Smiling Water Group

07/21/2021

06/20/2018

I was sitting cross-legged on the floor, my plate of scrambled eggs in front of me on the white leather ottoman, watching Captain Kangaroo. My siblings had gone off to the elementary school across the street from 104 Sharon Court, an address my parents had me dutifully memorize in case I ever got lost. Mom and I were home alone as we were every weekday that Fall of 1965. [ 643 more words ]
https://thewaterissmiling.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/home-is-where-my-story-begins-part-1/

I was sitting cross-legged on the floor, my plate of scrambled eggs in front of me on the white leather ottoman, watching Captain Kangaroo. My siblings had gone off to the elementary school across…

06/20/2018

To read Home Is Where My Story Begins - Part 2 - click here Mom did the cooking in our household and she also packed me a lunch almost every day until I could drive. My typical lunch was an American cheese sandwich on white bread with mayonnaise, a piece of fruit and a treat. I had lunch-boxes when I was quite young, but for most of my packed-lunch years, mom would line up the brown bags on the counter in the morning and start making sandwiches. [ 1,103 more word ]
https://thewaterissmiling.wordpress.com/2013/06/13/home-is-where-my-story-begins-part-3-family-meals/

To read Home Is Where My Story Begins – Part 2 – click here Mom did the cooking in our household and she also packed me a lunch almost every day until I could drive. My typical lunch wa…

06/20/2018

To read Home Is Where My Story Begins - Part 3 - click here Restaurants were not a big part of my life growing up. With five children, two of them hungry boys, restaurants were quite an extravagance for our family. A big treat was going to Marie Calendar's for dinner, [ 1,233 more word ]
https://thewaterissmiling.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/home-is-where-my-story-begins-part-4-eggplant-parmesan-and-filling-the-hole/

To read Home Is Where My Story Begins – Part 3 – click here Restaurants were not a big part of my life growing up. With five children, two of them hungry boys, restaurants were quite a…

06/20/2018

I first tasted a fava bean the summer of 1997 on a farm in Gisborne, Australia. My father had passed away that September and in December, we went to have Christmas with our friends on their farm in the country outside Melbourne. I spent many hours walking through the acres of beautiful gardens, sitting on the bench by the pond, and thinking about Dad. [ 645 more words ]
https://thewaterissmiling.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/minted-lima-bean-puree/

I first tasted a fava bean the summer of 1997 on a farm in Gisborne, Australia. My father had passed away that September and in December, we went to have Christmas with our friends on their farm in…

06/20/2018

“Twelve lucky women with only one thing on their minds (to enjoy themselves!) will gather at a beautiful hacienda to ‘Step Out’ of their ordinary lives for an evening. The hostesses will see to it that the margaritas keep flowing, the dinner is delectable, and the Tarot card reader has his deck stacked. A tattoo artist will be on hand to put ‘em anywhere you want ‘em, and the colorist will dye your hair to match. [ 474 more words ]
https://thewaterissmiling.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/sues-watermelon-salad/

“Twelve lucky women with only one thing on their minds (to enjoy themselves!) will gather at a beautiful hacienda to ‘Step Out’ of their ordinary lives for an evening. The hostesses will see to it…

06/20/2018

Today is my birthday so it is all about me today. I grew up Catholic. I attended Catholic grammar school, Catholic junior high, and went to Catholic church on Sunday with all my Catholic friends from the neighborhood. Those friends, my brothers, and my older sister all attended the local, single-sex, Catholic high schools. In 1975, I asked my parents if I could attend public high school. [ 1,427 more word ]
https://thewaterissmiling.wordpress.com/2013/07/04/stoners-chocolate-chip-banana-nut-bread/

Today is my birthday so it is all about me today. I grew up Catholic. I attended Catholic grammar school, Catholic junior high, and went to Catholic church on Sunday with all my Catholic friends f…

06/20/2018

There was a time in my life when I played with a LOT of play dough. So much play dough that those tiny store bought containers didn’t really do the job. They were small, the tops would crack and let air in making my play dough crusty and hard. And in foreign countries, they cost as much as a nice dinner out on the town, so I started making my own. [ 577 more words ]
https://thewaterissmiling.wordpress.com/2014/01/25/play-dough/

There was a time in my life when I played with a LOT of play dough. So much play dough that those tiny store bought containers didn’t really do the job. They were small, the tops would crack and l…

