I love that the pages of Effortless Style: Casa Lopez, by Pierre Sauvage, are filled with just the right amount of words, amazing photos, and recipes shared by Pierre Sauvage's friends. If you're looking for a unique gift for the friend who has everything and loves to entertain, I highly recommend this beautiful book. I've already made the chocolate mousse recipe by my dear friend Julia Boyles featured in the book. (See photo below.) Here's what Amazon has to say about Read more [...]

By far, I have recommended Floriole more often and to more people than any other "bakery" in the country. I call it a bakery but they call themselves a "cafe and bakery".  Don't get me wrong. It's definitely a cafe too. On steroids. But if you know me the fact that when I walked in the very first time I spent 30 minutes just at the bakery case, won't surprise you at all. I couldn't decide what to get so I got a few things. And took some to go. Of all the places I've eaten in Chicago over the Read more [...]

This is not the first 5 Heart Rating involving Anthony Bourdain. But really this 5 Heart Rating has very little to do with him. It's more about the series No Reservations itself, specifically, the Cook it Raw episode. This is a must-see if you 1) love great food, 2) love to cook, 3) are interested in Japan, its food and culture, and 4) want to see some of the very best chefs in action in an unfamiliar environment and being challenged beyond imagination. Cook it Raw brings together some of the Read more [...]

I've visited many farms in my life but never a goat farm. Harmony Lane Goat Dairy Farm in Smithville, Tennessee, was quite the experience beginning with a tour with the owner and her guard dog, My daughter and I drove about 1 1/2 hours to to the farm where we were greeted by the owner. We learned so much about goats that day! We had a full tour, got to play with the goats and feed them. And we even got to milk them! Highly recommend a visit to this great farm. Here's a video of my daughter, Read more [...]

For a birthday years ago a friend gave me a book on napkin-folding. This was obviously a very good friend who knew how much I love to fold! Once when I visited friends for a few days I folded their laundry while they were out and upon return one of my hosts did one of the funniest bits I have ever seen in my life. We're talking SNL material. He went on and on about my folding technique and how he didn't even want to wear anything in the piles ever again so he could show everyone his laundry. He Read more [...]