Weekly A to Z, Dec 31st.
The last week of 2021 — such a liminal space — wound gently down. We cleaned up the yard, put away Christmas decorations, and did our best to prepare for a healthy start in 2022. I filmed with Grana Padano, and can’t wait to share the video with you later in January.
Also, mega yikes with the US ‘PCR test 24 hours before flying’ rule. We had quite the adventure before my parents flew out on Tuesday night (well, technically, early Wednesday morning). Let’s just say there is a certain app I will never use again. Side note — there is a rapid testing center at Terminal 3, which is QUITE useful (should you need it, even if your flight is out of Terminal 1 and you end up driving endlessly between the terminals of DXB). Two negative tests later (!!!), my parents are safely back in Atlanta, but the chaos certainly wasn’t the relaxed and enjoyable last day we wanted to spend together. Otherwise, it was a fab visit, full of relaxed meals and sharing the sights (and tastes) of Dubai.
A delicious delivery from Madeleine et Marcel this week, their stunning Galette Des Rois, closed out the year. #gifted
Links, please.
Your first meal of 2022 could be amazing. Instagram
In case you forgot what happened in 2021, here’s a photo journal. Buzzfeed
Food plays a role in a borderless world. Newsline Mag
Important info for tomorrow night: how to DIY a champagne tower. Food52
Make any day the best day of the year. NYT
You could always quarantine…here. OMAAT
Up your tomato slicing. TikTok
Sacrificing fries for the greater good. Mental Floss
10/10 would order. Twitter
Champagne goes organic. Food52
The best Airbnb in New York? Eater
What’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to you? (Maybe when my friend Nick called me intimidating our junior year of high school). Cup of Jo
French toast + waffles = yes. Recipe Girl
Talk to me about deep-fried milk. Munchies
This weekend we are spending NYE with besties and far away from the crowds. In a strange way, I’m also looking forward to our usual Dry(ish) January. I’m also keeping next week rather quiet as the country transitions to the Monday-Friday week.
While omicron is still messing with us, I’m (mostly) optimistic for 2022 and already have some fun projects lined up and a number of restaurants I need to try. 2021 turned out a lot better than I thought it would: Seychelles, France, USA, Belgium, Italy, and Spain — I made it to a lot more places than I thought I would, and am grateful for all of those experiences, friends I traveled with, and new friends I made. I published another book and wrote two more, so 2022 definitely will involve some amount of editing.
What were you most proud of in 2021?
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C.
