Birthday Memories and Grilled Shrimp Scampi

We just celebrated my son’s birthday. As I’ve been doing since my sons were celebrating their first trips around the sun, I prepared the dinner that he requested. Birthdays have always been kind of a big deal in our family. When the boys were growing up, there was the “friends party” and the family dinner.… Continue reading Birthday Memories and Grilled Shrimp Scampi

Those Lazy, Hazy, Salad Days of Summer

Nat King Cole sang about “Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer” touting the pleasures of soda, pretzels, and beer along with weenies, beaches, girls in bikinis, and drive-ins. It was the early 60’s and I was bursting into my teenage years. I was old enough to know that the song was corny, but young… Continue reading Those Lazy, Hazy, Salad Days of Summer

Eataly: Been There, Done That, Got the Tee Shirt

I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Cooking is my passion. I love the creativity and adventure of coming up with a new dish or a fresh take on an old one. I guess I would qualify as a  “foodie,” what ever that actually means. I also love going to the grocery store,… Continue reading Eataly: Been There, Done That, Got the Tee Shirt

Summer Country, Corn, and Chowder

My school bus route this summer takes me out to the country. I spend close to three hours a day riding past farms and corn fields which gives me more than enough time for reflection. I’m a semi-city girl and my experiences with home-grown corn came from my grandfather’s and then my Uncle Andy’s gardens.… Continue reading Summer Country, Corn, and Chowder

Triple Shot Pork Ribs

For many of us, coffee helps make the world go around. My morning doesn’t begin until I’m on my second cup and I know that I am not alone. But coffee definitely isn’t just for breakfast any more. Starbucks has seen to that. Coffee also isn’t just for drinking either. Ice cream and any other… Continue reading Triple Shot Pork Ribs