Yotam and Sami are coming to DC, the Pope

Friends, if you love Yotam Ottolenghi and his food as much as I do, check this out!!  On Monday, 10/21, at 600 I St, NW, "Yotam Ottolenghi—the owner of four London restaurants and a New York Times-bestselling author—alongside head chef Sami Tamimi will be in conversation with Joan Nathan." If you've seen/own the cookbook, Jerusalem, you'll recognize Sami Tamimi as its co-author. You can purchase tickets here. I will be there! This morning has been a lovely one. It's stunning outside, a glorious day that manages to feel both warm and cool and makes you think that fall weather is perfection. It just might be. Some of my lady pals came over for breakfast and tea, and after the hectic pace of the first few back-to-school weeks, it was a treat to just sit and talk and catch up and laugh. I meant to take a photo of the pumpkin loaf, but it's pretty much devoured, so...next time.

Who else thinks the new Pope is fabulous?! Especially in contrast to scary Benedict. I am not a Catholic, but I am loving Francis and frankly feel really glad for the church that he has arrived. I'm sure there are many Catholics that do not love his style, much less his recent, wonderful, delightful, it's-about-time commentary on the total "obsession" with gay marriage, abortion and birth control. But I think it's magnificent and hopefully it'll usher a sea change of modernity into an institution that really needs it. Yee-haw, Pope F!

I think I have to make the caramelized shallots now...