Season’s Greetings and a Sad Farewell

As many of you know, my mother passed away peacefully this morning. She courageously fought a battle with cancer for more than 20 years, and while she lost the battle for her life, she won the hearts and spirits of many people along the way. She died a good death—at home, surrounded by family, with minimal intervention from doctors. But a death is a death all the same, and even after a good, long life well lived (she was 81), there is grieving to be done, and daughterly things that need to be… more

Recipe: Oyster Stew in 15 minutes

I remember loving oyster stew since I was a small girl. Frankly, it’s kind of like mother’s milk from the Earth and Sea. I know that sounds weird, but that’s how I felt about it today when I ate three bowls right before a long nap. I actually don’t like oysters very much. I prefer to swallow them whole. Chewing them is just too gross. But fresh oysters are essential to give the stew its oceany goodness. A few bowls and a few swallowed-whole oysters and I am one happy woman. My kids love the… more

Tags: oyster stew, Recipes

Last-Minute Christmas Shopping Gift Guide: Top 10 Online Sources

Here’s the sad truth: By the time you read this, I’m only just starting my holiday shopping. Most of it will be done online, with a few visits to my favorite local downtowns for some in-person holiday spirit. If you’re in a similar boat, here is my top-10 list of online stores for great gifts:

1. 2noteperfumery.com—I found this little store in Portland, Maine, this summer, and now I buy from them online all the time. It’s a shame you… more

Magazines Won’t Die, But Here Is Why I Love the Internet

Last week I wrote about why I believe magazines won’t die. And it’s still true. But ironically, writing that made me love the Internet even more. Here’s why: Within minutes of posting, I had a nice email from the editor of Garden and Gun magazine. Then, four other blogs picked up my post. I checked Twitter and people were tweeting my blog like crazy—more than any other blog I’ve written… more

Tags: blogging, blogs, internet, magazines, publishing

Recipe: Clean out the Refrigerator (and Pantry) Minestrone Soup

It’s amazing what a good, quick soup you can make from stuff you might otherwise throw out, as I was reminded last night. You don’t need meat. You don’t need bouillon cubes or anything fake like that. All you need is an assortment of food and a pot. And it only takes about a half hour.

Start with a big pot and put some olive oil in it. Then add something oniony. (I used dried-up old leeks. Always cut away all the bad parts of whatever you use!) Then cut up… more

Tags: minestrone, Recipes, soup