Reading

Recovering from Covid

Dear Bread pals,

How are you doing? I got Covid early in November. My mom and son got it too, and thankfully, we are all okay. It took me a long time to get feeling better, and I still have headaches and am pretty tired, but I feel so lucky for vaccines having lightened the punch of the virus! I hope none of you catch this — it is rough.  

Yesterday I took my first long walk. Using my legs felt magical. Feet, knees, hips all worked together, carried me far from my sofa and books to a very neat waterfall in the middle of golf course. The narrow woods that hold the running water, cutting through the golf lawns, feel like a secret.

A luscious strip of grass striped with shadows on the golf course, a row of trees, and a few pillowy clouds to rest your eyes.

I’ve been reading a lot. Here are a few books I loved:

The Farmer’s Lawyer by Sarah Vogel

The Book of Difficult Fruit by Kate Lebo

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Dear Memory by Victoria Chang

Naked trees & crispy leaves on the ground. Everything shining as the sun sets..

I’ve just begun baking again, with these delightful cookbooks:

Will Run for Doughnuts by Rachel Wyman

Southern Ground by Jennifer Lapidus

12 Grains of Christmas by Ellie Markovitch — this is a free booklet on my website. Ellie made it last year and it really is so lovely. I’m very partial to the sugar cookies! Ellie is hosting a fermented gingerbread cookie bake on December 13th. Sign up here if you’d like to join — here’s a link to the recipe from Sandor Katz, which most people made ages ago but why not mix it up if you’re inspired?

Reading Rachel’s book is sheer joy, full of steady instructions and great stories. I’ve long admired this baker for her skills & friendliness. The book grew out of her community compass, especially the virtual bake-alongs she led during the pandemic. These are still visible on her social media — take a look for tons of great recipes.

I had the tasty fun of seeing her at her new shop, Gunkin’ Doughnuts in New Paltz, New York, the day after Thanksgiving, and diving into this haul.

These doughnuts are really very good.

I did more flour tourism the following day, stopping in for bagels at Kingston Bread & Bar, and for books at Half Moon Books. I have a real thing for baking powder booklets, and for Rumford ones in particular. This one is authored by Fannie Farmer, and has a recipe for election cake! I’m still pinching myself for finding it.

The cover of a Rumford baking pamphlet from 1897!

So tell me, what are you reading? I’d love to know.

Yours, Amy