Eat. Drink. Live.
Linda and Alan had a Christmas party, and we all were singing carols by the piano. This, friends, is the reason your parents tell you to keep up with your piano lessons. Heed their advice! If only I had! The […]
We finally opened a bottle of sake that Pete brought back for us from Japan about a gazillion years ago. I know, I know, sake is not supposed to age. But this didn’t seem any worse for the wear. It […]
Sour Cherry Farm’s tree took on a new look this year. We went with a tabletop Christmas tree. You know, with a crawling, curious toddler and all. It actually ends up being a lot easier to water, for one. And […]
It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon, so Samantha and I are making Chocolate-Orange Madeleines. Well, I am making Chocolate-Orange Madeleines. Samantha is banging her big spoon on the metal bowl. I must admit, this was not my favorite recipe, though, so I […]
We are going to serve a vegan holiday entree this year. My brother Chris’ girlfriend, Laura, is vegan. Chris’ daughter, Alexis, is vegetarian. And it’s how we want to be eating more often than not, anyway. But we don’t cook […]
In the little park off to the side of Madison Square Park — sometimes home to a Christmas Village or another such pop-up — there is right now a garden of eating. Food trucks, including one from Roberta’s in Brooklyn, […]
A Peruvian place with terrific roast chicken opened in Nyack recently, and we’ve had a few meals now and loved every one. So when Kelli and Patrick came over — and no one wanted to do the cooking — we […]
Christmas 2011 came to a close with a pork tenderloin dinner and a delicious chocolate dessert from Didier Dumas. Chris was truly in love. Related posts: Christmas Eve at the Ranch 2010 Supper at the Ranch Christmas Dinner at the […]
Kris and Tom introduced us to one of their holiday traditions this year, reading “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote. We so enjoyed the story that Greg and I vowed to make it a Sour Cherry Farm ritual, too. Indeed, […]
On Wednesday, everyone went their separate ways. Sarah went out with her friends to Cafe Barcel, and we went to Irene’s for a ritual reading of “A Christmas Memory” with Kris and Tom. But first, Sarah had her friends over […]
With just two children opening gifts,the living room at the Ranch got just as trashed as if all seven adults and three children were participating. The joy of giving! And afterwards, we had a reprise of what is sure to […]
Sarah and Wilson and the girls arrived late on Boxing Day. We’ll open the presents tomorrow. Today, Mae and Jane just really want to meet “baby cousin.” And after the kids went to bed, Sarah had some alone time with […]
Our annual Christmas tradition: tamale supper. This year, we started with margies, too. Related posts: Christmas Eve Supper 2011 Christmas Dinner at the Farm 2010: Tamales, Hibiscus Margies, Baba Au Rhum Christmas Eve at the Ranch 2010 ‘On the Road’ […]
We spent Christmas morning around the Farm, having coffee by the tree and talking to family members from afar. Here’s Sam, Face Timing with Jessica and Reece: Yes, that’s one of her three Christmas outfits. You think she knows how […]
We had a quiet Christmas Eve this year. Chris is here, and the folks, of course. But Sarah doesn’t arrive until Monday. And of course, Grandmom isn’t here anymore. But we welcome a new family member to the table. Merry […]
As a toast to Christmas, we present the Perfect Parallel. The cocktail is a play on the Perfect Manhattan, which uses equal amounts of sweet and dry vermouth along with bourbon or rye. In this case, we substitute Laird’s Applejack. […]
For Christmas Eve dinner this year, we wanted something that was do-ahead. Something that would hold if the baby needed to eat, or even if we just didn’t feel like getting to the table right away. Beef Bourguignon seemed just […]
I’m a huge fan of Dorie Greenspan’s recipes. So when I came across one that sounded just perfect for this Christmas — do-ahead but still festive — I jumped. Her Honey-Spiced Madeleines, found in Around My French Table, also have […]
We celebrated Christmas Eve Eve with Kelli and Patrick and their family. Cathy and Ed were down from Syracuse, Mary Ellen was there from Vestal and the entire Leon family was in from Virginia to celebrate. Here’s Ralph with Meghan […]
Shannon and Tasha came over for drinks to toast the season. Even Srimp had her milk cocktail. Clockwise from the eggnog (with bourbon), champagne and milk. Merry Christmas, girls! Related posts: A Wine Tasting with the Neighbors Saturday Night Supper: […]
The last of the forbidden pregnancy foods has now been checked off the list. At Grand Central Oyster Bar: Belons, Christmas Coves, Chincoteauges and North Havens. A platter of cold, briny oysters that tasted of the sea and brought a […]
We celebrated Leigh’s birthday with a delicious supper at the ranch. In attendance were Sam, naturally, and Les Gilberts: Peggy and Jim. Mom made her favorite lamb recipe, Lamb Charmoula, which came from Epicurious years ago. The house was festively […]
Sam’s arrival put the kibosh on a Thanksgiving celebration out this year, so Judy and the gang invited us over for a pasta supper instead. It was pretty similar to Thanksgiving, except for the singing. And the turkey. We didn’t […]
Kelli and I are taking on a little Christmas project. Some years it’s Buche de Noel; other years, it’s cookies. This year, it’s stockings. At least we’re hoping it is! We got started the other day at Kelli’s house. Related […]
Y’all may remember Stella, at least through her reputation as an excellent cook. Stella is our friend Laurie’s mom, and Stella makes the best, most kick-ass tamales you’ve ever met, bar none. One Christmas, Laurie brought a suitcase’s worth to […]
I am so proud of my thrift. I took the bone from our Christmas Eve standing rib roast (which I’d frozen) and the braising liquid from our braised short ribs (which I’d frozen), added some water, a couple of celery […]
Outside: Inside: Related posts: Christmas Eve at the Ranch 2010 Christmas Dinner at the Farm 2010: Tamales, Hibiscus Margies, Baba Au Rhum BDoF: The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Prepping for Christmas Dinner
On Sunday morning after Christmas, we went to a yoga class, and were planning to set a record by going to the lake four days in a row. But the snow started falling. And it wouldn’t stop for 24 hours. […]
We didn’t have a morning present exchange this year. Instead, Mom and Leigh went to brunch and the three of us headed to Rockland Lake (for the third day in a row!) for a nice winter walk. We met back […]
Over the years, I’ve done different salads and beans to serve with our annual Christmas Day tamale supper. This year, I decided to go with a simple salad — just lettuce! — but with a creamy dressing, which I thought […]
My husband, Greg, and I are co-founders of SCF, which chronicles what we eat, drink and grow as we raise our daughter on a tiny plot of land in the Lower Hudson Valley.
