To watch an act of humanity between two strangers is incredibly moving. On the train ride back to Hudson yesterday morning, a young woman apologized to an older woman in a way that I have never witnessed.
I didn't catch exactly what had happened, but can surmise by what I overheard. It was something like…
“I’m very sorry, I don’t like the way I handled that situation with you at all. I was flustered and moving too fast and blamed you for spilling my coffee, when it was actually my fault. I hope I didn’t make too much of a mess. I’m very sorry I treated you like that and I hope you can forgive my misstep.”
The older woman was surprised and gracefully accepted the apology and said she liked the smell of coffee and not to worry about it. The two chatted about each other's travels until the young woman returned to her seat further up the car. Just like that. A masterclass in how to apologize and a beautiful gesture of kindness.
I proceeded to melt into a puddle of tears. I respected this woman’s self-awareness and the ability to identify and “own” her stuff and also was incredibly impressed by the older woman who elegantly accepted the apology. It was an act of grace on behalf of them both and left me feeling hopeful as a human. As we go into the holiday next week, I am going to take this with me.
Speaking of said holiday, I’m not cooking a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for the second year in a row and I am liberated. I love breaking historical conventions on the last Thursday in November. Last year I went German making Sauerbraten, mashed potatoes and braised red cabbage - it was delightful. This year, we’ll be journeying to France and making Chicken Liver Mousse (gift link), Coq au Vin (gift link), Boulangère Potatoes and some sort of green thing that will provide some acidic jolt to our palates. We’ll also be drinking some very good wines.
Anyone else out there going rogue? If so, please drop it in the comments.
I must admit I collapsed upon returning from the big city yesterday afternoon, but woke up to a text from my dear friend Hélène Heath saying that I/this newsletter had been mentioned by fashion stylist Kate Young on Lauren Sherman’s brilliant podcast Fashion People as one of her favorites. Kate, if you’re reading this, thank you! I was truly gobsmacked and also right back at you!
Also of note, I had the pleasure of throwing a harvest lunch with TOAST, one of my favorite UK brands, a few weeks back. It was a delightful afternoon with a wonderful cast of characters. It also includes a very wonderful, new recipe for salmon. You can read it here. Oh, and they are opening their first Manhattan store on the LES this Friday!
Lastly, I’m contemplating hosting a retreat in Tuscany next fall. It would involve some writing, some cooking and some wine drinking. If you're interested in being the first to know, please click the link and sign up for updates. It could be very fun. Pictures from past trips to Italy below. We could be eating this together!
🔥 Consuming: Wattana Chili Nut Crunch. I am obsessed with this new, Thai chili crisp. It’s a its blend of organic Thai chilis, shallots, garlic, cashews, and sesame seeds. Here is a 20% off one time purchase with code: ColuxCNC20. It's valid through the end of the year and would make a great stocking stuffer. Trust me on this one!
🎵 Revisiting: Letters from Egon Shciele by a band called Rachels. This moody, melancholy instrumental album was on repeat during my college years and it recently popped into my mind. It’s worth a listen, especially on a (finally!) rainy day.
👓 The Current Link Most Asked For: These readers have been the talk of the town! I’ve never been asked more about a pair of glasses, from Amazon! As my vision goes weaker, these babies are perched on top of my head at all times, just in case I need them, which is increasingly more often…
I hope you have a beautiful rest of your week and a restful weekend. I’m shooting more of my book!
With love,
Colu
This will be our second year going rogue. We’re having rouladen, mashed potatoes, our traditional “Christine’s Grandma’s Italian Inspired dressing and something green. Done with turkey…..
I’ve never been able to resist a rogue… and I do love coq au vin.