‘Farm to Table’ In Your Own Backyard
March 5, 2012
The Sweet Aromas of Spring
February 27, 2012
Author Caroline Ford writes, As winter’s frost melts into the soft pastels of a budding spring, I’m eager to gather my friends in celebration. The bright colors of the season’s edible treasures need nothing more than a clean, white tablecloth and a bouquet of fragrant flowers. Enjoy this light lunch on a sunny patio or fling open your windows for a fresh breeze and the sweet smell of spring. For a twist on a standard mimosa, I’ve paired a sweet rhubarb syrup with tart grapefruit juice to create a flirty pink cocktail that’s a welcome refreshment as your guests join the party. Since nothing says spring quite like asparagus, I’ve placed rows of tender green stalks on top of zesty ricotta cheese tucked into buttery puff pastry. The individual tarts are served alongside herbaceous mini frittatas and vibrant pink gravlax on rye crackers. For a decadent finish to the garden party, I love serving a classic combination of berries and cream. Sweet and rich, the roasted strawberry ice cream highlights the gorgeous colors of this tender spring fruit. It’s outstanding accompanied by pieces of dense poppy seed pound cake or fluffy angel food cake. These recipes will serve a party of six, but they can be easily doubled for larger festivities.” Read more….
Pinehurst and Southern Pines, North Carolina
February 20, 2012
A Home-Grown Park in Pittstown
February 13, 2012
“A landscape can be an evolving thing, and there’s no need to feel this sense of forcing it,” says Howard Roberts. “Sometimes things reveal themselves that you didn’t even expect by being a little more patient.” Patience is exactly the virtue Roberts needed during the twelve years it took to transform his run-down, three-acre property of empty fields into a mature, lush, and private retreat for his family. Involved in the landscape industry for more than thirty years and currently the owner of New Jersey-based Cross River Design Inc., a landscape design and build company, and its offshoot, Liquid Inc., a custom pool and water feature design company, Roberts had all the tools he needed to embark on his evolving design. Read more….
Date-Night Makeover
February 6, 2012
If you’re like most couples, date night involves some version of a dinner out followed by a visit to the cineplex to catch the latest blockbuster. The dinner-and-a-movie routine is part of an enjoyable night out, but mixing things up on occasion stands to benefit couples, too. Whether you change the theme, the time of day, or the location of your date, replacing your go-to night out with something new can help you bring the excitement back into your relationship and discover new qualities in your significant other. Ready to revamp the traditional night out? Here are eight fresh ideas to inspire a date-night makeover. Read more….
The Essence of Mexico
January 30, 2012
The author used to think that Tony Bennett’s song about leaving his heart in San Francisco was just that—a song. But that was before she visited Mazatlan, and now she completely understands what he was talking about. Twenty years ago, she left my heart in this charming Mexican city on the Sea of Cortez, and every May since, she’s returned with her husband, Don, to check on it. Read more….
On The Bayou
January 23, 2012
Michael, my cooking teacher at the New Orleans School of Cooking, claims that Cajun food is “the only real American cuisine.” Michael is admittedly subjective—he passionately loves his city and its cuisine. One thing is true; N’Awlins offers some of the freshest produce and seafood around due to its climate and location. That fact, coupled with a culinary history that originates from French-speaking Canadians immigrating to Louisiana, makes this cuisine a true North American foodie favorite. Read more….
Winter Wonders – African Violets
January 16, 2012
For gardeners, winter can be a terribly long and colorless
season. But if you’re a plant lover who’s discovered the joys of growing African
violets, just the opposite is true. Their dainty blooms, in a wide array of
purple, pink, blue, white, and multicolored combinations, will appear almost
constantly and brighten any gloomy January day. Read more…..
When Less is More
January 9, 2012
Another Design International, took on the task of remodeling a 1,000-square-foot
residence for a young family in Hong Kong, his primary goal was to improve the
design while proving the old adage that less is more. Read more…
The Great Escape
December 27, 2011
of Interiors by Sandra Espinet, in Los Angeles, California, and Los Cabos,
Mexico—approaches each project with a fresh point of view. Her philosophy is
evident in the eclectic interiors of Casa Walker in San José del Cabo, Mexico, a
10,000-square-foot hideaway for a family based in Dallas, Texas. Read more….
