The Pantry, continued: Savory Sauces

by Chrysa Smith Nothing says Mid-Winter like Balsamic Vinegar & Soy Sauce. Well, maybe a box of chocolate truffles too. But like the canned tomatoes and the chicken stock, these condiments will take you a long, long way.Most obviously, I like olive oil and a little Balsamic vinegar on my salads. I don't know what the experts suggest, but I do about a 3 to 1 ratio of olive oil to Balsamic. Some [...]

2018-10-30T09:53:02-04:00January 19th, 2012|2 Comments

Restaurant Inhospitality

by Chrysa SmithWe've all had those unfortunate memories of bad meals, bad behavior, bad times at restaurants. Some were the result of the kitchen, some the wait staff, some our fellow diners and maybe even ourselves. Some were bad enough to make us stay clear of the place altogether.Well after some recent poor service and mediocre food, I got to thinking: As far as restaurants go, I've had some incredible experiences and some [...]

2018-10-30T09:53:15-04:00January 12th, 2012|3 Comments

A Groovy, Hairy Afternoon

by Chrysa SmithGroovin on a Saturday afternoon---Oops, wait that's another vintage group! But that's exactly what I was doing this past Saturday at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.Part of the Broadway Across America series, this psychedelic 'trip' back to the 60's kept me singing and bopping for two hours, as it brought back all of those good and funky memories.Take for example, my 45rpm collection. Remember? I would go to the store [...]

2018-10-30T09:53:18-04:00January 11th, 2012|2 Comments

The Perfectly Procured Pantry

It's a new year. A new start. So obviously, the perfect time to get your kitchen affairs in order. And that would begin with a clean sweep of the pantry. Could yours ever look like the above? Hmmm? My guess is not if you have a life. You needn't be an anal librarian who has alphabetized her spice bottles. But you can clean out those who've crossed the line into adulthood: those 20 [...]

2018-10-30T09:53:34-04:00January 5th, 2012|1 Comment

The Kensington Palace Curse

by Chrysa SmithThere was a fascinating news story about a series of unfortunate events that have plagued many inhabitants of Kensington Palace. So, being the curious girl I am, I just had to look into it. Fascinating. Great way to begin the new year, huh?It appears as though Queen Caroline died here from blood poisoning following her 8th pregnancy (poor fertile gal). Queen Mary (builder of the abode) died of Smallpox just shortly [...]

2018-10-30T09:53:39-04:00December 29th, 2011|0 Comments

My Grown Up Christmas List

by Chrysa SmithLike a kid in a candy store, I enter the Williams Sonoma store in my local mall---then I go wild.They've got about every nifty, trendy necessity I could ever need for my kitchen. I just stopped in for their great espresso maker sale: 40% off Nespresso machines---just what my husband wanted this year. And for good reason. The end of an old machine has left him drinking instant espresso. And that, [...]

2018-10-30T09:53:42-04:00December 22nd, 2011|0 Comments

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

by Chrysa SmithLet's face it. There have been many years when I didn't feel this way. I felt frantic, frazzled, fiery. But not this year (yet). I have a sense of calm and jolly in my soul---so take heed. Don't pout, don't cry. Why? I'll tell you why. Good things are always in store right around the corner.This holiday season, I've hung up the perfection and need to do 'just one more thing'---finally. [...]

2018-10-30T09:53:43-04:00December 21st, 2011|0 Comments
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