It’s the lip smackingest time of the year!

Well, I haven’t been cooking or baking much here. This Christmas we are all alone. Packages have been sent and received and we’ll have a tiny town Christmas all alone. Next year we’ll have a big celebration here. Or, in San Diego. Who knows? However, that isn’t to say I haven’t seen some amazing food…

December

Well, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! December. The month that brings cold, hard reflection. Have I accomplished all that I set out to do? Did I keep those resolutions? Did I write that book? Did I lose those extra few pounds that have been hanging on like molasses in January. Have I…

Juniper Berries

green and ripe (purple) juniper berries off the tree.

One of the things I love about the ranch is the trees growing wild on it. They are what most refer to as scrub junipers. They dot the land like weeds here in Northen Arizona. But pruned back and thinned out a bit they add a nice landscape to the raw land.  One thing I…

Chocolate Peanut Butter Tartlette for Jennifer Perillo and to remember her Mikey

A peanut butter cookie tartelette filled with dark chocolate almond ganache and edged with Peanut butter infused whipped cream.

It was May of 1985. My husband had just finished his bachelor’s degree and we were waiting for our tax return to come so we could move back to California and go to graduate school. It was a bright sunny day. We had just returned from the pool so the girls could burn up some…

Arizona! A working farm in progress

Welcome to Arizona sign that greets motorists at the borders of the state

After several years of hoping and planning and delays, we’ve finally made Arizona our home. As my customized sign says, “Dreams Come True Here”. I believe it. And, we’re going to make them happen. It all started one day at the food plant I managed. I was un-boxing a bunch of labels in the label…