stories told here
The lilacs are just blooming in Maine. Once, a million summers ago, I drove from San Francisco to Maine and witnessed spring five times, like a film reversing, fast forwarding, looping back, tulips in slow mo, and lilacs three times. Our lilacs are just husks now and the first round of sugar snap peas have […]
I am terrified of the blank page, the white screen, the empty canvas. Just the thought of trying to write a story lately makes me either want to nap or drink. Both options are too sad, even for me, before breakfast. So I turn to a different sort of blank page- oatmeal. I can […]
One of my favorite things about cooking is figuring out how to use one ingredient in several dishes. Bake or roast in bulk and then repurpose throughout the week. When I tasted the Roasted Strawberry Balsamic Ciabatta I knew that it would be perfect for french toast. And it is the perfect mix of sweet […]
Thin like crepes, but with more egg and less flour, these delicate and delicious pancakes are the reason I’ve never cared for the classic breakfast diner gut buster short stack. I like my syrup where I can see it not swallowed by dough. This is the taste of my childhood, the flavor and feeling of […]
I made this sorbet a month or so ago but then the arctic blast came and I thought who wants sorbet during a snow storm? I know, it’s only winter in the northern hemisphere but are there pears in Australia? Yes Virginia there are pears in Australia (thanks Internets)! Not that I used actual pears […]
This complex and flavorful homemade granola with ginger and apricot is the perfect solution to the overly sweet granolas found in the grocery store. Make a big batch and store it in an airtight container and you’ve not only saved big bucks but managed to make something delicious and actually pretty nutritious. I’ve included a […]
One of my many wonderful cousins stopped by yesterday for an early dinner on her way to an organic seed conference. As it was also her birthday dessert seemed mandatory. Fortunately I was told that butter is okay, nay- encouraged.
You will see this cookie again, like the spiced butterscotch sauce contained within this cookie’s delectably crispy shell, it will return. Under normal circumstances I would just pack the extras off to the Mr’s office but I made no resolutions this year so I am free to experiment. So with my brain sugar glazed and […]
No pots or pans required. This weekday blueberry vanilla oatmeal is made in one bowl in the microwave in five minutes-blueberries frozen or fresh, always fancy, always delicious New year, the soft drumming of vague resolutions ringing in my ears, no time to fuss with fancy breakfast and a distinct craving for simple comfort. Enter […]
I know, I know. Homemade marshmallows are so three years ago. But gourmet marshmallows are freaking expensive no matter how pretty they look and homemade marshmallows are like a blank canvas, the possibilities are endless.
I’ve eaten more marshmallows in the last two days than I have in years. I don’t buy things like marshmallows because then I will eat them simply because they are there. But this is different. These are for gifts. These are homemade. And they are minis, so they barely count. And… These have fresh squeezed […]
It’s been cold here this week. I’ve had to take the hummingbird feeder inside to thaw and one particularly possessive hummingbird has been guarding the nectar, dive bombing another birds that dare to sip. While cold sugar water isn’t my thing hot liquor water can be and so the winter warmers continue.
Outside frightful. Coffee infused rum, delightful. Add a frothy cloud of warm eggnog and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. On days like this, when the roads are slick and the rooftops are white with snow, I can feel just a teensy bit less guilty for making a cocktail in the middle […]
Ah, holiday leftovers. What to do with the turkey, the ham, the cranberries? The cranberries. The delicious tart and oh so good for you cranberries. Add butter and cream of course.
make ahead roasted cranberry sauce One cranberry sauce with booze and one without. These easy oven roasted cranberry sauces continue to be my go to cranberry recipes year after year. The best part is how simple it is to make them as much as five days ahead of time so you can save yourself one […]
There is a soft rain falling, not even really rain, just a cloud brought down to earth and even though I haven’t had breakfast yet I’m going to bake some cookies. Some spicy, gingery, these have to be made every year or there will be protests cookies Tuba Christmas rehearsals have been going on at […]
Mom’s Baked Egg Custard: My Comfort Food A few weeks ago I made a commitment to myself to get back to blogging. Shortly thereafter my mother had ‘routine’ heart surgery. Two days later I was holding my mother’s hand when that same heart stopped beating. And then it was my birthday. It seems impossible that […]
The second batch with additional caramel apple sauce and no fresh chopped apple. Topped with a bit of caramel sauce and a slice of apple before baking. The first batch, with chopped apples. These muffins were made by request. A birthday gift. A chance for me to get in touch with my inner […]
