I started 2014 surrounded by some of my favorite and most-loved people, a Champagne toast and a cold. I could feel it coming, teasing me during the last days of 2013, and then as I woke to a new year, bright blue skies and freezing temperatures, it hit me full force. I would like to think that I am adult, ... Read More »
2013 – What an interesting year it has been, full of change and transition. The mantra has often been “with great change comes great opportunity”. Focus on facing changes with an eye to creative resolutions. Keep it positive. Change is good. Our winter months, early on in 2013, were filled with the upcoming transition of sending our oldest child off to ... Read More »
As the holiday week nears, we prepare in our home to celebrate Christmas en masse, as only can be accomplished when the Cichello clan gathers. Seven kids in ten years, all now with life partners, thirteen grandchildren, four dogs, and a bun in the oven. We are massive numbers, and now that so many of the grandchildren are grown adults, we ... Read More »
Obviously (and with great bias), I think that the shops my mother and I own, Poiema and the Vault, are lovely place to begin and end your holiday shopping. Homemade soaps, lotions and body scrubs? Locally made jewelry and gorgeous textiles from Thailand? Handknit hats for the littlest members on your good list? We’ve got you covered. And of course, barVino gift ... Read More »
I had the good fortune to attend TWO amazing funerals in the past three weeks. Yes, I just said “good fortune” and “amazing”, both in regards to funerals. They were so very different, but so very similar. In both cases, I was late to the dance. I only knew these two men for the past 20 years, while mourning family ... Read More »
When I was teaching I would always, without fail, get sick during the holidays. I did everything I could to hold illness at bay while I was in the classroom and then, as soon as I returned to the warm embrace of my parents’ house for Thanksgiving or Christmas, I’d be laid low with some sort of ailment. I had ... Read More »
So much talk of Grandma (click here) led to a major hankering for her eggplant parmigiana. In my now wheat-defying life (click here), eggplant parmigiana has been absent since December of 2013. Waaaaay too long! I did find a local restaurant that offers gluten free options for many traditional Italian dishes. The problem is, you need to plan well in ... Read More »
We had a fantastic Sunday night. Dennis wanted to make dinner. When he wants to cook, I have to force myself out of head chef mode, and accept instead the title of sous chef. Or just cheerleader sometimes. (Cue glass of wine.) Dennis was working on some appetizer recipes for Thanksgiving on Sunday. We tasted a Buffalo Chicken Dip, sinfully, ... Read More »
Silly, but awesome. A recent trip to Staples for the all too often blood-letting purchase of printer ink led me to this beauty: It now sits on my desk and makes me smile. Claire, martinis at work? Doesn’t that significantly alter the learning environment? Someone brilliant over at Scotch brand knows how to make me smile! Oh, and it’s Friday! ... Read More »
One of the great things about going to a wine store is getting to pick something new. But sometimes, just sometimes, the selection is lacking or overwhelming or the salesperson is unhelpful (or MIA) or I’m too tired (or in too much of a hurry). And that’s when it’s wonderful to stumble across something you recognize and know will deliver ... Read More »
Sauced In New York Sometimes the food is in the sauce, sometimes we are