Jell-O 1-2-3 and me

 

I was contemplating making a dessert for some friends who were coming over, and for some reason, my mind wandered to sweets that no longer exist. One in particular came up: Jell-O 1-2-3.  For those too young to remember, Jell-O 1-2-3 was a layered dessert from the 1970s and '80s. Each serving featured three distinct layers, gelatin, mousse, and foam, all magically created from a single mix that separated as it chilled. It was light, whimsical, and easy to make. A marvel of processed simplicity and my mom was all about simplicity because she didn't like to cook.

Growing up, my mom and I were always watching our weight. Meanwhile, my dad and brother, who never seemed to gain an ounce, never gave it a second thought. Because of that, dessert was not a regular occurrence in our house. It simply wasn’t served after dinner.

Then one miraculous day, Jell-O 1-2-3 hit the grocery shelves. It was marketed as a light dessert, and my mom was sold—hook, line, and sinker. “It’s Jell-O,” she reasoned. “Only 100 calories per serving. Seems harmless enough.” No one mentioned to her, especially not me that it contained 14 to 17 grams of sugar and had virtually no nutritional value. But I wasn’t about to ruin the moment.

And just like that, dessert occasionally made its way to our dinner table. It felt decadent and forbidden. A sweet, foamy, pastel-colored wonder. And for a while, that was enough. 

It’s funny—well, not ha-ha funny, just quietly amusing—that now that I’m older and certainly less active, I still don’t eat dessert after dinner. Old habits, I suppose. But I have a feeling that if Jell-O 1-2-3 ever made a comeback, it might occasionally sneak its way onto my after-dinner plate. After all, it’s only 100 calories and only 14 to 17 grams of sugar.  

I’d love to hear about your experience with this dessert. Was it as good as I think I remember, or has nostalgia sweetened the memory a bit too much? If you ever had it, what was your favorite flavor? Mine was strawberry—no hesitation. That pink, foamy top layer felt like a treat and a loophole all at once.

Lastly would you want to see it on the grocery shelves again?

Let's Do the Hurkle Durkle

 

Now that I no longer head to work every day, I have discovered the joy of a slower pace in my life. A friend recently introduced me to the term Hurkle Durkle (also spelled herkle derkle), and I was fascinated and charmed simply by hearing the words. Naturally, as any curious semi-retired adult would, I googled it. 

It turns out Hurkle Durkle is a Scottish phrase that means to lounge in bed long after you’ve woken up. The word Hurkle suggests hunkering down or crouching for warmth, a lovely thought, especially now that sweater weather has arrived and mornings carry a chill. Durkle adds in the idea of lingering. For someone who used to be out the door by 6:30 a.m., this feels like a luxury I never knew I needed.

I have come to view it as continuous rest, a cozy selfcare ritual.  These days I brew my favorite coffee, return to bed, ease into my day, leisurely reading my emails, playing a game or reading on my kindle.  It feels so indulgent, so decadent. But after years of dashing around, juggling ten things at once, I’ve decided I’ve earned this new rhythm. And honestly? I’m not giving it up anytime soon. 

No Kings, Just Citizens

I believe the Constitution is one of the most brilliantly written documents in history. Adopted in 1787, it serves as the foundational legal framework of the United States. It establishes a federal government divided into three branches, legislative, executive, and judicial, and outlines the powers and responsibilities of each. Through its amendments, most notably the Bill of Rights, it guarantees essential rights and freedoms to individuals.

The Constitution was designed to ensure checks and balances, protect liberty, and adapt over time. It was signed on September 17, 1787, by a group of delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. While the Constitution was a collaborative effort, five figures stand out: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Gouverneur Morris, and James Madison. Each brought distinct visions shaped by their experiences, fears, and hopes for a new nation, one that had just emerged from a bitter war with England.

The debates were intense. Federalists pushed for a strong central government to ensure stability, while Anti-Federalists feared tyranny and fought for individual and state rights. James Madison advocated for a government based on checks and balances and helped design a system where power was divided among three branches to prevent any one group from dominating. 

