Unable to find a seat, I braced my shoulders against a wall of my friend’s studio apartment. After greeting me with a hug at the door, he’d quickly planted himself on the couch, draping his arm around a quiet-looking girl I’d never met. Suddenly aware of my situation, I conducted a quick scan of the remaining faces, coming to the realization that I didn’t know anyone besides my friend.
Although I like meeting new people, I was a little uncomfortable. I couldn’t decide how to stand, where to look or what to do with my hands, becoming increasingly antsy as the seconds ticked by. I had had the misfortune of standing with my back to the television – which everyone else was watching – when I entered the room, and wasn’t sure if I should reorient myself or strike up a conversation with the girl in front of me.
So I shuffled my feet. Awkwardly.
Each pair of eyes was entranced by the screen. My friend’s guests stared as if it were a chest of riches, everyone greedily consuming the fortune of visual occupation within. So they all watched.
All but one.
I’d been painfully aware of his gaze since I entered the room. His penetrating stare began when I entered the room and hadn’t faltered since. Feeling insecure and claustrophobic, I avoided his eyes and twisted to lean on my left shoulder. Finally deciding that I, too, was more comfortable watching the TV than standing in silent defiance toward the crowd, I settled into my new stance. A veil of comfort swept over me, but it was brief; out of the corner of my eyes I saw him lift himself swiftly from the couch, then step in my direction.
A quick glance granted that his face was painted not with interest and attraction, but with complete curiosity. Panicking, I took stock of myself, desperately trying to discern any abnormalities making themselves known on my clothing, hair or face. Looking down at my shoes, I recollected that I had brushed my teeth before coming over, that my shirt was stain-free and that I was completely comfortable with the way my hair looked.
Still spinning, I realized that a second pair of shoes had entered my periphery. I sheepishly focused on his all-black Converse, then traced connected limbs upward to meet his face.
It was too late.
I was scared.
“Hey. Uh… This is probably going to sound strange, but… Have you ever broken your nose?”
I didn’t respond. I stammered, but that hardly counts.
“I don’t mean to be rude,” he allowed, “but I just noticed that your nose slants to the left. Kind of. Just a little – honestly, it’s hard to tell – but I was just curious, you know. It seemed like it might be a good story.”
Two years ago I would have been appalled by this “exchange,” stunned into a hurt silence and in need of escape. It would have stayed on my mind for weeks, haunting my every day and filling me with nose-related insecurity.
But that day, I laughed. He was serious, but he was just trying to make conversation, which was comforting. “No, I’ve never broken it, but I know it’s crooked,” I said confidently. “No one’s ever mentioned it to me, but trust me: I’m a girl. I’ve noticed” I finished with a smile, aware that he appreciated my explanation, and we continued talking.
The conversation was a warm blanket in the room of cold strangers, but I was distracted with my own thoughts while we spoke. I used to really hate my nose, but it’s stopped bothering me because I’ve learned to embrace all of my “imperfections.” I’m not skinny, I’m not the smartest, I have terrible fashion sense and I’ve got a bit of a dirty mouth.
But I’m happy – and lucky – to say that I truthfully like myself the way I am. Crooked nose and all.
So, stranger, I’ll take your lighthearted remarks about my appearance in stride.
You just better be ready for me to tease you right back.
If you’re interested, my friend Jordan posted an interview with me earlier this week on his amazing blog, Kitchen Karate!
Butter Pecan Ice Cream adapted from Epicurious
Makes about one quart.
Printable Recipe
1 1/2 c (135 g) pecans, roughly chopped
2 Tbls butter, softened
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 c (213 g) packed light brown sugar, divided
2 c (473 ml) milk (Whole is recommended, but I used 1/2%)
2 c (473 ml) heavy cream
7 egg yolks
3/4 tsp vanilla
Place the chopped pecans in a pan over medium-low heat and cook, tossing frequently, until you can smell the nuts and they are lightly toasted. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the butter and salt. Set aside to cool.
Put 1 cup (142 grams) of the brown sugar, the milk and the cream into a medium saucepan. Begin cooking over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
In the meantime, place the remaining 1/2 cup (71 grams) of brown sugar in a large bowl with the egg yolks. Whisk until ribbons form, keeping an eye on the cream. Just before the cream mixture begins to boil, use a ladle to add about 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) of the hot cream to the egg yolks and whisk immediately to combine. Pour the egg yolk and cream mixture back into the saucepan and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the mixture has thickened. A good test to see if it has thickened enough is to dip a spoon into the custard, remove it and run your finger from the top of the spoon to the bottom. If the line from your finger floods over, keep cooking. If not, it’s done!
