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A Skill Perfected: Mystic, CT Getaway
From the expert casts of a few night fisherman to the beautifully built wooden boats headed for an event at the seaport, I was struck by the examples of perfect skill and artisanship we encountered last week in Mystic, Connecticut. Even our meals had the touches that let you know the kitchen is honoring its ingredients.
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In Praise of Oregano
Fireflies, grill smoke, and my grandfather wearing a laurel made of mint stems. These are a few of the memories that light up my senses when I think about the summers of my childhood. At every picnic my parents hosted, he would take a trip to the mint bed, pluck a few stems to ward off mosquitoes, and craft a laurel fit for Caesar. It seems after all these years that my grandfather’s trick still holds weight. Year after year, the mint bed on the side of my house deters mosquitoes from that area. Perhaps I started planting it in remembrance of my grandfather and his funny little quirk, but…
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Spicy Summer: Thai Iced Tea
As we head into summer, most of us are craving beach time, outdoor markets, and clean, fresh food. There is a certain crispness to this time of year – the tartness of a ripening berry, the sting of the first sunburn of the season. With my shoulders the color of a strawberry stain, I am guilty of the latter. I have to admit it feels a little indulgent – the mark of a weekend well-spent. Amidst all of the pre-summer revelry, though, I sometimes crave a spicy apple cider or a slice of buttery, toasty pecan pie. Thai iced tea strikes the perfect balance between summer and fall. Star anise…
