Good King Wenceslas looked out On the Feast of Stephen When the snow lay ’round about Deep and crisp and even This is my favorite Christmas song, but I could never listen to it without getting teary eyed. Brightly shone the moon that night Though the frost was cruel When a poor man came in sight Gath’ring winter fuel The story always touches me no matter how many…
I always worry that I’m not experimental enough in the kitchen. I find a good recipe and then stick with it for the rest of my life. This worry was spurred by a friend once comparing me to another friend who cooks. She said, “You’re a great home cook, but ______, well he’s a chef.” My pride was wounded, but I understood. The friend who she was talking…
On my morning walk with Topper I was thinking how thankful I am for you, my faithful blog readers. Maybe I overshare sometimes, but when I write, I think of each of you, whether you’re family, friends, co-workers, audiobook and voiceover friends, former PTA partners, or readers I’ve never met. I just have a feeling you can all identify. Sometimes it’s nice to know you’re not alone in…
Last Sunday, just before my daughter left with her boyfriend to take some things to college, she mentioned that the refrigerator light wasn’t on and the refrigerator didn’t appear to be working. I leaped into panic mode because: Getting anything repaired in Los Angeles is usually expensive. Getting anything repaired on a Sunday in Los Angeles is usually very expensive. I just bought a plane ticket to go…
Back in 2010 when I moved back to Pennsylvania, post divorce, I spent a lot of time with family. My brother Bob, who was semi-retired at that time and I would occasionally go for walks, and he’d start reflecting back on his life. He’d ask me things like what I wanted to be remembered for. I kept thinking, What the hell! I’m only 55, do I have to…
I am clearly still getting used to being a full-time writer, but in an effort to not look as lazy and shifless as I clearly am, I am re-posting an old favorite of mine, “The Real Truth About Sex and Love, A Groundhog Day Story.” I wish you all a Happy Groundhog Day full of fun and surprises, like one of mine was many years ago! Click on…
Most of you will read this and think, “Oh God no! Fran had to spend a Christmas alone?!!!” I didn’t have to, I chose to, and actually, it was pretty wonderful. (Especially since hazelnut thumbprints were involved.)The kids and I celebrated on the 23rd with dinner out and gift giving, so when they left on the 24th, I was OK. (If they hadn’t celebrated with me first, I…
For eight years, I wanted nothing more than a full time job so I could live like a normal human and not worry 24 hours a day. Now I have a full-time job and I’d really like to blog and bake cookies, but I’m so pooped by the time I get home, get something to eat and clean up, I don’t have time or the energy. I also…
Yesterday was my sister-in-law Patty’s birthday. She is one of the nicest humans on the face of the earth and watching her raise her kids showed me the investment of time and love that goes into raising children. Why do you think I put it off for so long? I mention her because after many years of either not placing or not baking, she is finally the winner…
Well, I soaked it and soaked it. And after a lot of scraping, I uncovered what is definitely an apricot pit. So, since several of you answered correctly, I have to send the five dollars to the first person who guessed correctly, Nicol Zanzarella. So Nicol, I will either mail it to you, or hand it to you next time we meet for coffee because a promise is…
