Bring on the barbecue sauce magic: sweet honey, smoky chipotle, tangy vinegar, and a little kick from my Zippy Everything Rub. It started with ribs… but now I want it on everything.

At Glover Gardens, food is how I show love. This poem, inspired by a dVerse prompt, honors my mom, the joy of cooking for others, and the shared language of abundance that brings people together around the table.

Two effortless seafood appetizer platters—shrimp and sardines one night, smoked salmon the next—prove that with a few good ingredients and a “use what you’ve got” mindset, every evening can feel like a celebration.

A spontaneous half day off leads to a peaceful walk through Kleb Woods Nature Preserve—a quiet, restorative escape filled with birdsong, wooded trails, and a touch of Texas history.

A colorful fruit grazing board created for our dear friend Dewey’s Celebration of Life, inspired by my mom’s entertaining wisdom and designed to convey abundance, hospitality, and the joy of sharing food together.

Bright and herby Mediterranean Rice Salad with lemon, olives, fresh herbs, and a gentle Southwest kick. This easy make-ahead side dish is perfect for picnics, potlucks, and simple weeknight meals.

Spicy Red Pesto made with serrano peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and toasted nuts. Ready in 10 minutes and perfect for focaccia, pasta, and grilled meats.

A pictorial celebration of the joyful and festive coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras vibe: Gulfport’s family-friendly daytime parade brought zero debauchery and maximum delight.

A warm, human conversation on the Stan Garfield Fab Five podcast about stories, memory, food, travel, grief, joy—and even a small baseball mistake—reminding me of the power of being heard and truly seen.

Twelfth night brings king cakes and Mardi Gras season, with a bonus duo of compelling and fun books.

A crunchy, spicy, and fresh-tasting salad starring black-eyed peas and broccoli—perfect as a side or light main. Quick to make, big on flavor, and even better the next day.

Perhaps our celebration of each new year is a collective symbol of hopefulness, the idea that we can change, evolve and improve.

What’s on the menu at Gumbo Cove for New Year’s Eve 2025: a shrimp boil and focaccia.

A pair of New Year’s resolution poems — one ottava rima, one tanka — reflecting on intention, gratitude, and self-forgiveness, written for Tanka Tuesday.

Feeding seagulls and feasting our eyes on pastel sunsets in late December light is soul-nourishing.

Zippy Sausage and Cheese Balls bring big flavor in a small, savory package—spicy, cheesy, a little sassy. Perfect for brunch, holidays, or dockside picnics. Make, share, enjoy!

Christmas Eve, Observed, a pop-up concert, and how we repurposed the leftovers for a quiet repast at Gumbo Cove.

The results of an experiment with holly and yaupon holly berries as an accent for a beautiful holiday appetizer platter.

Two crowd-pleasing cookie recipes for Christmas that have withstood the test of time and always generate kudos for the cookie-baker.

Inspired by a memorable restaurant bread, this cast-iron focaccia bakes up soft and tender with a golden, herb-scented crust and a tender crumb that’s perfect for dipping and sharing.