Beautiful Hike Outside Portland, OR
June 29, 2016
While Robert and I were in Portland, Oregon visiting my stepson Adam, after consuming some scrumptious local ice cream (see my last post), he drove us about 30 minutes outside the city, up the Columbia River and into the beautiful Gorge for a hike to see the tallest waterfall in Oregon – Multnomah Falls. Along… Read more »
Exploring Portland, OR – food trucks & ice cream!
June 27, 2016
During our camping trip in the Pacific Northwest, Robert and I spent a few days in Portland, OR visiting with my stepson Adam, who recently moved there. One day, Adam toured us around to some of his favorite food haunts. First on the list was a food truck “pod” – a surface lot where a… Read more »
Recipes and Menus for Your Next BBQ
May is national BBQ month! Days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer, so what better time to gather friends and family together for a casual, fun dinner. Here are some of my favorite dishes to serve this time of year – a variety of main dishes as well as the perfect sides… Read more »
A Well-Seasoned Kitchen Remodel
January 25, 2016
What does a cookbook author, public speaker and cooking class instructor’s dream kitchen look like? Read on! After seven years of living with a kitchen that felt like it was being held together with bubble gum and duct tape, Robert and I decided to remodel our kitchen. Exciting! I got to plan my dream kitchen!… Read more »
Amalfi Hike and Cooking Class Dinner
August 26, 2015
One of our favorite adventures while vacationing on the Amalfi coast was to go on a hike to a local organic farm where we were treated to a cooking class dinner. Our hotel, the Grand Hotel Convento, was on the side of a large hill, just on the outskirts of the town of Amalfi. Our… Read more »
Two Food Favorites on the Amalfi Coast (Italy)
July 6, 2015
When Robert and I visited the Amalfi coast in Italy, our guide Giocondo Cavellieri introduced us to two very special restaurants. The first one is actually a pastry shop: Pasticcerie Pansa Owned and managed by the Pansa brothers (one is there in the morning, the other in the afternoon), this darling place is full of… Read more »
Traditional Rome Restaurants
June 30, 2015
When Robert and I were in Rome, we ate primarily at restaurants serving traditional Roman fare. Robert had never been to Italy, and wanted to experience classic foods and dishes. Our two favorites were Checcino dal 1887 and La Campana. Checchino dal 1887 This restaurant was recommended by my college friend, Italian food and wine… Read more »
Food Tour of Rome
June 26, 2015
While my husband Robert and I were in Rome on vacation, one evening our fabulous travel agent and best friend Katey Hartwell organized for us a “food tour” through the neighborhoods of Trastevere and the Jewish Ghetto. Our darling guide Francesca met us at the Piazza Campio de Fiori, along with two other American couples… Read more »
Top 10 tips for creating a dinner party menu
People often tell me they think the most difficult part of entertaining is determining what to serve. Growing up in a household with dinner parties once a week – sometimes even more often! – I learned a lot from my mom, the consummate hostess. Over the years, I’ve honed my techniques, learned from others, and… Read more »
Seating guests at a dinner party
Enjoying the company of others around the dinner table might be considered one of life’s delights. Though, inevitably, as your guests approach the table – someone will ask “Where shall we sit?” Having a plan ahead of time can smooth the evening, elicit engaging conversation and create a memorable affair. Here, I offer some guidelines… Read more »
