Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (S1:E3 "Summer"):
- Hmmm, Stars Hollow has a municipal pool.
- 2:00 in - adorable hippie, college kid, 22-year old April - and she's on the "pot" trail.
- Mac and cheese, salad, and garlic bread on the family table. And popcorn with Luke and Lorelai's after-dinner movie.
- I'm still finding it super hard to believe that with all of Rory's world traveling, Logan is the only one she has to talk to on the phone, visit, and have sex with. The fiance has moved in in this episode, and reality is smacking Rory in the face. She's now the "hotel" girl. The mistress. Duh.
- Loud air conditioner during the town meeting. "It feels like an earthquake." -Rory "Strawberry shortcake?" -Lorelai
- Such a sad 30-something gang. 😄
- What's up with all the fat shaming? Lorelai and Rory have always been snarky, but I don't remember them being unkind.
- Miss Patty has lost a ton of weight since the series!
- Rory insists that she is not home, but she's using her journalism degree from Yale University to take the unpaying "job" as the new editor of the Stars Hollow Gazette. I actually think it's cool that she's moved back home and is taking over the Gazette, but I wish she'd own that decision.
- Some things never change - Pop Tarts and coffee for breakfast.
- Whoa, Emily is still asleep at noon. To quote Rory, "it's weird".
- Let me start by saying that I absolutey adore Sutton Foster (because I can't get enough of Younger), but that musical was just another waste of time. Lorelai's face was my face.
- Oh, highlight - Carol Kane singing "I Feel the Earth Move"! I mean, Sophie.
- Possibly crab puffs at the DAR meeting at Emily's house - Berta Puffs and Mystery Soup.
- FINALLY JESS! 💓💓 1 hour into the 3rd episode is far too late for the appearance of the best guy ever to come out of Stars Hollow. A liquid lunch - "Roundbottoms up!" Oh, a reference to Nora Ephron's neck (and one of my favorite books).
- And of course Jess gives her the best advice, because he listens and observes and knows the down-to-earth Rory - write a book about "you and your mom".
- Still so many emotions at the cemetery. And even more when Rory reveals the story she's writing. Lorelai is not happy. I kind of get it, but at the same time, she's always been nothing but supportive of Rory, it kind of surprises me that she is against the idea. Her "story" is never anything she's been ashamed of before. Oh, and how, after so many years, is Lorelai still against Jess? Come on. He's a successful grown man, not a lost kid anymore. And he's sexy AF.
Okay, so...I didn't make a recipe that inspired directly from this episode, rather from my elation that Jess finally made an appearance (albeit, far too short) in this episode. I looked back to season two (episode 16) and decided to make something from one of my favorite food scenes involving Jess and Rory (and Paris).
Paris: "What are you doing?"
Jess: "Salt and pepper dip. Only way to eat a fry."
Paris: "Really?"
Rory: "It's fast food gospel."
Then Jess asks Paris if she likes hot sauce, and she asks if she should. He responds that he thinks it's wise.
So, salt and pepper dip, with hot sauce, if you know what's good for you. Of course, I could have just poured salt and pepper together and called it a day (which is totally fine and delicious), but I went a tiny step further and made an actual dip for the fries. It's only a tiny step higher on the difficulty scale to make than pouring salt and pepper together in a bowl is.
Salt and Pepper Dip (for french fries)
mayonnaise, to taste
freshly ground garlic sea salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
hot sauce, to taste
Stir everything together in a small bowl until well-combined. Serve with hot french fries.
