We Are What We Eat

It's the day before New Years Eve.  In the next day or so,  I will try try to take a moment, look back and take stock of the year...at work, at home, triumphs, disappointments, promises made and promises kept.  If it's been a good year there will also be recollection of memorable meals shared with friends and family.  This year that includes moments spent at Against the Grain where it seems that food is always on everyone's mind...what's new... "are there sun buns in the back because I don't see any in the case.  Oh no, have they already sold out?"

A few days before Christmas, my daughter, Sofia, who works at the bakery, read to me a passage from a book that she was reading, Toujours, Provence by Peter Mayle...she said the passage reminded her of me.  I told her it was one of the nicest gifts that anyone had ever given me.  On Christmas day she gave me a card.

On the inside, in beautiful lettering was the passage...it reminds me not only of the bakery, but more importantly of the people who come and go, of friends, acquaintances and strangers too who come to take home or eat a piece of what Doug and company make there...so I thought I'd share the passage with you...

"there is something about lunch in France that never fails to overcome any small reserves of will power that I possess.  I can sit down, resolved to be moderate, determined to eat and drink lightly, and be there for hours, nursing my wine and still open to temptation.  I don't think it's greed.  I think it's the atmosphere generated by a roomful of people who are totally intent on eating and drinking.  And while they do it, they talk about it; not about politics or business or sports, but about what is on the plate and in the glass.  Sauces are compared, recipes argued over, past meals remembered and future ones planned.  The world and its problems can be dealt with later on, but for the moment, 'la bouffe' takes priority and contentment hangs in the air.  I find it irresistible."

Happy new year to all of you.