Traditional panettone, (yellow in color because it has butter and egg yolks in it) is studded with raisins and the candied peels of lemons and oranges. It’s cooked in a cylindrical paper and, when it rises, it puffs out of … Read more...
Book Review: DID YOU EVER HAVE A FAMILY by Bill Clegg
“stellar writing… unique story structure… uncannily genuine”
I have to admit, when I picked up DID YOU EVER HAVE A FAMILY by Bill Clegg, I had reservations based on the theme, which felt like it had been done a million … Read more...
Words: T.S. Elliot “…When We Do Not Know Enough…”
We can never know everything. But, when we do not know …when we have moments of doubt or confusion …or when we simply do not know enough —
Do we ignore the unknown? Or, do we pause to wonder?
Do … Read more...
The Evolution Of Jovina’s Pumpkin Pie
Throughout much of the United States, it is traditional to serve pumpkin pie after Thanksgiving dinner. I began making pumpkin pie for my family on Thanksgiving not long after I married, but back then, I used the recipe on the … Read more...
Lost & Found News: Galaxies, Whale Dung, Unicorns, & Wild Horses
Lost: Carl Sagan’s Billions; Earth’s Little Blue Orb
Found: The Universe Has Two Trillion Galaxies
Back in the 1980’s, Carl Sagan captured the publics imagination with his talk of the Universe’s Billions. Now, based on images collected over 20 years … Read more...
Book: NEWS OF THE WORLD by Paulette Jiles
“a powerful little book… a gently told story”
What a powerful little book! I was surprised when I picked up NEWS OF THE WORLD by Paulette Jiles – not only for the short length (209 pages), but also the physical … Read more...
Pondering The Possibilities: The Bat-Candy-Halloween Connection
Have you ever wondered how the bat-candy-halloween connection got started?
Well, I think I might have the answer. Okay, it is pure speculation on my part, but the evidence seems pretty convincing me.
It is all because of fruit.
Does … Read more...
The Best Fresh Fish — Italian Style
The best way to get the freshest fish available is to simply ask. Ask your local market – what’s fresh today? This will sometimes require being flexible about the kind of fish you cook that evening. Fresh fish always tastes … Read more...
Roasted Vegetables — Bring On The Flavor!
Crisp autumn days have us looking forward to soups, pot pies, roasts and casseroles. Pick from any number of fall ingredients to add flavor and color to your main dishes.
In August, I wrote about how to grill vegetables. However, … Read more...
Book: THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS by M.L. Stedman
“spellbinding tale… deep characterization… beautiful language”
I absolutely adored THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS, M.L. Stedman’s spellbinding tale about the love of a child and the grave consequences, perhaps, of loving too much.
Set on coastal Australia (the majority upon a … Read more...
Words: “I Am Not Simply A Story-teller …”
One of my goals in starting BELOW THE SALT NEWS was to explore the power and possibilities of stories and storytellers to create change.
Whether the story is based in fact or fantasy; whether it is told through art, invention, … Read more...
Primitive Technology — Where Tiny House Meets Survivor Man
As I am neither a millennial nor a survivalist, it might seem kind of strange that I am a fan of both the “tiny house” movement and the survival/wilderness teachings of Les Stroud and Bear Grylls. I could blame … Read more...
Tips For Grilling Your Vegetables
What could be easier than making your entire meal on the grill? Cook vegetable side dishes alongside your main course for a quick summer meal. Here are some of my favorite vegetables to put on the grill along with some … Read more...
Fun Must Share Twitter Animal Tales – Part I
I love to read around the internet and frequently come across engaging, funny or insightful news and superb storytelling that are “must shares.” Since I often find them through twitter (sorry, not a facebooker) I just automatically “tweet” or “retweet” … Read more...
Book: THE MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE by Sonja Yoerg
“lush imagery … A quick, nature-soaked read.”
For starters – knowing that Sonja Yoerg (whom I am honored to call a friend) has hiked the same John Muir Trail as her character, Liz, I am ready to lace up my … Read more...
Words: “… Her Birthright To Self-Sovereignty “
The road to full inclusion, participation, and opportunity for women still lies ahead — seemingly endless and unnecessarily winding. But, each step along the way needs to be recognized and celebrated. For it is the individual steps each woman takes … Read more...
Luscious Fresh Figs
Although dried figs are available throughout the year, there is nothing like the unique taste and texture of fresh figs. Figs can trace their history back to the earliest of times. They are thought to have been first cultivated in … Read more...
Movie: (DIS) HONESTY — The Truth About Lies
We all love a good story about the rise and fall of an unworthy person. It is the stuff of history, fiction and our daily news. Of course, the bigger the rise, the better the fall. Right?
But what if … Read more...
Why Zoos?
Some time ago, I wrote a post about a co-worker’s successful captive breeding project at the zoo where I am a keeper. One of the first comments was from someone who was saddened about the animal being hatched into captivity. … Read more...
Book: FALLEN LAND by Taylor Brown
"big-in-heart debut novel... poetic and evocative"
If you appreciate a sense of place and lush descriptions of the natural world (and, in this case, its devastating destruction by men in battle), FALLEN LAND by Taylor Brown is for you. I … Read more...
A CSA Share Becomes Summer Corn Chowder
I received my first share on Saturday from the CSA I belong to near my home. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. When you join a CSA, you are essentially buying a farm share. Members pay in advance for … Read more...
Use “In Season” For Springtime Desserts
Eating seasonally means buying produce that can be grown locally, in their natural weather and climate conditions. When buying produce in season, you are not only getting fruits and vegetables at their peak of flavor, you are also getting … Read more...
Book: ALL THAT IS SOLID MELTS INTO AIR by Darragh McKeon
Wow. ALL THAT IS SOLID MELTS INTO AIR by Darragh McKeon was an incredible read: lush, lyrical prose on a sentence-by-sentence level, with breathtaking imagery and description. The stories of the four main characters were introduced separately but woven together … Read more...
Movie: UnBRANDED
From beginning to end, Unbranded is a wild ride. It is exactly what you would expect when you take a 3,000 mile journey from Mexico to Canada across the rugged public lands of the American west with four not-yet-ready-to-settle-down men … Read more...
Make Good Use of Spring Produce
Soft flavors, bright colors and pleasant aromas are the hallmarks of early spring produce. Savor woodsy asparagus by roasting them to enhance their flavor and provide for a more tender texture.
Move away from the strong flavorings of winter, like … Read more...