Living and gardening in an older Hudson Valley home
Spring is a magnificent time of year. We relish the end of winter and the arrival of spring in all its glory. Spring gardening is some of the easiest gardening. The cold of winter causes magic to happen inside the many bulbs and tubers, causing a cacophony of color. We anxiously await the first blossoms. […]
The internet, or more precisely Instagram, will probably be my undoing. Posts by influencers and bloggers demonstrate many clever and interesting things. I waste hours looking at posts of the seeming ease of renovating French Chateaus and English manor houses, cake decorating, gardening and countless other worthwhile, but challenging occupations. For unknown reasons, I get […]
In warmer months, I get to indulge my creative passions by working in the garden. In colder months, I invent projects that are fun and creative, especially gifts to give away. I will probably never stop making things, because I derive a lot of pleasure in the planning, sourcing, execution and giving of personal gifts […]
Last week, I had the pleasure of being in London for my Goddaughter’s graduation from high school. It was a brilliantly triumphant day for her, celebrated in a beautiful venue across from Westminster Abbey. I was very honored to be invited. She graduated from the American School in London. A tony school located in St. […]
After watching the Netflix series Sky Castle and The Glory, I was in an Asian appreciation mood. Korean drama, also known as KDrama, is exceptionally well acted and written. Some people binge watch television programs. I savor them and spread them out, watching one episode per evening. Thus the 20 episodes of Sky Castle and […]
In 1969 the number of people in the United States living below the poverty line was 24 million people or 12.2% of the population. I was 10 years old, and definitely counted in this 24 million. Being poor is relative. We knew we were poor, but we still enjoyed life. I usually write about entertaining […]
When a local non-profit canceled their fund-raising event in support of an annual summer festival, Newburgh Illuminated, I had a conversation with some neighbors and friends about having our own get-together. The original event was planned as black-tie, with a Copacabana theme. I retained the black-tie format but dropped the Copacabana theme. It’s not every […]
Winter is for indoor projects. After cleaning, painting and papering most of the house, there was still one room untouched. The original house plans show an unfinished room over the garage. At some point this room was finished with a connecting door to the nursery, making it ostensibly a bedroom for an au pair. It […]
Thanksgiving is about the feast and the time-honored traditions and recipes that somehow relate back to the early pilgrims. This is our interpretation of Thanksgiving dinner. We had a special dinner for two with all the trimmings! I remember many wonderful Thanksgiving dinners over the years. When I was a child, my mother used a […]
Bread week, of the current season of The Great British Baking Show, featured a signature challenge of focaccia bread. A signature challenge is one where the bakers are asked in advance to take a traditional food item and give it their own twist. Of course the signature challenge was won by an Italian, Giuseppe, who […]
