This is a hauntingly beautiful piece of writing, Michelle. We spend so much time coveting what others have, that we never take into account how rich our own lives are. Sending love to you, Kyria, Harlow, Clementine, and Kamala.
I love today’s post. People are irreplaceable. Everything else is just stuff. That said, I love your knives in the kitchen photo. They look like Shun/Kai. If so, I have a couple too. Great knives.
If you don’t mind sharing, what *would* you make sure you grabbed while running out the door?
Yes! I got my first Shun knife almost 20 years ago and it's still going strong. The best brand in my opinion.
As for what I'd grab, important documents, laptop, my cats and dog, and a box of childhood photos I haven't got around to digitizing yet. That's really it I think.
Same here, except if pressed for time I might grab just the Time Machine backup drive. We keep passports etc in a “fireproof” safe; if I had time I’d grab ‘em rather than trust the safe.
I really can’t say anything more than what others here have already said so well. Just wanted to say that I am so sorry for what’s happening in L.A and thank you for your writing and thoughts.
Beautifully said Michelle. For me cooking is also how I shower people with love. My goal in 2025 is to learn to make new things and share them.. without community and people around us the things dont mean a damn thing
That’s a beautiful goal. LA is really showing up for each other right now and it’s reminding me exactly how important community is. We can save each other’s lives in so many big and small ways.
So sorry for what’s happening in LA. I’ve always wanted to visit and hope I’ll make it there one day. It sounds amazing and I know it will be great once again.
Your reflection on what's most important is spot on ❤️ The Le Creuset photo and caption were perfect, as I've been getting daily emails on their Valentine Day products, and new colors for all their pots, pans and stoneware. Nevermind I have all I need and can fit in my tiny kitchen too (no room for a table or chair here either). I read that on-shore winds were going to occur for at least a couple of days, so I hope it helps clean the air a bit. This disaster is heartbreaking.
They love to tempt us, don’t they? It’s so hard to stay grateful and not lust after the next shiny thing but I’m working on it. As for the fires and winds, all we can do is hope things get better as fast as possible 💔
What an extraordinary reflection—I didn’t see Molly’s loss coming and I gasped. All our things & all the little furies they bring out in us…so small in the end. I heard someone say last week “I feel rich in what I can do without.” That hit me deep. Thanks for turning what could be a platitude into a gut wrenching & very specific reminder of what counts. I wish you peace and rest. Thanks for writing through it all.
Good morning Michelle - thank you for these words. Your writing is as nourishing as your recipes. I don't know even one recipe by heart. I love that you have a small kitchen...helps me believe I might be able to make some magic in mine.
All the heartbreaking stories coming from you battered, but still unbroken Angelenos, is food for a lot of thinking about what’s important, and how precious and fleeting it all is. 😔💔 Sending love and hoping for calm winds and clean air.
I’ve been decluttering my kitchen Michelle and oooooph do I have a problem. A collection of a whole bunch of stuff and gadgets I bought over the years that have either never been used or used once or twice. But it is quite freeing to declutter. The only thing I need to get is a good chefs knife and hope I don’t chop my fingers off lol. Stay safe ❤️!!
Relatable here in Western NC after Hurricane Helene.
Practical answer….my purse with ID.
First response…my soul mate Pumpernickel (dog) ashes.
Other thoughts…run shoes and hike boots…hard to find my small size and they support (footwear!) my joy and peace
So true. I love this!
This is a hauntingly beautiful piece of writing, Michelle. We spend so much time coveting what others have, that we never take into account how rich our own lives are. Sending love to you, Kyria, Harlow, Clementine, and Kamala.
Thank you! Harlow is going stir crazy from being in the house for so many days in a row lol
I love today’s post. People are irreplaceable. Everything else is just stuff. That said, I love your knives in the kitchen photo. They look like Shun/Kai. If so, I have a couple too. Great knives.
If you don’t mind sharing, what *would* you make sure you grabbed while running out the door?
Yes! I got my first Shun knife almost 20 years ago and it's still going strong. The best brand in my opinion.