Let's pause and reflect on this document for a moment. This document, along with its amendments and the Bill of Rights, has endured attacks and upheavals, yet it has held steady It has remained our guiding light for the last 238 years. 

 Please don’t mistake this for a history lesson. That’s not my intent. I simply feel compelled to remind us, especially those of us in the United States, of our rights as citizens. Perhaps our schools aren’t teaching the Constitution’s history with the depth it deserves.

Just to make sure we’re all on the same page and as a reminder, I’m quoting the First Amendment   “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

And lately, it feels like the Constitution itself is under siege. The principle of checks and balances seems to be fading from view. The First Amendment has been tested in troubling ways: the cancellation of The Colbert Report, Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, and the mass resignation of Pentagon journalists who refused to become government scribes. At first, I thought that Bill Igor and ABC was caving but thank you for returning Kimmel to the air.  As for the mass resignations of the Pentagon press Corp, good for you!

These are not just media headlines—they’re signals. Signals that we must stay vigilant, informed, and engaged. The Constitution isn’t just parchment and ink. It’s a living promise. And it’s up to us to keep it alive.

Millions of people turned out for the No Kings March. For reasons I still can't fathom, some not all Republican voices have rebranded the event as the “Hate America Rally", their words, not mine. But this wasn’t a hate rally. It was a peaceful gathering, a public affirmation of our rights as Americans, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution.

In response, the official White House account on X (formerly Twitter) posted images of President Donald Trump wearing a crown. While social media often thrives in irony or satire, this wasn’t tongue-in-cheek. The White House meant it. And that, more than any meme, speaks volumes.

In closing, I tend to steer clear of political conversations, especially given the climate we live in today. But I love this democratic country. We are fortunate—deeply fortunate—to call it home.

                                                            Not funny

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

 

It first started with all the advertisements from Starbucks and McDonalds. Then came the trip to Home Goods where when I entered the store, the moment I walked through the doors, I was hit with the scent of pumpkin candles and those cinnamon brooms they stock this time of year.

Suddenly I was craving softness: sweaters with sleeves that graze my knuckles and that don’t apologize for being beige and great hardy dishes right out of the crockpot.  My obsession with all things made with pumpkin has been rekindled for Autumn.  So not only is it sweater weather it is comfort food season. 

Pumpkin spice isn’t just a flavor. It’s a mood. It’s a little nostalgic, a little indulgent. It’s the scent of a season that forgives you for skipping the gym and cooking with lots of butter. It is sugar and spice and everything nice. It’s the friends who show up in mismatched socks, the chili that stains your favorite sweater, and hot a hot toddy on a cold evening sipped in front of the fireplace. (And yes, mismatched socks are now sold in pairs—because even comfort has a marketing team.)

This year, I’m skipping the pie. I’m hosting a gal pal evening, and I am thinking of serving pumpkin chili, apple pie and a cocktail called The Cozy Drop. Comfort doesn’t have to be sweet—it just has to be shared. I went looking for a chili recipe and one for a cocktail and here is what I came up with:

Pumpkin Chili (Savory, Not Sweet)

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)

• 1 lb ground turkey or beef (or skip for a vegetarian version)

• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin purée (not pie filling)

• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1½ cups vegetable or chicken broth

• 2 tsp chili powder

• 1 tsp cumin

•  ½ tsp smoked paprika

•  ¼ tsp cinnamon (trust me—it deepens the flavor)

•  Salt and pepper, to taste

     

Instructions

1.  Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook until softened.

2.  Brown the meat: Add ground turkey or beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

3.  Add the flavor base: Stir in pumpkin purée, tomatoes, beans, broth, and spices. Mix well.

4. Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally. The chili will thicken and deepen in flavor.

5. Taste and tweak: Adjust seasoning. Add a splash of vinegar or lime juice if it needs brightness.

6. Serve: Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, toasted pepitas, or crushed tortilla chips. Pair with cornbread or a crusty baguette.

