Category: life
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Simple summer recipe: Grilled feta
Two summers ago I made this recipe for a party and it was a big hit. I’ve made it countless times since and it has never failed me. There are few recipes in my caché that have earned this hallowed status: A sure thing. This recipe is simple and will make your kitchen smell h-e-a-v-e-n-l-y.…
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Passport covers for summer travel
In my first passport photo I’m missing my two front teeth and in my second I have braces. My third boasts stamps from Africa and Asia. But my latest passport contains one of my most important pieces of paper–my visa allowing me to live in Switzerland. This little book is easily one of my most…
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Going to a rodeo in Switzerland
Switzerland is still foreign to me in many ways. I am often worried about breaking an odd law (naked hiking was recently banned!) or forgetting to pay my taxes (four times a year), but then I’ll stumble upon something that reminds me of home. Of Bakersfield. Which is what occurred Sunday when we attended the…
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This week I am…
…watching this new show starring two fantastic actresses. …scrolling through photos of grandmothers around the world with their favorite recipes. …taking notes from the experts on how to optimize summer travel. …reading the most talked about article of the week (investigative journalism–wow!). …coveting these one-of-a-kind, handmade French sandals–worth the investment? …joining the New York v. San Francisco conversation with this piece of…
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I want to go to there…
…the Azores, Portugal. This collection of nine tropical islands is located so far west of Europe that it is just a four-hour flight from the United States. It would actually take me longer to fly from Switzerland, but I’m absolutely enchanted with what I’ve seen of this place. Lush, verdant, vibrant. Would it be wrong…
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Shop signs around Europe
It seems everywhere we travel in Europe we find ornate signs hanging outside of shops. I try to always snap a photo without backing up sidewalk traffic too much. I recently realized I had more than 20 of such photos in my reserve, so today I’m featuring 11 of my favorites. Enjoy! I don’t remember…
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Long-distance, last-minute Mother’s Day gifts
I sent a Mother’s Day gift to California weeks ago–in part because it takes so long to arrive, and in part because I was confused about the date! Mother’s Day in the UK was in March and after seeing “Don’t forget your Mum” signs in shops everywhere, I made sure I didn’t. But if I…
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Sneaking off for a summer vacation?
I try my hardest not to look like a tourist wherever I go. I own no fanny packs and you won’t find me in an American flag t-shirt. I like to look like I belong. I want to be mistaken for a local. I live to be asked for directions. Suffice to say, it’s a bit of…
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This week I am…
…making my favorite guacamole recipe in honor of Cinco de Mayo. …impressed by Japan’s approach to low-cost architecture with an Olympics-inspired airport. …scrolling through Kentucky Derby photos and dreaming of champagne mint juleps. …fascinated by this study on prayer (apparently we all say “please.” Just good manners?). …applauding my home state for leading the U.S. in water conservation and…
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Two ingredient chocolate mousse
Living in the land of chocolate certainly has its benefits. The chocolate section of the grocery store probably accounts for 10% of the overall merchandise and no one bats an eyelash if you purchase several pounds of rich chocolat. In fact, all of Geneva–from toddling babies to elegantly dressed grandmamas–can be found nibbling on a piece…
Paige Langton 