Last night, I read, in one sitting, a fascinating book by food blogger and author Molly Birnbaum, called Season to Taste: How I Lost My Sense of Smell and Found My Way.
Molly was in a traumatic accident several years ago that crushed her skull and left her (thankfully, temporarily) without the ability to smell – and subsequently, taste. Only 10% of people so afflicted ever regain their sense of smell – and if you’ve ever had a cold before – and attempted to enjoy a meal…well, stuffy nose and general malaise aside, you cannot! You really only taste dulled, muted versions of sweet, sour, bitter – and maybe experience the residual heat from something spicy. It’s miserable.
Molly has, for the most part, recovered. Her book takes us through the years when she dreamed of becoming a chef, to the years following the accident when she had all but given up her dream – and through her recovery…where she chronicles being rewarded, slowly, by wisps of scents – mostly from New York – the dank subways (not so great) or the drifting wave of Chanel #5 on the street – (a “powdery floral” … and always great).
I was interested by this girl because her accident was reminiscent of one my brother had a few years ago that prevented him from being recalled to the Army … both Molly and Armour were hit by cars when they were out for some fresh air and exercise – Molly was running, Armour was on his bike, training for his next triathlon.
The similarities don’t end there; Armour, as I said, was spared a recall to combat from his Army Individual Ready Reserve status – but Molly’s boyfriend was not. I recall, actually, that I first started reading Molly’s blog because of her connection to that fellow West Pointer – and then kept reading it because her writing is so wonderful. Her descriptions are so exact, so detailed but never boring or verbose. She has said before that she admires “spare” writing, and she has achieved it – but not at the expense of us wanting to read more – every writer’s dream, I should think. 
Anyway, I finished her book last night – but in between, treated John to a “Molly recipe” – that I found on her blog, here. It was, as John said, a “keeper.” I made this flavorful chicken, topped with a piquant Greek yogurt sauce, and paired it with Ina Garten’s unexpected version of broccoli – where you roast the florets, and then toss them with a bright blend of toasted pine nuts, lemon zest, and smooth curls of Parmesan.
I loved our Saturday night.
And today? Today is Sunday, and typically a day of preparation for the week ahead.
And because it is still rainy and a “soft day” outside (my favorite weather!) I am also “homing“…and enjoying my life at home.
Have a lovely week, Friends.*
* Thanks to my John for the close-ups of our yard, in the rain.
