Nature works in mysterious ways.  Despite my mother coddling the fig tree in her yard last year, it produced a scant yield of figs in 2010.  This summer, however, she has not paid much attention to the tree and it is overflowing with gorgeous plum-hued fruit. I went for a visit this weekend and she told me to pick as many of these aubergine jewels as I wished.  Well, you don't have to tell me twice.  With the assistance of my mom, niece, grandfather, and a pair of shears, I whittled the fruit off the tree, yet we still couldn't seem to make a dent in the burgeoning fig population.  As grandpa picked and murmured away, I discovered something very interesting about this tree... Read more »

In the past, I’ve pigeonholed strawberries as a dessert garnish, component of a fruit salad, or vessel for chocolate consumption (at best). You know, more of a supporting role than a star?  Well, that forever changed this weekend….  Read more »

  Happy Mother's Day to all of the mommies out there!  You shape the little ones and teach them well, and for those reasons alone, it's one of the most important roles in our society. Thank you and I hope you had a wonderful day. Read more »