Bringing the taste of home back to Texas

My recent road trip to Chicago was a memorable hometown visit. It’s always nice to return for something like a wedding rather than a funeral. We haven’t lived in the Windy City for 40 plus years, but in some ways it’s still home. Our first stop upon arriving was to get an Italian beef sandwich.

Butter boards and more

A growing trend on social media is to replace the charcuterie board with a butter board. Restaurant developer Justine Doiron’s Tik Tok video sparked interest, but Ms. Doiron acknowledges butter boards were first created by chef and cookbook author Joshua McFadden.

Intermittent fasting a recent dieting trend

Let the hunger games begin! Intermittent fasting is a popular health and fitness trend. It turns out you might not have to change what you eat, just when you eat. I’m not sure if it’s helpful or painful to learn about fasting with the holidays approaching. I just hope it doesn't make me hangry.

Why do we carve pumpkins and call them jack-o'-lanterns?

The centuries old Halloween practice of creating jack-o’-lanterns originated from an Irish myth about a deal with the devil. Stingy Jack invited the devil to a pub and then convinced the devil to turn himself into a coin to pay for their drinks. Jack kept the money.

Sister ranchers from Liberty Hill open bed and breakfast

Jo and Meagan Gatlin are sisters who grew up in a ranching family in Liberty Hill. When their father retired a few years back the sisters took over, transforming the ranch with regenerative practices that prioritize soil health and treat animals respectfully.

Try beans on toast

Anglophiles are fascinated with all things British Princess Diana and the royal family, to Beatlemania, James Bond,DowntonAbbey, Harry Potter, William Shakespeare and tea time. Beans and toast, however, are one tradition we haven’t fully embraced yet.