Lynda Rego, East Bay Media Group

08/07/2023

The tropical weather in August made my lotus so lush. Then it burst into bloom while I was away on vacation with a half dozen more buds to come.

08/04/2023

Another book review in this week’s paper with three selections perfect for summer reading. “Force of Nature” by Jane Harper is the second book in the Aaron Falk series (after the fabulous “The Dry”). I love her mysteries set in Australia — psychological thrillers that really keep you guessing.

07/18/2023

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Anyone who doesn’t “believe” in global warming doesn’t have a garden. My garden has looked like a jungle since the Fourth of July and the rose of sharon bloomed on Sunday. They don’t usually bloom until mid-August. And, I have an oakleaf hydrangea that went from 4 feet by 6 feet tall to 8 feet wide and 10 feet tall in one month.

07/06/2023

A new book review is in the paper this week. It features a new series I really like by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett. It started out with three books and she’s now planning six, so the reaction from the first must have been very good. And, the new Jacqueline Winspear book, “The White Lady,” is up to her usual high standards and very suspenseful.

07/05/2023

One of my favorite authors, Louise Penny, wrote of the layoff of 1300 people from Bell Media in Canada where she lives. Understandably upset, she said " At a time when truth and facts are diverging, when evidence is ignored and ‘facts' are distorted, then weaponized, we need journalists with courage, with the ability to interpret and give context. Who have experience not just as reporters, but as people. Life experience.” Hear hear!
And, she's just finished the first draft of the next Gamache mystery. Hurray!

06/24/2023

I have a handful of recipes that call for puff pastry -- both savory and sweet -- and I used the Pepperidge Farm brand because that was available at local markets. But, I was always curious about the all-butter varieties touted by TV chefs. A friend picked up some Dufour Puff Pastry for me at Whole Foods. And, I made this onion and cheddar tart. The TV chefs are right. There's no contest. The Dufour was really flaky and crisp and it puffed really nicely. I'm a convert!

06/15/2023

My new favorite climber is this Honeysuckle “Mandarin” I bought at a plant sale when Sakonnet Gardens was open for public tours a couple of years ago. Despite the massive shade it’s getting from a neighbor’s maple (which seems on steroids lately) it bloomed beautifully again this year.

06/05/2023

Mixed blessings this spring. Something already ate some of my lilies and all the green bean seedlings. But, it was another very floriferous spring. The irises, peonies, alliums, lupines, honeysuckle and clematis are all in full bloom. And the roses are covered with buds. We really need some rain, but I hope it doesn't knock all the flowers off.

05/22/2023

I found muffin recipe in Martha Stewart Living (now gone, boo-hoo!) and have been waiting to try it. My rhubarb was finally ready to pick (and it's in the markets now, too). Made them yesterday and everyone loved them. I made some in papers and some in muffin cups I sprayed with flour/butter spray and they both were fine. They are going in my permanent breakfast file. I love recipes that use melted butter, making them fast and easy. Get it at

Rhubarb and blueberries are a magical pairing in these easy corn muffins.

05/13/2023

New book review in this week’s papers. You all know how much I love history books and historical fiction and “George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution” by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger (2013) was a perfect fit as 90 percent of my ancestors are New England colonists dating back to the Mayflower, and about 12 of them served in the Revolutionary War. This one is a fascinating look at the first successful spies in this country. More interesting than any James Bond adventure, the intrepid men and one woman of the Culper ring risked their lives and freedom to help Gen. George Washington collect information on the British in New York and turn the tide of the war.

04/29/2023

Trying to decide what to do in my garden. Last year was an exercise in frustration. Between the squirrels, rabbits and deer (yes, in downtown Bristol, the deer are hungry, too), I got no lilies (deer ate all the buds) and no peas, tomatoes or green beans. They left the lettuce and Swiss chard alone?? And, of course, the leeks were fine and a few of the cukes. I looked at all types of cages online, but most comments said the fabrics got eaten through (I can attest to that). Maybe I’ll just plant lettuce, onions, leeks and Swiss chard. Or, beg my husband to make a couple of cages with chicken wire. I would love a couple of tomato plants.

04/25/2023

This bacon-leek pizza is one of my favorites. Sometimes I make my own pizza dough with King Arthur 00 Flour (at Stop & Shop) and make the dough the night before (it takes about 10 minutes); sometimes I buy dough, but it’s still a pretty quick dinner. The recipe will be in this week’s papers.

04/18/2023

If you still haven’t read “Lessons in Chemistry,” get on a waiting list at the library (I understand the wait is getting long). I reviewed it a while ago and just loved it, but word of mouth on this book is so strong it’s made all the best seller lists now. At Easter, my sister-in-law was raving about it. Everyone wants to be friends with Elizabeth Zott!

