For Better or Worse

For Better or Worse

1984 was an auspicious year – not because of George Orwell’s famous novel but because I met Steve Barnhart. We were seated across from each other at a Chicago “hangout spot”, largely populated by new college graduates like ourselves, called Butch McGuire’s.  We were introduced …read more

Can Texas Chili Reignite my Tastebuds?

Can Texas Chili Reignite my Tastebuds?

Flavor bomb – tomato, chili, and spices. You would instinctively assume that I can both smell, and taste this bowl of chili I made yesterday morning. Packed with tomato, chili, and spices a gold standard and fail-safe marriage of flavors. Chunks of tender meat in a …read more

Learning to Love the Prairie

Learning to Love the Prairie

In the summer of 2003 we packed up our home in Florida and moved to Lake Forest, much to our children’s surprise and disappointment. They had grown up in the Southeast listening to tree frogs, catching geckos and spending early mornings at Cocoa Beach.  Illinois was …read more

Slow Cooking 101 – “Then & Now”

Slow Cooking 101 – “Then & Now”

In September of 2017, I wrote the post below to help explain my love of the slow cooker and help our readers get started on their slow cooking journey. As we celebrate FMI’s Family Meal Month I thought it would be fun to “re-post” with …read more

A Trio of Summer Salads

A Trio of Summer Salads

In the absence of travel overseas again this year I am basking in the memories of vacations past. Images of the clear blue seas, skies, and sandy beaches of the Aegean surrounding the Greek Island of Skiathos are a reminder of another world out there. …read more

Stretching the Moment

Stretching the Moment

As we head into August we decided to take a moment and look back at some of our favorites posts over the years. I’m re-sharing one from 2014. Enjoy! August 6, 2014 When I was a child, August was one of my favorite months  – …read more

Enneagram Of Eating Part 2

Enneagram Of Eating Part 2

An Epicure and a Protector, as an Enneagram 7 and 8 Meg is an optimistic thinker, a mover and a shaker with a deeply protective nature. Meg and I have long shared a love of travel and food which includes finding inspiration in the local …read more

Enneagram of Eating Part 1

Enneagram of Eating Part 1

A Loyal Sceptic and a Romantic, as an Enneagram 6 and 4 Jane is dedicated to figuring out the world as friend or foe, is a solution seeker, emotionally sensitive, and creative. There’s a lot more to Enneagram types than this and if you’re interested …read more