Dorie, Your writing is heartfelt, generous and humble. Thank you for sharing. Good food is so much more than just nourishment; it's an expression of love. What a blessing to give, and receive such love!
Thank you so much. It was such an emotional time and I was glad to have the chance to write about it. And you're right - good food is so much more than nourishment - xoD
Thank you for your gentle and caring way of being, Dorie. We have all been traumatized in some way by what we've been through and the way life happened anyway (losses, births) sometimes the grief bleeds like watercolors on paper and keeps going. It's good to remember that we can still find and remember the joy, create new good memories, and share sweets.
I was a Executive Chef for a quite large retirement community, hoping to ride out my last few years before my retirement. Those last few years turned into the most challenging and demanding of my entire career. Thankfully, I made it! Now to construct the DuPont!
I can't even imagine how hard that time must have been for you, but I'm sure that the residents were grateful to have you cooking for them. I'm glad you made it! Very glad - xoD
I didn’t leave my studio apartment in my daughter’s home for MONTHS during that time. I remember taking a picture of the eggs she brought me, then only ones she found at the store—they were all blues and browns.
Now to your “cake”. What do you think of using Pepperidge Farm Bordeaux cookies? They are sweeter with sugar on them, so no sugar in the espresso.
I forgot about Bordeaux cookies. I used to serve them with coffee ice cream and blueberries - a strange-sounding but delicious combination I had at a dinner party.
Like Victoria Carr (who commented here), I'd forgotten about Bordeaux Cookies. I think they should work, but if I remember, they're very thin, so dip quickly - xoD
My husband and I were just reminiscing those early days of the pandemic, stuck in a one bedroom apartment — me cooking my way through ample anxiety. I remember reading this piece then. I can’t believe it’s been four years. Congratulations on your beautiful grand babies xxx
Dana, isn't it funny how time passes - quickly and slowly and sometimes unfathomably. It seems like both a long and a short time ago that all this happened. "Cooking through ample anxiety" - I understand - xoD
I also have a grandchild who was born in early 2020, before the pandemic started. We had stocked up a bit on hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes becauseas a retired nurse I was worried about the flu and colds. Little did we know! Another grandchild was born in 2022, to our delight. Their mom is from Southeast Asia and we certainly have some great meals from her home country. I’m grateful for all your wonderful recipes and stories. We hope to visit Paris and Italy as the children get older. My daughter in law has family living near the French/Swiss border, too. ❤️
We had grandchildren in the same years. We also had the surprise of "little did we know" - of course, who could have known? How lucky we are to have "expanded" families. Enjoy the children and I hope you get to travel with them - I'm hoping to, too - xoD
I recall your piece and reading it in 2020- I enjoyed it immensely and appreciated the thoughts and worries about your family as well as mine and so many others.
My big March purchase was 20lbs of sugar and 50lbs of flour. I did share some of the flour…
I work in healthcare and was so worried about exposing my family that we all were so separated- the kids in their work, a very elderly parent I was terrified to be in contact with.
Food absolutely formed the love- whether I was baking for them, or ultimately having outside meals together.
Thank you for the recipe. I think I may try this one now :-)
My heart went out to all the healthcare workers - it was such a hard time. And the juggling. You were truly in the middle of everything at work and at home. I'm sure your family was grateful that you bought the sugar and flour and used it bake for them - xoD
What a great son and daughter-in-law to move to CT to keep an eye on you as the world was falling apart. Such a crazy yet treasured time. Where was I four years ago? Broadcasting from home, conducting news interviews on Zoom, and learning how to cook thanks to Blue Apron (no lie). “Honey, have you ever heard of… harissa?”
This was so touching- it brought tears. So good to travel back in time to that month in particular but the entire Covid experience. You are so right to recall this time, the heart-felt times and the fear. I was in Asia in March, 2020, and struggling to get home. I made it but just! To land in Canada felt like a blessing.
I love your postings, thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤️❤️🥰
Thank you so much, Diane. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you to be in Asia in March 2020. What a moment to be there and thank goodness you got home. It was such a terrible time, but it's so good that we're together on the other side of it - xoD
I was living in Paris at the time w my husband and teenage sons. I actually have a picture of you and Michael sitting on a bench rive droite :). I wanted to meet you and take a proper picture but didn’t want to intrude etc Of course proper etiquette would be not to take the picture at all but I was excited and I’m not a big social media person so it was never posted or shown to anyone. Just my memory w my husband as we were walking in the beautiful sunshine along the Seine before it all shut down. I just looked and it was March 15, 2020 so I would guess right before you and Michael returned to US before the French lockdown. I teared up reading the part about Joshua and Linling moving in to help protect you. So sweet. Lastly, Martine needs to publish her dinner party book of menus. How fun! I was always an entertainer but after living in France I have definitely changed (for the better) the way I host friends for dinner. ❤️
Oh, Britt - I wish you'd stopped me. I love meeting readers and people who enjoy food as much as I do. Next time!
