In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. – Albert Camus Marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year, the winter solstice occurs for the Northern Hemisphere in December and for the Southern Hemisphere in June. Around the world, it has played an important role in cultures—from ancient… Read More
The Most Beautiful Sounds
In a recent issue of Reader’s Digest, there was a column called “Finish this Sentence.” The sentence to finish was “The Most Beautiful Sound in the World is…” I found it interesting to read people’s responses that ranged from the sound of children giggling to frogs croaking in a marsh to silence in a war… Read More
Three Little Birds
Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. ~ Murphy’s Law Edward Murphy probably never imagined that his statement would someday become law. The old adage now symbolizes the error-prone nature of people and processes. If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the… Read More
Buckwheat Polenta Fleurettes with Tapenade Noir
I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. ~ Harlan Miller Hors d’oeuvres, starters, amuses-bouche, bites, finger food—no matter what you call them, these savory fleurettes—perfect for holiday parties or any gathering—lend opulence to your holiday table. Buckwheat, with its bold characteristics, adds flavor and texture to… Read More
Wheat Berries and Roasted Delicata Squash Salad
A significant amount of clutter in our homes could be eliminated simply by being more mindful in the present. ~ Erin Dolan, of the blog Unclutterer I hate clutter. It wears me down and makes me feel like I need fresh air, or a long nap. I’m not meticulously neat, but I love clutter-free spaces—organized… Read More
À Table!
Take your pleasure seriously. ~ Charles Eames In French, à table literally means “at the table”. Equivalent to “lunch (or dinner) is ready,” the phrase, à table!, is used in many French homes to let people know when the meal is ready to be eaten. The first time I heard of this phrase, I knew I wanted… Read More