Petit World: Where are we from?

Introducing the Petit World series, which will feature faces, places, and other cultural aspects of life from across the globe. Can you guess the ethnic group and country of the beautiful women pictured below? I had the pleasure of meeting them a few years ago while on assignment. Hint: We are mainly agripastoral people. In the… Read More

Ratatouille Spirals

I love cooking, but what’s even more fun is cooking together with a friend who loves to cook just as much as I do. Last week a friend of mine who is an excellent cook, baker and hostess suggested we prepare a dish together. She shared a lovely recipe for ratatouille spirals and within seconds… Read More

Étiquette

The attributes of a great lady may still be found in the rule of the four S’s: Sincerity, Simplicity, Sympathy and Serenity.  — Emily Post When I was a young girl I received a small book about charm and etiquette for my birthday. It was written for young girls about my age, approximately 12, and… Read More

Blackberry Crumb Muffins

Two old Bachelors were living in one house; One caught a Muffin, the other caught a Mouse.  —Edward Lear Families across Europe and North America celebrate the arrival of warm weather with berry-picking expeditions. First luscious strawberries, then dusky blueberries, and finally fragile raspberries and plump blackberries later in season. Sprinkled whole over ice cream… Read More

Clair de Lune

The true joy of a moonlit night is something we no longer understand. Only the men of old, when there were no lights, could understand the true joy of a moonlit night. ― Yasunari Kawabata It’s 3:00 a.m.  A teething baby in need of soothing has kept me awake.  It’s now silent, finally, in my home… Read More