A Few Things of Importance

1. Have you made this salad yet? You must, you must, you must. It, quite literally, might be the best thing since sliced bread. I made it for a dinner party on Friday night, along with a plethora of other delicious things, and this salad was the one thing at the meal that made everyone stop speaking and start pointing at their plates, mouths full, in wonder and greed. It is delicious. Hot and spicy, crunchy and cool, complex in texture and flavor. Wondrous. Deb got the recipe from Sasa who got the recipe from her mother who got it from a cooking magazine in New Zealand - all of which simply serves to reinforce the fact that the internet is the best thing to happen to cooking since the gods gave us fire.

2. I didn't realize until a few months after moving in that I, once again, had chosen an apartment with an unencumbered view of the sky, which means that we've been hard at work documenting all the glorious sunsets that come our way. And lately, the sky has been so generous.

3. The good people of Berlin are getting happier, whenever the sunshine intermittently cracks through the ever-present clouds, sometimes thin and menacing, sometimes plump and cottony, flitting across the sky. In general, Berlin is coming alive, as it always does once spring descends. The parks and meridians and sidewalks are bursting with overgrown grasses, blossoming trees, blowsy dandelions. The air is sweet and fragrant - just last night, I walked up Schlossstrasse taking great, deep gulps of air, scented with lilacs and chestnut blossoms and earth still damp from an earlier, brief hail storm. It feels like magic, it really does, when you're in the gloaming in Berlin and the greenery around you moves and beckons in the wind and you feel like there could be fairy sprites hiding in the bushes, peering out with glittering eyes as you pass by.

4. Finally, you've all been very patient with my coy attempts at, uh, implying the presence of, er, romance in this space. I guess I've been a little shy. Remember back in the fall when I said that sometimes, when you're given the chance to do something that might change your life totally and completely, you have to take that step, make that leap, take that chance? I wasn't only talking about leaving my job, writing a book and moving to Berlin. I was also talking about a love story, the defining one of my life. One that helped me move mountains, or continents, if you will. Our story is a big one, one I'll tell you about some day, but in the meantime I figured it's time to make it official, time to bring him into the fold here, the man at my table, my heart.

Comments

[anna]

oooo....can't wait to hear more!!!!

[brooklynite]

how sweet! I love the last photo. Can't wait to hear more, as usual.

[Kim, England]

some of us had suspected as much - and we're happy for you! The question is, when do we get to see more....??

You have inspired me to visit Berlin this summer, Luisa. Been brushing up on my German in preparation. Your photos have spurred me on...

doncha just love that lady's red hair!

[radish]

ooh i am so happy for you - you deserve this! so glad you're happy and glowing.

[Koek!]

How in love you sound! So happy for you... To celebrate I may make your salad. I think the universe heard me lamenting the dirth of good carrot recipes out there, and now here is one that comes with this sterling recommendation.
Robynx

[Honeybee]

Yay!! I love romance! I'm so happy for you!

[Koek!]

You know I meant 'dearth', right?

[Erin]

I love reading your blog. I am moving to Belfast from England soon (not such a long journey but it still involves an expanse of sea between myself and my family!) and you are making me feel a lot less scared about it. I was initially petrified at the thought but your enthusiasm is encouraging.

[Lisa]

I've got my eye on that salad as well. Spicy, sweet and crunchy is right up my alley! And for those of us with more cluttered sky views, please keep sharing those exquisite sunsets!

[jonquil]

1) looks good, but raw carrots are not my friend. will figure out how to work around this
2)lovely
3)plus the scent of warming earth filling the air
4) yea!!!

[klp]

How wonderful Luisa! Looking forward to hearing more!

[Adrienne]

Woooooo! Very glad to hear it and can't wait to read more :)

[Zoomie]

I had no idea! Didn't pick up on your hints at all! I'm so happy for you, Luisa, and for your beau. Do tell!

[The French @ crispytarts]

Wow. Congrats! I can't wait to hear that story! I love 'the man at my table'. Such a perfect way to describe the love of your life.

Now let's talk about getting that salad on my table....

[Mrigaa]

Was it you who said in a post a while back "Leap and the net will appear"? I thought about it really often in past months. Anyway, I'm really inspired by all the good things happening to you in Berlin. (But where in our hearts to reconcile New York?) Though I'm feeling a bit let down by the lack of details. But perhaps it's not your style. All the best!

[Gemma]

I've mentally bookmarked that salad so good to hear another glowing review of it. Think it will be dinner one night this week. And, on the rest, yes to apartments with endless views, yes to sunshine, and the biggest yes of all to love.

[Maddie]

Aww, thanks for sharing your sweet news with us. How wonderful to be in love! That's what spring is all about, isn't it?

[Shawna in Delware]

Awww... hell yes!!!!!

Made me smile, all the best to you!

BTW, those Italian Chiles are about 3" tall, woo hoo, peppers! :0

[Brettne]

This post melts my butter! Your salad looks delicious too, and perfect for summer. Can't wait to try.

