/rain

I'm trying to remember that the rain will bring us great fruit in spring and summer, and not merely teams of ants. I'm trying to watch a lot of movies and catch up with my reading and enjoy tucking in early with hot tea in hand.

But shopping at the farmers' market for the restaurant in the rain today did me in. And walking in and out of my kitchen in wind that could have knocked me over did me in.

So to keep the wet blues at bay I've taken up cookie testing and baking. It's like re-reading the classics but instead its pulling out old fashioned recipes and learning their quirks.

Tonight I tested a lemon cookie that tasted like it was born in the '50's. Mounds of golden rimmed cookie puffs, knighted with just this side of sweet tart glaze, applied when warm.

The night before it was all about snickerdoodles. I have another recipe request and I think February will be your lucky month.

Also, my Valentine's Day dessert is coming along... Just 11 days until the big night for chocolate desserts and the unveiling of my three part creation. I don't know about you but I'm excited to see where my mind and hands go with all that I'm conjuring.

        boil, boil, toil & trouble

So the rain can be all about going inward, searching for comfort by any means necessary. It can be about tucking one's chin against slanted and driving sheets of cold, wet weather and savoring time under the covers.

And in the end, tiny crisp and warm soft cookies next to steaming tea can cure the winter indigos, if even for a spell.

Comments

[jennywenny]

Brrr, rainy here too, and I had my first try at selling things at the farmers market. My brain is even cold through! Not a great day for selling! Oh well, I'll try and remember all the plants getting a drink and that the desert should have a crazy bloom this march.

Cant wait to hear about those cookies, and about how your valentines goes.

[Charlotte]

It was cold. I was in San Francisco on Friday for an interview so went looking for the restaurant. I'll try to stop in for lunch next time (and remember to bring my raingear in case I get caught in it - it was a problem last week) but I saw a decorated prep area in the front - yours?

Your landlords don't seem to have you on any of their directories :(.

[kudzu]

"Double, double -
Toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble...."

[shuna fish lydon]

Jennywenny,

Good for you for showing the effort! Congratulations.

Charlotte,

Oh too bad, it would have been sweet to warm you up with hot cocoa and soup! Yes, Boston Properties, who run the embarcadero centers, are quite late in changing all the signage. although we have been promised, I assure you.

The windows with the art-clotheslines are mine, yes.

Kudzu,

thanks for the full quote. and hey-- you're only a ferry ride away-- when will You come in?!

[leslie-anne]

It's snow storming here in Toronto, I would give just about anything to be in the San Francisco rain right about now!

50's inspired lemon cookies sound divine!

[vonsachsen]

I love your writing. I found your blog few days ago and I am ploughing through your archives...I like the way you create an atmosphere with your words... this little writing about rain and cold was enaugh to put me into a pensive mood and make me long for something else, somewhere far away from where I am...thank you.