Fryman Canyon

In the middle of Los Angeles all the winged monkeys exercise

A steady line of people parking their cars as close as they can to the mouth of the hike

And grimly climbing.

 One woman cuts a huge psychic swath
as she drags her body and life up the incline

“............. IFF I feel GOOD I can!................................But what is me feeling good?”

Behind her doctors, perpetrators,
useless remedies
 and her nanny from when she was 6
hold tight to her shoulders and leave a trough of haze in the energy

The fragrance and damp from the green

Curry plant, salvia, pepper tree

 sweat , sweet

 like they’ve been struggling  with gravity too

But they endure with grace

Two women whose faces have frozen in self disgust go down as I go up

“.....flirtation and of course she ‘s  too young”

On her back sit her no prize of a husband,

a house thats too big and to someone else’s standards

and an indifferent teenager

complaining of being on a hike that’s not of

 His choosing.

She struggles under the weight of it all

But soldiers on-

dragging pretty young girls

whose attention is elsewhere

on long ropes

behind her





                                                               

New Perspective

Good Morning!

A High Of Ten Degrees Today

As I look outside, I contemplate beef shortribs braised in red wine for dinner tonight.

Talba's Chile Rellanos

                                           

Comfort Food

    When I was 5 years old, my family and I spent the summer with Doris Duke in her Hollywood hills estate Falcon Lair. Doris was my mother's closest friend for over 25 years and was the ultimate Aunty Mame to my sister and I. There was a side to her that was definitely dark and troubled, but it was the crazy, fun part of her that I adored. I can still hear my mother's and Doris's infectious laughter wafting in from far off the coast as I clung to the rocks with my father, longing to be with them but too afraid of the depths they swam in. It wouldn't have done me much good, anyway, as their best gossip was always in French.

The memories I have of that hillside mansion were the terraced gardens where I played with my first daddy-long-legs, the rats that had  tunnels all through the hills, and Talba's chile rellenos.Tiny Talba took care of the kitchen and was renowned for her Mexican food. I remember my mother intently watching her every move as she cooked, as Talba spoke not one word of English and we , no Spanish. It was a relationship built on smiles, sign language, and food. I think she spoke eloquently through the latter, introducing us to her culture in Mexico and old old ways that were brand new to us.

I have a faint memory of watching her cook her chiles rellenos but a strong recollection of the crispy crust, melted smooth center, and the firm bite of the chiles. When I order them in restaurants, they never seem to have that voluptuous mouthfeel.  Here is how my family has recreated it for over 40 years.

NEW Kitchen Witches Episode!! Nutty and great turkey burger recipe

Kitchen Witches Turkey Burger

A New Tradition

Yesterday morning, the tree became a New Year's tree- we took all the ornaments off and wrapped it with yards and yards of tuile and ribbon. Instead of waking up today with the whole huge job of taking down the tree , the hardest part was over and our tree was a shimmery reminder of last night's wonderful dinner party. Happy New Year dear friends!

Kitchen Witches latest episode with Ahi Tuna!

Ahi Tuna Episode of Kitchen Witches

A Little Something For New Year's Eve

Luciano shares our Christmas breakfast - Pizzafrites

I've heard that many a cook will end a shift with a trip to a pizzeria- good plain deliciousness after a day of food fuss.  That makes me feel a little better about my very favorite dessert-

Happy Holidays Everybody!! Enjoy the Nutcracker!

The Nutty Nutcracker Sisters

The Sun Makes An Entrance Over The Mountain Like A Showgirl

Outside My Kitchen Window This Morning

The Best Sugar Cookies

Every year I try another sugar cookie recipe, and each year seem to have to choose between taste and appearance. Finally, I'm happy to share with you a recipe I found on the web that is great to eat and to cut and decorate. Today I made this recipe for my friend Linda in Los Angeles. I baked and  decorated them and then stood in the very long line at the post office to make sure she got them before she and the family leave for Christmas vacation. There is something about the tradition of baking and decorating cookies at this time of year that I see as mandatory.

Another episode of Kitchen Witches! Nutcracker?

Kitchen Witches Special Holiday Dish and Dance!

ORDER YOUR BOUBOULETTES TODAY!

Before they're all gone!  107 boxes going out today!   http://www.unpetitmorceau.com

Kitchen Witches Fried Parsley

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody !

   

Good -For -You Gingercake

Tis The Season For Gingercake

     A standard dessert growing up was my mother's gingerbread.  Soft, damp and slathered with my favorite chocolate icing, it was the smell  and texture of being at the kitchen table with the winds howling  around the apartment building.  The sweet strange smell of a gummy eraser, the  dark atmosphere of the entry way to Nightingale Bamford School for Girl's where I would wait to be picked up at 4 o'clock, the sudden cold shock of air as the doors opened and parents picked up their children-- and then home to a tea of gingerbread and milk.  Mama's opinion