Category: Uncategorized
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Cinnamon-Sugar Pecans & Vending Machines
In Italy, the kids and I were barefoot, looking for a bathroom inside a seaside shack. “Look, is that underwear? In a vending machine?” Yes. And it should be noted that the underwear was red, sparkled, and bikini and all yours for a couple of Euro coins. In college, times were such that in the… Read more
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Honey-Soy Shrimp & Keeping Bees
“Do you make your own honey?” someone asked. I was at a book signing and had finished telling a story about taking the four kids to pick berries and how they help make raspberry jam. “Oh, no,” I said and when the person looked surprised I had to explain. Here is what I do: I… Read more
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Best Split Pea Soup Ever & Terrible Band Names
So the kids are talking at dinner, each one suggesting names for bands they haven’t created and which I am pretty sure no one wants to join. Jamie, almost a teenager says, “The Communists.” Daniel, 10 and still way into Star Wars, suggests, “Luke’s Dilemma.” Julia, 7, says, “Painted Pony.” When her brothers groaned, she… Read more
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Field of Greens Soup & What’s in a Name
super very so green lots o green top o the morning green I have never been able to think of a good name for this soup. For now, it’s Triple Green Soup which makes no sense because there are more than 3 greens in it. But Sextuplet Green Soup sounds creepy. Suggestions? UPDATE: The… Read more
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Vidalia Onion and Leek Tart with Whole Wheat Rosemary Crust & Parental Blame
Not one, but all four of my kids, have been walking around the house singing. Not that I mind. I’m a singer – in cars, as I walk down the street, while I cook. And yet, this singing my offspring are doing the past couple of weeks is…terrible. Off-key? No. Offensive lyrics? No (and I’m… Read more
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Roasted Tomatoes Cured in Olive Oil & 365 Things to Get Annoyed About
It’s so easy to find things annoying – the sound of gum chewing kills my oldest, Daniel can’t stand when people are out of tune, and I could write an essay about the crappy drivers who do the Boston-slow-down-without-fully-stopping-despite-the-stop-sign routine by my house. Remember that book? It filled the stockings of many and either makes… 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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Maple Sweet Potato Spoon Bread & Breasts
Our house was built in 1889. Roughly translated, this means no matter what temperature it is outside, inside is ten degrees colder. So we added a heat system clearly manufactured in hell because its strength and fire is unmatched. Set at 59 degrees, the house is tropical inside. As a result, despite the frigid outside… Read more
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Italian Gingerbread Cake with Brandy Butter & Masterpiece Theatre
On Sunday nights growing up, this song signaled that it was time for bed. At first I thought this was just cleverly timed – a gentle reverse alarm clock. As I grew, I realized my parents weren’t so much wanting me to get a good night’s sleep at the close of the weekend as they… 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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Creamy Winter Vegetable Soup & Chanukah Hugging Stars
I’ll be honest; I haven’t been underneath any mistletoe since a fantastically bad holiday party that led to an incredibly fun few weeks way back before I was married. We don’t have any mistletoe. What we do have thanks to Will the 4-year-old are hugging stars. What are they? Same concept, less prickly. He wanted… 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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Brown Sugar Sorghum Muffins & Yoga Nonsense
So, I’m a semi-recent yoga convert. And while I am grateful for the practice and enjoy my flexibility, I have some issues. Do I appreciate my toned back and newfound tolerance for way elevated heart rate meets ninety-two degree heat? Yes. Stretching, working hard, lifting one leg up high behind me while stretching one arm… Read more
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Double Quinoa and Collard Greens Pie & Eating Alone
I spend most of time with other people. Often, these humans are small and frustrate easily and see nothing wrong with digging for worms in the yard and running in to taste a dish with their wormy fingers. I’m a fan of dirt. And worms. And people. This weekend we had staggered some visits but… Read more