weekend.

We came home with loads of homegrown and homemade treats: squash, berries, jars of applesauce, more damson plum jam, and two gallons of frozen plums (which we are currently fermenting, more on that soon!).

What are you cooking up for the holidays?

A few more photos are posted on flickr.