what we're cooking
I truly missed all of our holiday traditions this spring. Mass at our church nestled in the San Jacinto mountains. Our annual adult Easter egg sprint in the backyard. Then a divine brunch up the hill. I’ve been longing for family, rituals and if I’m really honest with myself- deviled eggs. Deviled eggs are one of those things that just seem to
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food detective
Last year when we downsized, I went full out Marie Kondo. Purging felt exhilarating. Unpacking things that only brought me joy elating. Walking by air filled closets and half full drawers energizing. Then as the months passed, a few things tugged at my heartstrings and sensibilities. I have to be honest, I have a few regrets. People who know me
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hostess with the mostest hotel
The best part of having a vacation home is that people come to stay with you. One of the challenges is figuring out how to feed all of those vacationers in a way that doesn’t make you feel like hotel staff. Three meals a day for three days or more is a tall order. Breakfast for a crowd is my Achilles heel. It doesn’t matter how early I wake up
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
I’m not sure about you, but with a houseful over the holidays breakfast can really throw me for a loop. It doesn’t matter how well prepared I am, it’s as if the clock moves double time. I never quite get it together, and then all of a sudden, my ho ho ho begins to slip into a mumbled bah humbug. I am always on the quest to turn the first holiday
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food detective
This is probably the most incredible breakfast sandwich… ever. Best part you can make all the components a couple hours ahead of time, then it’s just a quick griddle until you plate it up. And while it’s uncommonly light and airy it’s actually pretty sturdy, so you can take this toasty on the road. If you feel the need to add a meat serve it on
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food detective
One of best parts of the holidays can be the ebb and flow of loved ones into your home… dinners crowded around the dining room table, sandwich fixings splayed across the kitchen counter for lunch, and then there’s breakfast. Let’s be honest- that first meal of the day be a real challenge. Almost every morning my Norwich terrier and I share an egg.
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food detective
As the countdown for the eclipse approached, I wondered how best to mark this extraordinary event. The moon was scheduled to block out the sun at 2:28 on Monday afternoon. Not the time I typically entertain. Then an idea came to me the night before just like a flash in the dark. With my Amazon procured ISO certified glasses in hand, I asked my
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
This Christmas morning I served up one of the best breakfast brunches of all time. A while back I stumbled upon a recipe for hash using leftover stuffing from the night before. I thought how incredible this would this be with my grandmother’s sausage stuffing topped with poached eggs. But let’s be serious who has the time or wherewithal to whip up
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
When my adult children come home I find myself wanting to resurrect our old family memories. Breakfasts were always a big deal for my girls growing up at our small breakfast table for three. Chocolate chip pancakes, steel cut oatmeal, smoked salmon on bagels, and the ever-present poached egg. It used to drive
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Another holiday weekend is upon us, happily for some of us that means another full house. Which most likely means offering up breakfast, lunch and dinner, several days in a row. The trick is figuring out a way to show your guests you care while not pushing yourself over the cliff. For me breakfast and brunch have always been a bit of a bear.
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Wherever I find myself, I’m happiest with a full dining room table. As a former professional chef and caterer I want to share what I’ve learned over the past three decades of entertaining. On this site you’ll find tricks of the trade to help even the most harried of you pull off a seemingly seamless fête. Come join the conversation! read more →