When the custard has thickened sufficiently, remove it from the heat and pour into another container. Allow to cool slightly, then press plastic wrap over the surface and refrigerate overnight.
At this point your nuts should have cooled to room temp, so put them in an airtight container for later use.
After your custard has cooled completely stir in the vanilla. Pour it into your ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions. Just before putting it into the freezer to set up, stir in the buttered pecans.
I very much enjoyed the story as well as the food today!
Yes, embrace your crooked nose! I have one too. My grandmother was English, so I say it is due to my English heritage.<br /><br />I'm a new reader, and enjoy your posts. I first visited when you did the icing a cake tutorial. Thanks!
Delicious looking ice cream!<br />I love your story – and you are beautiful just the way you are! Odd interactions like this keep life interesting…wouldn't you agree?<br /><br />xo
I think I would have punched that guy in the face, but I'm sensitive about my nose; I have this little bubble looking part on the tip that people like to poke. P.S. I read your interview and loved your Martha Stewart story, truly awesome!
Hey…but you can sure bake pretty damn well 😉
Mmm, butter pecan! This looks so yummy! My dad would love it — it's his favorite flavor. Also, I think your nose is cute! I'm particularly sensitive about my nose, so I might feel the same as Kenni up there 😉
Loved the write up. Tempting ice cream!
I used to be insecure about my nose too! And since I will most likely never get a nose job, I've come to accept it as it is :). This ice cream looks wonderful!
Yum! I think I might need to make this for the next time my parents visit. I feel like they always had this kind of ice cream in the freezer when I was a kid. And the photos are lovely!
I've never made ice cream before, but this is making my mouth water! I think I'll give it a try!
I think I'll be saving this recipe for a warm spring evening!
I wonder what on earth was on the television that entranced an entire room full of people. Good story, great-looking recipe.
It must have been another vampire love story on the television. 😉
Summer! I want to go sit in the sun and eat that right now! Too bad its so grey and wet outside. Reminds me of a recipe found in my new Bon Appetite desserts book!<br /><br />http://jessicanoelbakes.wordpress.com/
Embracing your "imperfections" is such a hard thing to accomplish! I'm still struggling with that (quite a bit lately, to be quite honest) so reading this was really touching. I'm glad that you've found your confidence! Our "imperfections" truly make us who are.<br /><br />I drooled quite a lot over those ice cream pictures. I think it's time to break out
Your ice cream looks awesome. As for the nose comment, I'd have smacked him or been so flustered I'd stammer my words until he walked away! You're perfect just the way you are! 🙂
I've really fallen in love with ice cream making since I got my ice cream maker. This recipe looks great.<br /><br />What an artfully told story!
Oh, butter pecan ice cream! It's always been my favorite and now, thanks to you, I know how to make it. I'll definitely be trying this sometime soon. Thanks for sharing, Kaitlin! 🙂
Somehow (and I don't remember how), I ended up on your site through some link and saw this ice cream. I printed out the recipe, but didn't even have an ice cream maker, so I don't know why I even bothered–except that it sounded delicious. I mentioned the recipe to my husband and guess what he did—bought me an ice cream maker. We made it and devoured it in two days. It was
you're a beautiful writer!!!<br /><br />also, how refreshing to see an ice cream recipe right now! butter pecan is in my top 5.
Thanks so much for your kind comments! You're all too kind! I'm glad that you can relate 🙂 <br /><br /><b>@Maxine</b> Hearing that made my day! How sweet! Thanks so much for sharing. I'm so glad that you liked the ice cream 🙂
This is got to be one of the best ice cream flavors. EVER!!!<br /><br />Looks divine!!!<br /><br />Mary <br /><a href="http://delightfulbitefuls.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Delightful Bitefuls</a>
I agree with slightlyawkward, it is hard to embrace our imperfections. I'm glad you have the confidence, courage & talent to post such delicious recipes. A posting I saw " Don't change to make people like you, stay the way you are and friends will love you for how you really are". Keep up the great work!
Thanks so much! That's very kind of you!
Wow. That is a lot of pecans. I LOVE pecans. Good thing I went out and bought my very first ice cream machine today after looking at your blog for the first time after seeing your daily deviation on deviantART and decided I HAD to make your strawberry ice cream sandwiches. Thankfully for my my dad was kind enough to gift it to me as an early birthday/Christmas present. Yay for generous dads! 😀