After the very strange and “unconventional” (and even that’s putting it mildly) holiday seasons we had in 2020 and 2021- this year feels like a much-needed reprieve and return to some time-honored and beloved traditions for both Thanksgiving and Christmastime. We can relax a little on the social distancing so I can hug my extended […]
Better late than never, I suppose! While my posts are typically published in the early mornings hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (my travel and work schedule permitting, of course)– this week has been a little hectic both in my office and as I make last minute preparations before I head off to the West […]
I usually have this type of post up and running in early-to-mid June every year, which I consider to be the sort of “halfway point” of the year- but if you read this blog regularly- you’re probably well aware that these past couple of months have been an absolute whirlwind for me! So now, with […]
It’s about that time for me to do a bit of an early check-in now that the year is nearly halfway over, and revisit the goals I had set for myself around New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day to see if I’ve accomplished any, or- at the very least- come anywhere close to accomplishing them. Some […]
Although Earth Day was yesterday, I’ve found myself taking more and more proactive, every day steps in recent years to reduce my carbon footprint, cut down dramatically on harmful waste (i.e.- using less plastic, turning to biodegradable packaging, repurposing containers, etc.) and playing my part in trying to slow and/or reverse the effects of global […]
Last Spring, when we were at the height of COVID-19 uncertainty- with lockdowns, quarantines, and mass cancellations/closures- it didn’t seem like there was an end in sight. Everything looked and felt grim, and it was hard to see the bright side of pretty much anything given how much we’d lost and were continuing to lose- […]
When I started “Coffee & Chiffon” back at the start of 2020, one of the things I was most excited for was being able to write about and share some of my favorite local shops, restaurants and beloved attractions in and around my current home in the Pioneer Valley- particularly places I love(d) visiting in […]
Do food comas typically last 48 hours? If you’ve ever spent a holiday at my mom’s house with my family- you’ll see that they most certainly can and often do. After last year’s Easter dinner- a beloved tradition for my brothers and I for as long as I can remember- was canceled due to the […]