At the Passover seder, we ask the question “Why is this night different from all other nights?” On this night, we eat only matzah. On this night, we especially eat bitter herbs and dip them twice. On this night, we dine with special ceremony. The story of Passover represents the journey from darkness into light….
Few things are as romantic as when someone gets down on one knee and asks their beloved “will you marry me? Will you love me in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, forsaking all others?” For me, that day was 25 years ago, and I have learned a lot along the way. A…
This year Dec. 3 marks the first day of Hanukkah, with the first candle kindled the previous evening. Also referred to as the “Festival of Lights,” Hanukkah celebrates the miracle that occurred when the Maccabees bravely reclaimed the Temple. Their sanctuary was desecrated with little oil left to light the menorah. The story tells us…
Every year I look forward to the end of summer when the temperature returns to comfortable instead of stifling. I can finally turn off the central air conditioning that my husband and I constantly fight about. I believe that just because it is 90 degrees outside, my home doesn’t have to feel like the inside…
Through June, there had better be a “plan B” for anything scheduled to take place outdoors. When summer finally arrives, we head outside in droves to soak up all that long-awaited Oregon sunshine streaming through the lush trees and flowers. The grass is soft and green, just waiting for us to flop down on a…
My husband, Marshall, and I recently celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary. We were married in Palm Springs, CA, in 1994. The nuptials were held at LaVallauris, a beautiful French restaurant just off Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs. My in-laws owned a beautiful home at Canyon Country Club. My father-in-law loved to play golf,…
Three years ago, I finally made good on a proposal to get some of my best girlfriends together for an all-girls weekend. Last year I chose a beautiful home in the heart of the Oregon wine country. For one weekend a year, we abandon our busy lives, spouses and kids to share lots of laughter,…
I began this day as I often do. I saw my son off to school then met up with my friend for our twice weekly morning walk with my dog. I returned home and made a second cup of coffee, then went out to feed and water my four chickens. Today, to my surprise, I…
On Nov. 12, 1892, the Allegheny Athletic Association’s football team beat the Pittsburg Athletic Club. The game itself was not notable, however one of the players, William (Pudge) Heffelfinger, was openly paid $500 to play, making it the very first pro football game played in the United States. As they say, the rest is history….
It is often said that variety is the spice of life, however, I believe that spice is what gives life variety, so I amp up the spice whenever I can! The holiday season is the time to eat all of those traditional foods that we know and love. The turkey, brisket, latkes, cookies and kugel…
