Joyfully Retired

Here is Northern California I saw my first bit of corn at the Farmer’s Market last weekend. The big harvest can’t be too far behind. My husband picked up some at the grocery store but it’s not the same thing to us. I’m ready for the real thing.
I’ve always been a cook who takes the [...]

I think of myself as a savvy shopper of fresh vegetables and fruits. After all, I tell myself, I’ve grown most of these items. I should be able to tell when a tomato will have that perfect “from-the-garden” taste. But, I’ve been wrong. I also find the farmers market full of vegetables and fruits that [...]

Last weekend, when I was still in Southern California (I’m back up north now), my nephew Bob took my mom and me to a great hotdog place. He knows how much I like to go to the places featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, so off we went to visit Fab Hot Dog in Reseda, [...]

Most home cooks who began their cooking careers when I did know how to make potato salad. It was a summer dish we were expected to have in our repertoire. But that’s not a bad thing.
Every year my husband and I will hit a day in early summer when one of us says, “It feels [...]

I hope everyone is having a wonderful long holiday weekend. This has always been a great time in the United States to remember the founding of our country. We celebrate other things as well, those things we have because of our country’s unique founding:  we celebrate our families, our friends, the great outdoors, the warm [...]

Gardening is in my DNA. My dad was a master gardener. He loved to plant vegetables most people never even heard of. Kohlrabi, anyone? I’ve had some gorgeous gardens in my lifetime too. Back in the seventies I had a quarter-acre devoted to vegetables, grapes and raspberries. I even grew our own popcorn.
Now, one of [...]