Hideaways Series

March 13th 2011
Frasnchoek Valley, South Africa
Recently I returned from a visit to one of my all-time favorite spots and location for my next Hideaways search; South Africa. I truly believe few spots on Earth have the ability to enchant the visitor as instantly as South Africa, and particularly, the Cape Wine lands. For me, the [...]

Continue reading about Babylonstoren – a Gardener’s Hideaway

Thursday, December 2nd
Rizzoli Book Store, New York
I felt very blessed to have so many friends, family and colleagues show up at the signing last Thursday night. We sold over 40 books (for $50 a pop that’s great!) and were told it was one of the bookstore’s most successful events of late!  Thank you to Everyone [...]

Continue reading about Caribbean Hideaways – Book Signing

In a not-so-veiled effort to publicize (and encourage you to go out and get a copy) my latest book, Caribbean Hideaways, I’ve created a sneak preview of some of the interior pages below. It’s like what they offer on Amazon, only homemade.

Some of what lies beneath the glossy cover….

And if the above didn’t cause you to [...]

Continue reading about Caribbean Hideaways Preview

May – June 21st 2010,
Dear Readers,
My apologies for being such a delinquent  blogger this past, er, month and a half! I’ve been swamped with edits for my second book, CARIBBEAN HIDEAWAYS and new text for my third book, ENGLISH HIDEAWAYS.
I’m very happy to report that Caribbean Hideaways has been shipped off to the printer [...]

Continue reading about BOOKS VS. BLOG – BOOKS (2), BLOG (0)

What better says giving and Holiday Spirit than a little self-promotion? It’s that time of year again when you think of your loved ones in a most desperate manner as your rack your brain over the perfect gift that screams, “I swear I didn’t just think of this last week”. Well, friends and readers, search [...]

Continue reading about Christmas Plug for Italian Hideaways

LONDON
JULY 30th
Ehem, High Breakfast is not a term describing the person enjoying the tiered feast of breakfast goodies (though they’d certainly be psyched) but rather a take on England’s tried and true tradition of High Tea adapted to breakfast. Devised by the manager of London’s Haymarket Hotel, High Breakfast (pictured below) is a three-tiered celebration [...]

Continue reading about HIGH BREAKFAST

ALL OVER HER MAJESTY’S GREAT LAND
JULY 2009
Okay, so I had some pretty grand illusions about the PUB.  I had heard all about its ‘poncy’ culinary-based cousin, the GASTROPUB and the brewery-less FREE PUB and was altogether ready to be wowed by the entire Pub family.

As we toured the land pub by pub, I came across [...]

Continue reading about THE PUB AND THE PLOUGHMAN’S LUNCH

MIDDLE ENGLAND
JULY 21st
This wonderful abode was mine for a night last week. Its soothing blue and white palette kept me nice and snug when the weather turned typically English (rain). The sheets were some of the softest I’ve ever slept in.
LAKE WINDERMERE
JULY 24th
This pristine palace of a room has two sets of iron framed windows [...]

Continue reading about THREE LOVELY ROOMS FROM ENGLISH HIDEAWAYS TOUR

LAKE WINDERMERE

JULY 23rd

Self Portrait over Lake Windermere

Here I am, taking an awkward self-portrait on a solo walk I did in the Lake District around Lake Winderemere. It was absurdly picturesque and the only thing lacking was some company, then again the sheep and cows did kindly step off the path when I approached. When visiting [...]

Continue reading about LAKE DISTRICT

MELTON MOWBRAY

JULY 20th

Okay as promised, here are hideous pics of me trying the all famous PORK PIE from its birthplace or was it, the best place? Either way, despite my scrunched nose below, the thing was tasty.

Continue reading about THE PORK PIE