Most guidebooks will give you a few sentences about County Mayo in northwestern Ireland. They call it inaccessible, and recommend skipping it, preferring other, more touristed areas. Thankfully, our Granny O’Toole lobbied furiously the entire time we knew her. County Mayo is one step from heaven. Granny was right. Granny was born and raised in Ballindine, Co. Mayo. It was ... Read More »
On May 4th, my grandmother passed away. It does blunt the edge of my sadness a bit to realize (and be grateful) that she was a strong, vital presence in my life for over 30 years. She was not a vague idea of “grandmother,” but someone I knew and loved and respected. As happens after a death, there are details ... Read More »
Sleeping in. The hot shower/cold beer combo. Reading the Sunday Times with a cup of strong coffee. Long brunches that include Bloody Marys and Eggs Benedict. Tulips. Falling asleep in a hammock. Playing Banagrams with my friends (and winning, obviously). People watching. This is the short (and PG-rated) list of a few of my favorite things. The list changes seasonally. ... Read More »
Everyone knows that chicken soup is what you should be eating (sipping) when you’re sick. But why? It’s obviously comforting and comfort is good when you don’t feel good. And there are other theories as well. Fluid replenishment, inflammation reduction, etc. Trader Joe’s provided me with one of those “Is it Local?” chickens and after I roasted it, I waited ... Read More »
When I said “I do” nineteen years ago, it was with full knowledge that I was marrying a hunter. Stephen had two uncles in particular who loved fishing and hunting, and he accompanied them many times out onto lakes and into woods, usually at ungodly hours of the day, or in unpleasant weather conditions. Our second date may have been ... Read More »
Sauced In New York Sometimes the food is in the sauce, sometimes we are