August 15th is Julia Child’s 103rd birthday, and I raise a toast and say ‘Happy birthday Julia!’ When I was in culinary school one of my chefs was talking about her one day and said “Julia Child was the first homie” Huh? When I asked him what he meant he explained that she was the person who elevated […]

View full post »

  • August 14, 2015 - 6:47 am

    Peggy Gilbey McMackin - Happy Birthday Julia! Interesting insight Nancy.ReplyCancel

  • August 14, 2015 - 8:28 am

    Quirky Chrissy - Julie Powell is one of the reasons I started my blog (well, her and Amy Adams).

    Happy birthday, Julia!ReplyCancel

    • August 14, 2015 - 8:31 am

      nrlowell@comcast.net - Chrissy, Now I like her even better! Did you read her second book Cleaving? It broke my heart.ReplyCancel

I am a little ashamed and need to unburden myself; I bought caponata, in a jar. I can make it, I have made it, in fact I’ve posted a recipe for it on this blog; a slow cooker caponata. Writing a food blog comes with a certain amount of pressure (albeit internal) to make things rather than buy […]

View full post »

  • August 12, 2015 - 7:16 am

    Cathy Goodwin - Nice post and fun to read. What is caponata? And have you used FreshDirect? I go to farmers markets but live in a neighborhood with lots of history but no grocery stores … And don’t miss the joy of shopping anymore.ReplyCancel

    • August 12, 2015 - 8:31 am

      nrlowell@comcast.net - Cathy, Caponata is an eggplant spread, it is kind of sweet and sour. It’s made with eggplant, tomatoes, olives, capers, celery, sugar and vinegar. I have used Fresh Direct, but I like shopping in person 🙂ReplyCancel

  • August 12, 2015 - 9:55 am

    nabanita - Ahh you don’t have to feel any kind of shame…I must confess I don’t enjoy cooking at all and if possible I would end up buying everything which is ready to eat or get cooked food delivered at my doorstep..That said I occasionally do have this urge to cook new dishes and the same me who detests cooking doesn’t feel burdened at all..So it shouldn’t bother you when you stock up for the days when you don’t feel like cooking 🙂ReplyCancel

  • August 13, 2015 - 1:36 pm

    Kelly Rainey - Ha! I completely know the feeling!! Thanks for sharing…very well written, making for a fun read.ReplyCancel

    • August 13, 2015 - 1:41 pm

      nrlowell@comcast.net - Thanks Kelly.ReplyCancel

We reached the end of the road Sunday. I made the long drive from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia alone, after putting Rachel on a plane bound for Mississippi. It was a beautiful day for a drive, but I was pretty tired. There was a wedding (or three) at our hotel and our room was a little […]

View full post »

  • August 10, 2015 - 9:23 am

    Peggy Gilbey McMackin - Welcome Back Nancy. Happy you enjoyed such a lovely time with Rachel and some quality time together. What a terrific memory!ReplyCancel

Friday morning we decamped Seven Springs and headed for Pittsburgh. The ride was just over an hour and we got a sweet deal at the Wyndam Grand by booking our hotel at the last minute. We have a room on the 14th floor overlooking three bridges, a huge fountain, both sports arenas and an elegant hill. […]

View full post »

  • August 8, 2015 - 10:17 am

    Peggy Gilbey McMackin - Hi Nancy, I think the classier hotel suits you, as well as your time in Pittsburgh. What a gorgeous view. The Botanical Gardens look wonderful as do the meals you experienced on your visit…the Spring Rolls…divine. Happy Saturday travels.ReplyCancel

T w i t t e r