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Well, Hello Paris, La Ville de la Lumiere-The City of Light! I still couldn’t believe it, Paris, oh, La La! Four-thirty AM, awake and alert, no joke! That time zone business still biting me, waking me long before the city stirred. My family was zonked like zoo animals, wrapped in flannel sheets and huge comforters, completely out. I stood on my balcony again, totally enthralled by the sleeping city, its indescribably enchanting and fetching life surrounded and captured, as br

Valentine’s Day is about doing something that you adore and making a moment in time, then sharing it with those that matter most to you. Food has always done that better than words alone. A shared meal is especially endearing, whether it’s made as a surprise or prepared together for that special occasion and served enthusiastically. This dinner was designed to feel meaningful and unfussy, the kind of meal that invites conversation and remains long after the plates are cleared

SCALLOPS & LIME CREAM SAUCE Description: Delicate scallops are lightly seared to keep them tender, then finished with a soft lime cream sauce that adds brightness without overpowering their sweetness. They have that zing that makes you want to sing! So, dig in and don’t fight, these lovely mollusks are good to the last bite! Ingredients: 2 pounds sea scallops 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 Tablespoons Tony Chacheres Creole Seasoning 1 cup heavy cream Zest of 1 lime 1 tablespoon fr

Key Lime Pie Recipe: Description: A classic, tart, and creamy pie that lets fresh lime shine, she’ll make a pie thief come out of the woodwork, so beware, and guard yours closely! Ingredients for Crust: 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs ⅓ cup sugar 6 tablespoons melted salted butter Directions for Crust: 1. Preheat oven to 350°F.  2. Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.  3. Press firmly into a 9-inch pie plate.  4. Bake crust for 8 minutes and let cool slightl

A smooth and scrumptious margarita with fresh lime and homemade simple syrup and a little Cointreau twist. Don’t expect a drop to be left, there never is! Simple Syrup: ½ cup sugar ½ cup water Margarita: 1-ounce Cointreau 1 or 2-ounces tequila 1-ounce fresh lime juice 1-ounce simple syrup Rim: 2 Teaspoons kosher salt 1 Teaspoon lime juice Directions: 1. Simmer sugar and water until dissolved; cool completely.  2. Shake Cointreau, tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup with ice

Few treats are as timeless and indulgent as fresh strawberries dipped in rich, glossy chocolate. With their stems left on, these berries are easy to dip, elegant to serve, and perfect for special occasions, celebrations, or sharing with family and friends. The contrast of juicy, slightly tart strawberries and smooth gourmet chocolate creates a dessert that is both luxurious and nostalgic. Our family is wild about these simple berries dipped in milk chocolate or semi-sweet cho

Well hello Paris, Bonjour! You’d think I would’ve slept like a baby, but I couldn’t contain my excitement, yes, you got me, awake again at four AM and sneaking a peek out our Paris Balcony! I’d grown fond of the little store across the street and three stories down, I made up reasons to go in there, in some ways, it was like a 7-11, but it had its own little charm. Part of the reason was out front of the store, there were the most beautiful fresh rosy-red raspberries, plumb b

Well goodbye London, Hello Paris, Bonjour! Once again, I find myself awake at four AM, ready to explore. I burrowed into my covers, adjusting them to keep warm while reflecting on yesterday’s great adventure. From the moment we woke, we were on the move, visiting countless amazing landmarks. Here are a few highlights: a few highlights: (references from Wikipedia). The Palace of Westminster The Palace of Westminster is a masterpiece of dramatic spires and pointed arches. Know

Well, hello again London! I woke slowly, realizing we were still in London, its pageantry and grace charming us everywhere we looked. Yesterday we explored Paddington Station, its glamour, neighborhood spirit and transportation history stamped in time, opening in 1854 and designed by Isambard Brunel. It was also the home of a most adorable bear, Paddington, featured in numerous books and movies.  Our visit to Notting Hill was just as memorable with storybook streets, candy

Well,   hello London! I woke up hours before my family, it was dark outside, the booming fireworks from the night before settled in over me, we were celebrating the New Year in Europe! After arriving the day before, and an all-night flight, jet lag yanked the rug out from under us as we stayed up, not napping from our 7:30 AM flight on New Year’s Eve.  That morning, we had been all in for visiting the world famous Borough Market, tasting, window-shopping and soaking up the w

