Goodbye to a once cherished friend.

Recently, I was at a mahjong gathering with my buddies. We were huddled around a spread of deliciously prepared snacks on the host’s center island. All the women are excellent cooks. Somewhere between bites and banter, we found ourselves strolling down memory lane and the topic of dinner came up.

In my house growing up, dinner was usually my responsibility. Later, when my grandmother moved in with us, she shared the cooking duties. Our meals were simple: a protein, a starch, and a vegetable. Nothing fancy but always satisfying.

My parents were married for 60 years before my mom passed, and they had a beautiful relationship. One of the ways they kept it real was by having a monthly date night. We always knew one was coming when my mom returned from Waldbaum’s with two Swanson TV dinners tucked into the grocery bags. Their date nights were our treat nights.TV dinners felt like gourmet feasts to us. My favorite was the turkey dinner, complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes, and a cranberry something-or-other. My brother always went for the fried chicken.

TV dinners were invented in the 1950's by Swanson who had a ton of leftover Thanksgiving Turkey and needed a clever way to use it up. Their solution, a full dinner packaged in a divided aluminum tray that could just be placed in the oven and served as is straight out of the oven. Soon they expanded their offerings by adding Salisbury steak and fried chicken.

This was in late 60's.  By the 1980's other companies such as Stouffers and Banquet entered the fray. With the rise of the microwave, they adapted their packaging and cooking methods to suit the faster pace of modern kitchens. Swanson stuck with its tried-and-true recipes, while Stouffer’s introduced meals that were noticeably more flavorful and appealing. As a result, Swanson began to lose market share.  I think you can still find a Swanson's dinner, but they are rapidly disappearing from the supermarket freezers.

These days my meals look a lot different.  Inspired by the women I share fun gatherings with; I am inspired to working on improving my cooking skills. 

The microwave didn’t just change how we cook: it changed how we live. Meals became faster, more convenient, and increasingly personalized. But with each family member pulled in different directions by busy schedules and endless activities, mealtime has shifted. It’s often a grab-and-go affair rather than a chance to gather around the table and talk. 

The ritual of shared dinners has faded, replaced by quick bites and solo plates. And while convenience has its perks, something meaningful has sadly been lost in the process. I find myself craving not just better meals, but better moments. Maybe that’s why I treasure the laughter and shared bites at my wine club. It’s not just about what’s on the plate—it’s about what’s around it. Dinnertime growing up was always a great time to touch base with members of the family. I try to make sure we eat dinner together a few times a week just to keep the tradition alive.

 

Celebrity Book Clubs

 

Celebrity book clubs have become a large part of our literary culture. They spotlight authors who otherwise might remain under the radar.  While well-known authors such as Louise Penny, Stephen King or James Patterson dominate bookshelves, celebrity picks often come from debut authors with compelling stories.

Three celebrities in particular have emerged as literary curators: Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Jenna Bush Hager. Their book selections frequently land on bestseller lists, and each club has developed its own distinct tone and personality.

Oprah launched her book club in 1996 at the height of her daytime reign and to date has chosen over 100 books. What made her approach unique was that she chose a book asked people to read the book and encouraged them to join her for an in-depth discussion and exploration of the book while watching her show. 

Her books tend to lean toward serious literary fiction, memoirs and classics chosen for their thought-provoking themes.  I find that her recommendations elevate my book choices. Many of her books are a challenge to read but worth it since they leave a lasting impression.

I enjoy reading books that are emotionally rich, and character driven.  A few of her picks that are my personal favorites are Jewel, The Reader, Where the Heart Is and Becoming.    I appreciated her reintroduction to many of the classic such as The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, East of Eden and The Good Earth, books that I first read in High School but enjoyed reading again this time through an adult lens.

Reese Witherspoon launched her book club in 2017 through her media company, Hello Sunshine. The tone of her book club is very different from the Oprah Book club. I feel the books are more accessible and entertaining with a clear mission: to spotlight stories with women at the center.  Her selections often span contemporary fiction, thrillers, and historical novels and it is apparent that she chooses many of the books to adapt them into a film or series. I often find I am casting many of the characters while I read the book.

