Kim was my neighbor when I lived in Edgewood, a neighborhood east of Pittsburgh. We lived in a three-family house and I was on the top floor – the attic converted to an apartment with an eat-in kitchen and no outdoor space. It was lovely, but not nearly as lovely as Kim’s place on the second floor – she had a separate dining room and a covered porch – a wonderful place to sit and read or chat when it was raining, or any time, really. The only downside for her was listening to my kitties thunder across the floor as they played above her head. Kim didn’t seem to mind.

Kim and I were both single at the time and we spent a lot of time together. She was outdoorsy and worldly in my eyes. She grew up in Sarver, just outside of Pittsburgh, and she introduced me to so many wonderful hiking spots throughout western Pennsylvania. One time we drove to NYC together and stayed in the Art Hotel, which was hip and still sleazy. I was scandalized when she took a bath in the tub while at the same time I was attempting not to touch anything! Another time she visited her sister, who lived in Boston, and they swam in Walden Pond, which to me was simply amazing – I hadn’t started traveling for business at that point and I’d never been to New England. Conversation with Kim is and was always an excited flurry of ideas and observations. I adore her.

She came home one night after going to a concert, and exclaimed, “I met a boy!” The boy was/is Dean, her now husband. Shortly after than she invited us both to dinner, and I don’t remember the meal, but the conversation was bouyant and the dessert was incredible. This dessert is simply luscious, especially when made with fresh ricotta.