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
Columnists
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?
A la Carte: Ricotta Cheese Pie Makes a Luscious Dessert for any Easter … or Passover!
Editor's Note: This is a column that our dear friend Lee White wrote for us in April 2016, that somehow we failed to publish (our apologies) -- but the recipe is as good today as it was then! This will be an odd Easter weekend for me. On Good Friday, I will pick up my Newbury, Mass., daughter-in-law. Nancy and second-youngest granddaughter, then drive up to Kennebunkport … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Ricotta Cheese Pie Makes a Luscious Dessert for any Easter … or Passover!
A la Carte: Spring is Here … Celebrate with Spring Minestrone
I have spent the past few weeks with friends, first with the Oscars (yes, we all saw the slap and, with all the brilliant actors and crew from the amazing movie, CODA, they knew what Will Smith was saying. I myself don’t read lips, but I knew what he was saying.) The following Friday, we watched UConn ladies in the Final Four. On Sunday, I watched them alone. … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Spring is Here … Celebrate with Spring Minestrone
A la Carte: Thinking Lent (or Passover or Easter)? Then Think Fish
Oh my, it may be April 1, as you are reading this. But this column is not about April Fool’s Day but rather two important holidays, which follow in just a couple of weeks—Easter and Passover. Because the two holidays follow different calendars, rarely do Easter weekend (including Good Friday, Easter Sunday or, that new holiday, Easter Monday) and Passover coincide. As … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Thinking Lent (or Passover or Easter)? Then Think Fish
Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for March, a Month of ‘Wait and See’
Those March winds shall blow and we shall have snow and what will the Robin do then poor thing? He’ll hide in the barn and keep himself warm and hide his head under his wing. March is a month of ‘wait and see’ as we anticipate walking around our gardens. This morning I walked outside, into a westerly breeze and a pleasantly warm sun. I took a deep breath and as I … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for March, a Month of ‘Wait and See’