The best (and one worst) of 2023
Best birthday cake I made for R, a large portion of which oozed out of the springform pan and burned on the bottom of the oven, but was spectacular nonetheless: Red Miso Olive Oil Cake. SPECTACULAR.
Best view I gazed out on while having a whiskey with Da: Moclips, WA.
Best compliment from a 4-year-old: When AJ flips to the Joan Jett page in Rad American Women A-Z, she says, "Look, it's Auntie Lady!" (That's me.)
Best art show: Keith Haring at The Broad.
Most enthusiastic audience/most inspiring Q&A (and also a great movie): The Holdovers screening at the Aero. Alexander Payne is a national treasure. I especially appreciated hearing him talk about his collaboration with the screenwriter. And "the sloshy around-y stuff," the messy human details he leaves room for in his movies, he says that's his favorite part.
Most serendipitous gift: Hallie Bateman's Directions, scored for my mom in pristine condition at the little free library a few blocks from our house.
Most otherworldly hike: It's a tie between Haleakalā Crater (by day) and my fave Elysian Park loop (by night), beneath a full moon.
Best tacos on Maui: Tacos Y Mariscos Las Islitas. Quesatacos to rival the best I've had in LA or Boise, served up by a mother-daughter team.
Best chilaquiles in Los Angeles: Taquearte California. Eater LA touted this new spot as having the best chilaquiles in LA, and yes! HELL YES. Agreed. Get 'em with steak and eggs and one serving is enough for two. The enormous mushroom taco—all the tacos are enormous, Mexico City style, our server explained—plated with half red sauce and half green, is also phenomenal. The level of care and attention offered by the staff, the nuances of flavor, and also the portions! far surpass the extremely reasonable prices at Taquearte. It would be new our fave spot (is our new fave spot, but...) if only Pico Rivera weren't such a long drive.
Best rainbow: Out the kitchen window, November 29.
All-time directing career high: Completing a feature film. Holy shit.
All-time script supervising career low: 6/52 weeks of paid work. Also holy shit. I plan to keep making movies, but I may need to quit relying on the movie industry to make a living.
Best new cookie recipe: It was a close race between Gochujang Caramel and Peanut Butter-Miso, but I have to give it to PBM (only because the gochujang recipe didn't play well with gluten-free flour). Will make again, possibly tonight, and add an extra tablespoon of peanut butter.
What did the baby bird say to the mystery taste sensation?
Are you umami?
xoxo,
Laramie
As always, here's your trusty taco map. Happy New Year, friends!! I adore you.