Life through rosé-colored glasses.

I really can't claim to have accomplished much in the last month, but I also can't say I really mind. In my time outside learning the new job, I've taken advantage of my transient status to enjoy a little R&R, reconnecting with old friends, spending time with family, and celebrating my quarter century. My mom came to visit  (of course, she baked a cake), and we got to celebrate my birthday on the actual day for the first time in years, compliments of my excellent new employer's take-your-birthday-off policy. The day of my birthday, we cooked pork chops with peaches...my sister's Scotch of choice is Laphroaig, and as we always try to keep things simple and use what ingredients are on hand (wink), our flambéed peaches had an intense smoky flavor.

We celebrated with a little bubbly -- a lovely and crisp rosé -- to accompany our cake.

Friday night, we went to No. 9 Park, a French and Italian restaurant downtown.

Corn velouté poured over little cubes of foie gras and summer truffles

Prune-stuffed gnocchi (wonderful little pillows)

Roasted hake over corn, butter-poached lobster, and fresh (!) chanterelles

My surprise birthday dessert (chocolate decadence with marshmallow cream and cinnamon ice cream)

Trio of assorted ice creams

Our waitress was friendly and gave great suggestions, and the food -- oh, the food! -- so flavorful and perfectly cooked (I think I have a favorite new fish).

Over the weekend Nick, Mom and I walked through the Public Garden...

...and then drove up the North Shore to Crane Beach and Russell Orchards, where we picked our own apples and picnicked. The day was gorgeous, and we fortunately had more luck than last year's apple-picking expedition.

It was a bit of a team effort: at first, for any I couldn't reach, I would point and Nick would pick.

After a while, we decided we needed a little more height.

Heavier by 15 lb of Gala, Honeycrisp, Gingergold, McIntosh apples (as well as a couple bottles of cider and half a dozen cider donuts), we returned home utterly successful.

I would say it was a pretty spectacular birthday. Faithful blog followers, stay tuned for when I get settled and can inaugurate my new kitchen. For now, I'm enjoying getting to know my new/old town.