In the new year I plan to fret less, walk the dog lots, make some music, hear more live music, read for pleasure, write lots, and in general...

I have cooked and/or baked the following over the last week or so: butterscotch crescent rolls, almond cardamom bread, cookies galore, almon...

Here is something I read this year that has hung around in my mind--to go along with the conversation over at counterintuitive 's.

Work. 1.  Sabbatical. 2. New manuscript coming along nicely. Viewing. 1.   The Band's Visit. 2.   Forgetting Sarah Marshall. 3.   The Ed...

Transportation. 1.  TRAX and bus pass. 2.  awesome bike. Consumption. 1.  (books) the library, the library's robot, self-checkout. 2.  (...

Culinary breakthroughs. 1.  using coconut milk in both the cake and the icing for a coconut cake (or cupcakes). 2.  brittle.   3.  the multi...

1.  We arose danged early.  7:30 a.m., with no kids in sight.  That's because (a) it was snowing and (b) we were going to visit three ho...

Today I made panettone and baked and iced sugar cookies (I had help from singing son, soccer coach son, and the historian on the icing and s...

Running Son sent some pictures today. "An Indian family treated us to some delicious chicken curry . . . you eat with your hands and it...

I have learned a new candy trick:  I can make brittle!  I got the notion from this feature on The Daily Beast , a little Thanksgiving panop...

Historian :   [seeing a corner house with only the front walk shoveled]:   Huh. They only shoveled the front walk.   I know, a corner lot, t...

Today, I went to the headquarters of Short Stuff, aka, an elementary school.  Singing Son asked me to accompany his Honor Choir at the holid...

While compiling my annual list of music I want to hear, I got this hint from Ann Powers (on Slate , a conversation amongst Jody Rosen, hers...

Today was one of those days when I could not get out of my own way.  I was reading in Anne Carson's new translations of Euripides; in on...

Reprising my day: This, this was my breakfast. This is Bruiser, digging on the snow. These are the horses in the back field. And, oh yeah, w...

Those who apply themselves too closely to little things, such as purchasing Christmas candles, a Christmas wreath, and butter for all the Ch...

Today I began listening to Christmas music, the commencement of which I think we can all agree is a bit tardy.  My favorite Christmas music,...

My oldest and very dear friend sent me this link yesterday, from Jeanette Winterson, about making mince pies whilst listening to audiobooks...