Rose and Almond Ghriba (cookies)
And on being neighborly. A neighbor recently had a heart attack. He is doing well. He is going to cardio-therapy. He is a decent man. A kind man. An avid gardener and golfer. A lover of fine wine and food. A good neighbor. Susan suggested we bake him some cookies to cheer him up. We…
Another Year To Heaven
The birthday gifts from my wife Susan included Edwin M. Knowles dinner plates, Jerry Lee Lewis record album, a notebook, and more. Celebrations included a new watercolor class, dinner out, and time with family. Gratitude was expressed for the gifts and the joy of life’s beauty and love.
Love In The Kitchen
Susan and Bruce baked up a storm this week! On Monday, they whipped up a heavenly One-Bowl Chocolate Cake with Tahini Buttercream Frosting, based on a Southern Living recipe. Tuesday was all about Morning Glory Muffins for a glorious start to the day. Both recipes were easy and delicious, perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Get Rich Quick!
The post reflects gratitude for everyday blessings, narrated through experiences in a garden. Observations of nature serve as reminders of abundance and appreciation for life’s gifts, emphasizing the value of paying attention and being astonished. The writer’s rich perspective invites readers to reflect on their own blessings and express gratitude.
Chef Bruce
The post content touches on diverse topics, including the author’s culinary background, experiences, and specific recipes. It also delves into the historical development of the kitchen brigade system and the evolution of cooking techniques from primitive times to the present.
Watercolor Dreaming
It is Friday afternoon and I am standing at the kitchen counter. I am not making Meatballs, or Meatloaf, or Linguine with Shrimp and Asparagus, or One Pot Japanese Curry Chicken and Rice, or Cranberry Pepita Buttermilk Cake, or Butternut Morning Glory Muffins, or Jambalaya, or any other recipe. I am about to put paint…
Chicken Thighs with Shallots and Grapes
Susan recently returned home from her hairdresser appointment looking beautiful and with a recipe torn out of a magazine. That’s Susan on the right holding our dog, Freddy, a mini labradoodle. You can’t get arrested for looking beautiful and/or ripping a recipe out of a magazine–can you? I think she’s safe, plus I am giving…
The Last Day in January.
It was Sunday. It snowed all day. I was reminded of the last paragraph of “The Dead” by James Joyce, widely considered to be his best short story, called by the New York Times “just about the finest short story in the English language” and by T.S. Eliot as one of the greatest short stories…
They Say It’s Your Birthday!
I wondered what would be a beautiful gift for Susan, my wife, for her birthday, which was January 8. And what is a beautiful recipe to share? Flowers are always beautiful. And I bought her a bouquet when I went grocery shopping earlier in the day for her birthday dinner, pictured below along with birthday…
Linguine with Shrimp and Asparagus
Our New Year’s Day Dinner. Simple and simply delicious! Ingredients Yield:4 to 6 servings Preparation Based on a recipe from The New York Times Cooking. Dinner was preceded with a favorite appetizer–Stuffed Artichokes. Here is a basic and simple recipe for 2: 1/2-1 cup fresh breadcrumbs1/2-1 cup Parmesan cheese1/4 cup olive oil2 tablespoons fresh lemon…
More Artichokes
The stage is setfor a new year of more magicmore musicmore memorable momentsmore artmore cookingmore bakingmore sharingmore gratitudemore readingmore writingmore travelmore beautymore walkingmore listeningmore quietmore prayermore meditationmore spiritual studymore yogamore humormore lovingmore sharingmore artichokes In the spirit of sharing I now want to share a poem I read this morning: Every morn is the world…
One-Pot Japanese Curry Chicken and Rice
Our son and daughter-in-law returned home to Colorado a few days ago after having spent 10 days here in Western Massachusetts visiting and celebrating Christmas with friends and family–and dinner at our home the night before flying back to Colorado, where they were married back in September. Susan found this recipe from The New York…
Christmas Eve Menu
Every Christmas Eve Susan and I host a family get-together. Here is this year’s menu.
I Cannot Tell A Lie
I should have been working on my cookbook (a Christmas present) or practicing my watercolor techniques, but instead I made a Cranberry Pepita Buttermilk Cake. Oh my gosh. It is so delicious!!! Ingredients Directions Finally, because I cannot tell a lie, I forgot to add the orange zest! Based on a recipe from Better Homes…
Winter In Watercolor
I have always wanted to learn to watercolor and I have signed up for a two day course called ‘Winter in Watercolor” at the Springfield Museums. It meets this Wednesday and Thursday. I will be buying my supplies on Monday at Valley Art Supplies. Pictured here is the only watercolor I have ever completed; it’s…
Rabbit Rabbit
On the first day of November 2023 The weather forecasters forecasted Snow flurries Wednesday Mom’s favorite chicken dinner Gets a makeover According to The New York Times Israeli troops battle into Gaza Airstrike draws conflicting claims After mass shooting In Maine, no clarity On whether gun laws will change Europe’s economy falters Frank Howard, towering…
Cleaning The Gutters
Cleaning the gutters Late November The season of the witch All the leaves have fallen To the ground And into the gutters Only birds in the trees Bluejays and sparrows The warm days of picnics Past
Once Upon A Time In Montreal
Susan and I recently almost had the opportunity to house sit for an internet friend in Montreal. Unfortunately, the opportunity never materialized for us. I know we would have had a blast as we did when we house sat for our friend, Helena, in Hamilton, Ontario. Nevertheless, I was reminded of the time I went…
Blueberry Cake With Streusel Topping
I made this on Monday, October 23. The recipe is from a fascinating cookbook: “Cooking from Quilt Country, Hearty Recipes from Amish and Mennonite Kitchens,” based upon a cooking series on national PBS stations. We found this cookbook at the Swap Shop when we were vacationing in Ogunquit, Maine. Here’s our dog, Freddy, at the…
A Colorado Wedding
A few weeks ago, my son, Daryl married his girlfriend, Julia. The wedding was held at Arrowhead Golf Course in Littleton, Colorado. A magnificent setting. Here are a few photos I took during the rehearsal and on the day of the wedding. Click on photos to enlarge.
The Red Tractor
So much depends Upon a red tractor In a green field In Autumn ~~Inspired by William Carlos Williams
Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow
Saying goodby to summer. Yes, parting is sweet sorrow. But autumn starts tomorrow.
Hit And Run Results In Cucumber Soup
Allow me to explain. On the day Susan and I were scheduled to drive to West Hartford to have lunch with my brother, Dennis, and his wife, Debbie, at their new condo, the phone rang very early that morning, probably around 7:00 and I answered it. “Bruce. Dennis was hit by car this morning when…
Maine Vacation
Susan, Freddy, and I visited my sister, Darlene, her daughter, Nina, and husband, Matt, last week for five days. They live near Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, Maine. We also spent time in Kennebunkport and York. Here are some photos for you to enjoy. I also wrote a series of poems about our visit, which I…
About The Path
And a reminder to self. Old words still current. Without incident we walkedAnd every few minutes I talked.Good dog, Good dog.On we went through the park.All the time my dog hereThere, everywhereA scent sensation.And when I wantedTo stop to photographThis late September early morningI said, Freddy, sit, and he satAnd he waited and when I…
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