58 Comments
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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

I really enjoyed this and resonated...I love to write and I love to run...professional at nothing. LOL I love this picture with you and Amie. Maine is on my list of travels. :) Thank you Ruth.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Running marathons, writing, bringing up kids and being a physical therapist--I'd say you're quite an accomplished person! Meeting Amie was a joy. I believe you will love Maine--it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Thanks for subscribing and commenting. I look forward to staying in touch and maybe joining one of your Friday zoom writing sessions.

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Julie B. Hughes's avatar

Thank you Ruth. Maine looks gorgeous from all the photos I've seen. :)

We would love to have you join us on Friday. :)

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Marg Moon's avatar

I was talking to a friend today and described you as ‘my friend Ruth whom I met on the internet’. Love your newsletter and your approach to life. It really is an adventure.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks for your very kind comments, Marg! I could say the same of you! There really is a remarkable community here on Substack—and you’re helping make it international with your book club.

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Sally Showalter's avatar

This is from a recipe I found in a Rachel Ray magazine and tweaked it to suit my tastes.

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Amie McGraham's avatar

Your newsletter is well-written, fun to read, features intriguing recipes to try and places to go. A culinary delight!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks, Amie! ☺️

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Dana's avatar

I love your newsletter Ruth- keep writing and entertaining us and THANK YOU.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks so much for reading, Dana! 🤗

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Mia Billetdeaux's avatar

I love this, maybe because I’m in the same category! Also I was just thinking it was time to make my favorite latkes recipe. I hope you’ll share yours too.

https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/crispy-skillet-latke-with-kale

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks, Mia! There really are so many variations on latkes. I've never tried making them with kale and lemon zest and serving them with crème fraiche, but I may give it a try. I'm kind of a traditionalist when it comes to latkes, but I think I'll probably be writing more about it next week. Meanwhile, here's a link to a piece I wrote last year that I'm sure I'll share again: https://ruthtalksfood.substack.com/p/a-latke-lesson-for-hanukkah.

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Sally Showalter's avatar

I love how you embrace the joy of food and writing about it. My fav grilled cheese is Oxacan cheese, caramelized onions melted between a flour tortilla with homemade tomato soup. Thank you again Ruth!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks, Sally! That grilled cheese with caramelized onions in a flour tortilla + tomato soup sounds truly extraordinary! Is this your recipe or something you discovered in a restaurant near you? If the latter, I may have to go on a field trip!

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Kate McDermott's avatar

I'm not a professional either, Ruth, but we are darn good home cooks and bakers...and writers. I love your newsletter and how wonderful that you met up with Amie, too!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks, @Kate! That gives me hope. I love everything you do and definitely need a few lessons in pie! It was great hanging out with Amie.

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Samantha Childress's avatar

It’s clear why you’re a great food writer, Ruth--it brings you joy, and that shines through in everything you share with us. I loved this. ❤️

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

That's an absolutely lovely thing to say, Sam! Thanks so much.❤️

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Sinù Fogarizzu's avatar

Ruth, your newsletter is full of beautiful writing and inspiration, I love it! Thank you for sticking with us for 31/2 years (and for that wonderful challah recipe 😁) xx

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks so much for your kind words, Sinù! I'm so glad that challah worked out for you. I wonder if it's even better with your local ingredients.

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Susan Mautner's avatar

yumm! Ruth, I will definitely make. sending love,

Susan

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks, Susan! Lovely to hear from you!❤️

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Julia Matusik's avatar

This was so lovely to read Ruth. Years of home cooking, trying new recipes and eating all manner of things makes you well qualified to write and talk about food, and reading what you write, it’s obvious that it brings you a lot of pleasure.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

I appreciate the vote of confidence, Julia! It means a lot to hear from people whose work I admire and whose own writing and passion for what they do helps inspire me to do more. Thanks again.

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Mark Dolan's avatar

Your writing continues to be joyous and engaging. What's not to like. Loved the photo from Linn's in Cambria.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks so much, Mark! Have you visited Linn's? It's definitely a great destination for pies (and scenery!).

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Mark Dolan's avatar

Many times. We used to live in Pismo Beach. We enjoyed Cambria.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Somehow I missed that you lived in Pismo Beach. We go there quite often.

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Julia Levy's avatar

yum yum! love following your foodie adventures, Ruth!

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thank you, Julia!

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Judy Graham's avatar

Once again your writing about your love of food and writing is spot on. I also tried the mayo on the bread for grilled cheese and it was perfect..

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Amie McGraham's avatar

Have either of you tried Crisco on the bread? A friend swears by this method.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Hey Amie, never have attempted Crisco, but obviously this calls for a comparison testing experiment with grilled cheese—butter vs mayo vs Crisco and maybe olive oil. I’m imagine Jeff would be a willing guinea pig.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thank you, Judy! Gonna have to try that mayo trick!

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Rink's avatar

Always love to read your writing, Ruth. It’s about one of my favorite subjects - food - but also about so much more. Your stories are very personal and often touching. Thanks for sharing them.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Thanks so very much, Rink! That means a lot to me!

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