My darling cousin Kim got married a few weeks ago. Early in the wedding planning, she asked a few family members if they would make cakes for her reception — she didn’t want anything fancy. I was one of the “asked” and couldn’t have been happier. But of course, I couldn’t make “just a cake.” […]
chocolate
Food
Sofra Bakery
I’ve mentioned my affection for the great food shops of Watertown, Massachusetts, and my friend, chef Ana Sortun of Oleana. Well, the two have come together. Ana opened Sofra (sofrabakery.com) a few weeks ago. Technically it’s in Cambridge, but it’s at the split where Mt. Auburn and Belmont streets meet (or separate) — it’s in […]
Yankee Classic from December 1986 For me, nothing brings purpose to a day like making a pie. For me, nothing is more comfortable … comforting … than a pie. Years ago, when I was first married and learning to cook, I resolved that above all else I wanted to be able to make excellent pies. […]
For many years and many reasons, travelers have been drawn to Bethlehem, New Hampshire. This quiet vale at the edge of the White Mountain National Forest once boasted dozens of resort hotels. Its pure mountain air gave rise to the National Hay Fever Relief Association. Signs proclaim it the poetry capital of the state. These […]
In 1962 Waine Morse decided to build a make-believe store beside his vegetable garden in Greenfield, MA, to house his burgeoning collection of Americana. He couldn’t stop. Excerpt from “’The Man Who Build a Town in His Backyard,” Yankee Magazine, December 1989. It didn’t start out to be like this, a whole village, a toy […]
Connecticut
Wethersfield, CT, and Onions
Yankee classic from August 1993 Plan a weekend visit to Wethersfield today. In those days, you could smell Wethersfield before you could see it. Outsiders dubbed the Connecticut village “Oniontown,” with a crosshatch of affection and derision, for this was home of the world-famous Wethersfield red onion, and its pungent scent stung the air. Wethersfield […]
Travel and cookbook authors Jane and Michael Stern travel thousands of miles for their popular Web site, roadfood.com, so we asked them for their five favorite places to get scooped. Yankee Recipes Or perhaps you’d like to make your own. Try Yankee‘s favorite ice cream recipes! Ridgefield Ice Cream Shop The vintage soft-serve machines quite […]
The Tullers have been working this same land since 1768. Now they’ve taken the venerable “do it simple, do it well” philosophy to their latest crop: gourmet ice cream. Using only real fruit puree and 16 percent butterfat, they mix up more than 50 flavors named matter-of-factly after the ingredients in them (“Red Raspberry with […]
A few weeks ago I was honored to be a judge at Mass NARAL’s annual “Chocolate Madness” event, which raises funds to support women’s reproductive rights. I know better than to use this blog for directed political agendas, so I’ll leave you with the knowledge I’ve been in support of this event for more than […]
I’m still feeling the drag of the Daylight Savings time jump, but less so as the real spring weather seems more and more possible. Linda Clukay, our dulcet-voiced receptionist and den mother here at Yankee, swears that she sees signs of daffodils and tulips in her south-facing garden. So apparently there’s hope indeed. I’ve mentioned […]
Living
Boston’s Hidden Gardens
There was a time in Boston’s Back Bay and Beacon Hill when the tiny brick-walled spaces behind homes were unadorned places that held drying laundry, extra coal, and outhouses. The spaces remain, but when the doors swing open today, you will likely find a plethora of annuals, perennials, flowering trees, and evergreens that provide homeowners […]
New England
Ski Tips for Kids
Some of us are destined to ski, whether we like it or not. My nephew is one of those people. He’s two and ½ and this Christmas he almost ended up with three pairs of skis. There would have been more, except at some point family members started to coordinate their gifts better. Unfortunately, he’s […]