A few more thoughts on our Austin visit. It totally renewed my love of music which has been a part of my life as long as I can remember from my dads opera wafting through the house to mom with her Ella Fitzgerald, Lois Armstrong, Joe WIlliams etc etc. Early years in Jamaica cemented that… View Article

Am coming to the last of the Texas posts–that little 3-day-check-out-of-my-life trip (see previous posts). SO, on our last day after checking out of our really beautiful, comfortable and hip hotel the St. Cecelia http://www.hotelsaintcecilia.com/ (more on that later), there was one last place that needed visiting. Lockhart Texas is the self titled heart of… View Article

Apparently breakfast tacos and Migas are must eat breakfast choices when in Austin. So we had both plus, natch and we chose to eat at Cisco’s, another Austin institution. Migas is a melange consisting of tortilla chips fried with onion, tomatoes and scrambled in egg with melted cheese. Phew. It’s very similar to the Mexican… View Article

So, while we travel collectively and individually for random reasons NEVER EVER do my husband and I go it together without some combo of the boys. But with my whistle whetted from my book tour reminding me of all the awesome cities and towns in regional America, I just decided that the two of us… View Article

The first thing you realize AND everyone tells you when you arrive in Denver is to be mindful of the altitude. At 5,280 elevation above sea level you need to get acclimated, meaning beware of dehydration, lack of sleep, dizziness and shortness of breath. Lovely–on city 24 of this 25 city tour I’m already trying… View Article

Changing Hands book store in Tempe AZ is one of the most amazing independent bookstores I’ve ever seen! The collection is extraordinary and the staff same too. Knowledgeable, kind, opinionated (in a good way)–a community place just vibing good literary vibes all around. Thanks to Rachel for her creative book pick for me which I’m… View Article

Coffee happy hour is a good idea. Leave it to Seattle to have it. And, since it happens in the crumpet shop near Pike Place market it’s impossible to pass up. Crumpets with tart gooseberry jam. One of the things you notice about Washington state immediately, food-wise is all the fruit; berries and apples and… View Article

http://www.youtube.com/get_playerhttp://www.youtube.com/get_playerk I’m always asked what my favorite recipe is in Mad Hungry which is a little like asking which is my favorite son: IMPOSSIBLE. And, been musing on all these cities we’ve been visiting too–so far which is my favorite? UNFAIR CAUSE ALL HAVE SOMETHING. But, truth be told, I’d move to San Francisco in… View Article

I’m not gonnna lie, going to the White House for the first time was a bit of a thrill–hence the cheezy cell phone pic. In all my travels, I’ve missed D.C. so we had a lot to cover in our few free hours. The usual local morning shows all had an edge, with a tinge… View Article

Arrived in Cincinnati with a couple rare hours to spare which meant my traveling companion AKA all around explorer took us to the Art Museum which was closed so we ended up at the Serpentine wall along the Ohio river. See, I wear clogs for cooking–not for walking or pseudo-hiking yet he had us on… View Article

From Portland, Maine (above with my family–mom Rose in black) last Friday until now–getting to St. Louis from Minneapolis was the only nightmare travel experience of the whole week. A series of 5-minute-too late events meant a missed flight/mad turbulence once we did get airborne and a general anxt-ridden morning which began at 5:00 am…. View Article

Nashville has a very cool vibe which you begin to pick up right away. Thankfully we made our 7:10 flight out of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Podcast, talk and signing at the A2 library was so well organized. You can check it out on their website if interested. But, was so happy my cousin Tom… View Article

Ann Arbor Library’s Jenny Hoffman kindly gave up her Sunday aft to get us to Ann Arbor where our first stop was legendary Zingerman’s Deli, zingermans.com in Ann Arbor for Pastrami and Corned Beef Sandwiches and Latkes (served with Calder sour cream): what a crazy little place full of personality, great cheeses, and local honeys,… View Article

On Portland, a few more details must be told. First, back to Rabelais, Fine Books on Food & Drink. this is a MUST for anyone interested in food books: new, used, rare etc. Don and Sam are so on point, filled with knowledge about the books, cooking and food. Was only bummed I couldn’t stay… View Article

Harvest on the Harbor, Portland Maine: a food fest where I’m at. Last night, after a couple local TV gigs (here with kathleen/207 from WCSH and John from WPXT ) we had a great demo/signing where we made, Shrimp Scampi, Carmelized Cauliflower(from MH), Gnocchi with Pesto and Beef Braciole (the last 2 from Lucinda’s Authentic… View Article