This Needs Hot Sauce

As is tradition, I’m writing to you from Maine. I’ve spent the weekend in gardens and farmers markets and in the kitchen, enjoying the bounty of produce and bivalves. I’ve slept a lot and could always sleep more, but it’s been very restorative. This was our first time visiting Maine in July and it’s definitely peak crowded. We’re very lucky to stay with locals who know lots of good spots and how early to get to the farmer’s market before everything is picked over.

Hi from Maine, A quick note to tell you that I have a packed schedule this weekend as I’m in Maine for my fourth annual visit with Tilden. I look forward to these trips all year and this weekend, I hope to spend very little time on the computer. Garlic scapes that we grilled and served with grilled squash over labneh Here’s what I’m up to instead: Eating blueberries. They’re just starting to come in. Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Abigail Koffler.

If you have a summer birthday, there’s a good chance we’re going to be friends. My entire family was born in the summer along with my grandma, my future sister in law, and many of my close friends. Even Jared’s late May birthday usually falls after Memorial Day, making it spiritually summer. All this to say, this week was full of celebrations of loved ones and this community. We had our annual Brooklyn Cyclones outing, which was so much fun. Thank you so much for coming and making it so special.

I always wind up writing these lists when things are a little sideways. In times like June, where the Knicks euphoria carried the city, a list feels redundant. But on a week like this, with a parasite all over the lettuce and wildfire smoke all over the sky, gratitude takes a little more effort. It’s all the more necessary and I hope you take a few minutes to make one of your own. This extreme weather is not new and is because of climate change and rich people not caring about other people’s lives.

I spent most of Sunday at the beach, which is the best way to spend a Sunday. Making it was a little rough at first as we were out late on Saturday, but nothing is more restorative than Rippers, sunshine, and the ocean. Turns out, sharks also love a Sunday beach day, so we were not able to swim much. But it was still so worth it. One of my favorite parts of a Rockaway day is the elevated subway ride and all the views you catch, from the planes at JFK to the houses on stilts with little docks.

Hi friends, We’re in H2, as the business world calls it, and it’s flying by. Looking back, I can’t believe how much happened in June. I got my boot off and started physical therapy, Jared’s parents visited, and I watched so much sports. I was in New York the whole month, apart from a day trip to Philly, and enjoyed long walks, warmer weather, and the absolute joy of the Knicks winning. The whole city was united in this win and the many decades it took to get there.

Since we last spoke, Taylor Swift got married at MSG (still can’t quite believe it, but it also makes sense), New Yorkers survived a heat wave and several thunderstorms, and Saturday marked one year since I walked up to Jared at a July 4th rooftop party and asked if had a bottle opener. He didn’t, but he opened my beer anyway. And the rest is history. Side note: Reputation is my favorite Taylor album (tied with Red) and Ed Sheeran was a surprise guest when I saw the Eras tour in London in 2024.

We have a heat wave coming up this week and I know so many parts of the world are affected by this extreme, dangerous heat. Stay hydrated, check on your neighbors, and get to your closest body of water, even if it’s just for a little breeze. A great heatwave activity is attending a Brooklyn Cyclones game on July 17th with This Needs Hot Sauce. Get your tickets HERE and bring friends! This is a very wholesome summer activity that’s always lots of fun and ends with fireworks.

Hi friends, I spent yesterday in one of my favorite cities, Philadelphia, for an exciting work event (more on that on Monday). I’m entering the weekend ready for some rest and quality time and hopefully some cooking. CSA pick up is tomorrow and soon I’ll get the email with what’s inside. I’m realizing that the middle shelf of my fridge is very cold and accidentally froze some radishes, which was not optimal. We live and we learn and we rearrange.

Hi friends, It’s been a very exciting week, including the Knicks Parade, lots of family time, the first beach day of the season and a trip to a local flea market where I rounded out my gallery wall nicely. Yesterday was the solstice, the longest day of the year, and I can’t believe we’re here. The year is almost half over and life feels so full right now. The days are longer and they’re packed with joy. I’m so lucky and excited for all that’s to come.