[Raquelita]

Oh, Luisa, wow. It sounds like I wasn't the only one who had had an inkling so thank you for putting us out of our suspense! And, more than that, for being willing to be so vulnerable with all of us. All the very, very best. I can't wait for the epic full-length version!

[tara]

Luisa, chills (chills!) at that last but. Shivers of happiness for you.

[Caitlin]

Oh I'm so happy for you - not just for the last part, but also (dear lord) for those beautiful sunsets. Gorgeous! And yay :)

[Kate]

I agree about the salad...but as I didn't have harissa in the house, I made it with pesto.
Here's to a romantic summer

[Megan]

Oh, yay! Yay!

[Kasey]

Awww--what a beautiful post, Luisa. You sure have a way with words! Can't wait for this story to unveil itself.

[jeanneeatsworld.wordpress.com]

I can't wait to hear the story! A good love story is worth waiting for. :)

Also, making the carrot salad later this week. Probably with some grilled chicken? Now I'm even more excited to try it.

[Lecia]

!!! I've been wondering about #4 but I am much too polite to ask. I'm soooo happy for you! xoxo

And now I can't wait to make that salad - tonight!

[Jill]

I only know you through your blog, but I'm so happy for you! A heart as generous as yours deserves to love and be loved. Tanti auguri!

[Warda]

So happy for you! Blessings to both of you!

[Marina]

Oh, yay! I first discovered you in the fall and loved your writing so much I paged backward entry-by-entry, getting so attached that my stomach dropped suddenly when I reached the Beans post, then backward further to the beginning, and finally forward to Berlin.

And now I'm so happy for you and your partner-at-last! Thank you for sharing this heartfelt journey.

[sara]

So happy for you! And like others, can't wait to hear more!

[Jenious]

I’m delighted by news of a spicy salad, gorgeous skies and your special someone. Thanks for the lovely photographs. Thanks also for the suspense. Cheers to you both!

[Vanessa]

Such a beautiful post, such beautiful photos. The glow of the colours in the sky and the glow in your heart. Like you, I rarely talk about those emotions but I'm glad to know you're happy and also living close by. You deserve it all :-)

[Amy]

It is so kind of you to share your personal stories, along with your excellent recipes. Somehow, knowing a tiny bit about the cook makes the recipe more tantalizing. Congratulations on the love. I'm very much looking forward to reading your book.

[Bonnie]

I thought I noticed a little 'skip' in your blog-steps lately. Love is hard to hide - even in the blogosphere. Congrats - it's nice to cook for two.

[Janet]

Oh Luisa, you are such a tease! I can't wait until you spill it all to us. That being said, I'm so happy for you. :-)

Like Berlin, my part of the world is waking up to spring. Everyone is making for the patios and enjoying the warm weather.
Take care.
Janet

[Pam]

Romance--your writing is so full of that very thing! And now we are going to hear THE story. Soon?? Please?

[Monica]

aHA. Great news. Been wondering about the "we" in your posts.

Will try to patiently await more news... meanwhile, more happy thoughts on your behalf coming from this quarter of the Upper West Side (where I'm moving in at long long last with my own Mr. Mister.)

Cheers!

[Nicole]

Lovely news - you're leaving me hanging like on LOST :) I recently met a reader of yours, and she's very cool, and it was surprisingly fabulous to share that with someone. Congrats on the love, live it up.

[Molly]

Carrot salad to coy love? Now THAT'S a segue!! Brilliant, in every since. Congrats to two hearts, beyond deserving, I'm sure.

[Shamrocks and Shenanigans]

definitely not your grandmother's carrot salad!! LOL
Shamrocks and Shenanigans

[Kath Powell]

So very happy for you!
And I'm going to try that carrot salad asap :-)
Blessings
x

[Carmen]

Oh, Luisa, there is nothing better than a good love story!!!!!!

[Caitlin]

The salad and the sunset look beautiful! Wish you all the best, lots of love & happiness.

http://amusebouche-caitlin.blogspot.com/

[Sarah]

Yay! Congratulations Luisa. So happy for you!!!

[Victoria]

Well, there have been more than a few random "we's" lately so I was wondering.........and now you have answered the unasked question.

Luisa, I am so very happy for you, happy to the core of my being.

Now I'm going to go and do a little jig in the kitchen.

[Katie]

"Leap and a Net Will Appear" was posted just as I was accepting a job which would have me moving internationally. I think your writing gives me a little bit of extra faith in the power of love, opportunities, and crazy dreams; and the importance of holding tight to all three when you get the chance.

Best of luck in your ongoing adventure :)

[notyet100]

lovely post,..specially the last pic

[emiglia]

I'm so happy for you! Thanks for the salad recipe... and for the hint at who's in your heart. Hope everything is going wonderfully!

[Gadia]

lovely luisa,

been wishing you some big love for a long time. I could smell the fragrant damp earth in your writing and I love that word gloaming and the idea of a generous sky - gives one the feeling of being blessed. And Berlin is becoming my friend too, seen through your eyes...

now for the salad, a new friend in the making.