This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TeaProudly, #ConstantComment, #CollectiveBias Do you know busy? Who doesn’t? That’s why I take little opportunities to unwind, like enjoying a cup of tea and a snack on a pretty DIY tea tray. Two busy, involved kids in middle…
Musings
Banana Toffee Bread
Sweet, tender, buttery banana bread is dotted with toffee pieces in this lovely loaf — perfect for breakfast or a snack. If you’d told me 10 years ago today that I would move to Maine for a dream job at a newspaper, get divorced, raise two kids solo and adopt a kitten, I would have…
My 2019 Goals and a Look Back on my 2018 Goals
Hello, 2019. It’s so nice to see you. You’re looking all spiffy and new. Seriously though, can you believe it’s 2019? It seems like just yesterday we were welcoming 2018. Then, suddenly it was summer then back to school then Thanksgiving and now a New Year. What does it say about a year when it…
Introducing the Newest Member of the Sarah’s Cucina Bella Household
There’s been a new addition to our home. And honestly, it was among the most unexpected new additions. But sometimes, it’s the things we don’t expect that turn out to be the greatest gift of all. Meet Bippity. This precocious, curious kitten has sauntered his way into our hearts and added joy to our days while…
8 Goals for 2018
Well, hello 2018. You’re looking all shiny, spiffy and new. Every year, I like to set goals instead of resolutions. While resolutions are well-intended, they seldom are actually achieved. But goals? Goals carry a greater sense of long-term commitment — and a feeling that you can come back to them even if you don’t initially…
A Look Back on my 2017 Goals: The Good, The Bad and the Oops
Oh, resolutions … they are the goals we set for ourselves and them promptly abandon within weeks. That’s why I’ve stopped setting resolutions and instead chosen goals each year. I set seven 2017 goals. Here’s what happened to them. In Review: 7 GOALS FOR 2017 52 Books in 52 Weeks: To date, I’ve finished 30 books. I…
On Cooking Ruts, and Breaking Out of Them
On the cooking ruts we find ourselves in and the simple things we can do to break out of them. Sometimes all it takes is merely remembering that yes, we can do this. The oil sputtered as I poured the rice into the Dutch oven with the already-browned onions. I gave it a stir. Next…
Good Maine Pizza: Finelli New York Pizzeria
Finelli New York Pizzeria in Ellsworth serves a thin, New York-style pizza with great flavor, texture and taste. It’s good Maine pizza — and worth the drive. I nearly titled this post “the pizza we’ll drive 45 minutes to eat.” And with good reason — that’s precisely what we did last weekend. I really wanted…
How This Blog Became a Personal History of Sorts
Blogs can record a personal history of sorts. Through the words and photos, they share a story of life and living. What does this blog say about me? Deep breath. This has been my space for nearly 12 years. It’s where I talked about Will as an infant, while I learned to write about food…
Welcoming 2017 Like I Did as a Kid
White flakes drifted to the ground all around when I exited the cinema on New Year’s Eve. It was before 10 p.m., but already I was contemplating pajamas and relaxation. Sure, there was music and merriment in the downtown of the city I live in, but at home there was Polar #Seltzebrate seltzer waiting with…