Breakfast, Fall, Food

Baked Oatmeal

The first day of school was a big day in our house.  For days before, we talked about what the girls would wear, what their teachers would be like, who might be in their class, and a million other vital details.  I always wanted to make a really good breakfast on the first day of school.  I thought we should begin as I hoped we’d go on.  Of course the big school breakfast didn’t happen every day, but this recipe […]

Etiquette, Formalities, Tales from the White House

Fingerbowls, Placement, Escort Cards and other Arcana of Formal Dinners at the White House

Some people love to hear about the tiniest details of formal entertaining, and I’m happy to oblige.  At a seated dinner at the White House a guest may encounter social traditions that may be unfamiliar to them: 1.)    Escort Cards and Placement: A little envelope with the guest’s name will be presented to each person as they arrive.   Inside they will find their table assignment.  At this point, guests usually begin comparing notes on where they are seated, wondering if Table […]

Appetizers, Food, Summer

Easy Summer Hors D’Oeuvres

This is such a luscious time of year!  The stone fruits, the bountiful green vegetables piled up at roadside stands and farmer’s markets – they beckon to us to cook for ourselves and enjoy the sensual pleasure of creating something delicious.  It’s a great time to invite a few friends over for a drink, and whip up some hors d’oeuvres out of all this irresistible produce.  (By the way, “hors d’oeuvres” is one of the hardest words to spell, and […]