Celebrating Chanukah Quietly at Home
It’s a strange feeling. I can’t remember the last holiday season our family spent at home in Toronto. For well over a decade, we’ve used this ideal time of year when colleges and work are closed to travel to off-the-beaten-path exotic destinations around the world. We have celebrated the holidays on small-ship cruises along the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar, the mighty Mekong River […]
Captive by COVID for the Holidays
With coronavirus cases in the US exploding at an astonishing rate, the answer to “how will I spend the holidays” is currently unknown. I live in the D.C. area with my Australian wife, Bell, but no extended family are close by or in our bubble. A few weeks ago, we planned to drive to Buffalo, NY for Thanksgiving. That’s where […]
Hard Candy at Christmastime
There is no season more appropriate for family traditions than during the holidays. My family has quite a few, so we combine them all in one day. Our family tradition is to set aside one Saturday after Thanksgiving where my mom, two sisters, niece, nephew, and I get together to bake cookies, create Gingerbread houses, […]
When Fond Memories of Celebrations Past Bring Home the Holidays
This year, unlike every year for the past decade or so, I will be home for the holidays but not ‘home’ for the holidays. Unlike every year, when I pack my bags and book my tickets for a November departure to south India to spend the holidays with my parents, siblings and extended family, this year I […]
Christmas Cheer in New York
As I sit here in my New York City apartment and write this on November 9th of 2020, I don’t have clear holiday plans this year. Covid-19 has thrown off any set plans and traditions not only for me, but for people around the world. Annually, the routine has been my in-laws for Thanksgiving in Washington D.C, my family […]
Clinging to a Holiday Habit: Visions of Vacations Dancing in my Head
With old man winter’s icy breath encasing the Great Lakes, I’m dreading being cooped up listening to dire statistics and only being able to visit friends and family via Zoom. Thanks to the pandemic, festive holiday gatherings won’t brighten up the enveloping darkness and Lake Effect precipitation hurtling towards America’s “North Coast” at the end […]
Holiday Cheer in a Cocktail (or Three) – RECIPES
Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, a cocktail can help to make the season bright. And since travel is challenging right now, we hope to bring a little comfort and joy to you through these San Juan Islands inspired recipes. They are our gift to you from the restaurants and resorts on Orcas Island, Lopez […]
Holiday Recipe: Cranberry-Almond Biscotti from the Francis Malbone House
Cranberry-Almond Biscotti Recipe Makes about 30 Cookies Ingredients: 2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour 2 egg whites 1 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tbsp. vanilla or almond extract ½ tsp baking soda ¾ cup sliced almonds 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries Instructions: Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in the middle […]
Delighting in Germany’s Christmas markets in my Colorado home
Evoke the warmth and good tidings of the Old Country by celebrating Germany’s traditions at home – beginning with Glühwein! I close my eyes and breathe in the aroma of cinnamon from my porcelain Christmas mug filled to the brim with steaming hot Glühwein, Germany’s official holiday grog. I take that first sip and savor the spice-laden mulled wine, […]