Dearest readers and bidders,

Woah. WOAH.

It is my profound honor to announce that we raised a whopping $3,565 for the Invisible Child Trust at the Legal Aid Society.

$3,565!

(!!!!!!!!)

Thank you for all your bids and your tweets and your spreading the news. A big, big thanks also to Ruth Reichl and Russ Parsons for unexpectedly stepping in with their wonderful books to add to the offerings and to Ten Speed Press and Sarah Copeland who jumped in as well. I'm totally humbled by their enthusiasm and generosity - and by yours. The auction exceeded my wildest expectations.

I'll be in touch with the winners by email - invoices will be sent via Paypal - and once all the payments are in, I'll write the check and send it off to New York (you can also donate online). And in the meantime, I'm going to just about burst with pride at what we did this week together. Thank you for that.

Thank you also for making me realize yet again that nothing ventured is nothing gained. I worried that no one would care about this auction. I worried that I was putting myself out there and that it'd be embarrassing to raise nothing and fail. Instead, you all rose up and made this thing explode in such a wonderful and hugely gratifying way. Lesson learned, universe!

Elsewhere, because it's been too long,

Gesine Bullock-Prado recalls the smell of her mother (I dare you not to cry).

A week in the life of Nigel Slater.

A movie on food waste.

Great interview with Yotam Ottolenghi.

These quick videos on five iconic holiday roasts are so inspiring.

Will this finally be the year I make my own vanilla extract? No time like the present.

Salted. Rye. Chocolate. Cookies. All you need to know.

Loved reading more about Caroline Campion while I covet her new book.

Catherine never fails to make me laugh, even when talking about crock-pot pork.

Darling people, I hope you have warm and cozy and happy holidays. May your travels be safe. I'm thinking of you and am, as ever, so grateful to have you in my life! Much love, Luisa