It only happens once.

Happy 25th Birthday (to me)!

[Sorry, had to do it. Birthdays (mine and others) are very important to me.]

Back to the food focus of this blog. Food is about taste, nutrition, and nourishment, but it is also about memories.

I remember when growing up, my mom would get us the BEST cakes from Mrs. Bissonnette, the cake lady. I would wait all year to choose my cake. As will see, they were all girl-themed. Enjoy my food memories of cake...

The year of the Cabbage Patch...

And the Barbie doll...
And my favorite, Strawberry Shortcake.

I learned to sneak frosting at an early age.


How do you celebrate birthdays?

The Final 25, 25, 25

Today I’m 25 on August 25th. Here’s a countdown of the tidbits of wisdom I’ve posted over the last 25 days.

August 1 - Things don't always turn out the way you'd like them to.


August 2: Take advantage of every opportunity you can. You never know where it may lead!


August 3: Don't be afraid to show the people you love some love! Hugs, kisses, and words of love, encouragement and assurance can make someone's day.


August 4: Read. Read novels, newspapers, romances, blogs, encyclopedias, dictionaries, mysteries, children's books, the quotes on coffee cups. Reading stimulates the mind, inspires new ideas and ways of thinking, and keeps you fresh and up-to-date on what's going on. My reading list includes some foodie fiction, Henry David Thoreau, a bunch of blogs, the daily newspaper, non-fiction books about food policy and the American food system and a historical/informative book about hiking in Massachusetts.


August 5: "Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it" - Julia Child


August 6: Embrace change as a "process" and not a "destination."


August 11: Cook for others. This could be a full-blown Sunday brunch, or just tomato and hummus wraps made for your loved one to bring to the beach. Cooking for others is a sign of love and patience and an act of thoughtfulness. To me, a simple meal made from simple, local ingredients or a simple act of food (i.e. making soup for someone with the flu, baking goodies for a celebration, or even pouring someone else's bowl of cereal) is true love.


August 12: Keep it real. No one likes a liar or a fibber. I appreciate the honest (sometimes brutal) truth over a flimsy lie. So, be true to yourself and be true to others.


August 16: Find your niche; live in it, thrive in it.


August 17: Listen to your body cues. If you're dragging, find time to nap or get a good night sleep. If you're hungry, eat (fruits and vegetables). If you're full, stop eating (dessert). Our bodies response systems are smarter than we give them credit for. Sometimes, we even completely ignore these cues because we're always trying to be bigger, better, faster, stronger, smarter, younger/older; take a minute to listen to your body, and respond in a way that satisfies it in a healthy and restorative way.


August 18: Know your audience.

August 19: Love is to the heart what the summer is to the farmer's year - it brings to harvest all the loveliest flowers of the soul. - (Unknown)

August 22: Aim high!


August 24: Slow down, and enjoy the ride. It only happens once.

Today’s 25, 25, 25: What would your wise words of advice be for me as I bypass the quarter-century mark?



It's over already?