Entertaining

From an enchanting and inviting, vibrantly decorated, converted barn high up in the hills, so high that the Pyrenees are practically in the garden, an extraordinary woman invited me to celebrate Women’s Day. Lunch was quite simply stunning with seven nationalities at the table more »

What can war posters tell us about our nation’s attempts to modify food consumption habits? When Beans Were Bullets is an exhibit of posters from World War I & II currently online at the National Agricultural Library more »

The winter salad creations of my childhood memory seem quaint, if not downright silly. For instance, the Candlestick Salad, dating back to the 1920s, probably elicited a few adult comments unfit for younger ears to hear. The tapered banana top received a decorative finishing touch of miracle whip and a maraschino cherry, meant to resemble the candle's melting wax and flame more »

Baggalini Urban Backpack: Developed by two retired Delta Airlines flight attendants, this versatile bag converts from a shoulder bag to backpack by unzipping and rehooking the shoulder strap. Interior has numerous compartments for items you normally carry in your wallet plus slots for your cell phone and pen and zippered spaces for coins and cosmetics. Two exterior pockets zip shut. Magnetic catch at top of bag conceals the zipper ends of main compartment. And there's still room for a small book and a bottle of water. more »