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Early Fall, 2009 Newsletter
Beginnings and Endings. Endings and Beginnings…
Can you believe the summer’s over? Although the weather in NY has, for most of this summer, been truly strange and although my favorite time of year, especially to cook, is autumn, I’m always sorry to see summer end. I must say that this particular summer, there were many disappointments. A garden that refused to produce, fig trees teasingly loaded with potential fruit that never ripened, professional gigs lost because of a fearful economy, some friends dealing with significant health challenges and another who experienced a devastating loss.
The message in this newsletter is about endings and beginnings because this month, in the Jewish religion, the calendar brings a new beginning -with Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year)-and then the end with Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. I always thought the order of this was odd, until now. I wondered “why celebrate the New Year before asking for forgiveness for our “last year’s” mistakes? Why have the beginning of something new, only to have to go back and focus on something negative from the past?” After this summer, and having experienced (and witnessed) many set-backs, I think I understand things more clearly.
When I first saw that almost my entire vegetable garden was defunct, my first instinct was to long for winter so I could take my earthiness inside. I wanted to dig my hands deep into a yeast dough, to cook in my fireplace, to hide behind a vat of simmering stock–anything not have to stare at a patch of land that screamed “failure.” I wanted to throw in the towel and chalk up”farming in suburbia” as a stupid thing to even care about. I blamed the weather Gods for being mean. Then I blamed my gardener. Then, I finally got around to thinking about how inexperienced I was and about how little time I had actually spent trying to learn. I finally admitted to expecting something good to come of my complacency.
It was only when I got to the “me” in the blame game that I saw that the answer wasn’t in ending the garden for good. The answer was to accept what happened this summer and to bring a keener sense of awareness, focus and determination–a new me–to the process of creating a healthy and abundant vegetable garden next summer. And for that to happen, I had to begin right then (right now) by doing lots of research, which I am, and also with the creation of my first compost. So, by accepting the end of one phase, taking responsibility for my part in what happened and for what happens next, I was able to fully embrace a new commitment to learn and to do the work to build what it was I thought the world owed me.
I can’t tell you how often I see couples sitting at a table together in a restaurant not talking (at all) but, instead, staring at their separate blackberries. No doubt, at least one (and maybe both) secretly long for a more romantic, communicative relationship. There are parents who work long hours in order to give their children a “good life” yet many of these children don’t feel like their day to day existance is a priority to their parents. I see people jogging, either outside or at the gym, doing buisness on a cell phone. These are usually the ones that complain that they’re unable to unwind and catch their breath. I see teens driving while sending text-messages, I’m sure not thinking about the possible catastrophic consequences. There are those that undermine their health and then become jarred (and proactive) only when finally diagnosed.
In day to day life, it’s so easy to become complacent and then feel disappointed in a lack of results, to lose focus on what’s important, to stop being present in our relationships and to get stuck in the aftermath of negative beliefs. And, being given a clean slate–a new beginning–doesn’t always help because it’s just as easy to get swept up in the potential for newness. Whether it’s the thrill of entering a new season, or maybe the focus is on finding a new job, or on finding a new love and some even wish for a brand new life, often we use new beginnings as permission to have a valid excuse to disconnect from what’s real, from what’s here and from what needs our love and attention NOW.
I’d like to share with you something that happened the other day while Jon and I were in the “disappointing” garden. We were tending to our new compost and, not surprisingly, Jon, who’s eyes are usually much more wide-open than mine, said “Lauren, come here quick, you have to see this!” I bent down and looked through the thin wire fence, just outside the perimeters of our garden. This is what I saw up against the fence, in a rose bush! I didn’t even plant cucumbers!!
Although this amazing cucumber seems to have appeared out of nowhere, the truth is that it was there, growing quietly, all summer long. To me, this was a “wink from above” that revealed a profound message about the bigger picture of life itself.
The point: At the risk of sounding like the character Chauncey Gardener in the movie “Being There,” I think that the trials and tribulations one experiences with a literal garden really can often be analogous, metaphorically, to life in general. Regardless of the arena, the potential for many of the things (and feelings) that we desire –those that, on the surface, seem to be alluding us, they’re often already there, sitting quietly in a place that’s so close that we simply never think to look. And, ultimately, since our job here on earth is to grow, like it or lump it, whether by Old-fashioned “cause and effect,” or simply by the arrival of a significant date on the calendar, we are given the opportunity to fully experience the potency of an ending. I guess it’s the mighty force of mother nature trying to help human nature to feel the impetus (and muster the strength) to stop, step back and bring a new–deeper and broader — sense of understanding of who we were, to appreciate what we already have, and to make a concrete commitment to walk the walk of the one we wish to be. Only then can we can honestly begin with a justified expectation for manifestation.
