We all know it’s coming……. super dry air, harsh winds, and bone-chilling cold. Living in a northern state, our skin is certainly at a disadvantage. It seems every winter, my bare white legs can’t hold the moisture I give them, and the hot showers that feel so good only make it worse. My face seems […]
November 16, 2015
this … It’s been years since I’ve been sidelined from a bad cold, but a little bug turned into a giant wollop this week. I’m having to miss a special dinner with girlfriends tonight, one last feast with our favorite chef who is on his way out. Grab me a kleenex for those tears, along […]

November 6, 2015
this … Two years ago I stumbled upon Crista’s blog: Peace, Love, Quinoa, then proceeded to chat with her via Twitter about the Minnesota charm she missed, where she lived before moving to Chicago and Denver. She was a hair stylist, I was a marketer, yet we both loved cooking, plants, and fun adventures. When she mentioned […]

Tags: Apples
November 4, 2015
this … Fall always sneaks up on me quite quickly. With the flip of a switch, the days go from stifling hot to dry and cold, howling winds plucking the leaves from trees like thieves. I’ve been thinking a lot about the change of seasons lately, how it impacts our daily activities, the food we put on […]

October 29, 2015
this … Well, my first girls “glamping” weekend is in the books. Fun doesn’t even do justice to how great of a time we had at Camp Wandawega, an old speakeasy & brothel deep in the Wisconsin woods turned camp resort in the 1950’s. I’ll be sharing the whole experience in a separate post, but think […]

October 27, 2015
Making Pie with Squash instead of Pumpkin Although pumpkin is lovely, I’m glad to see more people of replacing it with squash in autumn treats like pie. Not only do I think the taste is richer and less vegetal, but because squash has a lower water content, the texture is creamier. Adapted from the Delicata […]

October 15, 2015
What is shrub syrup? Fruit shrubs, a fermented sweet and sour drinking tonic, are made today the same way as they were in the colonial days, when lack of refrigeration required creativity to enjoy ripe fruit even during the cold winters. They aren’t difficult to make, and can be especially hydrating. Shrubs are truly delicious, […]

Tags: Apples
October 13, 2015
this … Can we all just agree that October should officially be the month of all things squash? It was just a little over a year ago that my cookbook came out, I’m as smitten now as I’ve ever been. Instead of hoarding Halloween treats, I’m hoarding all my favorite varieties of squash. The mister […]

October 10, 2015
this … Since I’ve been traveling a lot lately, my meals at home are more comfort driven than ever. I crave a slow evening with a warm meal, a glass of wine, and Brian at my side…….. just as much as I crave being in the moment while away, and enjoying a fresh, authentic shrimp […]

October 7, 2015
this … One month ago today, I boarded a plane to Cordova, Alaska, ready to explore the Copper River Delta and the sustainable wild salmon industry, one that has resulted in an ever-replenishing supply for generations to come. Little did I know it was going to be so much more than that. A trip that would truly change […]

October 5, 2015
Whether it’s flan, custard, a budino, or panna cotta, one thing I know is true…… the first spoonful is always the dreamiest. Now that fall is here, you probably know that squash is on my mind – all the time. I prefer it over pumpkin for sweet applications, with a denser texture, and deeper flavor when roasted. […]

October 1, 2015
this … How do you define a great meatball? In my mind, they’re a lot of things. Seared and browned on the outside, giving way to a juicy, fluffy interior. They aren’t laden with tomato sauce because you miss the robust flavors, in this case cumin that is freshly ground with your mortar and pestle […]

September 24, 2015