Gastronomie

Nowruz-e-taan Piruz!

Yes, indeed. Tomorrow is the first day of Spring, which means that tonight at 10:48 Pacific Standard Time, we celebrate Persian New Year.

Last minute obligations are precluding us from making it to Los Angeles as we'd hoped, so I'm cobbling together a Haft Sinn from last year's provisions. It will do, though it can't possibly hold a candle to my mom's. Dinner tonight is the traditional Sabzi Polo Mahi -- my kid brother is braving the Persian market to pick up a smoked fish and green garlic.

We miss our family muchly, but in the past six weeks of living together, my brother and I have learned that we have each other through thick and thin, as different as we may be, and despite the decade separating us.

As we jumped over the fires last night, I couldn't help but think how different last year was -- all I wanted to do was leave the prior year behind, to move on, to purge the sadness and anger of the Persian year 1385. This year, I am thankful that 1386's hardships and sadness were all steps toward growth and strength. All the people I love are in a much better place, and the upcoming year can only build upon the foundation that is solidly in place.

To all of you who follow along every day, week, month -- you don't know how much your comments and emails mean. To each of you who has been a confidante and friend, thank you! And of my family in Los Angeles, I beg your forgiveness, for I know that our last minute cancellation has caused major disappointment. I love you dearly.

Nowruz-e-taan Piruz, Interwebs!

Tags: Persian, New Year, Nowruz, Nowrouz, Eid, Haft Sinn, San Francisco, Food & Drink

Saal-eh Now Mobarak!

At 10:25:35 am today, C and I will be drinking small glasses of scalded milk with a bit of sweet pastry to usher in the Persian year 1385.

At this moment, I am sitting here watching Appadana Television on KTSF (Channel 8 on Oakland Comcast), thinking back over the events of the past year.

It's been an odd year.

We were blessed with many new friends (two of whom quickly become life-long friends), a wonderful fostering experience, and  more than a few amazing meals.

We had a few life-changing experiences, from buying my first-ever-brand-new-car and making a wonderful job change to the receiving the devastating news of my dad's illness.

Like I said, an odd year.

Check back in a couple of hours, when I will post pictures of my Haft Sinn, which I put a bit of a modern spin on this year.

Also, I'll post a quick round-up of some Nowruz events in the Bay Area that you can check out if you are so inclined.

Nowruz-etan Pirouz!!