2025-11-29

I hosted a lovely, traditional little Thanksgiving dinner, just my mother and a couple of friends.

My mother brought over a turkey ready for the oven, then headed off to Phoenix to pick up a friend at the airport. It was my first time cooking a turkey, but it turned out delicious.

I made dinner rolls for the first time. I used a recipe from Preppy Kitchen: Dinner Rolls They were soft and delicious, and actually really easy. I've added the recipe to my recipes page to use again later. Even if you've never made bread before, I bet you can make these! His video is excellent.

I also made mashed potatoes, and then friends brought stuffing and made gravy, and sliced up a can of cranberry jelly. And of course, I made apple pie.

It was a small get-together, but warm and friendly and happy. 10/10, would Friendsgiving again.

2025-11-19

Went for a wander at Tohono Chul. It's a lovely place to wander, sit, think, read.

See more photos from Tohono Chul

2025-11-05

In the spirit of using your website to celebrate that things that you love, I've started posting my favorite recipes in a new 'Food' section. Right this minute, it's like three recipes. I have some work to do!

But since we're cruising into holiday season, I thought I'd share two in particular:

Apple Pie: If you've ever hated American apple pies because they are syrupy-sweet and more sauce than apples, this is the recipe for you. It's made with tart apples and just a quarter cup of sugar for the whole pie, so it tastes like spiced apples and is a great complement to ice cream. If I am asked to bring a pie for Thanksgiving dinner, this is always the first one they ask for.

Coffee Cake: This coffee cake was a family tradition when I was a kid; Thanksgiving morning, the Macy's parade on TV, and a slice of coffee cake on the couch. Cinnamon-streusel and a thick white cake - classic!

Mmmmm... now I'm hungry!

2025-07-10

I put up some photos from Saguaro National Park back in May, when the saguaro were blooming.

More info / bigger photos

2025-07-10

I'm playing with something new -- kind of a personal wiki. A place to share photos and stories from travel, pets, memories, events. Stuff that's personal but not private. Things I want to celebrate and remember and share.

There's not a lot there yet, just some smaller entries that are a kind of warm-up for larger updates, and the format will be evolving.

Available now under the Life tab.