As most of you know, I am a pastry chef and party planner. I not only plan the parties, I am in charge of all the food, drinks and setup. As you can guess, there is a lot that has to be planned, … more

By the time you’re reading this, you’re likely setting back into the chametz routine. Back in your pantries are the cereals you love, the snacks your kids missed and your regular baking ingredients. And, if you’re like me, those new products will be nestled amongst the left over unopened boxes of matzo farfel, cake meal, matzo meal, potato starch, Passover noodles, puddings, soup bases, potato chips and marshmallows — lots of bags of marshmallows. more

On Erev Tisha B’Av, Jerry and I, along with another couple, were invited to Debby and Jack Shafran’s house for a pre-fast meal. Turns out all (except me) were children of … more

The older kids are in sleep away camp and most have gotten over the trauma (and expense) of sending them off. Now it’s time to send the little ones to day camp. In my day, day camp meant walking to the YMHA on 14th Ave in Boro Park. more

My husband Jerry became a grandfather for the eighth time three weeks ago. His son Yoni and wife Esther had a beautiful baby boy, who joins two older brothers and a sister. … more

Two weeks ago, Jerry’s daughter Jordana (yes, we each have a daughter named Jordana) gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Adel Mattel Sara (Mattel was Jerry’s mom’s name). When the … more

Exquisitely simple, yet enormously complex, the egg is one of nature's marvels. Eggs are the backbone of many baked goods. They also provide steam for leavening or moisture for starch. more

As cliché as this sounds...boy have times changed since I was a teenager in the 70s. In those days most of us babysat on Saturday nights. You know, to make money to buy those “frivolous” things that our moms said wasn’t necessary to buy, and if we wanted it, we could pay for it with our own money....I actually find myself saying the same thing to my daughter, but usually end up buying it for her. more

It’s late, 2:30 am. This article is going to get to the editor late, and my Braves lost their lead and their do-or-die playoff game late in the game. I hate being late, but when I’m late, I hustle. When I worked in the city, I became so adept at making the train, no matter how late I was, that I was able to leave my house, drive a mile, find a parking spot (no easy feat!), run toward the train and across the tracks while the train was already there. All in four minutes. Of course I couldn’t catch my breath for half the train ride and I had to listen to the conductor admonish me not to run across the tracks while the gates were down (yes, I know he was right). more

I did it. I finally did it. I ended this relationship. It had lasted 18 years, through good times and bad. My family, friends and even acquaintances tried to reason with me, to let it go, it was … more