Chocolate Chip Cookies To Die, and Vegan, too! Updated April 2020

I was torn about telling you these unbelievable cookies were vegan, worried it would put off the bacon-cheeseburger set (of which I, too, am a member). But these are so dang good I feel a sudden urge to wear Birkenstocks–which I pray will pass. Recipe by Stephanie Valentine, below. Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies Vegan or… Continue reading Chocolate Chip Cookies To Die, and Vegan, too! Updated April 2020


Killer Cauliflower Soup, Seriously

How exciting can it be, cauliflower soup? Well you just make this and see. You’ll be doing a great service for yourself and your family, possibly the country, the world… The recipe comes from our sublime cook at Rancho La Zaca, Chef Stephanie Valentine. You might think “chef” sounds pretentious but that is what she… Continue reading Killer Cauliflower Soup, Seriously


An Al Fresco Autumn Dinner and Thanks to Jackie

RANCHO LA ZACA-Calif. I’m on a gratitude kick lately. Decorating tips to follow, I promise, but bear with me: In last Thursday’s post, One Little Thing, I talked about the big benefit of doing the one little thing of a gratitude journal. The idea came from author and motivational speaker Jerry Posner, who, in his… Continue reading An Al Fresco Autumn Dinner and Thanks to Jackie


An Easy Sunday Supper – With Thanksgiving Leftovers

RANCHO LA ZACA , California – Everything about Sunday night supper should be easy. I had a girls’ night (not a Sunday) at my NYC pad a few weeks ago, and you’ve never heard so much cackling. There was a bit of eating and, ahem, drinking, too, but the point was I wanted to focus… Continue reading An Easy Sunday Supper – With Thanksgiving Leftovers


The Perils and Pleasures of Thanksgiving Decorating

Doing something for the first time can be daunting, even if it’s something you know how to do. This is as true in decorating and entertaining as in anything. I will never forget the feeling near terror as I faced decorating the great room at Rancho La Zaca last year for Thanksgiving. My sweetheart Tom… Continue reading The Perils and Pleasures of Thanksgiving Decorating