Our family yearned for a London/Paris trip as long as I can remember, but there’s something about being outside, sitting in quiet, listening to waves, stargazing, and dreaming that made it happen. We were home, planning, gathered round a roaring fire with crisp winter evening’s faint bite of cold brushing our cheeks. Voices carried our dreams across our back yard, across the water to London Bridge, The Eiffel Tower and beyond as tides moved gently under fading sky to make mag

New Year’s resolutions have long been meaningful traditions, offering time to pause, reflect, and look ahead. With the blog being developed these past few months, we’ve considered where we’ve been and where we hope to go, with a desire for growth, balance, and purpose. I’ve had so much fun working with our team, writing, gardening and cooking, which have dominated time. My favorite pics: Some of my resolutions concern health and choices I make every day. Like many people, I a

It seems like New Year’s Eve has always been with us, and it kind of has, at least since the 1800’s, where Americans gathered and celebrated, often influenced by European traditions of partying and merrymaking. By 1907, Americans welcomed and anticipated fireworks and feasts on the eve of the new year, and the resulting New York Times Square Waterford crystal LED ball drop in Manhattan has become a mainstay that we enjoy to this day.  By the late 19 th  century, drinking cham

Some of my earliest memories of cooking were of making ginormous pans of dressing for us and others. Mama had a certain way of making it and it never changed, she had gotten the recipe from her parents; a recipe that was passed down for generations. The scent of homemade cornbread, sausage, turkey dressing filled our home with an indelible memory stamped deeply in my brain. It seems like the smell enveloped the air, my hair, my clothes and everything in between as it hit me

My mama made Turkey Gravy like she was a pro, and I guess she was, having made it since she was a young girl, taking great pride in it, something we were eternally thankful for. Believe or not, gravy can be one of the trickiest things to pull off, and it plays such a pivotal part of the meal. The stock is glorious, but can be difficult to find turkey necks, legs, or parts before Thanksgiving or Christmas, but once you capture them, run home and start cooking, there’s others l

Deviled eggs have always been part of our holiday table, they’re that irresistible appetizer you can grab on the go with your hands before anyone is the wiser. The bacon topper is that bit of crunch and allure that makes the whole crowd gravitate to that plate of smoky goodness. Be it Easter brunch, a Christmas spread, or a gathering in between, these creamy little bites always seem to bring smiles and familiar comfort. The moment the eggs are halved, and the centers are scoo

Ah, the glorious Christmas sugar cookies, ones that we’ve made in my family for the past three decades. Now, these aren’t just any sugar cookies, these have that deeply satisfying, rich creamy butter struck through them, that warm, smoky taste of vanilla, and fine granulated sugar with a touch of lemon zest on the inside. The outside is even better, the real secret lies here, that’s what takes it over the top. It’s that scrumptious icing that puts this little jewel in a class

The wedge salad is a beauty in a lane all by itself. Our family has eaten it for eons and one of us usually asks for it; they’re having a hankering that nothing else will satisfy. Its distinctive promise is that it isn’t like almost any other salad, it’s unique and one-of-a-kind. After all, lettuce is the main star and is lovely, full of fiber and low in calories, and has the honor of being one of the most consumed vegetables in the world, mostly due to being chock full of vi

Growing up, it seems like the smell of broccoli rice casserole has always been with me. There wasn’t a Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday that it wasn’t on the table and rated high, right up there with the turkey and dressing or ham and dressing. I was never sure if that stupendous smell was any one of those other dishes baking, as I sneaked a quick oven door opening while mama wasn’t looking. A waft of heaven floated out as I shut it fast, not wanting to risk getting caught.

My childhood revolved around picking out, decorating and adoring our Christmas tree. There were live ones that drew all of us kids to the living room, aluminum ones with a color wheel, flocked snow-covered ones, and artificial ones. The best were the live. We’d race there and sit under the tree, savoring that clean, fresh pine smell that made us quiver with anticipation of what was to come. Pretty soon we had a pen and paper, drawing up our Christmas list. Over the years ther