Spinach and Artichoke Dip

We rarely eat dip in our house, nor will you find the accompanying chips in our cupboards.  Just too tempting!  So we keep hummus and carrots and broccoli at home and save our indulgences for vacations.

Honeydew Melon Martini

A while back I had a rather poorly made melon martini at a local restaurant. Although the drink itself disappointed, the idea appealed and I set out to make a better version. The result is an amazingly refreshing and well balanced drink that's just perfect for summer.

Lima Beans with Sautéed Onions

When I was growing up, my mother frequently served wonderful lima beans and I've loved them ever since. She rightly believed that adding sautéed onions to foods usually made them taste good and I often follow that philosophy and prepare the beans much as my mother did.

Key Lime Martini

On a recent vacation in Mystic, CT we dined at the highly lauded S & P Oyster Company and had a delightful Key Lime Martini while we waited for our table. Of course we had to try the recipe at home! None of the recipes we found online were exactly identical to the one the bartenders at S & P made but we're going with their wonderful version. It's sweet, sour, refreshing, deceptively powerful and lip-smacking delicious. Cheers!

Summer in Mystic, CT

S & P Oyster Company

1 Holmes Street, Mystic, CT 06355, 860-536-2674 www.sp-oyster.com

When we mentioned to people that we were going to spend a few days vacationing in the Mystic/ Stonington area, anyone who'd been there told us to eat at S & P Oyster Company. The opinions of the place were universal and unanimous and now that we've sampled it ourselves, we'll add our voices to the cheering choir.

Inn at Stonington

60 Water Street, Stonington, CT 06378, 860-535-2000 www.innatstonington.com

Situated at the quiet end of the town's main street and just off the river, the Stonington Inn is pretty, elegant and comfortable. We stayed in room one, a somewhat small but beautifully decorated queen bedroom with a private little terrace facing the water. The room's marble bathroom is actually huge and offers an inviting looking whirlpool tub as well as a large stall shower, toiletries and comfortable robes.

My Furry Sous Chef

Sous Chef Hadley

I have a very small Manhattan kitchen so it's just as well that my sous chef is only a foot tall. She's not been to culinary school but has displayed a great deal of natural talent. For example, she's helpfully pointed out to me that bacon tastes much better than carrots and that the full fat yogurt is far superior to that fat-free stuff I keep trying to push.

Low Fat/Low Sugar Apple Tea Bread

When the angel on my left shoulder and the devil on my right start bickering about wanting cake, it's often time to bake a healthier version.