Advent 2025

When I think of the holiday season, I think of cookie day. There are pictures of me in diapers, sitting on the counter, decorating Christmas cookies. I don’t know the Christmas season without cookie day. When I was little, cookie day meant opening a store-bought roll...

“And as soon as I had recognised the taste of the piece of madeleine soaked in… lime-blossom which my aunt used to give me… immediately the old grey house upon the street… rose up like a stage set…” Marcel Proust, Remembrance of Things...

Psalm 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.” For me, that verse takes on a special meaning during the holidays, especially when it comes to food. While most people think of Christmas comfort food as cookies, cakes,...

There is this saying: “I complained about the holes in my shoes, until I met the man with no feet”! I think the same can be applied to food. Comfort food? Food, period. Any food. Just as long as there is food. Of course I like my Christmas stollen and hazelnut...

Disclaimer: If you have children in your family who believe in Santa, please do not read this to them! Growing up in a Portuguese household meant that Santa would visit our home and deliver presents on Christmas Eve. When I was about four or five – I can’t...

Growing up as a kid, Christmas just seemed magical. It was a time for holiday breaks, time together as a family, holiday decorations, and great food. It was also a time for family traditions. From seeing who could wake up first on the Friday after Thanksgiving to...