I have a confession to make. When I was in first grade, I pilfered the lemon yellow crayon out of a classmate's desk. I'd worn mine down to a nub and she hadn't even reached the peeling-down-of-the-paper stage! In my six year old mind, she clearly didn't love yellow as much as I did. I … Continue reading Sunny Side Up
Author: Wendy Franzen
Cumberland Island
I just returned from four amazing days spent with my little sister (affectionately known as Little J) at her Florida beach house. On our last and best day, we took the ferry to a place I'd always longed to see: Cumberland Island, Georgia. Cumberland Island is a magical, chill inducing place. No bridge links the … Continue reading Cumberland Island
Sunday in the Gardens
Exploring Tarpaulin Cove
Our week of sailing with my cousin and his family was a fantastic adventure! After weathering a few crazy storms while moored in Red Brook Harbor, we sailed to Naushon Island, anchoring in idyllic Tarpaulin Cove. Hannah and her cousin Sasha immediately jumped on a paddle board and made their way to the island in … Continue reading Exploring Tarpaulin Cove
Sailing Away
This Sunday, my daughter and I leave the boys behind and head east for a sailing trip with our Connecticut cousins. We'll make our way from Cape Cod to Martha's Vineyard, then spend a long weekend in Edgartown. I've been eagerly anticipating this trip from the moment we planned it and can't believe it's actually … Continue reading Sailing Away
Kale and Chickpea Salad with Honeyed Almonds and Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette
Isn't this French kale beautiful? I know, I know - the words kale and beautiful don't normally sit side by side in the same sentence, but the dark green and purple all ombréd together and those perfect, rounded ruffles make it the ODLR of the vegetable world.I brought the above kale home from Elawa … Continue reading Kale and Chickpea Salad with Honeyed Almonds and Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette
Summer Lovin’
Happy Friday! It feels like summer is finally here to stay, thank goodness. Don't you love how relaxed everything becomes, from the clothes we wear to the way we entertain? The seasonal shopping bug bit me recently, so I thought I'd share a few of my warm-weather discoveries. Chill the white and cue the sunshine!Does … Continue reading Summer Lovin’
This Weekend: Bike Races, Food Trucks, and 16 Candles – The Glencoe Grand Prix
The forecast is 80 degrees and sunny for this Saturday's 8th annual Glencoe Grand Prix! Come to picturesque Glencoe for the bike races - both amateur and professional - and stay for the food and fun. Or come for the food and stay for the races and fun. One of the great additions to this … Continue reading This Weekend: Bike Races, Food Trucks, and 16 Candles – The Glencoe Grand Prix
Seasonally Inspired: Raspberry Rhubarb Compote
Rhubarb is in season right now, so catch it while you can. Instead of making the usual suspects (pie and crisp), why not try this simple, delicious, sweet-tart compote? It can be spooned over ice cream, big meringues with whipped cream, pudding or pound cake, or swirled into your morning yogurt if you're feeling virtuous. … Continue reading Seasonally Inspired: Raspberry Rhubarb Compote
The (Hand)written Word
During a recent bout of spring cleaning, I discovered a thank you note tucked deep in a drawer that my mother had written after celebrating her birthday at our home (we were celebrating my stepfather's as well - they shared a birthday). I remember the events she refers to in the letter as if they … Continue reading The (Hand)written Word
the aesthete and the dilettante 