musings about food, travel, creativity and life
These last few weeks, I have been needing inspiration. I felt I wanted a little adventure, but I couldn’t put my finger on where. Then I got an image of biscotti from Gayle’s Bakery in Capitola. THAT’s what I wanted and where I wanted to […]
Autumn comes slowly and gently here in Carmel Valley. I can feel it, that’s for sure…I’m a little wistful, a little more moody. The light is more subtle, with the camel colored hills providing a soft background to the dark green oaks. But here and […]
“What I like best about San Francisco is San Francisco.” —Frank Lloyd Wright It was time. Time to visit my childhood hometown of San Francisco. And to even stay over a few nights in the Marina District—woo-hoo! I got to see Golden Gate Bridge, hear the […]
Hi Everyone and Welcome Back! As I look out our window across Carmel Valley, the first thing I see is our Satsuma plum tree. It is my nature calendar. Right now it is signaling the end of its harvest season with its west-facing branches turning […]
“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” Wassily Kandinsky, painter Sun Valley and nearby Ketchum are filled with summer color. Flower boxes and hanging baskets line the main streets and shopping areas. And many stores, as well, provide oases […]
It’s that time of year for salads. And how I love the mix and match of making them—easy put-together adventures for hot, and sometimes smokey, summer evenings. These last two weeks, we’ve had a couple of fun combos. Each offered varied tastes, textures […]
I’m feeling inspired. Inspired by the beauty of Sun Valley, by the hope of life reemerging, and by the gifts of words that seem to abound right now in this little mountain town. First, there are all the words and sayings I serendipitously happen onto […]
We just arrived in Sun Valley– our first out-of-state destination in a year and a half! As we drove through California into the Sierras I was in transition mode. I was still thinking about home. On our second day of travel I was more present. We […]
Like some of you perhaps, I have been slow to do any indoor entertaining. But this past week, a friend returning to California provided the perfect impetus to finally break into the next stage of life on the planet. Since it was going to […]
I have a slight polka dot fetish. I have polka dot plates, bowls, egg cups, napkins, silverware, salt and pepper shakers, pillows, clothes, ceramic critters and and even a doll that I made. What can I say? Polka dots just make me happy. So what […]
Around our little garden in Carmel Valley, John has created all kinds of paths. This last year, I rediscovered […]
Spring continues to bring us longer days, greener hills, wildflowers, and hope. As I step out into the world, I’m aware of having to make decisions again. Choices. For over a year, our decision making was circumscribed. In a way, our lives were simpler, quieter. […]
What a joy food is…and how fortunate we are to be able to enjoy it in so many ways. After many months of mainly at-home eating, this week we broke loose a little and enjoyed a few eating-out adventures—FUN! Sitting outdoors, savoring some favorite […]
Here we are…emerging from what has been an historic time. As I slowly peek out from under the covers, I want to take stock. I want to move forward, keeping what was good about “then.” And I want to look for the good and right […]
“When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say?”–George Carlin We are a cheese loving household. Growing up, I loved watching my Nonno grate massive amounts of Parmagiano cheese for my grandmother’s pasta […]