Every summer of my childhood my family would load up in the Suburban (six kids, two adults, often a dog, fish, or cat (Oreo had six kittens under my sisters bed one summer!), trunks full of clothes, and a bag full of jelly bellies and
Continue ReadingI'm pulling out all the fancy French words! Poisson en Papillote simply means fish cooked in foil! A French-chef secret! It is so easy and flavorful and did I say
Continue ReadingHow do we "muscle" through in this life when faced with our egg-shell reality? What I mean is how do we endure the unpredictability and painful parts of being human- devastating tornadoes, cancer, terrorism, financial crisis, marital disappointments, terrific grief, doubts about who we are and
Continue ReadingWhat is Summer without fresh pesto! It is truly my go-to for everything! Not only is it the easiest, freshest, and most healthy thing to make, but it gives any dish star power! I make a big batch of pesto nearly ever week and stir
Continue Reading“At the center of our being is a point of nothingness which is untouched by sin and by illusion, a point of pure truth, a point or spark which belongs entirely to God. … It is the pure glory of God in us.” -Thomas
Continue ReadingI love all things Moroccan: A little Humphrey Bogart from Casablanca, mint tea in a Marrakech garden surrounded by fruit and olive trees, magical doors carved in the shape of keyholes, brightly colored scarves and baboush slippers in every color of the rainbow, tabriz rugs
Continue ReadingIf the French poets, theologues, and artists were becoming "enlightened" in a Grand Dame's salon or cozied up in a Parisian Cafe on the Boulevard Saint Germain, you could surely find the English, pint of ale in hand, matching wits at pubs like the "The
Continue ReadingEverything sounds better in Italian! This is my secret weapon for a quick, yummy dinner that I can whip up in 20 minutes and have my motley crew hollering delizioso! The beauty of this pasta is you can add whatever inspires you to make the
Continue ReadingTake a look at this picture. This is a wise beyond her years six year old who has more courage, resilience, and "living hope" in her small frame than most of us could muster in an entire lifetime. Meet Mae! Not once, but twice she has taken
Continue ReadingI can remember in my Junior Tennis days running what was surely my 50th suicide drill on the tennis court, and hearing my coach yelling those words across the court, "no pain, no gain." I didn't like the phrase then (or the suicide drills) and
Continue Reading