Oh we all get our knickers in a knot every now and then. Lord knows I do. Yes even sweet little me. And the old me used to carry her anger around for way longer than necessary. Pouting, by any other name. Unattractive in a child; ridiculous in a grown-up. My sister and I used… Continue reading One Little Thing: Holding a Grudge
News & Notes
Killer Cauliflower Soup, Seriously
How exciting can it be, cauliflower soup? Well you just make this and see. You’ll be doing a great service for yourself and your family, possibly the country, the world… The recipe comes from our sublime cook at Rancho La Zaca, Chef Stephanie Valentine. You might think “chef” sounds pretentious but that is what she… Continue reading Killer Cauliflower Soup, Seriously
A South Texas Sojourn-Part 2
Like I was saying yesterday…In the winter months, during quail season in South Texas, they all go to one another’s places on the weekends to shoot and have a good time. We were lucky enough to be invited last weekend. Our hosts, whose middle name is Hospitality and whose other middle names are Cute, Fun,… Continue reading A South Texas Sojourn-Part 2
A South Texas Sojourn
My mother once said casually, but as if bestowing the greatest compliment, “Texas people are cute; they’re a lot like people from North Carolina.” Yes, I answered, but they have better jewelry. They have ranches, too. People in Texas have ranches like people in North Carolina have azaleas. His Grace and I were lucky to… Continue reading A South Texas Sojourn
One Little Thing: Making the Magician’s Choice
Author, speaker, and self-described late-bloomer Jerry Posner tells of a seemingly random experience he had on an airplane that got his attention in a good way. Heaven knows we’ll take what silver linings we can get from commercial flights these days. Jerry speaks regularly at Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, and that’s where I heard… Continue reading One Little Thing: Making the Magician’s Choice
Light as a Butterfly
Is this the coolest? This Butterfly Lamp flew out at me from a Facebook post the other day by EcoFirstArt. Hand crafted of steamed, bent wood by British craftsman Tom Raffield, its playful, graceful shape is inspired by the movement of a butterfly in flight and, says the artist, “intercepts the light making intricate shadows… Continue reading Light as a Butterfly
New Fashion Vibe? Carrie Bradshaw Meets Grace Kelly
Is this striking a chord in the spring fashion melody? In a recent and fleeting foray onto Rodeo Drive last week, I was struck by this mannequin at Prada. Well I was struck by whole Prada thing period, but that’s another story. Anyway, there she sat, all prim and yet a tad edgy at the… Continue reading New Fashion Vibe? Carrie Bradshaw Meets Grace Kelly
At the Beginning and at the End
Resolutions are well and good but have a way of running off the road and into a ditch. What about, as an alternative, the cultivation of one positive habit? It does require a touch of discipline but no gyms or diets. Interested? In searching for a message to share with you and to begin my… Continue reading At the Beginning and at the End
Frances’ Reel
Frances Schultz’ Reel on Youtube.
Never Eat More Than You Can Lift…
LOS ANGELES–One of my idols, Miss Piggy, says “Never eat more than you can lift.” This came very close to tipping the scales… A thing of burger is a joy forever… Spent a quick night in L.A. on the way back to the ranch from Christmas in Atlanta with my family (grateful). My sister Duvall… Continue reading Never Eat More Than You Can Lift…
Veranda’s New Look
Veranda magazine’s new look is comfortingly like its old look. Gratifyingly the new table of contents for the features actually gives you an idea of what the feature contains. In the old iteration this was always a peeve of mine, and don’t think in the 10+ years I wrote for them I didn’t say so.… Continue reading Veranda’s New Look
Angels We Have Heard on High
Destined to become a classic–something about the eyes: Her mother would not dare throw it away, and neither would I. What such aesthetically challenged decorations lack in allure, they make up for in sentiment. The presence of such goofiness amid otherwise refined and tasteful interiors implies not only a sense of humor but a willingness… Continue reading Angels We Have Heard on High