Food & Entertaining

Happy Thanksgiving From Rancho La Zaca

Cowboy, aka His Grace my husband, said he reckons there is not a pumpkin left in the Santa Ynez Valley. Would you believe after the car load I bought Tuesday (see last post) I had to go back for more? It takes an awful lot of pumpkins to decorate this here house, is all I… Continue reading Happy Thanksgiving From Rancho La Zaca

Thanksgiving Place Cards, Pumpkins, Flowers, and Plates

So I woke up about 4 this morning – did not get up, mind you – but woke up to this conversation with myself. Self, I said, I have good news and bad news. The good news is Thanksgiving is here. You are sort of organized. You’ve done the place cards and are rather pleased… Continue reading Thanksgiving Place Cards, Pumpkins, Flowers, and Plates

Every Saint Has a Past… and Every Sinner Has a Future

Saints and sinners. You probably think I’m talking about politicians. (Question: What do you call a good lawyer gone bad?… Answer: Senator) But I’ve heard enough about politicians for a while, haven’t you? What I’m talking about is the movie Flight with Denzel Washington. Run (or fly) to see it. I’ve been looking for the right time to trot out… Continue reading Every Saint Has a Past… and Every Sinner Has a Future

10 (Non-Partisan) Party Tips for the Time-Pressed

So you’ve just skidded into town, you won’t be there long, and you want to see your friends, but you don’t have time to “entertain.” Yes you do. At least that’s what I told myself as I boarded the red-eye in LAX headed back to New York, landing on Election Day. “Come on over and… Continue reading 10 (Non-Partisan) Party Tips for the Time-Pressed

Wedding Highlights From Carolyne Roehm

Carolyne Roehm sends her thoughts and prayers, as do I, to all who continue to struggle in the wake of the horrid storm… As an antidote to the destruction, Carolyne posted “Something Positive After the Hurricane,” which was about guess what. Our wedding. Aww. Here’s an abbreviated preview below, and you can see more photos… Continue reading Wedding Highlights From Carolyne Roehm

Joyful, Joyful – Wedding at Rancho La Zaca!

Well ladies and gentlemen, here we are. I’ve gone and married my Cowboy, (His Grace, for new readers) and I reckon that makes me Miz Grace? It definitely makes me happy. Apart from losing the marriage license the day before the wedding and driving a million hours to the nearest clerk’s office in Santa Maria… Continue reading Joyful, Joyful – Wedding at Rancho La Zaca!

Nina Griscom’s Got a Brand New Blog – and a Yummy Soufflé

Can I brag on my friend Nina Griscom? Thank you. She’s got a brand new website and blog, and they are beautiful. Like her. Do stop by. Meanwhile here’s a sample. This elegantly simple fall lunch for 2 would make just as good a light supper. And there’s something about a soufflé that says “occasion.” I’m… Continue reading Nina Griscom’s Got a Brand New Blog – and a Yummy Soufflé

A Memoir-Cookbook You Must Have

Well I felt like a proud big sister all weekend about my buddy Alex Hitz making a big splash in The Wall by Golly Street Journal. Many of you probably fall upon the the paper’s Saturday Off Duty section like a teenager would Elvis’s room key–I do anyway–now that poor Elvis has left the building.… Continue reading A Memoir-Cookbook You Must Have

A Pretty Fall Bouquet

It could not have been prettier in Long Island this weekend, and Saturday could not have been a more spectacular day for a wedding. It took place at a club on a grassy knoll overlooking the water. It was wow. And very happy. The ceremony was beautiful and so were the flowers at the reception.… Continue reading A Pretty Fall Bouquet

Supper in a Blue Moon

You know how you do something and think, why don’t we do this all the time instead of once in a blue moon? (ha-ha-get-it?) We do have dinner on the little dock occasionally, but it really would be a great idea to do it every full moon as long as we don’t freeze to death.… Continue reading Supper in a Blue Moon

The Divine Tomato Sandwich With “Homemade” Mayonnaise (shhh… they’ll never know)

It’s summer’s end and if we’re lucky our farm stands and gardens are full of tomatoes so ripe and full you can slit them with your fingernail. I defy you to tell me what’s better than one of those tomatoes sliced warm from the garden on two pieces of white bread with homemade mayonnaise and… Continue reading The Divine Tomato Sandwich With “Homemade” Mayonnaise (shhh… they’ll never know)