Lynda Rego, East Bay Media Group

08/07/2023

The tropical weather in August made my lotus so lush. Then it burst into bloom while I was away on vacation with a half dozen more buds to come.

08/04/2023

Another book review in this week’s paper with three selections perfect for summer reading. “Force of Nature” by Jane Harper is the second book in the Aaron Falk series (after the fabulous “The Dry”). I love her mysteries set in Australia — psychological thrillers that really keep you guessing.

07/18/2023

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Anyone who doesn’t “believe” in global warming doesn’t have a garden. My garden has looked like a jungle since the Fourth of July and the rose of sharon bloomed on Sunday. They don’t usually bloom until mid-August. And, I have an oakleaf hydrangea that went from 4 feet by 6 feet tall to 8 feet wide and 10 feet tall in one month.

07/06/2023

A new book review is in the paper this week. It features a new series I really like by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett. It started out with three books and she’s now planning six, so the reaction from the first must have been very good. And, the new Jacqueline Winspear book, “The White Lady,” is up to her usual high standards and very suspenseful.

07/05/2023

One of my favorite authors, Louise Penny, wrote of the layoff of 1300 people from Bell Media in Canada where she lives. Understandably upset, she said " At a time when truth and facts are diverging, when evidence is ignored and ‘facts' are distorted, then weaponized, we need journalists with courage, with the ability to interpret and give context. Who have experience not just as reporters, but as people. Life experience.” Hear hear!
And, she's just finished the first draft of the next Gamache mystery. Hurray!

06/24/2023

I have a handful of recipes that call for puff pastry -- both savory and sweet -- and I used the Pepperidge Farm brand because that was available at local markets. But, I was always curious about the all-butter varieties touted by TV chefs. A friend picked up some Dufour Puff Pastry for me at Whole Foods. And, I made this onion and cheddar tart. The TV chefs are right. There's no contest. The Dufour was really flaky and crisp and it puffed really nicely. I'm a convert!

06/15/2023

My new favorite climber is this Honeysuckle “Mandarin” I bought at a plant sale when Sakonnet Gardens was open for public tours a couple of years ago. Despite the massive shade it’s getting from a neighbor’s maple (which seems on steroids lately) it bloomed beautifully again this year.

06/05/2023

Mixed blessings this spring. Something already ate some of my lilies and all the green bean seedlings. But, it was another very floriferous spring. The irises, peonies, alliums, lupines, honeysuckle and clematis are all in full bloom. And the roses are covered with buds. We really need some rain, but I hope it doesn't knock all the flowers off.

05/22/2023

I found muffin recipe in Martha Stewart Living (now gone, boo-hoo!) and have been waiting to try it. My rhubarb was finally ready to pick (and it's in the markets now, too). Made them yesterday and everyone loved them. I made some in papers and some in muffin cups I sprayed with flour/butter spray and they both were fine. They are going in my permanent breakfast file. I love recipes that use melted butter, making them fast and easy. Get it at

Rhubarb and blueberries are a magical pairing in these easy corn muffins.

05/13/2023

New book review in this week’s papers. You all know how much I love history books and historical fiction and “George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution” by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger (2013) was a perfect fit as 90 percent of my ancestors are New England colonists dating back to the Mayflower, and about 12 of them served in the Revolutionary War. This one is a fascinating look at the first successful spies in this country. More interesting than any James Bond adventure, the intrepid men and one woman of the Culper ring risked their lives and freedom to help Gen. George Washington collect information on the British in New York and turn the tide of the war.

04/29/2023

Trying to decide what to do in my garden. Last year was an exercise in frustration. Between the squirrels, rabbits and deer (yes, in downtown Bristol, the deer are hungry, too), I got no lilies (deer ate all the buds) and no peas, tomatoes or green beans. They left the lettuce and Swiss chard alone?? And, of course, the leeks were fine and a few of the cukes. I looked at all types of cages online, but most comments said the fabrics got eaten through (I can attest to that). Maybe I’ll just plant lettuce, onions, leeks and Swiss chard. Or, beg my husband to make a couple of cages with chicken wire. I would love a couple of tomato plants.

04/25/2023

This bacon-leek pizza is one of my favorites. Sometimes I make my own pizza dough with King Arthur 00 Flour (at Stop & Shop) and make the dough the night before (it takes about 10 minutes); sometimes I buy dough, but it’s still a pretty quick dinner. The recipe will be in this week’s papers.

04/18/2023

If you still haven’t read “Lessons in Chemistry,” get on a waiting list at the library (I understand the wait is getting long). I reviewed it a while ago and just loved it, but word of mouth on this book is so strong it’s made all the best seller lists now. At Easter, my sister-in-law was raving about it. Everyone wants to be friends with Elizabeth Zott!

04/11/2023

Thinking about the garden. Always looking for plants that bloom as long as possible through fall. Veronicastrum virginicum (culver root) is a good candidate. Pretty and it blooms from mid-summer to early fall. It’s deer resistant and attracts bees. Will have to get one. Sylvan Nursery in Westport, Mass., has this one, “Cupid.” There is a pink one, too.

04/01/2023

You all know what a fan I am of Louise Penny’s books. I get her eNewseletter and it always makes me laugh and has lots of good info. (Amazon Prime is not doing a second season of “Three Pines.” Booo!). This one had lots of funny quotes from Doug Larson, one of my favorite cartoonists (The Far Side). And, I especially liked this one.

"Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon."
- Doug Larson