To Thanksgiving or Not to Thanksgiving, That is the Dilemma
Thanksgiving this year is like no other. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is virtual. Our gatherings are small. And maybe there won’t be any gatherings at all. In a nutshell, to Thanksgiving or not to Thanksgiving is a dilemma that many of us, myself included, are facing. I’d like to say that holding a 2020 Thanksgiving get-together is a slam dunk. My immediate […]
Trimming the Tree with Travel Treasures
I’ve been collecting Christmas ornaments from around the world for some time now. They make great personal souvenirs because they serve a higher purpose than merely contributing to clutter that amasses in my home. Once the holiday season is upon us, I pull several dusty plastic storage bins out of the crawl space and begin […]
Our Christmas Sing
When we had a blended family of five teenagers, we treated them to travel at Christmastime: to ski in Sun Valley or the French Alps, or to Mexico and the beaches to swim. Fun times all, but as the children left to make their own households at holiday time, I decided to stay home and […]
Continuing a Family Tradition at Longwood Gardens
As my husband and I started our family many years ago, we melded the traditions that we had each gown up with and established our own set of holiday rituals. Today our children are grown with lives of their own and our son and daughter-in-law are now going through the same process as they develop their family […]
An “Engaging” Christmas in the Mile High City
Other than in movies, I had never seen someone actually get down on one knee and propose marriage. So it was something of a surprise to witness two proposals in two days – and in both cases, I was so close, I was asked to take the first selfie of the happy couple. But that’s the type of […]
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 […]
Rocket City Holiday Magic – Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama is known as The Rocket City for helping put mankind on the Moon along with its continuing role in developing the propulsion system to return humankind to the lunar surface, then on to Mars. It takes lots of rocket scientists to accomplish these lofty goals, but it doesn’t take one to see that Huntsville is a fantastic destination for a holiday visit! Many of […]
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, […]