I’ve read many of Reese’s picks and enjoyed them all. One of my personal favorites is First Lie Wins, which I’ll explore in a separate post. 

Jenna Bush Hager launched her Read with Jenna book club in 2019. Her selections often feature debut authors and focus on themes of family, identity, and resilience. I imagine her love for reading was passed down from her mother, Laura Bush, and her grandmother, Barbara Bush, both strong advocates for literacy.  I will share more about of Jenna's picks in a future post.

These books club have created a space for new authors. Their recommendations provide books that encourage people to read and share their thoughts especially in book groups.

I’m a member of two book clubs myself, and they provide wonderful social interaction. I love gathering with my groups for lively discussion, laughter, and yes, some adult beverages and tasty munchies. That just adds to the ambiance and warmth of the experience.

 

To the Earl of Sandwich-- Thank you

 

Sandwiches have been around a long time but credit for the sandwich as we know it can be attributed to John Montagu the 4th Earl of Sandwich. Allegedly, while gambling, he asked to have meat placed between two slices of bread, so he did not have to leave the game he was playing.

People put the darndest things between two slices of bread. I recall visiting a site with young teens during my time as a consultant. This site was in Brooklyn New York and the teens came from homes where peanut butter and jelly was affordable and a staple. The teens had chosen to learn a trade instead of pursuing college. I remember sitting in the cafeteria with the center director, and we struck up a conversation about food. Turns out we were both Foodies.

He shared a story that caught me by surprise. On one occasion, the cafeteria served lobster—a rare treat. To his astonishment, the kids took the lobster and slapped it between two slices of bread. He thought it was absurd, but I saw it differently. Even though most of these kids  were never in New England where the lobster roll is well known and beloved they made their own version.

Since semi retiring, I have more time to have lunch with friends. I am now on a pilgrimage to find places that make one of two sandwiches.  One is the Rueben/Rachel sandwich which has always been a favorite of mine. The other is the Croque Monsieur.

Let's start with what makes a perfect Rueben.  The Reuben, is all about the combination of bold and balanced flavors, where the crunchy toasted bread meets the melty cheese and corned beef (Rueben) pastrami (Rachel) combination. 

Whoever is making the sandwich must start off with a good rye bread.  Thinly sliced corned beef, preferably cooked onsite and not the deli variety is added next.  You want a generous layer of meat, thick enough so that the sauerkraut does not overwhelm the meat. Then comes the cheese. Domestic or imported Swiss are fine choices but gruyere takes it up a notch.  Lastly, Thousand Island or Russian dressing is added.  The entire sandwich is then grilled until it is golden and crispy.  Crispy is the magic word.  The bread must be able to hold all those glorious ingredients.

When I lived in Maryland, there was a great sandwich place that set the gold standard for the Reuben called Full On.  It is located in Rockville, Md off Norbeck Road.  The Corned Beef is house made and they use Thousand Island which is my preference for a Reuben. If you are ever in the area, give them a try. 

Now that I live in Charlotte my goal is to find a place that makes a Reuben similar to theirs. I will keep you updated on my quest.

When I first sat down to write this post, I was going to discuss the Croque Monsieur as well as the Reuben. But as I sit here writing, I have decided that it needs a dedicated post. So keep your eye out for it.

Sips and Apps Great Beginnings

Previously, i mentioned that I am part of a wine group in Maryland. It is so great getting together with my friends drinking a glass of wine, sharing a bite and just sharing stories and laughing together.  Unfortunately, I am not able to share as much time since I have moved. But we do make an effort to get together a couple of times a year.

Not to worry, since I moved to North Carolina, a group of ladies in my neighborhood recently decided to form a wine club. So, you can imagine just how thrilled I was when this opportunity came along here in my new home. Sharing good wine with good women "you had me at hello". Count me in! I

We chose to give each meeting a theme. I think it adds a touch of intention for sipping's and a bit of consistency. We felt we wanted to spotlight and savor a specific varietal. For our kickoff meeting we chose the Cabernet Sauvignon a bold and full-bodied wine.

