It’s been a little over two weeks since I last updated. I never planned to take a hiatus even when everything happened, but in the end, it couldn’t be helped given the circumstances.

My sweet grandmother did indeed leave us on April 2nd, a day that is already unforgettable because it’s my birthday. My eyes had been sore for two weeks as we watched her slip away more and more each day. Then on April 2nd, they were crystal clear. I posted on social media to my friends who wished me a happy birthday that it was a bittersweet day, and I appreciated their wishes but I would not be celebrating in typical fashion. Still, I couldn’t help but think that I was being gifted a remarkable annual reminder from the universe of how precious life is. [click to continue…]

This, my friends, is the ultimate grown up cookie.

What is more comforting than an M&M cookie?

What is more delightful to the palate than dark chocolate and sea salt?

The day after I made these, I had cookies for breakfast & lunch and I had to force myself to eat a normal dinner.  Not ideal.  Monday morning they were brought to work and gone in under 5 minutes (to be fair, there weren’t many left by that time). [click to continue…]

When I lived in Russia as a student, my host mom kept a pantry full of snacks, the sole purpose of which were to accompany tea. These were often some Danish butter cookies or similar store-bought treat, but it was the ritual that mattered. There is something very elegant and timeless about keeping tea snacks on hand. It’s a subtle message to the world that you’re open for hospitality, which is psychologically and spiritually comforting on some level.  [click to continue…]