It was a beautiful spring day in Baltimore, and we celebrated by going to a strawberry festival at a nearby church. Zoe had her first pony ride, and I had my first lemon stick (a peppermint stick stuck in a lemon, to be used as a straw). Sean gamely acquiesced to the whims of his women--moonbouncing, ice cream eating, flea market shopping and book ( Read more... )

From the 1971 edition of The Joy of Cooking, scored at this weekend's carnival bookroom:

For the guest who shuns an alcoholic drink, offer a clear broth, such as: Chicken broth or bouillon, combined with: (Tomato and orange juice), poured over ice cubes. *Be sure the broth is not too rich in gelatin, for it may suddenly congeal.

My idea of the perfect escape involves a hotel room with a balcony and a bathroom with a deep marble tub. The room would be furnished with a king size bed that had crisp cotton sheets and a feather duvet. I'd want an oversized armchair and a matching ottoman. Most importantly, there would be plenty of good reading light ( Read more... )

All you Baltimamas should turn on your televisions tonight ( Read more... )

It's the beginning of a new era in the Gallagher household; we now have a live-in babysitter. I have been dreaming of this day for some time now. We took the plunge last week when we had free passes to see Intermission at The Charles downtown ( Read more... )

Writer Erica Jong has been quoted as saying that advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't ( Read more... )

When I picked Jonah up from school on Friday, he was ready to complain. "I only got candy from one person, and that was the teacher. Everyone else just gave out valentines. And Mrs. Hodges said we weren't allowed to throw them away ( Read more... )

Happy Birthday to my Zoe Anna!


( Read more... )

Beginning tomorrow, Pepsi launches a giveaway promotion with Apple's iTunes. Finally, a commercial effort I can get excited about! Caffeine AND (free) music. They are both so damned addictive. 1 in 3 16-ounce bottles of Pepsi product has a code printed inside the cap for a free song download of your choice. I am psyched, and so is Kevin, the ( Read more... )

I was at the mall Sunday with my daughter and her godmother. I bought a Yankee Candle. I am not a Yankee Candle person. I avoid smelly stores at all cost. No Bath and Bodyworks for me, thank you very much. Everything in those retail establishments has an underlying odor of plastic ( Read more... )