perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Many welcome the new year with self-improvement. For some its dry-anuary (not this girl) or a new fitness program (I already have a good one in place). For me, I decided I’d embrace forward-thinking-February leading into mindful-March. I’ve been working on the power of positive thought and the laws of attraction for some time, but this year, in a
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
When it comes to entertaining, is it time to get back in the saddle? Restrictions seem to be lifting as quickly as things shut down. The big difference- two years have transpired. I’m eager to embrace this new normal (whatever that means) but I am finding I am also filled with a good dose trepidation. I’ve come to realize that one of the major
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food detective
I can’t believe Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. I don’t know about you, but my January wasn’t what I’d envisioned. I was really looking forward to a fresh start to the new year. Hitting the town, trying new restaurants, entertaining, dressing up. Instead, everything seemed to once again take an insular turn. I was hoping getting back
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food detective
What to do with a world that seems to have turned itself on its side… again? One thing’s for sure people’s nerves are frayed, tensions are rising, civility seems at an all-time low. My infrequent outings are often greeted with toddler meltdowns by people who are old enough to be their parents or grandparents. Just the other day I was berated
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cooking for one... or two
Who thought we would be back here to ring in the new year? With holidays and flights cancelled and tempers rising, it might just be time to whip up a teeny indulgence for one or two. This recipe from Melissa Clark is the bomb. A fresh sour cream and onion dip decadently dressed with fresh salmon roe, served up with crunchy potato chips. Every
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food detective
You know when you see people on social media, and they seem like they have it all together? I have to confess I was feeling a little high on my holiday horse and thought I’d flaunt my newly acquired baking skills for my next post. I was inspired earlier this month by the NYT’s interactive article on the 24 Days of Cookies. Being a crunchy salty
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food detective
Having five adult children, all with partners, most with dogs and two with children, coordinating the holidays could make one feel as if they were running traffic control over O’Hare. Early on my husband and I began a new tradition. If any of our children wanted to come visit, all they needed to do was pick a date and let us know what holiday they
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Want a fast and fun breakfast that’s a real crowd pleaser? This tortilla wrap, that showed up as an alert on my phone from the Food Network, is the bomb. Best part you can whip up a few, wrap them in foil and place in a just warm oven so folks can grab them and go. Or you can rise and shine and make them over a quiet cup of coffee to serve up when
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cooking for one... or two
I’m always on lookout for a standout meal that comes together in minutes. The prep for this one is done in about the time it takes to preheat the oven. You’ll find this crisp cheesy gratin unexpectedly light. Its array of bright ingredients delivers depth and refreshing complexity. The combination of seafood and cheese might surprise some. But on
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
What fun to keep the party going. When my daughter made the tough decision to downsize her wedding she asked if I would host a party for her Chicago friends later in the fall. My answer was a resounding yes! As the date approached my daughter reminded me that this was actually going to be a small wedding not simply a cocktail reception. Which
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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 →