of summer incarnate

I’m a tropical fruit fiend. Living in the Netherlands. Add to that my preference for local produce and you understand why I’m in constant mourning for the buttery mango, lime-drenched papaya, and quirky… Continue reading →

of summer roasting

It’s almost July! *cue vacation shimmy* During the summer the country sucks in its beer belly and shrinks dramatically. The Dutch enjoy about 25 paid vacation days per year, and many use those… Continue reading →

of Quinoa Tabbouleh, or desert island fare

This is in my desert island top 10. What I mean is that if I had starred in the pilot episode of Lost and woken up in airplane wreckage on a remote island, I… Continue reading →

of Spring being late to her own party

Spring is white wine and scratchy grass picnics. Spring is jam jars playing house on the pantry shelf. Spring is an odd ramshackle bird in the middle of the city. Spring is the… Continue reading →

of same-zone loving

Three years ago, I was in my hometown on Java, moving towards my wedding at a pace that felt like sludging through extra-creamy peanut butter. After giving our collective carbon footprint the finger… Continue reading →

of liquid intrigue: Belgian lambic beer

I do love a good intrigue. Especially the sort that goes on in an ancient family-owned beer brewery in rural Belgium. It’s scandalous stuff. First, a hoppy brew is left uncovered and completely… Continue reading →

of Elderflower Cordial, or living off the land

You’ve just licked the last gummy bit of rhubarb-anise syrup from the lip of your glass and now you need a new delicious drink DIY? Elderflower cordial, come on down! It’s a simple… Continue reading →

Of the 1-inch picture frame

A friend  asked me a few days ago why each of my posts is titled “Of….” My hero Anne Lamott has a tiny, 1-inch picture frame hanging above the desk where she sits… Continue reading →

of orange blood

Holland is a frenetic orange mess this month – the European Football Championship (soccer for you yanks) is upon us! A few weeks ago, I started noticing whole neighborhoods stringing up orange flags… Continue reading →

of Rhubarb and Anise Syrup

After dangling shorts-and-sunnies weather in front of our noses for a few glorious days last week, the sun packed up and headed for the Mediterranean. I’m wearing a sweater now, but I refuse… Continue reading →