As readers of the blog know, I grew up in Maryland, and go back often for visits. On a trip home last November for Thanksgiving, my friend Rebecca and I decided to take a day trip together to Leesburg, Virginia.
The drive from Chevy Chase, MD to Leesburg was about an hour. And by the time we arrived, it was time for lunch. We had reservations at Tuscarora Mill, a restaurant someone had recommended to Rebecca. On the way in, we passed Wine Kitchen, a restaurant my dad mentioned to me …

Growing up in suburban Maryland, there was a company called Mr. Omlette that you could hire for parties and brunches. That event’s Mr. Omlette would wear a white chefs coat and a tall toque and it was so much fun to pick as many fillings as I wanted.
Back in mid-September I was visiting my family in Maryland for both Rosh Hashanah and my birthday and our friends the Feldmans/Rices invited us over to brunch.
When we arrived we were greeted by this gorgeous spread:

Jared Rice and his girlfriend Leila woke up …

Over the past three days I’ve been to three potluck events. Somehow I was able to get away with only making one dish, Roasted Jeweled Vegetables, and those ingredients cost me only $13. Those root vegetables were so bountiful that they provided for our FH-Austin Thanksgiving lunch and for my second monthly potluck shabbat.

Yesterday morning I woke up bright and early to fly home to Maryland for a week-long holiday. My dear friend Rachel invited me over to a potluck dinner at her mom’s place and told me to bring …