Homemade Bread

The very first batch. Success. Not at all intimidating.

Kumquats

What you can eat...

...after 23 miles of bike errands.

Beaches and Sweaters

Screw the tropics. This is what I want from a coastal town.
This was in yesterday's Los Angeles Times. Am I allowed to post it if I give the photographer his credit? I'm not stealing, merely flattering. It's by Raymond Roig for AFP/Getty Images. It's in Colioure, southern France. I want to be there.

Skiing

P taught me how to ski on Tuesday. Two-for-one day.

A Reward

I know I shouldn't think like that, that a cupcake is a reward. All the same, I had my book and an afternoon to myself for a change and I made the most of it. Cupcake and tea from Joan's on Third in LA.

Tea

These are my four favorite teas:
Pumphrey's Blend from Peet's
the Mauritius blend from Chado on 3rd Street in Los Angeles
Samovar Breakfast Blend from San Francisco
Red Rose from any English shop

And here is a tea photograph taken by my good friend, Eric Zimmerman, on location in India. So peaceful but dramatic. He says a leopard crossed the tracks just moments later.