He called me “Kiddo”. I was in the grocery store, searching vainly in the “International” aisle for miso paste. Overwhelmed by the maze of jars and boxes, I looked around for some help. For some reason, the aisle was crowded with employees madly stocking shelves, ignoring me as I fumbled and fumed in my search … Read more
With all the emphasis on physical health, exercise and diet, you would think that we would be more concerned about resting our bodies. Oh I know that our bodies force us to fall into bed at regular intervals. But many of us struggle to fall asleep. We squeeze so much into the day and then … Read more
It’s a Rachel Ray recipe and she calls it “Stoup”. I call it “Scarborough Soup”. You will guess the reason why. Saute 2 chopped carrots, 2 garlic cloves (I use more but I love the stuff) 1 Zucchini ( I used yellow squash – it was pretty) 1 red pepper (or orange depending on your … Read more
I can’t let go of Christmas yet. I just can’t. Darkness comes way too early; I need that Christmas tree glowing in the corner, the lights twinkling on the mantle, the Baby snug in his manger. So I will celebrate Epiphany, January 6, not by tucking Christmas away as some do, but by extending it … Read more
My mother loved to be in the kitchen. Her baking skills were enhanced by the Christmas Spirit as we slid into December, usually pushed along by a rainstorm. It was a great time to keep the oven warm, staving off the dark chill of the year’s shortest days. And she did. Fruitcake – she loved … Read more
Endless varieties of this “stuff”. My favorite is bland and traditional, like my mother’s, but I’ve had it with various additions such as cornbread, pork, nuts and raisins. I’ve never met a stuffing I didn’t enjoy. Soaked in hot gravy, it’s irresistible, and great the next day, if you are delving into the leftovers from … Read more
I can just see the epitaph on my gravestone now. “In her 75th year of life, Rose conquered the attic.” It’s possible that a precipitous tumble down these creaky stairs might lead to my demise, but who cares? The kids aren’t around to stop me. I can’t possibly leave this mess for anyone else. And … Read more
We just spent a cozy night at Stonehurst Manor in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. After a drive north in the brilliance of autumn’s peak colors, we arrived at this favorite old spot. It’s like coming home to old family friends. They tucked us into a spacious and elegant room on the second floor, … Read more
The neverending question. It’s intriguing to remember the narrow options with which I grew up. Comparing notes with friends in my age bracket, I’m impressed with the similarities. Meatloaf. Fried chicken. Vegetable beef soup. Tuna casserole. Some concoction called goulash in my hometown out West, hot dish in Minnesota, and American Chop Suey here in … Read more
Some words just sound like what they are. I’m thinking of these two words, tedious and odious, as they relate to certain tasks. It’s funny about how I deal with some of the mundane jobs in my life. Tedious and odious tasks. Tasks that I put off, sometimes for weeks, because they are just plain … Read more