Now, any self-respecting woman knows the first cardinal rule of drinking which is, Don't Drink on an Empty Stomach, that is unless you are prepared to hear a roomful of women singing in your great room.  Come to think about it there was some singing, the music vibes were definitely flowing.  So, we made it our mission to find foods that paired well with our lovely Cabs.

A Cabernet Sauvignon with its bold full-bodied flavor, of black cherry black currant, plum and blackberry is surprisingly easy to pair.  Its robust nature invites rich savory bites and as we discovered the right pairing doesn't just complement the wine, it completes it

After a bit of research, we landed on delicious options which included roast beef crostini, smoked salmon crostini, glazed meatballs, caprese skewers and dips.  I tried to capture some of the wonderful pairings in the photos. 

As the evening continued and the ideas flowed as freely as the wine, we found ourselves thinking beyond just one varietal. Why limit ourselves when the world of wine and spirits offers so many delicious possibilities? So, we decided to expand our focus. We also decided to name ourselves the Sips and Apps Group further expanding our horizons.

For our July meeting, we’re turning our attention to Sangria—that vibrant, fruit-filled Spanish classic. The idea of Sangria practically begs for sunshine and good company. Here in North Carolina we have been experiencing hot weather. So whether the Sangria is made with red, white or rose, we felt it would match the summer vibe and invite creativity and great conversation.  

I will keep you posted on Sangria night.

I Beg Your Pardon, He Never Promised us a Rose Garden

 

Rose Garden Prior to the Trump's residence

When I was six years old, my family and I traveled to Washington, D.C. At the time, Mrs. Kennedy had recently refreshed the White House interior, and much more of it was open to the public. The Rose Garden had also been updated—it was a peaceful, elegant space, destined to remain the backdrop for countless historic moments.

I fell in love with the city instantly and vowed I would live there one day. You might wonder how a six-year-old could possibly know something like that—but for me, it was a spiritual connection. I just knew.

Fast forward twelve years: I applied to Cornell University and received a letter from admissions saying that, unfortunately, pieces of my application had gotten separated. The fall semester was full, but they invited me to consider attending in the spring instead.

Eager to start my college journey and be out on my own, I quickly applied to the University of Maryland and was accepted right away. The rest, as they say, is history. I never lived in New York again—most of my life has been spent in the Maryland and D.C. area, just as that younger version of me somehow sensed it would.

Donald Trump is now in the White House.  For some reason he decided to pave the Rose Garden.  His justification for this in his own words:

  "You know, we use [the Rose Garden] for press conferences, and it doesn’t work because the people fall,” he said at the time.

"The terrain can be wet, and the soft ground can be an issue for some," Trump added. "Women, with the high heels, it just didn’t work.”

The Rose Garden holds deep historical and emotional significance for many, especially for someone who has spent so much of their life in the DC area and has a personal connection to its beauty. It is a jarring transformation.  It is more than just landscaping, it is a shift in how we honor Our past.  To take away such a treasure and replace it with gravel is so wrong on so many levels.  All I can say is that I am heartbroken.

Please tell me what you think.

The Lost Art of Map Reading

Map-reading is quickly becoming a lost art. Growing up, I’d be in the passenger seat. My dad would hand me a map and say, “We’re going to X, Y, or Z—find it and get us there.” This skill turned out to be my secret superpower.  I worked for a company that had me traveling four out of five days a week for two years. This was just before GPS systems like Garmin were available. I’d fly into a city, grab a rental car, pick up a paper map, and navigate to every location without a second thought. No satellite guidance—just me, my sense of direction, and a trusty road map.

Last fall, I spent nearly two weeks in Europe, feeling confident I’d checked all the boxes on my packing list. I had started making a packing list when we started travelling with a one-year-old and I have been using them ever since. Let me emphasize, I am very good at creating and following my lists. But there was one small detail I overlooked—my phone. I didn’t think I’d need it much since I wasn’t planning to make calls. Turns out, even if you’re not dialing anyone, online access and texting are absolutely essential. Not having texting or internet made me feel less like a savvy traveler and more like someone trying to navigate with a paper map.  Folks, Google maps is an absolutely essential tool to have when you are travelling anywhere.

