WINTER 2025
ISSUE 015
A bookshop in a dreamy barn.
Matzah ball soup.
Italian orange chocolate.
WHERE WE’RE GOING
Thompson Island, Barnswallow, Excellent Sushi, The Farnsworth
Thompson Island is that little slip of land you pass just before driving onto the island. As a longtime Islander, I only recently visited Thompson Island. I think its something we just forget about...? It’s so beautiful. The tiny island looks over the Mt. Desert Narrows, Indian Point and Hadley Point Beach.
I am a Californian and I take my sushi very seriously. Suzuki Sushi is SO GOOD! Located in Rockland, it’s run by a Japanese chef who sources most of her seafood locally. You will not find tempura rolls, or things with cream cheese, but you will find insanely fresh sashimi and sushi done to perfection. It’s worth the drive.
The Farnsworth Museum. Right across the street from Suzuki in Rockland. The architecture of this museum alone is worth the visit. They have an incredibly impressive collection of works from three generations of Wyeth’s as well as over 15,000 works from 1,300 artists. Go there and then get early sushi at Suzuki.
Barnswallow Books in Rockport. A bookshop located in the barn of my dreams. Bright, airy, cozy, so very, very Maine. Pop into Seafolk Coffee after for a latte.
WHAT WE’RE EATING
Matzah Ball Soup
My mom sent me a holiday box from our favorite deli, Zabar’s in New York.
It came with bagels, lox, cream cheese, rugelach, and a big quart of chicken
soup with matzah balls. I have since ordered matzah balls by the dozen from
Zabar’s; I store them in the freezer and take them out whenever I make this
chicken soup. It’s one of my new favorite things to have on the stove this winter
because it always hits the spot and it is SO. EASY.
How To
To a dutch oven or large stock pot, add any of the following: chicken stock, water and chicken Boullion, bone broth or chicken broth. Sometimes, based on what I have in my pantry, I use a combination of all four! I do recommend chicken stock/broth as opposed to vegetable broth if you're adding chicken.
I like to roast my chicken, but you are more than welcome to cook your chicken in the pot with the stock. To do this bring your liquid to a boil and add your chicken, simmer until the chicken is cooked through, approximately 40 minutes, and then shred it. If you want to speed this process up, cut your raw chicken into strips and then add it to your boiling pot. They will cook through in five minutes. If you’re roasting your chicken, set your oven to 500º and cover four chicken thighs with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Roast for approximately 30 minutes or until crispy. Once it's done you can shred the chicken and add it to your stock.
Cut 3 carrots into thin disks and toss them in the pot.
If you have tarragon, this pairs beautifully with your ingredients, you can pop some of that in your soup.
If you have celery, slice some of them and pop it in the pot.
Add your matzah balls.
Bring to a boil.
Enjoy hot.
This will keep, covered in the fridge for days. I leave mine in the dutch oven and pull it out to reheat whenever I’m hungry. I eat this morning, noon and night.
🎶 WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO 🎶
Classical Choir Music
Just because the holidays are over doesn’t mean I’m ready to give up my holiday music. This music is calming and evokes winter. I can listen to it when I’m working. It feels festive and wintery without being Christmas specific.
The Salt Market’s Winter Choral playlist on Spotify
WHAT WE’RE DRINKING
Bigelow Green Tea
My favorite new addition to my morning routine. Up here in Northern Maine, it is still dark when I wake up. I have gotten into lighting a candle, making a strong cup of classic green tea with a squeeze of lemon, and cuddling with Saul on the couch. My partner Molly and I have started meditating together for ten minutes every morning using the Calm app. These are some of the most enriching and peaceful mornings I have
ever had.
WHAT WE’RE READING
Jan Brett, Tasha Tudor and
Wintering
by Katherine May
I grew up with Tasha Tudor and Jan Brett books. I have revisited them again as a thirty four year old, and they are somehow even more magical. Both authors and illustrators are so deeply talented, they transport their readers to another, magical world.
They feel especially magic in the winter.
Here are some of my favorites:
A Time to Keep by Tasha Tudor
Corgiville Fair by Tasha Tudor
A is for Annabel by Tasha Tudor
The Mitten by Jan Brett
The Snowy Nap by Jan Brett
Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett
WHAT WE’RE BUYING
Winter goodness
Pajamas from Cozy Earth
All time favorite pajamas. In these winter months I spend a lot of time in my pj’s. These are by far the best ones I’ve ever owned. Cozy Earth uses bamboo cotton which feels almost like silk. The ones I like are on sale right now–
Orange chocolate
Perugina Orangello Dark Chocolate bars. Chefs kiss perfection. Orange and chocolate are such classic winter flavors.
Marcie McGoldrick candle No. 2
This is not a cheap candle, but it’s worth it to me. Because we make our own, and I love our scents so much, it takes a lot for me to buy other candles. I get mine from Lisa Hall Jewelry (she ships!). Each vessel is hand crafted (I keep mine and use them for vases once the candle is done), and the scent is so beautiful. I’m partial to No. 2, Black Iris, Sandalwood, and Violet Blossom.
Staub frying pan
I have an 11” tangerine orange one I got on eBay and I love it. Of course you can buy yours from Williams Sonoma, but you can also get awesome ones at a fraction of the price used. I actually prefer my cast iron used because it’s already worn in.
The Irish Country House by Robert O’Byrne
I am very drawn to British, Irish and Scottish interior design. It’s rustic, refined, elegant, inviting, warm and cozy all at once. It’s a vibe I find myself drawn to in my own home and in the shop. This book is physically beautiful on the outside and inside. I got mine used from Thrift Books.
