I’ve always wanted an Italian grandmother. That’s not to say I don’t love my Cuban and Canadian Abuela and Mom Mom, respectively. I worship and adore them. It’s just that I’m a real sucker for a well-seasoned puttanesca and a spread of roasted cauliflower, fresh mozzarella and crostini. And although Mario, Giada and the Barefoot Contessa certainly throw down in the cook book department, it’s no substitute for your own Nonna, whose food is as much a part of your childhood as “Fraggle Rock” and “The Baby-Sitters Club.” (I’m speaking from my own experience as a child of the ‘80s, of course.) I …
Cue ominous thunder and lightning. Three witches enter, haggard and all-knowing. They foretell of a violent future. New kings. Betrayal. Death. It’s one of the most scandalous, nail-biting, bloodiest stories ever told. The mere act of reciting its name sends chills down the spines of thespians, who swear it’s cursed. They call it simply, “the Scottish play.” But the rest of us? Well, we just call it “Macbeth.” Yes, reading the works of William Shakespeare does not rank high on many people’s Goodreads lists (That’s a social networking site for bookworms. Get with it.) Yes, many people …
I had a pumpkin latte today. This was a very big deal. It was, as you can imagine, the first of the season. I could choose to mourn the loss of my iced soy vanilla chai and my apple red sundress, or I could embrace my pumpkin latte, along with the firewood piled up at the entrance of Wegmans, the return of sexy boots and all the other small pleasures of fall. And for me, that means the revival of one of my quainter hobbies: knitting. Quite a bit of time has passed since all that “knitting is the new yoga” nonsense. Knitting is not the new yoga. Let knitting be knitting and yoga be yoga. Being…
Although it’s technically still summer, we know the truth. Sixty-degree mornings become the norm, people dig through their closets for long-sleeved shirts and favor jeans over shorts. As we slip into more, let’s say forgiving, clothing, it becomes easier and easier to treat yourself to dessert at lunch, or take a second helping of that delicious gratin of potatoes at dinner. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes you NEED dessert at lunch. Lord knows, I’ve had several of those days in this last week alone. But maybe what you really need is to learn how to eat better and have fun doing it. That's why …
Mother Nature, say it ain’t so! Around the Lehigh Valley, I can hear pencil sharpeners revving and children sighing. It’s official. Summer is ending. But it’s not over quite yet. And although we adults spend most of our days in cube land (or in a similarly stressful work environment), regardless of the season, I say we relish the last whispers of August with the gusto of a 7-year-old. And you know what that means ... It’s all about the water park, baby. Dutch Springs, to be exact. Founded in 1980, the aquatic adventure park has something for everyone – even landlubbers. Yep, that’s right. If …
Please read the following in a deep, movie preview-type manly voice: In a world ... where a cup of coffee ... can set you back more than a pound of produce. In a time ... when the term “debt ceiling” has become All. Too. Common. You crave an escape to a simpler time. A more rugged time ... medieval times. OK, I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t Medieval Times a place in New Jersey where people take their children to birthdays? Yes. But it’s actually a fun (albeit cheesy), worthwhile trip for us adults as well. If nothing else, you will get excellent photos of your best friends in paper crowns …
Right about now is when those Musikfest beer goggles begin to fade. The novelty of sipping thick foam – excuse me, beer – from a plastic stein on Main Street while hundreds of preening adolescents jostle you at every turn has officially lost its luster, and you yearn to escape to a place that’s quiet and beautiful. And did we say, quiet? Yes. Quiet is key. Just a few miles from South Whitehall, you can be in B&B heaven, better known as The Glasbern Country Inn. This Fogelsville hotel is not only a luxe retreat, it’s also a foodie's paradise, having some of the freshest and tastiest farm-to-…
Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, it’s a safe bet you’ll be a little happier, a little more relaxed, with a glass of wine in hand. All over the world, wineries and vineyards are tourist destinations. The Valleys of Napa and Loire, Tuscany and La Rioja. People plan trips around the promise of a solid vintage or an earthy pinot noir. Lucky for us, the Lehigh Valley boasts its own wine destination: The Lehigh Valley Wine Trail. The area was designated an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2008, and since then, the eight family-owned companies that comprise the trail have been joining …
People love to talk about the weather. Particularly when we’re buried in snow or searing in the sun. Last week, it was all about the record-breaking heat wave that slammed the Lehigh Valley, bringing temperatures into the triple digits. I wish I could encourage everyone to grab their beach towels and either head down the shore or jump in their pools, but I know we’re not all that fortunate. I’m certainly not. And so, I offer you an alternative way to escape and cool down: fro-yo. Not just your regular frozen yogurt. Fresh and tasty fro-yo from an underrated purveyor on Bethlehem’s South Side…
There are many ways to relax. For some, a walk will suffice. For others, nothing less than a full on, seven day vacation will do. Vacation junkies, I’m picking up what you’re throwing down, but sadly, a vacation is not always possible, especially in these uncertain times. And so, I offer to you a sort of out-of-body experience: A massage at the Stone House Inn and Spa. Now, I know what you’re thinking – spa, schma, I’ve done it all before. True. I myself have done the Lehigh Valley spa circuit, and we all know that all spas are not created equal. And that’s why I was so delighted when I …