01/19/2018

When Hubby and I moved to New York City in 1985, we were truly on our own. We did not know a single soul. We had each other and we had our work, so between that and the excitement of a new city, we didn’t really need much else. But time went by and it started to feel a bit strange not having any friends. [ 1,287 more word ]

https://thewaterissmiling.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/christinas-brunch-delight/

When Hubby and I moved to New York City in 1985, we were truly on our own. We did not know a single soul. We had each other and we had our work, so between that and the excitement of a new city, w…

09/12/2016

In quest for answers for herself, Montecito author realizes she can help others with their own questions

07/28/2016

It's here. Now. https://www.amazon.com/How-Eat-Paleo-When-Dont/dp/0996843418/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469716658&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+eat+paleo

This unique illustrated guide is the first book of it's kind, covering all you need to know about Paleo in clear, digestible language with whimsical graphics. Over 50 pertinent questions such as

03/11/2016

I thought so...but don't feel bad if you don't. I get it. I hardly notice when I'm gone myself. But in case you were worried, I have been fine. Great actually. I've been writing more than I have in decades which is fun for me. I've also been learning about this social media stuff which is interesting and sorta kinda fun, but not always. [ 760 more words. ]

https://thewaterissmiling.wordpress.com/2016/03/11/do-you-miss-me/

I thought so…but don’t feel bad if you don’t. I get it. I hardly notice when I’m gone myself. But in case you were worried, I have been fine. Great actually. I’ve been…

02/26/2016

So excited that my website is finally in progress! Launching in March...at least that is my plan :)

11/04/2015

I asked Anne Willan for a piece of her mother. I know that is a very strange, and seemingly personal thing to tell you after my blogging absence of over 2 months (More on what I've been up to in a later post!) but there is a lot more to this story. There is so much to this story that I'm not sure I can get it all down in just one post. [ 958 more words. ]

https://thewaterissmiling.wordpress.com/2015/10/28/anne-willans-mother

I asked Anne Willan for a piece of her mother. I know that is a very strange, and seemingly personal thing to tell you after my blogging absence of over 2 months (More on what I've been up to in a ...

08/25/2015

I've got a lot of projects floating around right now. Or maybe spiraling around is a better description because I find myself spinning at times. I have multiple personalities, flipping from one project to another with barely enough sense to change hats. My weird way of working takes me from one thing to the next with no logical sequence except that it is what I am feeling at the moment. [ 1029 more words. ]

https://thewaterissmiling.wordpress.com/2015/08/25/great-aunt-rhodas-conserve-in-honor-of-hubby

I've got a lot of projects floating around right now. Or maybe spiraling around is a better description because I find myself spinning at times. I have multiple personalities, flipping from one pro...

07/13/2015

I met Virginia at a book launch party for Anne Willan. Virginia was one of Anne's star pupils at her renowned culinary school La Varenne, and Virginia has gone on to create an illustrious career as a chef and author. What I first noticed about Virginia was she was seemingly a bit shy and she was a Southern beauty with striking blue eyes and skin like peaches and cream. [ 709 more words. ]

https://thewaterissmiling.wordpress.com/2015/07/13/virginia-willis-says-we-should-lighten-up-so-lets-have-peach-soup

I met Virginia at a book launch party for Anne Willan. Virginia was one of Anne's star pupils at her renowned culinary school La Varenne, and Virginia has gone on to create an illustrious career as...

06/13/2015

If you are in NYC this Sunday...don't miss the chance to get this wonderful new book and meet the author Maureen Abood !

This is just a quick note while I’m out sharing the Rose Water & Orange Blossoms cookbook to let you know that we have a special event planned this Sunday evening, June 14th, in New York City! Join me at Contrada restaurant in the East Village at 6:30 for an absolutely wonderful menu inspir

06/03/2015

Something happened to me last week. I became a writer. I didn't get a job or a book contract. Nothing actually changed at all except for my mindset. I haven't been paid for writing in decades, and yet, I still write. I write because it is what I like to do. And therefore, I am a writer, damn it! I spent a lot of time writing when I was employed in corporate communications, marketing, advertising and public relations. [ 1019 more words. ]

https://thewaterissmiling.wordpress.com/2015/06/03/i-am-a-writer-who-made-blueberry-lemon-delicious-pudding

Something happened to me last week. I became a writer. I didn't get a job or a book contract. Nothing actually changed at all except for my mindset. I haven't been paid for writing in decades, and ...