I have a confession to make.

I adore this time of year. The holidays are beautiful and exciting. It’s so much fun to focus on giving that one gift you know will bring a smile to someone face, treating friends to a special event and cooking for your family from out of town. And of course we are pretty busy packing,wrapping and shipping in our warehouse singing at the top of our lungs to Christmas...

When you’re close to the finish line in a race, it is not a sign that you need to slow down. It’s a sign that you need to speed up.

Rett Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that strikes girls at an early age. A dear friend of our family has been afflicted with the disease, making us so grateful for the fact that researchers are on the verge of a cure. With therapies that promise to actually...

Artichokes are a lesson in patience.

They are a very strange vegetable, requiring quite a bit of preparation. Eating them can be an interesting endeavor (it’s very tough to look elegant when scraping artichoke flesh with your teeth). And really, when everything is said and done, there isn’t much to them.

Or is there?

Is it possible that the humble artichoke transcends its culinary value? Is there...

It began when I ran out of ramekins on baked potato night.

And it has become a bit of an obsession.

I confess to serving up my sour cream and shredded cheddar not in the proper serveware, but in the only (clean) containers of the proper size that I had on hand that night – espresso cups.

And, rebel that I am, I’ve never looked back.

Beyond the Bean

As much as I love espresso, I can only drink...

Our hearts are a little more open and a little more full of gratitude after yesterday’s Thankful Thursday Open House.

Festive Collaboration

The week before Thanksgiving seemed like the perfect time for us to open our showroom and share the things we love. It also seemed the perfect time for collaborating with one of our favorite stylists, Amani Skalacki.

If you don’t already know Amani, you’re...

Chefs around the world (including, of course, Italian chefs) have been cooking with edible flowers for centuries. And for good reason. Not only are edible flowers surprisingly delicious, they also add a sumptuous pop of color that enlivens any dish. Anyone who has ever tried fried squash blossoms, or fiori di zucca, can attest to the fact that flowers can be unexpectedly savory. Edible flowers are...

The name of the game on this trip to Italy! It has been a week of unexpected turns and twists but that is what is so fun about travel! Right? Just a few highlights .

As you know, when we come to Italy to work (never feels like work!) we always take a quick side trip before our return to see something new. This time it was the Amalfi Coast. Just past the season, it is a bit quieter, affordable...

Flexibility and a Sense of Humor (cont)

We found the stairs down, trying to catch a quick connection. Amidst a sea of people, we got our tickets, got to the turnstyle (with bags) which didn’t work. A train official motioned us through another way, still time. Carrying bags down two flights of stairs into the throngs of people waiting for this train was an adventure! Also in Naples train station, pick pockets abound so zipped bags were always in front and nothing in back pockets etc. So far so good.

Train comes and we push, and I mean push, to get on and standing room only, packed like sardines in every inch of the train. BUT, we have our bags to sit on! And Lenny was ready for the pick pocket who tried in the rush to get his wallet. Two great outcomes.

Flexibility and a Sense of Humor (cont)

The train rolls for a few stops, we look up and realize only 39 more stops to Sorrento! Ha! However 15 stops in, the crowd eased and we got seats for the remainder of the journey.

Flexibility and a Sense of Humor (cont)

We arrive in Sorrento with fingers crossed that my guess at a hotel will be fabulous. Hotel Regina. And it is! A beautiful view of the sea and Mt. Vesuvius complete with a patio, a bathroom that you can move in and a rooftop dining room with glass all around. (www.hotelreginsorrento.com)

The staff is quite helpful and friendly so we plan our limited time with their input. Dinner tonight was to be at a quiet place to have delicious seafood. Tomorrow see the main spots on the Amalfi Coast. Bus is best so you can see the beautiful views from the window. Sit on the right side of the bus going and left returning. Stops are Amalfi and Positano. Great! Wrap up on the second day with Pompei in the morning and head to the airport. Perfect plan!