If you’re over 35, chances are you’re thinking about the AGING process, and once you hit 45( if you’re not careful) it’s staring back at you from the bathroom mirror. I know women who are 38 and look 52, and others who are 50 and look 39. What’s the difference?  Is it all good genes? [...]

August should be named the most delicious month of the summer.  On the heels of DC’s Restaurant Week (August 16-22) and Baltimore’s Restaurant week (Aug 13-22),  Alexandria, VA will host its very first summer Restaurant Week August 20-29.

60 restaurants will offer a $35 prix-fixe three-course dinner, $35 dinner for two, or a $3.50 sweet treat. [...]

I love the lazy feel of August, the easy way each day flows into the next; the way we let down and things get more casual and relaxed.  It’s a great time to recharge and rest and prepare for September, for back to school or busy times in your business.  But for now, my family [...]

This is one of my go to appetizers.  It’s easy to whip up (everything goes in the food processor) and keeps for about a week in the refrigerator.

Homemade Boursin
2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup fresh flat leaf parsley
1/4 cup fresh dill
1/4 cup fresh chives
1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese
1 8oz package of cream cheese
1 tsp sugar
1 [...]

I made these yummy treats this morning for my talk with Middleburg Polo Academy. They are quick, easy and use ingredients you normally have in your cupboard The kids love ‘em but and so do the parents!
Nutty Butter Granola Balls
There are different substitutions offered so that if you are missing an ingredient, [...]

I love making this every Summer when the fresh herbs are plentiful. I make so much pesto at one time that I routinely run out of ingredients so I’ve been forced to come up with a delicious mix and match formula. It’s pretty much foolproof and fun to add some variety to the [...]

I scream, you scream, we all scream for….
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
(we promise, once you’ve had the real stuff, you’ll never go back to fake mint ice cream!)  This is one of my all time favorite recipes – I can’t go to any party in the summer without bringing a batch, and I’m always [...]

Take this to a summer cookout. It feeds 12 and is an old favorite of mine. It fits in with most foods and looks impressive.
1 pound small mushrooms, thinly sliced
Juice of 1 lemon
½ pound wild rice, cooked and drained
2 cup fresh peas, cooked and drained
5 green onions, thinly sliced
¾ cup Vinaigrette
1 T finely chopped tarragon [...]

For years, I have used this recipe, and I still think it is the best cheesecake ever. On a recent cruise, I had a conversation with a New Yorker who told me the best cheesecake is from Carnegie Deli in New York. Our ship stopped in New York on the way back from Europe, so [...]

As you may have been able to tell from my post on hosting weekend house guests, Southern Prince Charming and I had some friends in town for the weekend. SPC loves having guests because then I take a break from all the healthy cooking I normally force-feed him, to make something a bit more fun [...]