And you're absolutely right - I think we flew back to America the morning of March 16 and Joshua and Linling came almost immediately after that.
I don't think Martine would ever publish her book, but now that you mention it, I wonder if she'd be willing to let me photograph a few pages and share it with our newsletter community. It would be fascinating - xoD
Thank you for this throwback to those very scary times. Our adult son and his girlfriend and dog all came to live with us and I remember feeling guilty for how much I was loving having them with us and so aware everything was precious. My other son decided to defy logic and moved to London in the midst of the pandemic. Ah, the exuberance of youth. Your writing always feels like a chat with a good friend. I am so happy for your two new little people and your family and I appreciate the reminder of 2020. It was quite the time to be alive.
"It was quite the time to be alive" - a perfect line! It makes me so happy that you feel as though we are chatting - I couldn't ask for higher praise. Thank you for being here - xoD
Oh my gosh. I love that a cake using found objects makes the grade! When my mother died her handwritten recipes contained several that started with something like that. It’s a good reminder that not everything needs to be lateeda! (Or ooolala) 😉
What a lovely post! You were so lucky to have your family with you during lockdown. We - my Frenchman, 2-year-old twins, and cat - packed up like gypsies and jumped on a train I dubbed the Corona Express, headed for Burgundy. We were so thankful then - and still are - to have a place in the country so we didn't have to stay in our tiny apartment in Paris. Many of us have blocked that time from our memories, but your words also reminded me of all the flowers and our babies' good health then. ;)
Allison, I can just imagine you and your family on the train. What a time! It's odd about blocking it from memory - sometimes it's all I want to do and sometimes I think it's good to remember the moments that got us through - xoD
Agreed! Also my memories – some dim, some vivid – around that time may have had more to do with being a sleep-deprived maman than the pandemic itself. I’ll look forward to being a lucid grandmother one day, like you! What fun. 😉
Dorie, Your writing is heartfelt, generous and humble. Thank you for sharing. Good food is so much more than just nourishment; it's an expression of love. What a blessing to give, and receive such love!
Thank you so much. It was such an emotional time and I was glad to have the chance to write about it. And you're right - good food is so much more than nourishment - xoD
Thank you for your gentle and caring way of being, Dorie. We have all been traumatized in some way by what we've been through and the way life happened anyway (losses, births) sometimes the grief bleeds like watercolors on paper and keeps going. It's good to remember that we can still find and remember the joy, create new good memories, and share sweets.
Jacqueline, this is so very beautifully expressed. Thank you for this sharing this with us - it's lovely and true - xoD
I was a Executive Chef for a quite large retirement community, hoping to ride out my last few years before my retirement. Those last few years turned into the most challenging and demanding of my entire career. Thankfully, I made it! Now to construct the DuPont!
I can't even imagine how hard that time must have been for you, but I'm sure that the residents were grateful to have you cooking for them. I'm glad you made it! Very glad - xoD
As always, Dorie, a peek into your world, your home and family is a special gift. Much love xx sarah
Love back to you and your beautiful family, Sarah - xoD
I didn’t leave my studio apartment in my daughter’s home for MONTHS during that time. I remember taking a picture of the eggs she brought me, then only ones she found at the store—they were all blues and browns.
Now to your “cake”. What do you think of using Pepperidge Farm Bordeaux cookies? They are sweeter with sugar on them, so no sugar in the espresso.
I forgot about Bordeaux cookies. I used to serve them with coffee ice cream and blueberries - a strange-sounding but delicious combination I had at a dinner party.
Eggs were a treatsure then!
Like Victoria Carr (who commented here), I'd forgotten about Bordeaux Cookies. I think they should work, but if I remember, they're very thin, so dip quickly - xoD
My husband and I were just reminiscing those early days of the pandemic, stuck in a one bedroom apartment — me cooking my way through ample anxiety. I remember reading this piece then. I can’t believe it’s been four years. Congratulations on your beautiful grand babies xxx
Dana, isn't it funny how time passes - quickly and slowly and sometimes unfathomably. It seems like both a long and a short time ago that all this happened. "Cooking through ample anxiety" - I understand - xoD
I also have a grandchild who was born in early 2020, before the pandemic started. We had stocked up a bit on hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes becauseas a retired nurse I was worried about the flu and colds. Little did we know! Another grandchild was born in 2022, to our delight. Their mom is from Southeast Asia and we certainly have some great meals from her home country. I’m grateful for all your wonderful recipes and stories. We hope to visit Paris and Italy as the children get older. My daughter in law has family living near the French/Swiss border, too. ❤️
We had grandchildren in the same years. We also had the surprise of "little did we know" - of course, who could have known? How lucky we are to have "expanded" families. Enjoy the children and I hope you get to travel with them - I'm hoping to, too - xoD
I recall your piece and reading it in 2020- I enjoyed it immensely and appreciated the thoughts and worries about your family as well as mine and so many others.
