Sure, food gift baskets can be ubiquitous this time of year. Wicker baskets stuffed with filler, overflowing with cellophane wrapped cheeses, fruit and crackers. They look impressive and there's something for everyone. But they can often be expensive. And often not really personable. Then I recently had a conversation with my coworker, Heidi, about her gift baskets she has put together in the...

Continue Reading

Anyone that knows me, knows how much I detest winter. Mostly because I find the cold to be unbearable. Then there are the reminders that everything around me is dead or dormant: bare trees, brown grass and empty lots where our local farmers markets resided all summer long. Oh how I missed hopping from stall to stall, talking to farmers, and hand picking...

Continue Reading

I'm always looking for a quick-vegetable-loaded-kid-friendly-weeknight meal. Vegetable Fried Rice has been a family (and fridge purging) favorite around here. But I think I've come across a dish that has taken its place. Inspired by The Kitchn's Miso-Roasted Asparagus Soba Noodle Salad, this noodle bowl has it all. Amazing layers of flavors, textures and it only takes less than 30-minutes to whip up....

Continue Reading

This dish comes together in 22 minutes! A perfect weeknight dish.  It's been a little quiet in this corner of the blogosphere as we get into the back-to-school routine. Now that the Fall is in full swing with after-school activities, soccer, homework, and general controlled chaos, I am fully committed to menu planning. Here's this week's menu plan and link to my go-to...

Continue Reading

Summers in New England are the best. And while I'm sad it's coming to an end, I am looking forward to having the kids back in school. But... Back-to-School can be the worst when it comes to the breakfast-chaos-packing-lunches-school-night-dinner-scramble routine. A major sanity-saver for me is meal planning, which I've blogged about previously here and here. But... meal planning is a lot of work. On any...

Continue Reading

Summer has arrived. Hard. We're experiencing our second day of 90+ degree day, when just last week I was wearing wool socks and a fleece to stay warm. I prefer summer weather as this often means firing up the grill, dinners on the patio, and a fun cocktail served over ice. My go-to summertime drink has always been the classic gin and tonic....

Continue Reading

You've got your soccer families, dance moms, and hockey dads. We've dabbled in these worlds, but recently have found us settling into the theater scene. Our oldest has been bitten by the acting bug and has been performing in community theater since he was 9 years old. We've been looking to take both boys to a real-deal Broadway production, but just haven't found...

Continue Reading

hopefully tomorrow! And most definitely starting on May 9th when the broadway production of ANNIE returns to Boston. Ever since our oldest got into theater, we've been looking for kid-appropriate shows for the family. ANNIE is the perfect musical for both kids and adults. This Tony Award winning production is coming to the Boch Center Wang Theater from May 9-May21. I'm bringing the...

Continue Reading

This post reflects a compensated editorial partnership with Voices forHealthy Kids, a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. No, I’m not referring to “Tonight’s Special” on a dinner menu. Specials at my kid’s school are classes outside of the usual classroom instruction on math, English Language Arts, science, and social studies. Art, Music, Library and Physical Education...

Continue Reading

I recently discovered miso paste - a salty, umami paste that packs a flavor bomb to any dish. Miso paste is made from soy beans and rice or barley fermented with salt, water and fungus. There are two types of miso paste: white miso (shiro miso) is milder and great for salad dressings and sauces and red miso (aka miso), which is saltier...

Continue Reading

They say buying/selling a home is one of the most stressful milestones in one's life. And for me, decorating said home is second. We're *finally* feeling settled in our new house after 8 months. The kitchen is running like a well-oiled machine now. And all the rooms are furnished and mostly decorated. Except for our oldest son's room. We've struggled with where to...

Continue Reading

House made crab cakes and Nova Scotia smoked salmon I love brunch. I mean really, truly love brunch. There's only one thing I like more than brunch - going out for brunch. There's always a relaxed and happy vibe at brunch. Plus the piles of pancakes, perfectly cooked eggs, and seamlessly endless supply of bacon is the perfect way to spend a Sunday...

Continue Reading

After a rough end to 2016 and rocky start to 2017, I'm turning to comfort food more than ever. Warm bowls of soup, hearty pasta dishes, stick-to-your-ribs casseroles, and rich desserts has helped me forget about these chaotic and often troubling days ahead. I love the aroma of butter and garlic and the quiet work of a mise en place. But most rewarding...

Continue Reading