Picstitch-2

We've had a run of gorgeous days here – the lilac bushes are heavy with blossoms, the night air is gentle and warm. My father is in town all week and Hugo's been having the time of his life with Grandpa – every day they head to the zoo, the park or the playground. When they come home, Hugo has dirt caked under his fingernails and the happiest, sweetest smile on his little face. Last weekend, while my father babysat, Max and I were even able to get dressed up, fancy shoes (for me) and everything, and go out to dinner by ourselves. Heaven! Heaven was also getting to celebrate my first Mother's Day at an Arab brunch with my boys, Hugo digging everything from fried zucchini to roast chicken to lamb meatballs to smoky eggplant salad.

I'm in the final days of the Whole30 now and am sort of amazed at how I barely even notice what I'm "missing out" on anymore. It's all become sort of second-nature, though I definitely couldn't live like this long-term. I'll have more to say on the whole thing next week when it's over, but it's been a really great challenge. I dare say I've even enjoyed it (mostly). Also: sweet potato fries! So, so, so delicious, especially when made with this.

Elsewhere,

A delicious idea for using up leftover roast potatoes (third recipe down).

Zachary Maxwell is fighting for better public school lunch in New York City.

Plain and simple Madeira cake (check out the loveliness of the rest of the blog too, which celebrates English food).

A "foreign man" bought 60 jars of Christine Ferber jam in Alsace the other day, hee.

Baja fish tacos, plus photos of the beautiful region.

A brilliant solution to a grocery store's surplus food.

Jennifer discovered that cornbread made with Maseca instead of cornmeal is cake-like and tender.

Loved reading this thoughtful interview with Suzanne Goin.

And finally, squid stuffed with beans! Go, Nigel, go.

Have a lovely, lilac-scented weekend, everyone.

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16 responses to “Friday Link Love”

  1. Suzy Avatar

    Oh I win the first comment award.
    Love your shoes and Max’s – go you guys!

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  2. Ruthy @ omeletta Avatar

    Beautiful peonies! And I agree- that interview with Chef Suzanne was excellent, good share.

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  3. RestoEdgardo Avatar

    That Zachary Maxwell is one awesome kid! Would love to see the finished documentary. And that picture of the Berlin street makes me want to take my family on the first flight out tonight so we can enjoy a scene like that tomorrow. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your weekend.

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  4. Maureen Avatar
    Maureen

    Hahahah! I have been living on, as I call them, roasted sweet potatoes slices. I am also on Whole 30. Day 17, still no weight loss. Have you lost any? I’m beginning to think thyroid. Good for you having stuck to it u\til the end! I want dairy, I think that is what I miss most.

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  5. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Luisa, I recently started using coconut oil on the recommendation of my trainer. I’m not completely sold on it, but I did try making baked sweet potato fries with it – HEAVEN!! They were, and continue to be, the best sweet potato fries I’ve had anywhere – baked or fried.
    So, while I’m not yet a complete convert to the cult of coconut oil, I will never make SP fries without it again! Just saw the pic above and thought I’d share. 🙂

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  6. Patty Avatar

    Luisa, thanks for these Friday links. The best recent link was to 40 Years of Chez Panisse. I listened to the book on a recent trip and it is a fascinating story. Thank you!

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  7. Luisa Avatar

    So glad you liked it. And those are actually tulips! Aren’t they great? Love how they look like peonies.

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  8. Luisa Avatar

    I’ve lost about 5 pounds, I think. Have you been to your doctor about your thyroid? I miss milk in my tea something awful. Hang in there!

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  9. Luisa Avatar

    I’ve heard they’re delicious with coconut oil. Need to get my hands on some!

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  10. Luisa Avatar

    So glad you liked it!

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  11. Anne Raynaud Avatar
    Anne Raynaud

    I also thought they were peonies, but couldn’t workout how they could be yellow .
    I loved your book and really enjoy your blog. Have never had children but love your raw honest ness and think Hugo is a lucky boy to have such good parents.
    Love your links, they really are good and have led me to some good recipes nd also to new discoveries.
    So many blogs are self indulgent, with sycophantic feedback. Yours is not.
    A question: have bought the Oma and Bella cookbook, but can’t understand why the video can only be hired. Do you know the answer?

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  12. Luisa Avatar

    Thank you so much for all your kind words! I’m so glad you liked the book and the blog. The film was a for-profit venture, so I think that’s why you have to either rent or buy it.

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  13. Regula @ Miss foodwise Avatar

    Thank-you so much for mentioning my blog, I have now dicovered yours! Have a happy sunday!
    x Regula

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  14. Clara Avatar

    So many wonderful links for wandering – thank you, as always. Our lilacs say hello to yours. 🙂

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  15. Cara Avatar

    Hey Luisa, I’ve been reading your blog for a long time and for some reason have never commented, but today I just felt inspired to write quickly and let you know that I love your blog and really loved your book. Your story and voice are beautiful! And as an American who lives in Munich (still Germany, but as you know, a whole different Germany than Berlin), the cultural references were relevant to my own life. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Luisa Avatar

    Thank you so much, Caro! I’m so happy to hear it. You made my day.

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