Yes, you read that title correctly! In the most outlandish time for feasting each year I began to think about what a detox would look like…especially during the holidays. With that in mind I discovered that it’s really 12...
This year marks my 15th anniversary writing my column Living the Sweet Life. This year also marks my 50th. As a way of reflection and remembrance this year’s Sweet Life will be a continuous study of Aristotle’s 12 virtues and how they are applied to my life. Enjoy! Lessons learned in life come from...
There’s lots of reasons we send flowers, usually for a celebration of a holiday or season and in all cases when someone dies. Flowers signify a gesture of caring and thoughtfulness but did you know each flower has historical heritage tracing back specific meanings for both the sender and the receiver? During the reign...
Have you ever kept a diary? I remember getting those cute little one’s that had a lock and key back through my teen years. I would actually use mine to make lists and goals for myself and sometimes jot down stuff that I did not want to forget. In college I had to keep...
Ok my sweet readers…this month what we are going to discuss is not going to be anything new but it sure is necessary. Morgan Freeman is one of my mentors. He has created a life of multiprenuership as both an actor, advocate and fantastic person. He uses his influence to change the world, teaching...
You know I spend a lot of time with little people. My littles don’t read this column and some can’t even read yet at all. After being their photographer from birth throughout their childhoods it’s not really a shoot when they see me…it’s a visit where they get to spend quality time with their...
This is a refreshing take on an old favorite and especially lovely with shortbread cookies by the pool! You’ll need: 4 cups water 2 cups coarsely chopped peaches 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup lemon juice (about 4 to 6 lemons) 1 peach, cut into wedges Fresh mint or thyme...
That was a question that I asked myself recently. By “Him” I mean GOD of course, and my reasons were many. Most of us who are Christians are trained and taught to pray and for the most part...
You know I spend a lot of time with little people. My littles don’t read this column and some can’t even read yet at all. After being their photographer from birth throughout their childhoods it’s not really a shoot when they see me…it’s a visit where they get to spend quality time with their...
Hummingbirds are beautiful to watch and if you’ll keep a feeder filled and clean in a shady place you’ll see plenty of them in your yard this month! You’ll need: 1 cup of sugar 4 cups of water ...
The day my Nana died was a good day as ever there could be… she lived to 102 and was as they say “done.” A few hours earlier I had been summoned by sister to get here quickly… but in reality she wasn’t going anywhere .. that is until I arrived. She was a...
It’s time to harvest the seeds from your heirloom tomatoes and dry them and store in a dry place for planting seedling next spring. Also It’s time to can or pickle all the cucumbers and beans in the garden and prepare the stocked pantry for the winter months. This late summer task makes me...
In the garden….it’s time to till the beds and add fresh mulch prior to planting the fall flowers. What looks nice for quite some time and pairs well with our Houston climate are mums. I even have some that made it through the hot summer and are fix’in to bloom yet again! At the...
In the garden it is time to plant cilantro, parsley, dill, mint, lavender and rosemary. Start your leeks and garlic so they will be ready early spring. If you want some blooms going for the holidays you’ll need to choose Crocus, alliums, ranunculus bulbs. Put your tulip bulbs in the refrigerator and on January...
One of the hardest decisions we face when we go to a sushi restaurant is whether to also order the tempura. It is so tasty and for years I was a little hesitant to try to make it at home. I discovered that it’s so easy to do and I make it regularly as...
The Artist’s Palate by Alisa Murray Sugarland has a few hidden treasures and Fernando’s located at 14135 Southwest Fwy is one of them. Fernando, originally from Ecuador began as a teen in the food world and worked his way up from every position to now owner and chef. I visited with him in his...
Each summer as a child I would spend many weeks with my Granny and my Aunt Lona. Perhaps aside from her Carmel candy her lemon cake stands out and every time I make it I am taken back to those times together in the North Carolina mountains. With blueberries being so plump and juicy...
In the garden keep weeds under control and get outside and tend to those in the morning before it gets too hot and steamy to manage for very long. Harvesting of tomatoes and cucumbers will be at times overwhelming, especially if you planted a multitude of seeds and plants. These will need a...
Ladies and gentlemen it’s June again and just in time for our wedding issue at the Focus. The styles we have in wooing one another could not be more diverse. Some are attracted to shiny castles and presents while others are content as can be with a simple hand held. What turns us “on”...
In the garden you’ll want to plant okra, cucumbers, garlic, chives, basil and sunflowers from seeds. Keep an eye out for weeds and pull often so that does not get away from you. Keep nurturing those tomatoes and strawberries and fertilize as needed. In the herb garden you’ll want to clip mint back and...
