Seattle is one of my very favorite cities in the whole world, in part because of the fantastic food available! This is just a *short* list of my foodie finds...look at the end of the article for more recommendations!

Planning a family reunion can be a daunting task – from figuring out the best location to plotting activities that work for everyone, whether they’re ages 2, 22, or 82.
 
And then there’s mealtime.
 
Inevitably there’s a mixture of food likes and dislikes, paired with an allergy or two, or more. At least that’s how it goes in my family, which now tops more than 20 at family gatherings.
 

Hungry? I've got a book (and a recipe!) for you. I recently was sent, for review, an Irish cookbook, entitled The New Irish Table: Recipes from Ireland's Top Chefs. Now, our wandering educators will know how much we LOVE Ireland, but if you're new: WE LOVE IRELAND. There's something magical about that island - the land, views, friendly people, deep culture, music, and, of course, great food.

Do you love Japanese food, but feel intimidated by the great attention to detail that Japanese cooks do? Never fear – I am a quick cook who loves easy meals.

When I was young, I discovered the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. Glorious, wonderful, read-yearly books that have influenced thousands, nay, millions of people worldwide.

In my family, Snow Pudding is a must. It’s a tradition… and a very good one, in my opinion! What can go wrong with lemony, custardy, sugary goodness? This year, I actually joined in on making it (instead of watching my nana from the sidelines, impatiently waiting for it to be done).