Prelude: The June 9 edition of The Day reported that the team of Tessa Grethel and Sophia D’Amico — both Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School seventh graders — took first place in Connecticut in the junior group exhibit category of the National History Day Contest with their project titled “Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: The Origins of Atomic Diplomacy.” Phil Rizzuto would … [Read more...] about A Special ‘View From My Porch’ in Recognition of Independence Day: CT’s General Israel Putnam was a ‘Man of Legendary Courage’, a Brooklyn ‘Rock Star’
Columnists
A la Carte: Two Columns Bursting with Strawberry Treats
Column 1 Oh my, no matter the season, last week was a perfect summer day. Was it always sunny? Not really, but for Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, the clouds didn’t explode with raindrops and the humidity stayed around 70 percent and in Groton and Madison, there was always a soft breeze. Friday I learned how to make a watermelon “sorbet (well, it required some sweetened … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Two Columns Bursting with Strawberry Treats
Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for June, ‘The Time of Perfect Young Summer’ (Gertrude Jekyll)
We have had a few cool nights recently, which are just wonderful and allow one to sleep with the windows open. I cannot remember the last time we had a real spring such as we are experiencing this year, with plenty of gentle rain. This beneficial rain is wonderful for all the spring plant growth and such a pleasure to see. I am so in awe of the miracle of Mother Nature; the … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for June, ‘The Time of Perfect Young Summer’ (Gertrude Jekyll)
A la Carte: Creamy Coconutty Shrimp Makes a Super Summer Salad
After the quick turnover to the Dallas wedding (flew there at 6 a.m. Saturday and was home by Monday, mid-afternoon), I unpacked, played with the cats, watched a DVR’d Connecticut Sun game) and finished a book, then slept until 7:30 Tuesday. Then I drove to Madison and took friends to pick up their new car in Westchester County, NY. Eric drove the new car home (the next … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Creamy Coconutty Shrimp Makes a Super Summer Salad
A la Carte: Chicken Tetrazzini is Lovely for Left-Overs
Having a daughter who has taken over my work as a mother can be pretty nifty. When she wants me to go something with her (or even when we are not going together but I mention that I am thinking of doing something alone), she offers to make all the arrangements. This time there is a wedding for my late brother’s granddaughter. For me, traveling via plane is hellish: I hate … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Chicken Tetrazzini is Lovely for Left-Overs
A la Carte: It’s Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, so Think British With (Sheet Pan) Fish & Chips!
My friend, Lian Obrey, asked me if I would teach her a couple of dishes she could make if she invited friends for dinner. Of course, I said I would. “One of those days” might happen within a few days, but I am off to Dallas for the wedding of my grandniece. So, as I am writing this column this morning, I will give her the draft of this column, along with a half-sheet pan … [Read more...] about A la Carte: It’s Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, so Think British With (Sheet Pan) Fish & Chips!
A la Carte: Got to Grill? Try Chicken with Peach BBQ Sauce for a Tasty Change
I spent a lot of time in the past couple of weeks driving. I wasn’t going long distances; rather I had errands so I did a couple, got home for lunch, and finished the rest a hour or two later. While my husband and I frequently went out for breakfast (always on weekends), now that I am husband-less (and have been for more than a decade), I do most of my reading, writing and … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Got to Grill? Try Chicken with Peach BBQ Sauce for a Tasty Change
Gardening Tips for May from ‘The English Lady’, ‘One of the Most Enchanting Months’
“The darling buds of May” is such an apt phrase for one of the most enchanting months, bloom on spring bulbs and flowering trees, the Amelanchier, the Dogwood and the Cherry to name a few and the new awakening foliage on trees winking in the sun. By now, you have probably removed most of the winter debris, pruned broken branches and re-edged borders. However, do not apply … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips for May from ‘The English Lady’, ‘One of the Most Enchanting Months’
A la Carte: Summer Means Picnics; Picnics Mean Cole Slaw & Potato Salad! Lee Shares Favorite Recipes for Both
I have a friend who lives in Noank and she asked me some time ago why she should keep her large Cuisinart. I literally blanched. There are two reasons to keep your kitchen counter appliances. One, of course, is because you use them fairly often enough that you want them close to you. The second is perhaps you adore them, as I love mine, and consider them -- if not as pets … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Summer Means Picnics; Picnics Mean Cole Slaw & Potato Salad! Lee Shares Favorite Recipes for Both
A View from My Porch: The Shady History of Connecticut Tobacco — The Finale
It’s been a little while since the publication of Part 1 of The Shady History of Connecticut Tobacco , but during that hiatus, there has been other remarkable news covered in the media. Decisions regarding COVID mitigation were moved to municipal leadership, including school superintendents. Judge Ketanjii Brown Jackson, who was nominated to the Supreme Court by President … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch: The Shady History of Connecticut Tobacco — The Finale
A la Carte: Can’t Imagine Grilling a Salad? Then Try This, But Don’t Forget Blue Cheese & Basil!
When I was little, my mother used to call me Sarah Bernhardt. I had no idea who Sarah Bernhardt and she told me Bernhardt was a famous actress in the early 1900s. I think today my mom would call me a drama queen. She also suggested I not wish my life away, that someday I would wish I could get those years back. I thought about this again as I was reading my newest food … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Can’t Imagine Grilling a Salad? Then Try This, But Don’t Forget Blue Cheese & Basil!
A la Carte: How Do I Love Lemons? Let me Count the Ways …
Over the past few weeks there have been so many holidays-- Easter Sunday, Passover and Ramadan-- and all had something to do with food. For Lent, we gave up something we wanted (often sweet stuff) for 40 days and had to have fish on Fridays; for Passover nothing leavening (desserts made with matzoh and matzoh for breakfast, lunch and dinner for eight days) and, at Ramadan, … [Read more...] about A la Carte: How Do I Love Lemons? Let me Count the Ways …
Gardening Tips for April from ‘The English Lady,’ a ‘Month of Activity’
Those April showers that come our way They bring the flowers that bloom in May And when it’s raining, let's not forget, It isn’t raining rain at all, its raining violets April is the month of activity in the garden, and our old nemesis, weeds are beginning to rear their heads, so we need to extract the little devils before they take hold and are difficult to … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips for April from ‘The English Lady,’ a ‘Month of Activity’
A la Carte: Gingerbread Cake is Super for Sharing
What a weekend! The weather was gorgeous so I thought I would go to Lowe’s and get some flowers to plant in my tiny front yard and some flowering plants to place where my bird feeders help my feathered friends during the fall, winters and early spring. But Monday morning at 4:30 a.m., as I drove my daughter to catch her plane back to sunny California, I had to use the … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Gingerbread Cake is Super for Sharing
Legal New You Can Use: Should an Investment Home be Your First Home in CT?
Because housing has become so expensive, making your first home purchase an investment home may be a good idea. Continue reading for an overview of the pros and cons to help you make your decision. Pro: Leverage to buy the home you want Many people who are looking to buy their first home usually can’t afford the one they truly want. Rather than put down a lot of money … [Read more...] about Legal New You Can Use: Should an Investment Home be Your First Home in CT?