I was trying to put together an hor d’oeuvres menu for a couple my sister, Janet, and I had invited over, when I received an email that one of the two was lactose intolerant and could eat not a … more

I admit I’m drawn to kitchen gadgets. I don’t mean machines like pasta makers, food processors, bread bakers, crock pots and the like. I’m talking about the strange little gizmos … more

When I was a teenager, I always enjoyed being invited to my best friend’s home for dinner. Kate’s mom was an innovative cook, and it was in her dining room, in 1979, that I first had … more

Is your body all achy? Do you feel fatigued to the point where simply standing up feels like a chore? And when you are upright, is your head pounding mercilessly? Are you feverish and find yourself … more

The holidays are a time of rituals. Relatives who live far apart travel to be with family, gifts are given, hours are spent planning and preparing special food, and toasts and blessings are made … more

Usually pajama parties take place at night with young girls staying up late, giggling, whispering, discussing boys and eating junk food. When I discovered that the temperature on Thanksgiving Day was … more

By ANNEMARIE SCHUETZ For 30 years of his adult life, my father got the same present from his aunt: long thermal underwear. It wasn’t a huge need in Phoenix, but Dad was a good sport and … more

Many years ago, my sister, Janet, and I were amazed when in Italy to see businessmen at a nearby table luxuriating over an abundance of courses and many bottles of wine during a well over two-hour … more

At five years of age, I walked into my kindergarten class and made my way directly to a corner of the room where a child-sized kitchen stood. The miniature stove, sink and refrigerator were made of … more