Without maps on my phone, I felt like Granny from The Beverly Hillbillies, wandering Beverly Hills with no clue where I was going. And finding a real map? Nearly impossible. In Brussels, I went to the Hilton’s front desk and asked for one. They handed me a "map" that was absolutely useless.

In Brugge, my luck changed, when we joined a tour group.  The tour guide was about to let us loose for some alone time in the city and was discussing where to meet back.  He said to type in the meet up destination and then as an afterthought he as a courtesy, asked if we all had Google maps.  

I sighed quietly and nodded no hoping to go unnoticed. But no such luck. Next thing I knew, he clamped a hand on my shoulder and, loud enough for the entire group to hear, declared, “For those of you who don’t have Google Maps, there’s a visitors center with paper maps—if you can read one!”s.”

All I can say is those who laugh last, laugh best. I headed to the visitor’s center, picked up a paper map, and we wandered all over Brugge without a single wrong turn. We made it to the meet-up point with time to spare, no tech, no stress, just a little old-school navigation.

Fortunately, sightseeing in Brugge came early in the trip.  Even though I can use a map, I still possess very good Tech skills so the very next day, I went online and added a European plan to my mobile carrier.  From that point on, navigating the rest of our journey was a breeze.

Here’s my point: learn to read a map—a real one. It’s a satisfying skill to have, and when the digital fails, it’s paper that saves the day.

Creative Cooking

Now that I have more time on my hands, I’m shifting gears from years of left-brained, analytical work to awakening the right side of my brain. Lately, that’s meant diving spatula-first into the world of cooking. 

The women in my mahjong group and book club? Culinary powerhouses. And my Wine Women of West Virginia crew? They’re basically a living Pinterest board of charm and inspiration. I love exploring their boards. With muses like these, how could I not be whisking up something new?

I’ve never been much of a rule-follower when it comes to cooking. Maybe it’s the Gemini in me, but I’d rather stir with instinct than measure with precision. A while back, I took a class called Cooking Without a Recipe, led by a chef who encouraged us to trust our senses and take chances. He taught us which ingredients are go well together and which ones shouldn’t be left alone in a room together. Most of what we cooked that day was objectively... not good. (Trying to be diplomatic) But the freedom of it was exhilarating.

I often joked with my friend Pam about having a no-recipe showdown, just the two of us pulling ingredients from each other’s pantries and seeing what kind of chaos we could turn into cuisine. She was a natural at that kind of creative abandon. Life, of course, had its own timing, and we never got the chance. But I like to think it’s still a possibility for us, some lazy Sunday, two friends, a glass of wine for inspiration and a couple of mismatched spice racks, finally giving it a whirl.

These days, I cook not because I need to feed myself, I certainly don't need the calories, but because I am preparing foods for my friends. The women in my mahjong group and book club? Absolute kitchen dynamos. And my Wine Women of West Virginia crew? Endlessly inspiring. Each gathering with them is like a spark—igniting new recipes, new stories, and a newfound joy in bringing people together.

The other day, a friend surprised me with a bundle of fresh rosemary. The scent was bold, woodsy, and wildly alive. Magical! Grocery store rosemary can't compete. Ordinarily, I throw together a quick dish with chicken tenderloins and rotisserie seasoning. It’s what I call a C- recipe nothing to brag about, but serviceable.

That rosemary, though? It shifted everything. Suddenly I wasn’t just making dinner; I was composing. I wonder if Mozart felt this way when he sat down to compose his Symphony in G Minor No 40. (one of my favorites) My creative juices kicked into gear, and I found myself riffing on flavor, fresh garlic simmering, sweet red peppers and rosemary making the kitchen smell delightful. The outcome a solid B. There's still room to tweak and grow but it was good. 

 As you suspect there was no recipe for this chicken but here is the ingredient list, I will leave exact measurements to you.  Have fun!

• chicken tenderloins
• one red pepper
• a small Vidalia onion
• 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
• McCormick's Rotisserie chicken spice
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Simple but good.

And maybe that’s the real recipe—one part courage, two parts friendship, and just letting go.

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