 The Cozy Drop Cocktail

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka (a smooth base—try one with vanilla or citrus notes)

• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice

• ¾ oz apple cider (unfiltered for depth)

• ½ oz simple syrup (or maple syrup for extra autumnal flair)

• Cinnamon sugar, for rimming the glass

• Optional: dash of ginger liqueur or bitters for warmth

Enjoy

Another Great, Gone

 

Diane Keaton has passed away, and I didn’t realize how much she meant to cinema or to me until I read about her death.

I loved Diane Keaton. I truly identified with her. She was different—unique, quirky, unapologetically herself. She never tried to blend in with the pack. She spoke her mind and chose roles that resonated with her. Some, like Annie Hall and The First Wives Club, became cultural touchstones. Others were quiet sleepers, just as powerful in their own way.

She was admired by her peers and collaborators, and to my knowledge there’s no public record of her having serious problems working with other actors. So rare in Hollywood. In fact, many of her most iconic roles came from close creative partnerships with her co-stars—some of whom she also dated. 

Although I do not enjoy Woody Allen and have been known to walk out of his movies, I did see Annie Hall.  Diane Keaton was the reason for its success. She starred in eight films with Woody Allen, but I only went to see Annie Hall.

Although I’ve never been a fan of Woody Allen and have even walked out of his movies, I did see Annie Hall. Diane Keaton was the reason I stayed. She brought something singular to that film: wit, vulnerability, and a style all her own. Though she starred in eight films with Allen, Annie Hall was the only one I chose to see. And it was enough to show me how great she was.

There are very few like her.  She will be missed.

My Continuing Coffee Journey

One thing Charlotte doesn’t lack is coffee shops. They’re everywhere, and many are genuinely great. Since I only work parttime one of my favorite ritual is to seek out a new cafe. I do have a short check list that I use to make a decision whether the cafe is worthy of a visit. I have outlined my criteria below:

Criteria for Repeat Visits:

   • Coffee Quality – Bold, balanced, and worth savoring

   • Bakery Selection – Tempting treats that go beyond the basics or if they are basic, they            are high quality

   • Seating Vibe – Cozy, and conversation-friendly

   • Bonus Comforts – outdoor seating, or unexpected charm

My friends and I love catching up over a good cup of coffee, and one of our favorite spots is Rocky River Coffee in Harrisburg, NC. With both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s the kind of place where you can settle in, sip slowly, and chat in a relaxed setting. The bonus for me is that every day they have a flavored coffee, not the kind that you add a sugary syrup.  It is flavored ground beans, my favorite treat.  

Recently, when my daughter had the morning off, I took her to Rocky River Coffee, hoping she’d enjoy it as much as we do. They didn’t disappoint. The café is in the midst of a renovation, and even now, it’s already looking cozier and more inviting.

The Verdict: Meets all of my criteria for being a repeat favorite. Great for catching up with friends or introducing someone new to my coffee rituals. 

 

Sincerely Sancerre: A Sips and Apps Reflection

 

My Sips and Apps group met recently, and the wine of choice was Sancerre. I wasn’t familiar with this varietal, so in case you’re in the same boat, here’s a quick rundown: Sancerre hails from the rolling hills of France’s Loire Valley and is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes. But unlike the bold, tropical Sauvignon Blancs of New Zealand or California, Sancerre is all about restraint, elegance, and minerality. It is the type of wine that when you are entertaining and want to make an understated statement you serve Sancerre.

Its flavor profile is crisp citrus, green apple and a subtle herbal taste. It is light-bodied but structured, with a clean, high-acid finish. The region’s limestone and clay soils give Sancerre its signature minerality.

We started our wine tasting with the Sancerre. For kicks—and maybe a little mischief—we poured a California Sauvignon Blanc alongside it. The contrast was striking. The best word to describe the California wine is very bold and unapologizing loud, with an overwhelming taste of citrus. The poor California Cousin never had a chance.

Of course, none of our gatherings are complete without food. We gave serious thought to the heavy apps for the pairing. Asparagus wrapped in pastry, baked brie, shrimp scampi, and crostini made their way to the table. A lemon cake brought the evening to a bright, sweet close.

If you have tasted Sancerre please leave your comments.