list

almond tuile
chamomile panna cotta
pit cherries
roll truffles
bake cookies
shape cookies
SS
process strawberry sorbet
pain perdu custard base
salted caramel anglaise
toasted coconut pastry cream
pink grapefruit pate de fruit
peach prep
.

A couple days ago I saw a half-blind man sharpening knives out of the back of a rusted Chevy truck on 9th Ave. It was a fabulous sight, the sort of thing that makes you stop and stare and stare again. He had a wet stone. He worked fast. It's such an improbable, interesting thing (like so much of this city) and I like to think about him driving around the city to the back doors of various restaurants, one tiny part of this big business.

where i'm going/where i've been

bbq at the house, bonfire at the beach.
aziza, anchor and hope.
north beach, ocean beach.
the lex.
hot springs.
over the golden gate, north on 101.
the east bay.
the east coast.

the herbs have started growing now. so far we have arugula, two kinds of lettuce, radishes, summer squash, tomatoes, jalapenos, mint, tarragon, chamomile, basil, carrots, wildflowers, and unlucky watermelon. i should probably go water it soon. it's nice having this huge yard, having a garden again, although i am surprised every day i wake up and it's all still there and hasn't died somehow overnight. i don't think i have actually grown anything from seed before, except for maybe lettuce.

in praise of tuesday

would you believe it if I said I had beautiful chocolate handwriting today?

It's almost Tuesday again and I'm excited again. Tuesday is my favorite day now. It's routine in the best ways...I am using the best products. I am working in all the kinds of ways I need/want to be working. I strive to work better, faster, cleaner, more productively. and don't think of taking shortcuts. I have one day a week to carry me through the rest. But it won't always be like this. Soon, soon enough I hope, things will be better.

I mean, cmon, I busted out that handwriting. It's only a matter of time.

potential

It's going to be a challenge to turn the yard into a *nice* yard but it's got tons of potential. I bought a scuffle hoe today and it made me really, really happy. I cleared out two of the raised beds we have (yeah, we've got a bunch of raised beds. and a lot of direct and indirect light.) It took a lot of work but they're finally down to earth, and I watered and turned over the soil.

We've got berry bushes, a charcoal grill, a smoker, and some type of wild onion. As far as what to actually plant, I'm still figuring it out. I'm used to the east coast, when things would just be getting in the ground right about now. As is, we're behind, but should still hope for some sort of harvest. I'm really happy with the new place, even if it is a lot of raw materials that need some good care.