Regardless of your “religion,” I wish for you all a true beginning and a year (and life) filled with perfect health, a peaceful mind and all the love your heart can hold.
For a Sweet New Year…
This edible centerpiece is very special to me and, as you can see, it’s a true sight to behold! I created it , about fifteen years ago, out of my raisin challah dough and it’s been on my New Year’s table ever since. Since it’s so beautiful, I like to keep the centerpiece uncut. So, I always make a second dough to slice and serve (also with raisins) and shape that into two coiled loaves, which is the traditional shape for Rosh Hashanah. read more…
Featured Blogs with Recipes…
A Recipe Worth What It Takes To Grow…
The title of this page is (as is often the case with me…) meant both literally and figuratively. If you read my last entry, you know that I’ve made a commitment to finally become more knowledgeable and deliberate when it comes to farming my own vegetables. I made this decision after… read more.
If you love to cook and want to learn more….
Or, if you know a newly married couple, or a young adult on their own for the first time, I hope you’ll consider my “Cooking for a Delicious Life” Video Series. Whether you purchase the on-line version or the set of five, high-quality DVDs, you’ll receive over 11 hours of cooking instruction, along with personal stories about how the art of cooking has enriched my life and the lives of those I love. If sending as a gift, just follow the prompts on the LGK Shopping page and the recipient will receive your message, along with a personal note from me.
I’m very proud of my full-color cookbook, aptly called ” The I Love to Cook Book; Rediscovering the Joy of Cooking for Family and Friends,” which illustrates perfectly the way I feel about the wonderful world of cooking and baking. All books purchased will be signed by me with a personal inscription to the recipient.
More Featured Recipes and Blogs…
Ode to a Perfect Homemade Bagel…
In the photo above, the wonderful Julia Child and I had just finished filming one of the two episodes I did with her for Baking with Julia, the PBS television series. Ever since the release of the series and especially since the release of the new movie “Julie and Julia” I’ve had many emails requesting the eastern European recipes I contributed, especially the bagels. So, since I’ve done some tweaking over the years, I thought this would be a good time to write a blog, with step-by-step photos, for the bagels. There is also a formal, printable recipe on the website in the Great Recipes section.
A Few Words of Wisdom for a New Bride…
I was asked to share a few words of wisdom for a written ”Guide” that’s being assembled for a young, beautiful bride who is to be married this October. Ok, here goes… read more.
A Backward Turn On An Upward Path…And a Yummy Reprieve
If you want to know if you’re a truly ”self-mastered” person, don’t spend so much time examining what you do when things are sailing smoothly along. No, no…It’s when the tide turns, the buttons are pushed, the emotions run high–now those are the times that shine a big fat bright light on how you’re really doing and where your issues are still. Two nights ago, I really lost it emotionally and it was jarring…read more.
An Elegant Lunch, For One, At Home On a Weekend (And I’m Worth it!)
I made myself such a great lunch, this past weekend, at home. It was simple, savory, “French-feeling” and just lovely (and healthy, too!). And, it was also really easy since I always keep a well-stocked kitchen…read more.
You know what they say…give a girl a bigger closet and she’ll just fill it up with clothes! Well, I rarely shop for clothes but I’ve become a real hoarder when it comes to shopping for food–and my freezer is just busting…read more.
While watching her, I actually started having an inner conversation with God (Jon didn’t know…). Without moving my lips, I whispered to God…”You know, I’d actually consider coming back and taking this life-long ride again if you would promise me that I could….read more.
Well, I’m doing it! Yes Siree, I’ve forgotten all about being the “hostess with the mostest” …now, I’ve become fixated on having the compost with the most toast! (Listen, if I ever start cooking specifically for my compost, just shoot me…) Read more.
A Fall Inspired, Featured Recipe
Sticky Date Cake
If you like a dessert that’s really sweet, with incredible texture variation, this one is for you! I have to say that this is probably one of them most soothing cakes I’ve ever eaten and it stays moist for days…although it won’t last that long. Please make every effort to purchase best-quality, dried dates for this cake. Read more…
Coming this fall..
A step-by-step, fully illustrated, process of making Duck Leg Confit
If you’d like to start the season in a truly delicious and homemade way…
I certainly hope you’ve got yourself a great apron!! This, the LGK Apron For Real Life, is what I designed to specifically answer all of the various frustrations that I’ve personally experienced when wearing other kinds of aprons. Go to the LGK Apron for Real Life page, and read about all the features! Also, the apron and towel set makes a great gift, especially when given along with a signed cookbook.
As an aside, from me to you…
The whole point of this, for me, is to make a positve difference to others. So, if you think that someone you know would enjoy what my website has to offer, please consider forwarding them this newsletter. Or, simply send them to my home page, so they can look around the site and decide for themselves. Either way, I would really appreciate it.
