We have been fortunate here in New England to have had the pleasure of a lovely summer not too hot with adequate rain. Followed by a warm fall with more than enough rain into November to encourage healthy root growth for a vibrant spring next year. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this weather foretells a mild winter – we can only hope, but yet again this is New … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips for Early December from ‘The English Lady’
Columnists
A la Carte: A Delicious New Twist on Turkey Left-Overs
If you are reading this on Wednesday with your morning coffee and you are lucky enough to have scored a Thanksgiving dinner at someone else’s house tomorrow, you are like me. I was asked to make two pies (one apple, one pumpkin), green beans and corn bread. In any case, I will be making these things this evening and all I need to do is show up an hour ahead of the dinner … [Read more...] about A la Carte: A Delicious New Twist on Turkey Left-Overs
A la Carte: More About Pie, Plus a Tart for Vegetarians
Okay, my friend, Lisa, suggested what I make for Thanksgiving: two pies—one apple and one pumpkin. Easy-peasy. Also green beans and corn bread. I also want to let you know that I am not going away for the holiday, just a short drive down I-95. So, if you have questions, think of me as your own Butterball Hotline. You have my e-mail below the column, so if you have a … [Read more...] about A la Carte: More About Pie, Plus a Tart for Vegetarians
Letter From Paris: Antony Blinken Has Major Advantage Being Bilingual at Helm of US Foreign Policy
Never before has a US Secretary of State been as utterly bilingual as Antony Blinken. Granted, two of the Founding Fathers of America also had special relationships with France. But Benjamin Franklin was 70 when he was appointed ambassador to Paris in 1776. For nine years, he resided in Passy and became a real Parisian. Thomas Jefferson was 41 when he planted his roots … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Antony Blinken Has Major Advantage Being Bilingual at Helm of US Foreign Policy
A View From My Porch: A Primer on the American Rescue Plan, What’s Happening to the Money in Old Lyme
Over the past several months, the regional media have covered American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding decisions made in several Southeast Connecticut communities. On July 26, the New London Day carried the headline, “American Rescue Plan Funding Floods Southeastern Connecticut.” Even before that, on June 15, Old Lyme’s First Selectman Timothy Griswold reported, “The American … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: A Primer on the American Rescue Plan, What’s Happening to the Money in Old Lyme
A la Carte: Three Columns Today: Perfect Pie Crust, Shepherd’s Pie & Ginger Chicken Hash
Is it too soon to talk about pie? I do not think so. Thanksgiving is just under three weeks away. For many years I made the crusts from scratch. The best recipe was given to me by Deb Jensen, who lived in Stonington and had a couple of restaurants in the borough. But before that, she had a restaurant in New York City that, if I remember correctly, was called Pie in the … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Three Columns Today: Perfect Pie Crust, Shepherd’s Pie & Ginger Chicken Hash
The Movie Man: A Ticket to ‘Dune’ is Worth Every Penny
There is nothing groundbreaking about Dune (think special effects or storytelling). But every technique invoked was done in the proper manner. I was beyond satisfied with every choice made in production. Cinematography, music, acting, editing … it was all done right. I cannot emphasize enough how pleased I was with this adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi novel. While … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: A Ticket to ‘Dune’ is Worth Every Penny
A la Carte: Lee Offers a New Twist on Vegetables … With a Bit of a Kick!
A few weeks ago, my refrigerator was filled with tomato sauces and chicken. I had made that huge, seven-pound chicken, which I ate for at least five days (sandwiches, tacos, chicken salad.) As for the tomato sauce, Judy Robertson gave me some from her garden and two other condo friends gave me her mother’s recipe for sauce with chicken while another gave me some topped with … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Lee Offers a New Twist on Vegetables … With a Bit of a Kick!
A View From My Porch: Continuing the Tikka Saga — with Slides of Trips to the UK
Clearly, we all need a break; this lighter essay is mine. In August, LymeLine published a recipe for chicken tikka masala from Lee White cooked in an "Instant Pot.” We made the dish, pictured below, with her recipe and found it to be an authentic and tasty interpretation of the “British staple.” Christina and I enjoy the aromatic spices, and have some “history” with … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: Continuing the Tikka Saga — with Slides of Trips to the UK
Reading Uncertainly? ‘Troubles’ by J. G. Farrell is a “Compelling Read”
When a world is collapsing all about us, how much are we willing to recognize? J. G. Farrell’s description of a veteran of the World War I trenches going to Ireland to rejoin a young lady he had met only once in London during the War is an allegory on human inertia and lethargy in the face of rapid change. In 1919, Major Brendan Archer travels from London to Kilnalough, … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? ‘Troubles’ by J. G. Farrell is a “Compelling Read”
The Movie Man: Craig is Captivating, Seydoux is Stunning, But ‘No Time To Die’ Fails to Live Up to Expectations
Special to LymeLine.com This is a special review for me. My first ever published piece as a writer was a review for the previous Bond film, Spectre. Much has transpired since then, both for me and the world. But the appreciation of the art of cinema, manifested in many forms, remains as we struggle with whatever trouble life throws our way. Paraphrasing Mel … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: Craig is Captivating, Seydoux is Stunning, But ‘No Time To Die’ Fails to Live Up to Expectations
A la Carte: Dinner in Less Than 30 Minutes? Try Sheet-pan Gnocchi
I have always assumed that people use coupons when they go to supermarkets. I am a newspaper and magazine freak, and I always clip coupons (and try to remember to take them with me, too.) In my much younger days, before I knew how to cook at all, I clipped newspapers coupons not only to save money (my ex-husband was a student and I was the full-time … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Dinner in Less Than 30 Minutes? Try Sheet-pan Gnocchi
A la Carte: Roasted Chicken Under Garlic Bread Offers Taste of Autumn, Hint of Winter Meals to Come
Oh, no, it’s chicken again, I thought, as I looked at the last column I wrote weeks before I left to see my daughter in California. But during the many days I spent there, I thought about all she’d cooked for me—tacos on Thursdays and nachos on Friday (both made with a roasted chicken she’s bought at Costco.) I guess the acorn doesn’t fall from the tree. In addition to … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Roasted Chicken Under Garlic Bread Offers Taste of Autumn, Hint of Winter Meals to Come
Reading Uncertainly? ‘Seven Brief Lessons on Physics’ by Carlo Rovelli
Is it really possible to describe the mysteries of physics in 81 pages? Richard Feynman tried it in the 140 pages of Six Easy Pieces, published in 1994, but some afterwards described it as “Six Difficult Pieces.” Carlo Rovelli, the Italian theoretical physicist, has raised the ante. His work is a jewel of both brevity and clarity, especially to my curious mind that barely made … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? ‘Seven Brief Lessons on Physics’ by Carlo Rovelli
A la Carte: Two Columns This Week and a ‘Nibbles’ Too! Enjoy Eggplant Parm Panini, Clam Chowder with Corn & Chorizo
A la Carte-1: Creamy Corn and Clam Chowder with Crispy Chorizo It was a really nice week. My oldest Troy childhood friend in the world visited for two days. (Her name is Rosalie. She is about a year older than me and, no, I was not named after her.) We ate lobster rolls at Captain Scott, I grilled steaks on the grill and we had sweet corn and a big salad, and the last … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Two Columns This Week and a ‘Nibbles’ Too! Enjoy Eggplant Parm Panini, Clam Chowder with Corn & Chorizo