A few days ago, I received the nicest letter from Susie K., a guest on one of my upcoming trips to Morocco. She, like all of us, are finding ways to deal with the current state of our world and while self-isolating, decided to read my book, Kitchen Gypsy, from cover to cover. Her words were so touching and sweet,- “When I got to the part in Kitchen Gypsy where you started your chef years at Chez Panisse, I got goose bumps.” She then proceeded to tell me all the details of the most extraordinary date she had experienced in her 80 years which included a romantic dinner at Chez Panisse.
Now I call that letter from Susie, a silver lining. This is just one of the many silver linings I’ve been looking for—and finding—these days!
Silver linings can be found anywhere and everywhere. When I step out onto my deck and feel the warm sun on my face. Silver lining. When I hear that circumstances are improving for my friends in Italy, France, Spain, New York and beyond. Silver lining. When I remember that I have a huge stash of dry Italian butter beans from Iacopi Farm in Half Moon Bay. So, I cook them up and not only relish the moment I spoon them into a small bowl, drizzle them with extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of salt, but I also get to surprise a few neighbors with big jars of warm beans, full of comfort and nourishment. Silver linings. A virtual Zoom birthday party for my brother, John, with my entire family. Silver lining. And yesterday afternoon, watching the feel-good movie, Uncorked, with Joe after a simple supper of White Cannelini Beans, Sausage and Tomatoes.
There’s so many more… I look for them every day. Sometimes these silver linings almost blind me and I realize it’s ok to slow down. And in some ways it feels good to notice and appreciate things which I might otherwise overlook.
And as Susie said at the end of her letter, “... remain appreciative of what we have and supportive of the world around us.”
Stay healthy, my friends, and if you happen to have some dried beans in your pantry, enjoy this recipe for a simple, yet sumptuous, Tuscan Sausage Stew.
Pass it on and be well!
P.S. What silver linings are you finding these days? I’d love to know! Share them with me on social media and let’s get #SilverLinings trending! |
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