It’s common for first-time homebuyers to make mistakes. However, with the real estate market so competitive right now, you can’t afford to learn on the job. If you’re interested in buying a home in the future, you should start preparing today. Keep your credit score high Your credit score will be extremely important at all steps in the home buying process. Even if you … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
Columnists
Gardening Tips for July From ‘The English Lady’ … When the Sun Shines, a Breeze Blows and Birds Sing
“A perfect July day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing ... and the lawnmower is broken!” – James Dent Watering is so important during the heat of summer. If you planted trees or shrubs this spring, particularly evergreens, these plants require extra moisture to establish a strong root system. We have had an abundant amount of rain … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips for July From ‘The English Lady’ … When the Sun Shines, a Breeze Blows and Birds Sing
Letter From Paris: From Macron v1 to Macron v2: France Negotiates Turbulent Times
Editor's Note: We are delighted to welcome back Nicole Prévost Logan (no relation.) Today she offers a detailed analysis of happenings in the French political landscape, saying, "A lot has happened in France in the past two months and I felt important to write about what is not making the headlines." Surreal political developments are taking taken place in France. … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: From Macron v1 to Macron v2: France Negotiates Turbulent Times
A la Carte: Take Time to Make Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
I have been to the beach exactly three times since the end of May, each time for less than an hour and a half. One day it was blistering hot and humid. As much as I like summer, I really dislike humidity to the point that I can stay in my condo for two days just because I have central air conditioning. I remember that my mother could stay in her apartment for the exact … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Take Time to Make Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
A la Carte: Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream is the Ultimate Summer Dessert … and so Easy to Make!
In the early 80s, when we lived in Massachusetts, I bought an ice cream maker called a Lickety Split. It was all plastic, except for the two bowls, which were maybe aluminum or stainless steel. It costs around $25 and it could make two different pints of ice cream simultaneously. A few years later, Ben and Jerry’s and Haagen Dazs entered the freezer aisles, and eventually … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream is the Ultimate Summer Dessert … and so Easy to Make!
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’
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’
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