My big March purchase was 20lbs of sugar and 50lbs of flour. I did share some of the flour…
I work in healthcare and was so worried about exposing my family that we all were so separated- the kids in their work, a very elderly parent I was terrified to be in contact with.
Food absolutely formed the love- whether I was baking for them, or ultimately having outside meals together.
Thank you for the recipe. I think I may try this one now :-)
My heart went out to all the healthcare workers - it was such a hard time. And the juggling. You were truly in the middle of everything at work and at home. I'm sure your family was grateful that you bought the sugar and flour and used it bake for them - xoD
What a great son and daughter-in-law to move to CT to keep an eye on you as the world was falling apart. Such a crazy yet treasured time. Where was I four years ago? Broadcasting from home, conducting news interviews on Zoom, and learning how to cook thanks to Blue Apron (no lie). “Honey, have you ever heard of… harissa?”
Jane, I remember you broadcasting from home! Learning to cook from Blue Apron - that part's new to me. But ... hooray! Also, isn't harissa great? xoD
I enjoyed this column as I do all of yours. Something reminiscent of Laurie Colwin in your writings, perhaps the way you incorporate family with food.
Laurie Colwin was such a beautiful writer - I'm touched that my writing brings her to mind. Thank you - xoD
This was so touching- it brought tears. So good to travel back in time to that month in particular but the entire Covid experience. You are so right to recall this time, the heart-felt times and the fear. I was in Asia in March, 2020, and struggling to get home. I made it but just! To land in Canada felt like a blessing.
I love your postings, thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤️❤️🥰
Thank you so much, Diane. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you to be in Asia in March 2020. What a moment to be there and thank goodness you got home. It was such a terrible time, but it's so good that we're together on the other side of it - xoD
I was living in Paris at the time w my husband and teenage sons. I actually have a picture of you and Michael sitting on a bench rive droite :). I wanted to meet you and take a proper picture but didn’t want to intrude etc Of course proper etiquette would be not to take the picture at all but I was excited and I’m not a big social media person so it was never posted or shown to anyone. Just my memory w my husband as we were walking in the beautiful sunshine along the Seine before it all shut down. I just looked and it was March 15, 2020 so I would guess right before you and Michael returned to US before the French lockdown. I teared up reading the part about Joshua and Linling moving in to help protect you. So sweet. Lastly, Martine needs to publish her dinner party book of menus. How fun! I was always an entertainer but after living in France I have definitely changed (for the better) the way I host friends for dinner. ❤️
Oh, Britt - I wish you'd stopped me. I love meeting readers and people who enjoy food as much as I do. Next time!
And you're absolutely right - I think we flew back to America the morning of March 16 and Joshua and Linling came almost immediately after that.
I don't think Martine would ever publish her book, but now that you mention it, I wonder if she'd be willing to let me photograph a few pages and share it with our newsletter community. It would be fascinating - xoD
Thank you for this throwback to those very scary times. Our adult son and his girlfriend and dog all came to live with us and I remember feeling guilty for how much I was loving having them with us and so aware everything was precious. My other son decided to defy logic and moved to London in the midst of the pandemic. Ah, the exuberance of youth. Your writing always feels like a chat with a good friend. I am so happy for your two new little people and your family and I appreciate the reminder of 2020. It was quite the time to be alive.
"It was quite the time to be alive" - a perfect line! It makes me so happy that you feel as though we are chatting - I couldn't ask for higher praise. Thank you for being here - xoD
Oh my gosh. I love that a cake using found objects makes the grade! When my mother died her handwritten recipes contained several that started with something like that. It’s a good reminder that not everything needs to be lateeda! (Or ooolala) 😉
Ckarp, so little has to be lateeda or ooolala to make us happy, right? Hold on to those recipes from mom - there might be treasures! xoD
What a lovely post! You were so lucky to have your family with you during lockdown. We - my Frenchman, 2-year-old twins, and cat - packed up like gypsies and jumped on a train I dubbed the Corona Express, headed for Burgundy. We were so thankful then - and still are - to have a place in the country so we didn't have to stay in our tiny apartment in Paris. Many of us have blocked that time from our memories, but your words also reminded me of all the flowers and our babies' good health then. ;)
Allison, I can just imagine you and your family on the train. What a time! It's odd about blocking it from memory - sometimes it's all I want to do and sometimes I think it's good to remember the moments that got us through - xoD
Agreed! Also my memories – some dim, some vivid – around that time may have had more to do with being a sleep-deprived maman than the pandemic itself. I’ll look forward to being a lucid grandmother one day, like you! What fun. 😉
Lovely...on every possible level! Merci beaucoup!
Merci to you, C Smith, for being here - xoD