Category: family favorites
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Deep Dish Shepherd’s Pie & The Writing Life
At book readings and events, I’ve been asked to describe ‘the writing life’. As with many professions, from the outside, it looks pretty good. And it is. I am lucky to be home with my kids and, in theory, to work in my pajamas. (Note: I do not ever work in my pajamas. Just not… Read more
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Gluten Free Zucchini & Parmesan Fritters & Coming Home
While we were away the dog managed to chew the following items: -a widow flip-flop (its partner never returned from a sailing trip last summer) -an “indestructible” dog chew toy (note: indestructible, noun, see: leak-proof travel mug) -the electric bill -the replacement for the electric bill -the next replacement for the electric bill The good… Read more
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Crispy Broccoli Florets & Healthy Eating
About this time of year we are inundated with ads and suggestions about shedding holiday pounds or resuming/beginning healthy habits. I’m not here to tell you to do that. I am here to tell you that once you make these little crispy, lightly salted*, perfect for picking at snack, your desire for chips or brownies… Read more
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Funky Monkey Cake (Banana Cake with Chocolate and Vanilla Layers) & Cake for Breakfast
Lest you being to think I’m the mom who force-fed my children kale from birth, I’ll have you know I am a big fan of cake or puddings for breakfast. First of all, this makes my life fairly easy in the morning. Second of all, CAKE FOR BREAKFAST! There’s nothing magic about scones or muffins… Read more
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Latkes (Crispy Potato Pancakes) & Positive Energy
Without sounding all yoga, I have the following to say: It takes just as much energy to be and say negative things as it does positive. This time of year – but really in all seasons – life is much more enjoyable when we spread kindness and joy. That is all. That, and the best… Read more
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Pasta Nero di Seppia, Garlic-Caper Sauce, and Italian White Beans & Pantry Suppers
As we get further into winter here, I begin to hunker down. Nothing says cozy and resourceful like a pantry supper. At least twice a week I try and use what I’ve already got in the pantry as the main part of our dinner. The green were from our farm share, washed, very well dried,… Read more
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Maple Cream & Creepy Kid Books
Who doesn’t love Goodnight Moon? The soothing words, the simple reassurance of saying goodnight to objects, the perfect length book – not too short, not epic like Cars & Trucks & Things that Go. My grandmother read it to my father, my mother read it to me, I read it to my kids. My husband… Read more
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Eton Mess (Meringue Crumble with Vanilla Custard and Berries) & Holiday Traditions
We grew up hacking down a grand pine tree in the woods at my grandparent’s house, schlepping it back to their house, and adorning the branches with glitter-coated stars and peaceful doves; the decorations of Jews who have Christmas trees. Why did we have a tree? The answer is simple and not. Simply, the trees… Read more
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Amaranth Polenta with Leeks and Greens & Good & Evil
I’m the kind of nice person who might make you roll your eyes. I escort old ladies across the street. I’ve taught my kids to bring errant trashcans tossed on their sides back to driveways for people we don’t know. When the preschool sent out a plea for a family in need, I made them… Read more
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Whole Grain Pumpkin Bread & Parenting Pre-teens
My bedroom door swings open. “Jamie, please knock next time,” my husband tells our 12 1/2 year old. A shrug. “So, you want to know something weird?” This is one of Jamie’s lead-ins. He appears most nights, often remembering to knock, after the other kids are asleep. Sometimes he has a specific question (“Can you… Read more
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Whole Grain Pumpkin Twists with Maple Glaze & Welcome to the Well-Cooked Life
Whole Grain Pumpkin Twists with Maple Glaze & Welcome to the Well-Cooked Life Those who know me (either personally or through my books or blog) know that I love fall. Autumn colors make me look like I have food poisoning, but the foods of fall – apples, pumpkins, seeds, kale – are perfect for cooking… Read more
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Whole Grain Double Apple Breakfast Cake & Parenting
You know you want this. We have a two snack per day rule in our house (gasp!) and one of those snacks must be fruit (double gasp!). We started this when the kids were very young and now that 3 of the 4 are old enough to be in charge of their own school or… Read more
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Rosh Hashanah Recipe 2 & Happy New Year!
Rosh Hashana Recipe & Happy New Year Read more
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Recipes for Rosh Hashanah Part 1 & Faith & Multi-tasking
This morning Will, 4, asks for paper so he can make a book about “Evan the Horse.” He knows no one named Evan nor do we have a horse. The paper comes from my office and the book involves wobbly letters written in no particular order and lots of tape. Julia has a fever and… Read more
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Tomato-Cheddar Cornmeal Crust Tart & Hurricane Pie
Q: What happens when you visit the in-laws for vacation but the East Coast shuts down because of Irene*? A: You come home with four kids and a hairy beast and a soggy husband and scrounge. The shelves look like Soviet markets circa 1982 or my older brother’s fridge that first year out of college… Read more