My daughter Kristina is leaving for Finland today. She will be visiting her cousins, studying the cuisine of the land, and for the first time, she will be walking the grounds of the almost 200-year old family farm where her great-grandmother Vanni was born. Finland is a beautiful land and one of the most sparsely populated […]
Summer Peaches!
It’s been a busy weekend! My husband, Bill, daughter Kara and I, (Kristina is leaving for Finland and couldn’t make it) drove up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and attended the annual blueberry festival and the “Art on the Rocks” festival in Marquette. More on those later this week, plus what cookbooks I found! You […]
Making Piece: How Pies Can Save the World
You won’t be able to read this book without wanting to make a pie, or take a trip to Iowa. I made the pie, but not the trip… yet. It’s going to happen, and soon. I have a great love of Iowa and pie, which is probably why I couldn’t put this book down. It’s a food […]
"Excite the Senses" Cookbook from Celebrity Cruises
If you have been reading my Alaskan cruise blogs since last week, then you already know how much I love this cookbook from Celebrity Cruises. Say bon voyage to boring meals and go on an exciting culinary adventure that will definitely “Excite the Senses.” The book contains frame-worthy photos and special recipes to prepare in your own […]
Alaskan Cruise Day Eight: Home Sweet Home
I have been home for a couple weeks now, but I can still feel the ocean air on my face if I close my eyes and remember. The trip to Seattle and Alaska was an adventure of a lifetime for Kristina and me. The time spent with my daughter was priceless. Thank you Four Seasons […]
Alaskan Cruise Day Seven: Victoria, Canada, High Tea, and a Cooking Competition
Day Seven would be our last time for adventures on the ship. Tomorrow I would head back home to Chicago and Kristina to Los Angeles. We had to spend a part of the day packing before we arrived in Victoria, Canada at 6:00 that evening, because our luggage had to be all packed and ready to […]
Alaskan Cruise Day Six: At Sea with a 4th of July Bash
On the sixth day we were at sea on the way to Victoria, Canada. It was also the 4th of July and Celebrity Cruises went all out for ship entertainment. After a leisurely and relaxing morning, Kristina and I attended Chef John Suley’s class at noon about cooking with marinades and rubs, a timely class for summertime grilling […]
Alaskan Cruise Day Five: Skagway- From the Gold Rush Days to "Excite the Senses" Gastronomic and Vineyard Tour
It was another early sunrise before 4:00 am. The ship arrived in Skagway at 7:00 and we were ready for our next adventure. It was cold! Notice the people wearing coats, hats, and mittens. Our first stop was breakfast at “The Sweet Tooth Cafe,” one of those homey, cozy places that one would hope to find […]
