Category Archives: On My Mind

No wandering or writing gets done without coffee. If I’m going to get back on track after my technical difficulties on Friday night I need a bit of fuel. Despite the ongoing trend of specialized lattes, high-tech espresso, and myriad of other complicated (and expensive) coffee drinks, I still prefer the old-school NYC diner coffeeContinue reading “Morning Coffee”

I’ve been taking a class at ICC called The Craft of Food Writing with the infamous Alan Richman. We are nearing our last class and today was my private one-on-one critique session. I’m typically quite confident in class but I admit I was nervous going into his office. Rightfully so. The one or two ofContinue reading “A Walk With The Master, Part 1 of 2”

In the past week I started taking a couple of new classes, feeding my lifelong addiction to education. On Tuesdays, I’m taking The Craft of Food Writing with fourteen-time James Beard Award winning writer, Alan Richman, at The International Culinary Center (yes, where I work). I’ve been wanting to take this class for many years and am very excitedContinue reading “The Craft of Food Writing: The Madeleine”

I know today is most known in this country as a day for one type of red-centric celebration, but I’m choosing to celebrate the more ancient (and more inclusive) holiday today… Happy New Year to All!

You’re probably seeing it everywhere you look – pleas for support for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Hungry Sofia has a great post on it today. I’ve never been to the Caribbean, though I hope that will change sooner than later. I do, however, live in a place where the rich tones ofContinue reading “Island Life”

Actually, now Maria is in a small village near Kyoto. She and her partner are staying in a very traditional lodging (I do not have the Japanese terms available to me right now-sorry!)… While on the property, they wear special robes and shoes (if any), eat traditional style meals, and sleep on tatami mats separated fromContinue reading “Guest Blogger: Maria’s in Tokyo, part 2”

I may not be able to do any traveling at this time, but I can always rely on my sister’s business to take her someplace exciting on a regular basis. And, I can always count on her to report back with some fabulous food finds along the way! Maria left for Tokyo yesterday. When IContinue reading “Guest Blogger: Maria’s in Tokyo, part 1”

A thoughtful friend brought me a little treat this morning that made me very happy! A little flashback to mornings in Italy. Good thing I work in the land of the best baguettes in NYC (and an Illy Cafe “University” – all Illy all the time). I’ve been transported… Buona la prima colazione! Grazie Hayley!