33 Comments
Apr 2Liked by Amie McGraham

I always try to purchase something for my kitchen when I am traveling- so every time I use them, I reflect on my journeys. My kids now do the same thing. It's almost always something small, like a wooden spoon or measuring cups- that can easily fit into my suitcase but bring smiles and fond memories for years to come.

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I am totally stealing this idea. 💜 it !

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Apr 2Liked by Amie McGraham

Those strawberries 🍓!!!

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Love seeing you and Ruth in one post! ✨

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We’re coming for you next, Jolene!

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Apr 4Liked by Amie McGraham

I could never part with my Mom’s old “Penguin”. (Anyone else ever have one? It’s a double walled stainless steel covered bowl-type container with penguins stamped onto the outside.) At least once or twice every summer I pull it out, fill it with jello topped with whipped cream, and bring it to a family gathering at the lake. Oh, the memories it evokes….🐧

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This is a sweet tradition in so many ways! Love this, Beth.

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i waited to read until i could really savor it and yum, that was the right decision for sure! have you pulled the trigger on the immersion blender, one of my most often used appliances?? and let me know when you want to make more Jew food in Maine - because no one can cook like a convert who doesn’t have their ancestry whispering over their shoulder 😂😂

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That’s hilarious! Not sure about making more Jewish food, but we definitely need a cooking session together this summer!

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PS: immersion blender may remain in cart until the official return of soup season.

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Apr 2Liked by Amie McGraham

Loved seeing you and always happy to be the taste tester!

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That is a food-filled road-trip that I could aspire to take. Loved experiencing it vicariously!!

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Apr 2Liked by Amie McGraham

Love the Crystal Cove Shake Shack!

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author

The perfect spot for a writing retreat…

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Amie, this is lovely! Thanks for including me in your journey. It was a blast. I honestly didn't mean to scoop you--guess it's the old newshound instinct kicking in telling me to get the story out now! 🗞

The date treats you brought were terrific, along with the vintage Jewish community cookbook from Dallas! On our next trip through Indio, I'm stopping in for that date ice cream!

So glad you got the KitchenAid mixer--they are invaluable! I only regret I didn't hold onto my mother's. I do have her Le Creuset and Dansk Dutch ovens, which I treasure. I also have those cast-iron skillets you photographed, but I bought those for myself years ago and use them daily. Hopefully someone else will want them someday.

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Apr 2Liked by Amie McGraham

I would've thought you had a stand mixer already! I rarely bake so I don't have one, but I look at them longingly from time to time.

I have an inherited immersion blender which is stained and underpowered, but it continues to chug along so I've not allowed myself to replace it, lol.

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Since I wasn’t much of a baker until last year, all I had was a 30 YO hand mixer, probably as underpowered as your immersion blender…it took me a while to talk myself into the cash outlay for a stand mixer, but this was basically half the price of new one and it has saved the hands that already get a workout when I’m writing !!

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I remembered that I came across this when I was considering buying a stand mixer. You may want to get replacement stainless steel attachments, I think the post said they are now available at C&B, or via Amazon.

https://tamararubin.com/2017/01/kitchenaid-attachments-c-2014-as-high-as-2434-ppm-lead/

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Apr 2Liked by Amie McGraham

Ha! Nice to see my question pop up. I'd keep the cookware from my mom, definitely. They're not fancy pots and pans, but they have held up and are very practical - no special care needed. Another type of kitchen gear that brings me joy are my chopping boards. Some I've thrifted (a huge round maple board from a family that was moving back to CA), others I've acquired over time from woodworkers whom I follow. I love everyday kitchen items that bear the craft marks of someone who made them with care and skill; and/or that have been made holy through years of use.

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Apr 2Liked by Amie McGraham

What a fun adventure plus magnificent strawberries! I'm partial to my mother's bread pans even though I use them infrequently.

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Maybe we could marry the two into a strawberry quick bread?

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Aaah, yes.

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Apr 2Liked by Amie McGraham

I would sit in traffic on the 405 for a date shake and a bag of Have'a Chips (I first discovered these at one of those date shakes along PCH). Loved coming along for this field trip. The OC Register and LA Times food sections were always the highlight of the week in our house. My cherished kitchen item is the set of Descoware that I grew up using, all pieces my mom received as a young cook.

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*googles Have’a Chip and Descoware* 🤣

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Great seeing you here. Next time talk to me about rush hour. You didn’t plan accordingly!

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The day got away from us. That’s what happens with two cooks in a kitchen!

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No kidding! We’ll do it again—maybe in one of your kitchens! ❤️

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Hey, Amie, no one who comes here only occasionally is going to plan well for LA traffic. Even when you think it should be clear sailing, you get caught in incomprehensible bottlenecks, so even talking to Jeff might not work! That being said, I hope. you aren't scared off. We'll plan better next time so you might just maybe avoid a lousy experience on the 405!

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Rush hour (i.e, all day, all night) is inevitable in LA! I knew I was in for it as the afternoon slipped by. It was worth spending the day with you!

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I love seeing all your adventures through these photos and words. Thank you Amie.

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Amie, it was so great to connect with you! Thank you for stopping on your way home to chat!

What a full and joyful trip for you!

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