There’s nothing I love more than giving gifts. The thrill of finding that perfect something for someone special—a treasure that will spark joy—is one of my favorite pastimes. But let’s be honest, sometimes I get a bit too laser-focused on shopping. One moment, I’m out finding the ideal gift, and the next I’ve missed a ..read more

This salad makes me so happy-it’s like a BLT in salad form. With large-scale fall tomatoes, creamy dressing, and crispy pancetta, I don’t even think about the bread. This gorgonzola dressing has been a staple in our house for years, and it doubles deliciously as a dip. ADD TO RECIPE BOX ..read more

Easter offers the perfect opportunity for a spring refresh. I love serving up a big buffet on a gorgeous table with seasonal flowers and colorful linens to celebrate. My menu stays pretty consistent year to year but I enjoy mixing things up with the decor. Here are a few items I’ve been eyeing lately: We ..read more

After countless pots of burning beans left unattended on the stovetop, I discovered this simple and somewhat foolproof oven method that requires far less monitoring. Even with my middle-aged brain, no scouring is required and my Le Creuset collection is the better for it. The fresher your dried beans are the less time they need ..read more

I wrote this article for the Alisal Ranch Newsletter in honor of my father and my time cooking at the cookout this spring. I thought it would be fitting to share it with you today… Since I was 8 years old, Labor Day weekend meant one thing to our family: Alisal Ranch. If it wasn’t ..read more

To Celebrate the Santa Barbara Culinary Experience and the Julia Child Foundation, please join me this Saturday at one of my favorite places in our town—the Santa Barbara Farmers Market—for a stroll and shop to meet some of my favorite farmers. You know I am always growing at home, but still can’t miss a Saturday ..read more

Lemon Verbena makes a beautiful addition to the garden for many reasons. It’s a hardy perennial plant, so you can plant it once and harvest it for years, and it often isn’t readily available at the grocery store—it’s even difficult to find at the Farmers Market. Hard to find herbs and veggies are some of ..read more

In the spring and early summer, I’m constantly looking for more ways to utilize our local strawberry production. In addition to my love of tiny Alpine Strawberries, Over the years I’ve managed to come up with quite a few! For a simple dessert, you can never go wrong with Strawberries with Sour Cream & Brown Sugar or a classic chocolate-dipped. This simple Strawberry Coconut Sorbet and my favorite Strawberry Mezcal Margarita are also both included in Lush Life along with this recipe for Seared Halloumi Cheese with Roasted Strawberries & Mint. This fried cheese concoction began as an a ..read more

I am having waves of dread and trepidation as we approach Father’s Day this year. We lost my dapper, smart, strong father in March. This is news that I have held close to my chest. Owning up to it means it actually happened which I have been reluctant to accept. My dad was vivacious and warm, he had a passion for tradition, family, crossword puzzles, his Basset Hound, fly fishing, golf, and beautiful things. He was my favorite tastemaker; a freshly shaven face sprinkled with cologne, telling you a joke while he poured you a cocktail in his Brooks Brothers jacket and loafers (no socks). He was ..read more

  I can’t believe I am sitting here with this cookbook in my lap. It’s been years in the making and a project that I sometimes doubted would ever come to fruition. The book is dedicated to my family; AJ, Ava, and Lily for standing by with an incredible amount of support and encouragement. I had been nervous that writing a book would take me away from my primary job of being a mom and wife. They said nope, just do it (maybe it was their way of getting rid of me!?) and it meant so much, particularly as every page is filled with recipes from our everyday celebrations and with what I have lea ..read more