“With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy?” – Oscar Wilde   Today, 20 March, is both the first day of spring and the International Day of Happiness. I’m writing today’s love letter to you to celebrate all of that.   Lisa and I have lived in Cagli, Italy, for just about two weeks now. The arrival of spring feels like a gift designed just for me.   Today is a gorgeous day, even with a touch of warmth!  I took my first walk to the park and children’s p

There was an hour, many moons ago, when I dreamed of being such a great Chef that I could just open my fridge, and know exactly what...

Ahhhh .... my sister Lisa and I arrived safely in Italy just a few days ago.   My lead foto is the view from the dining room of our...

Once upon a time, I shared an exquisite Mexican Chocolate Soufflé with a romantic date at a cozy dessert bar in Old Pasadena. We closed...

After 26+ years, I will be leaving my beach apartment that has been home  for all this time.   I am moving to Europe. My sister and I are...

La Vie en Magenta will always chronicle the precious hours that I spend with my little goddaughter Renata, who turned 6 in December. One...

This recipe is one of my most popular ever . I first made it when I was brand-new as the Spanish Tapas Bar Chef, back in 2011.   My own...

At this very end of 2024, I’m reflecting on, for three years running now, how profoundly blessed I have been to spend December in France....

When my niece Sally was little, she loved for me to tell her about things that we had when we were little, that weren’t around anymore.  ...

Having had a few of what-I-call Crap Moments last week, I was delighted beyond measure to be surprised by a peacock sighting! In my...

Late summer a couple of years ago, I spent a long, very wonderful weekend in Seattle. I rented the sweetest guesthouse close to my dear...

In time ;), I intend to publish my second cookbook, which is titled Angel Food 2nd Edition: Love Made Visible on the Plate.  Until then, I’ll be sharing some recipes – with excerpts of their love stories - for La Vie en Magenta.  I hope you enjoy my Angel Food series!   If I’m not mistaken, my sister Suz originally made this well-received vegetable side dish for us one Thanksgiving with butternut squash (see my note at the end of the recipe). I have made something like it eve

La Vie en Magenta will always chronicle the precious hours that I spend with my little goddaughter Renata , who is now 5 1/2. The time we...

One of my very favorite spiritual teachers told a story of how powerful it is, to ask the Universe (whomever you call your Source) to...

In time ;), I intend to publish my second cookbook, which is titled Angel Food 2nd Edition: Love Made Visible on the Plate.  Until then,...

In one of my French study courses at the moment, our July topic is Les Jeux Olympiques , which are hosted in France this summer; it’s...

It seems like those two things ought to equal a match made in heaven. For me, they’ve kind of been exactly that. In spring 2007, I took a...

Foto, above, circa 2015, for the 70th birthday of Kip's Toyland at the Original Farmers Market, LA. It was the hottest October day ever,...

Last Friday in our Heroines’ (Lady Writers) Salon, the word sloth was casually uttered. I like this word, and using it as a verb calls to...

In my story Foodsick, I confess that I am happiest when I eat pasta regularly. In my forthcoming cookbook, my department for this type of...