Pictures on the wall and the viral Thomas Keller zucchini my way.

Plus, a bit of This & That.

Pictures on the wall

A few days before we left Los Angeles for Turin, I picked up 120 photos I had printed at Costco and tucked them into my purse. I'd been thinking a lot about how the boys were feeling, their sadness about selling our house and leaving their friends behind, and their anxiety about moving to a foreign country and starting a new school. All of our emotions were running high, and I wanted to do something upon arrival that would bring some comfort and remind them they were still connected to what was, even in this new world so far away. I wanted to bring familiar faces with us, filling our home with the joy of the past while reminding them that our family and friends were still very much in our lives.

One afternoon, as we sat in their bedroom together, unpacking clothing and trying to get organized, I pulled out the two envelopes of photographs and handed them to Costa and Paolo. Confused but curious, they gently lifted the front flap of the envelopes, and their faces immediately lit up. They quietly flipped through the pictures, huge smiles on both their faces. We pulled a few of their favorites and tucked them into the window frames above their desks.

A few months passed, and I remembered that I still had those envelopes filled with beautiful memories of people we love and miss. I decided to create a grid of photographs on the wall in Costa and Paolo's bedroom. I didn't tell them what I was doing and surprised them with a big reveal after I finished. Immediately, they smiled and started giggling with happiness, the photographs filling the room with a joyful energy. After months of circulating sickness, grey-skied wintery days, and cultural and language obstacles, we've all been feeling a bit blue and frustrated. But something as simple as hanging up photos of loved ones and favorite memories immediately infused the home with a comforting, positive energy we desperately needed.

For anyone making a move with kids, I highly recommend printing out photos and surrounding yourself with them in your new home once you arrive. It's been a beautiful reminder that sometimes, a small, simple thing can make a huge difference. x

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Zucchini with Dill Yogurt Sauce

About a year ago, I tried Thomas Keller's method of cooking zucchini, and I've been using it ever since. While it does have a few steps, it's an easy and delicious way to prepare zucchini, which can often turn out soggy and just kind of blah when cooked. My favorite way to serve these tender, oven-roasted zucchini is over a cool, tangy yogurt and dill sauce that comes together quickly with just a few simple ingredients. I usually start by preparing the zucchini, and once it's in the oven, I make the sauce while I wait for the zucchini to finish roasting. Then, spread your yogurt sauce onto a serving plate, add your zucchini, and ta-da! Your delicious veggie dish is ready to be devoured!