It seems like a year has passed since we filmed this particular episode, but in reality, it’s only been about six weeks. Thankfully, there is still time left in summer grilling season, so hopefully you’ll be able to use and enjoy some of these recipes. And, enjoy the view of Scott in a […]

Sometimes I wish that I could send myself, the Marisa I am now, back in time a few years to talk to the me I was back then.  I would give myself a little reassurance that things would be okay.  I would be careful not to tell myself too much about the future, I wouldn’t […]

For the last few weeks, my sleep has been uneven and uncomfortable.  I would wake up nearly every night, sometime just before dawn, trying to shake the remnants of an unsettling dream.  This is unusual for me as I’ve always been one of those people who sleeps solidly and without interruption for at least 8 […]

I was reading an email newsletter I get daily that is designed to encourage and inspire members of the new age set, when this sentence jumped out at me.
Stagnation is often a sign that great changes are on the horizon.   
I’ve been feeling stuck.  Mired.  Unable to accomplish more than the bare minimum.  I realize […]

I’m finding that between my thesis (must graduate) and Slashfood (must make money), I don’t have a whole lot of energy for other writing at the moment. I’m not planning on packing it in over here, but please forgive me that I’m not filling this space with thoughtful goodness as frequently as has been […]

I didn’t get out of bed this morning until nearly 11 am, didn’t shower until a few minutes before 5 pm and didn’t actually walk through my front door until 6:45 pm (am I a grad student, or what). It was a fairly lovely, lazy day (although I did spend a few moments beating […]

On Wednesday, I was walking down Chestnut Street to meet some friends for lunch, when I walked past an elderly homeless woman sitting on the sidewalk.  I’ve often seen her in the neighborhood, wearing a long synthetic blond wig and looking confused.  This time she was sitting outside the CVS and holding up a water […]

For the last few years, I’ve managed to get out to Portland during blueberry season. Not that I went out there only to pick blueberries, but it was always a highlight of the trip, as my family has been going out to the same U-pick farm on Sauvie Island for the last 15 years […]

My parents celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary today. I called home around 1 pm to say him and wish them a happy day. My mom answered, we chatted a few minutes and then my dad got on the phone. He said, “Happy Anniversary” with enthusiasm, and then explained that with they way […]