Small things that made my June just a little bit better.

Recipe

I can’t remember the exact location of my first experience eating a Chop Chop Salad. Maybe the now-defunct Cucina Cucina? Maybe Palomino?

I’m not sure.

All I know is that I was hooked from the first forkful.

The Chop Chop is a hearty salad filled with meat, cheese, and crunchy vegetables. A far cry from your typical leafy green salad. Substantial enough to pass as the main course.

I’ll admit making this salad at home is a commitment both in time and knife skills. But I promise it will be worth the effort.

There are many versions of this salad but this recipe is my favorite.

Try it and let me know what you think.

Books

Memoir: Sarah Thebarge details her life through her early 30’s in the book The Invisible Girls. I was hooked within the first few pages. Her life truly seems to go from bad to worse making her story both compelling and inspiring. Filled throughout are moments of love, loss, illness, hope, faith, and much kindness. Without giving too much away a chance meeting turns her world upside down. I think you will find it a book worth reading.

Illustrated Family Memoir: I’m not entirely sure how to describe this book, Sara Berman’s Closet by Maira & Alex Kalman. The story outlines the life of Jewish immigrant, Sara Berman from the 1950’s to her death in 2004. Short on words, the book is a feast for the eyes with fun illustrations and vintage photos. Sara’s streamlined white wardrobe and meticulously maintained closet become a museum exhibit after her death. How fascinating is that?

The Everyday

Confession.

Every single day.

One piece.

The end.

PS…Trader Joe’s Chocolate Toffee Chips.

PSS…Buy 2 boxes so you don’t run out.

Art Supply

I’ve been in love with Golden’s Titan Buff color for a long time. A classic neutral shade that makes every painting look better. Mellow with a subtle tint that is not to be underestimated.

Off-white. Warm. Natural.

Okay, beige-ish.

I painted swaths of it under and over parts of this art journal page (at left). I like how it tones down the bolder colors but also holds its own.

From the Garden

Aren’t those peonies gorgeous?

I struggled to find the perfect photo to showcase them until I brought some blooms inside. After I filled the vase I glanced back from the kitchen and knew I’d found my opportunity.

The bright pink shows off cheerfully against the muted background in a way that I could not capture outside.

I guess it comes as no surprise that I would highly recommend planting a peony or two or three. Mine come back bigger and bolder every year. Resilient. Low-maintenance. And easy to grow.

Although the blooms feel fairly short-lived (7-10 days) they are so stunning that it’s easy to forgive them for their brief life.

Discovery

Exactly one year ago I realized that the little outlet store I’d opened for 10 weeks in the fall of 2019 would be permanently closed. Hard as it was to shut down I knew it was the right decision.

Yes, I put in many uncompensated hours of work. Yes, I’d made purchases of hangers, rounders, old rustic doors, and dilapidated industrial tables. Yes, I invested in an online POS system.

In the months following this closure, it all felt like a big waste of time and money. Another failure. Disappointing. And probably even predictable.

A year later I can say with all honesty that the experience was not a complete waste. Much of that inventory I have sold online. Most of the rustic old display tables and doors have found new uses. And I’ve come to realize that even in failure there is still growth.

Most of all I’ve discovered that I’m not the only one to suffer loss and change during 2020. The pandemic altered normal life for all of us in one way or another. And I believe it’s important to extend grace not only to others but to ourselves as well.

I’m curious, what’s on your list of favorites?