04/11/2023

Thinking about the garden. Always looking for plants that bloom as long as possible through fall. Veronicastrum virginicum (culver root) is a good candidate. Pretty and it blooms from mid-summer to early fall. It’s deer resistant and attracts bees. Will have to get one. Sylvan Nursery in Westport, Mass., has this one, “Cupid.” There is a pink one, too.

04/01/2023

You all know what a fan I am of Louise Penny’s books. I get her eNewseletter and it always makes me laugh and has lots of good info. (Amazon Prime is not doing a second season of “Three Pines.” Booo!). This one had lots of funny quotes from Doug Larson, one of my favorite cartoonists (The Far Side). And, I especially liked this one.

"Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon."
- Doug Larson

03/31/2023

New book review in this week’s issues. If I had to pick my favorite it would be “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towles. A road trip, a coming of age story, and some of the most memorable characters you will ever meet.

03/17/2023

Happy St. Patrick's Day. Hope you're celebrating in style.

03/16/2023

Since I decided to cut back on plastics as much as possible five or six years ago, I’ve been shocked at how much of it there is. Some choices are easy (buying liquids in glass instead of plastic), reusing plastic bags, but others are tough. Any solution is a win. So, check out Earth Breeze at https://www.earthbreeze.com . I’ve tried their laundry detergent sheets and they are cool. No more measuring, no big plastic jugs! It’s $12 for 60 loads. And, with your order, they donate 10 loads of laundry detergent to a charity of your choice.

Our lovely eco conscious laundry detergent sheets turn laundry into an act of loving kindness. Say goodbye to messy, heavy, plastic detergents. Try Earth Breeze Eco Sheets risk free!

02/24/2023

Sorry I've been away. Had cataract surgery and Facebook issues. All better now. New book review in the papers this week. This one was my favorite. A serious subject told in a very funny, sharp, witty way.

01/07/2023

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope your holiday season was joyous. I'm in the midst of cataract surgery so I have been a little absent. Trying to get chores done as much as possible, which is interesting when you can't bend over (or vacuum or dust). The Lantana I brought inside is blooming, which is nice. One rosemary already died (indoors is just too dry sometimes). But, the others herbs are alive. I've been putting them in the sink and showering them with water, which seems to help.

12/29/2022

An incredibly colorful sunset on Wednesday evening. The sky was so red it looked as if it was on fire. And, a lot of pale pink fading away to the east. Just gorgeous!

12/29/2022

This article ( https://bit.ly/3hFyZ74 ) brings up an interesting point not just for genealogists but for anyone who wants to really connect with family members. I thought I knew my grandparents pretty well, but realized once I started doing research that I never really scratched the surface. I have some fun, personal stories from both of my grandfathers about growing up and military service, but nothing from my grandmothers. Instead of focusing on dates, take a tip from her: “… anthropologists want to know about ordinary life: interactions with neighbors, how the passage of time was experienced, objects that were important to them, what children were afraid of, what courtship practices were like, parenting styles and more.”

How is it possible to spend so much time with your parents and grandparents and not really know them? This question has puzzled me as an anthropologist.

12/27/2022

I embraced this economic principle (at https://bit.ly/3iSp1PU ) 30 years ago after a cooking class. We got to try one bite of the dish the chef had just cooked. It always tasted amazing. When I made the dish at home and ate a whole serving it never seemed as satisfying. At a restaurant, Joe Pinsker writes, he wants two or three bites of everything on the menu. That’s me and my husband! Buffets are his favorite. Lots of bites of different dishes. Sometimes, we just order four or five appetizers. Agree or disagree?

If you’re just eating one dish, you’re missing out.

12/21/2022

You all know how much I love pie. So, some new pie recipes for the holidays at https://bit.ly/3VGjvyd are ideal. My favorites from these truly, cozy seasonal pies? The bourbon chocolate pecan pie, caramel pecan apple pie, and cider cheesecake pie. And, I’m not a fan of butterscotch pudding, but the butterscotch pie with pecan shortbread crust sounds amazing.

Celebrate this season’s flavors—apples, cranberries, pecans and more—with these delicious pies special enough for your holiday table.

12/20/2022

We are massive cheese-lovers and are always looking for cheesy recipes. The warm cheese appetizers at https://bit.ly/3iMeCFq all look delicious but the cheese sausage bread and the herb and goat cheese-stuffed mushrooms are calling my name. A warm brie is always a favorite, too. And, the oregano-manchego cheese straws will be added to my favorite puff pastry recipes (sweet and savory).

12/19/2022

If you’re doing a party with hearty apps, this Loaded Potato Dip is a real keeper. Get the recipe at https://bit.ly/3FzgxGb . It’s got the flavors of a loaded baked potato with cheese, sour cream, bacon and green onion. And, it’s good for chips or healthier with crudite.

12/16/2022

I have a new book review in the papers this week with some fun, light reading ideas for the holidays. Enjoy!