Welcome . . . God blessed me with a big, raucous, and abundantly loving family! They have truly been God’s gift to me my entire life. Once Ed and I started our own family, they were God’s gift to them, too. My mother’s family came from Lebanon to start a new life in America. We…
As I write, I’m listening to Ella Fitzgerald’s version of “Summertime,” and the song makes me want to slow my pace and lean into the joys of family and travel that await in the season ahead. Our family will spend as much time as we can in the North Carolina mountains. For 25+ years, these…
Dear Friends, By the time you receive this, May will have raced by. Depending on your season of life, you may be busy with end-of-school-year plays, art shows, science fairs, spring sports ending and summer sports beginning. Maybe you’re enjoying those high school, college, or graduate school graduations? I know there are many of you…
Dear Friends, I am writing this month’s newsletter from one of my favorite places . . . Hilton Head, South Carolina! This beautiful island is home to our good friends the Richardsons and the Hoddes, and to all the wonderful new friends they’ve introduced us to over the years. In your Effortless Entertaining guide, Step Two, I…
In writing this first issue of My Effortless Entertaining, I’m reflecting on spring and the gratitude that fills my soul for the new life this season awakens. Ed and I were married on a spectacular day in May at the height of spring’s beauty and abundance. Our happiness, though, was mingled with our great sadness…
Welcome . . . to your February 2018 edition of The Dish! This is a special time of year for me. Easter is right around the corner, and I absolutely love Easter! I have especially happy memories of Easter Day services, our pretty dresses, orchid corsages, spring in bloom, and the Easter lunch and egg hunt…
Welcome to the February Dash! We have loved hearing from you! I’m delighted that so many of you enjoyed the Roasted Fish Casserole from the January Dash. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, let’s reward ourselves for a healthy January by spending some quality time with our one true love: chocolate! I give you . . . Chocolate Chess Pie. First things…
Welcome . . . to the first edition of The Dish, your monthly, members-only Effortless Entertaining e-newsletter! The Christmas tree is barely out the door, and already the stores are filling up with Valentine’s Day goodies! While I truly enjoy this February lovefest (see the custom M&M’s I sent to my family last year), I think it’s time we slow down…