When I wake each morning, before the sun has fully risen, this is what I see out my kitchen window as I make breakfast.
New York’s skyline is filled with pointy water towers and rectangular buildings, and while it can be an overwhelming sight at times, it’s the only view that truly feels like home. My mom gave me a book called The City Out My Window for Christmas a couple years ago.
In it, famous New Yorkers (E.L. Doctorow, Oliver Sacks, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Mario Batali Stephen Colbert) describe what they see out their window. Then they are rendered into delicate line drawings by Matteo Pericoli. I love this idea, because what you see out your window- especially in a city- is both intimate and universal. I love to imagine stories for the people in the buildings across from my own.
Yesterday, I made a simple breakfast of figgy-nut toast: toasted sunflower raisin bread (Megan, this is the brand I use… locally-grown New York State ingredients!) with cashew butter and fresh figs.
The morning was spent in a tizzy of errand-running and Bio-studying (I have a big test today). Apple to fuel me… who’s that dog?
This lunch was inhaled in 7 minutes as I scrambled to get to my next appointment. Mixed greens with curried lentil, butternut squash, pecan + parsley salad. My dad made it for me earlier in the week so I’d have things to eat without having to take time to prepare it. What a guy!
I also had a slice of Bauducco Panettone, which Foodbuzz recently sent me to review. Panettone is a traditional Italain holiday sweet bread, a fun- and festive- way to celebrate.
The first time I encountered panettone, I was about 10 years old and watching a cooking show on TV. The chef on screen carefully chopped dried fruit and folded it into luscious yellow batter, and then and there, more than anything, I wanted to create a panettone of my own. My mom and I looked up a recipe and it was way too long and involved for us… but luckily, companies like Bauducco make them so we don’t have to!
Yesterday, I tried the Panettone with Candied Fruits and Sun-Maid Raisins. As soon as I opened the box, an overwhelming aroma of eggs, butter and orange wafted out. Mouthwatering, to say the least! The bread was soft and fluffy, like a brioche. It also wasn’t too sweet, as I would have expected. My friend also tried a slice, and when she did, she- I kid you not- closed her eyes with pleasure while she ate.
There are some really good recipe ideas on the Bauducco website for things like Panettone French Toast, Panettone Bread Pudding, and Mini Panettone and Nutella Sandwiches. I’ve still got quite a bit left, and I look forward to trying some new things out with it!
Later in the evening, I met a friend for dinner at Pachanga Patterson.
We sat outside on the patio, which was perfect. As the weather gets chillier, we have to take advantage of these al fresco meals when we can! In my dream house, I’d love to have a patio/ deck area to eat on (and maybe even sleep on!).
I ordered the Portobello Mushroom Tacos with garlic, red pepper, provolone and radicchio. I had serious food envy the last time I was there for dinner, and these did not disappoint. Mmm! Crispy corn tortillas, earthy mushrooms… I’ll have another, and another… and another, please!
When I got home, I dug into the Vosges truffles my mom got me. Did I mention they were vegan truffles?! The box had both açai and coconut truffles, both of which were fabulous. Vegan haut chocolate? Very exciting!
Most exciting news of all, however, is the birth of baby Zoe, daughter of my good friend Meghan and her husband Eric.
Our families have been friends since they were in college and I’ve enjoyed knowing Meghan as an adult, too. Isn’t Zoe beautiful? We can’t wait to meet her!
Any new babies in your life?
What do you see out your kitchen window?
That book sounds very cool! I love the idea of living in the city, I just don’t think I could handle it
That squash dish looks divine! As do the tacos. New babies ?? I can think of one 
I have to say I am incredibly jealous you have that amazing view, the NY skyline has to be one of my favourite things ever. My kitchen window looks out on to our communal garden and the quiet cul de sac next door, its very relaxing! My sister had my second nephew in January, he’s at the most perfect age right now, just starting to sit up and crawl
I remember being totally entranced/mystified by the water towers on the tops of the buildings outside my grandparent’s apartment. I thought they were the coolest things ever. Out my window at home = pine trees and water!
what a gorgeous patio! i adore fresh figs! i see the city out my window and i love it! i live on a gallery crawl street so first fridays are on my front porch hah! oh there could be babies in my life (plenty of friends have them) but i purposefully stay away…i get so anxious around kids, i really dont’ “get” all the hype bout babies. not a maternal bone in my body lol.
I love this post! Right now I live in a residential neighborhood of st. paul, so I see the backyard out my window! There is a particular super fat squirrel that is often on the deck and he is always snacking on the acorns that fall from the tree. I would love to have a city scape as my view!
My best friend from childhood is about to have a baby in the next month. I’m so excited!I have lots of friends with babies, but still exhausted whenever I am with one. They are a lot of work!
Those mushroom tacos look delicious! I’d love to have that view from my window
The newest baby is my niece, but I’ve got a few friends who are due in the next couple of months too – I love having babies around!
what a great idea for a book! i dig it.
oooh, my cousin (i only have two, mind you!) just had a baby boy this week! it was her first. very exciting. i like babies from a distance. when they start talking, however… keep me away.
omg! no new babes for me but a new bride in my friend group as of tomorrow! which reminds me that i have to text her and ask her if she’s SURE she wants to take the plunge hahahahaha it’s my job duty as her friend!
hmmm outside my window is a bunch of suburb houses haha hellooo suburrrrbia! which you need to get your butt to subrbs for our tjs date!!!!
We have a baby joining the family in November! My sister just had her 33 week check up today:)