As for what I'd grab, important documents, laptop, my cats and dog, and a box of childhood photos I haven't got around to digitizing yet. That's really it I think.
Same here, except if pressed for time I might grab just the Time Machine backup drive. We keep passports etc in a “fireproof” safe; if I had time I’d grab ‘em rather than trust the safe.
I really can’t say anything more than what others here have already said so well. Just wanted to say that I am so sorry for what’s happening in L.A and thank you for your writing and thoughts.
Beautifully said Michelle. For me cooking is also how I shower people with love. My goal in 2025 is to learn to make new things and share them.. without community and people around us the things dont mean a damn thing
That’s a beautiful goal. LA is really showing up for each other right now and it’s reminding me exactly how important community is. We can save each other’s lives in so many big and small ways.
Thank you for so beautifully putting this into perspective.
Absolutely. Thank you for reading it ❤️
So sorry for what’s happening in LA. I’ve always wanted to visit and hope I’ll make it there one day. It sounds amazing and I know it will be great once again.
It will. And I’ll be right here to welcome you when you do!
Beautiful post. I’m so sorry about what has happened in LA 🙏🏼
Your reflection on what's most important is spot on ❤️ The Le Creuset photo and caption were perfect, as I've been getting daily emails on their Valentine Day products, and new colors for all their pots, pans and stoneware. Nevermind I have all I need and can fit in my tiny kitchen too (no room for a table or chair here either). I read that on-shore winds were going to occur for at least a couple of days, so I hope it helps clean the air a bit. This disaster is heartbreaking.
They love to tempt us, don’t they? It’s so hard to stay grateful and not lust after the next shiny thing but I’m working on it. As for the fires and winds, all we can do is hope things get better as fast as possible 💔
What an extraordinary reflection—I didn’t see Molly’s loss coming and I gasped. All our things & all the little furies they bring out in us…so small in the end. I heard someone say last week “I feel rich in what I can do without.” That hit me deep. Thanks for turning what could be a platitude into a gut wrenching & very specific reminder of what counts. I wish you peace and rest. Thanks for writing through it all.
Wow, that’s a great quote. I’ll be thinking of that for a long time. I appreciate it ❤️
Good morning Michelle - thank you for these words. Your writing is as nourishing as your recipes. I don't know even one recipe by heart. I love that you have a small kitchen...helps me believe I might be able to make some magic in mine.
I am sorry for the horror you're living through.
Thank you so much. And yes, magic can happen in tiny kitchens. All you have to do is show up ❤️
Thank you Michelle. 💕💕 I am so sorry about what you are experiencing in California right now.
You are so right about cooking.💕
I thought that everyone would have learned that clean food, clean water and air plus clean built shelters would by default fix everything.
It is so sad. Cooking is necessary and therapeutic.💕
I would grab my phone. I no longer own a computer AND my phone is connected to you Michelle - my amazing resourceful cooking character.💕
Sending lots of healing hugs. HUGE hugs 💕💕 Wilma
Cooking is so therapeutic when you can slow down just enough to appreciate it. I want that for everyone. Thank you for all your kind words ❤️
ABOLUTELY everyone. That is the thought to hold onto .💕
Wilma
All the heartbreaking stories coming from you battered, but still unbroken Angelenos, is food for a lot of thinking about what’s important, and how precious and fleeting it all is. 😔💔 Sending love and hoping for calm winds and clean air.
Thank you so much Carrie ❤️
I’ve been decluttering my kitchen Michelle and oooooph do I have a problem. A collection of a whole bunch of stuff and gadgets I bought over the years that have either never been used or used once or twice. But it is quite freeing to declutter. The only thing I need to get is a good chefs knife and hope I don’t chop my fingers off lol. Stay safe ❤️!!
A great knife is all you really need!! It’s so hard to realize how much our clutter weighs us down. It’s a lesson I have to learn over and over.
Absolutely the kitchen is just the start Jane
It really is freeing to let go of clutter as I’m doing right now. Like a literal weight off my shoulders.