On the off-chance that you haven’t read it, please do try _Lessons in Chemistry_ — please don’t waste your time with the tv series (I have never understood _why_ anyone would want to make a series or film of a book and take out good bits and add in bad bits. Seriously?). The tv series would have been ok, just, if the book weren’t there. The book is on the money. I trained as a research scientist, rowed for over 30 years, and am on my 11th dog. Once you read the book, you’ll understand. Oh, and have had my fair share of head bumps on the glass ceiling. As well as the rest.
On martinis, I have two comments:
1. When I was about 20-ish, my father took me to one side to explain, he said, a very important life skill: how to make a good martini. “Pour gin, straight, of very good quality.” Nuff said.
2. Despite 1. above, I have two riffs on a good martini.
a. Use the brine from (by choice, homemade) preserved lemons OR
b. Replace the vermouth with St Germain, a French elderflower liqueur. It’s incredibly floral and brings out all the gin-floral notes, so don’t use a cucumber gin, for example. Shaken with lots of ice. Yum.
And I have a great recipe for a really different G&T…
And please let Emma know that, really, there are never too many fairy lights at Christmas 🎄.
You know the saying: Pastry, stretched before baking, shrinks in the oven? Well, the lights are sort-of that, but in reverse. Take all the lights you can get, in case you don’t have enough later.
I’d love to come on an Italy or Paris jaunt but, as I said, I have dogs. It costs me almost the same to put them into kennels as it does for me to stay. If only you went to hotels that allowed dogs…
Definetly 'hear ' you regarding the Christmas decoractions and daughters . But I agree with you! I am my mother and so pleased to be so. Regarding "Heaven and Earth...."I too had the same feelings and so glad I finished it! It picks up after 2/3rds....one has to hang in there .
Look for PPD (paperproducts design) napkins. So many fun/witty designs. I especially like the thin mints don’t work napkins when I take goodies to the office.
Oh how we’d like to tour with you, but us from Canada cannot comprehend paying the American Dollar with the exchange. It sad because we are truly tons of fun. Also here in Canada paper napkins are banned from use in all restaurants unless biodegradable as are plastic straws, plastic bags etc. It is interesting that in other parts of the world people are able and are willing to buy these products. It’s not helping the climate crisis….
There is no such thing as too many fairy lights at Christmas ✨
Isnt the tree in the Piazza del Popolo?
Your sense of style is magnificent! And I love everything you eat!
Dear Elizabeth
On the off-chance that you haven’t read it, please do try _Lessons in Chemistry_ — please don’t waste your time with the tv series (I have never understood _why_ anyone would want to make a series or film of a book and take out good bits and add in bad bits. Seriously?). The tv series would have been ok, just, if the book weren’t there. The book is on the money. I trained as a research scientist, rowed for over 30 years, and am on my 11th dog. Once you read the book, you’ll understand. Oh, and have had my fair share of head bumps on the glass ceiling. As well as the rest.
On martinis, I have two comments:
1. When I was about 20-ish, my father took me to one side to explain, he said, a very important life skill: how to make a good martini. “Pour gin, straight, of very good quality.” Nuff said.
2. Despite 1. above, I have two riffs on a good martini.
a. Use the brine from (by choice, homemade) preserved lemons OR
b. Replace the vermouth with St Germain, a French elderflower liqueur. It’s incredibly floral and brings out all the gin-floral notes, so don’t use a cucumber gin, for example. Shaken with lots of ice. Yum.
And I have a great recipe for a really different G&T…
And please let Emma know that, really, there are never too many fairy lights at Christmas 🎄.
You know the saying: Pastry, stretched before baking, shrinks in the oven? Well, the lights are sort-of that, but in reverse. Take all the lights you can get, in case you don’t have enough later.
I’d love to come on an Italy or Paris jaunt but, as I said, I have dogs. It costs me almost the same to put them into kennels as it does for me to stay. If only you went to hotels that allowed dogs…
Definetly 'hear ' you regarding the Christmas decoractions and daughters . But I agree with you! I am my mother and so pleased to be so. Regarding "Heaven and Earth...."I too had the same feelings and so glad I finished it! It picks up after 2/3rds....one has to hang in there .
Look for PPD (paperproducts design) napkins. So many fun/witty designs. I especially like the thin mints don’t work napkins when I take goodies to the office.
Dear Elizabeth,
Oh how we’d like to tour with you, but us from Canada cannot comprehend paying the American Dollar with the exchange. It sad because we are truly tons of fun. Also here in Canada paper napkins are banned from use in all restaurants unless biodegradable as are plastic straws, plastic bags etc. It is interesting that in other parts of the world people are able and are willing to buy these products. It’s not helping the climate crisis….
Man I would love to see Sicily or Basilicata -- where the Tramuta clan is from!-- with you both!
Just discovering your newsletter from Napoli :) Looking forward to digging in.