Appetizer boards have become incredibly popular! This delicious concept combines fruits, vegetables, crackers, nuts, cheese and the focus on cold, cured meats brings the French term charcuterie to the table. Often arranged on a wooden board, the variety of foods can also be attractively served on vintage dishes, small plates or a rotating plate. A charcuterie spread can be prepared for one or two people, or a crowd.
There are movies about Christmas that embody high, holy ideals – peace, joy, fellowship, generosity – expressed through familiar images of the manger in Bethlehem or even Santa Claus coming down from the North Pole.
There is a group, made up of people from around the world, that exists for one purpose: spreading kindness.
The recovery in air travel following the COVID-19 shutdowns has stalled and remains at about 40% of 2020 levels. Corporations such as General Motors have extended work-from-home until at least 2021 and could likely extend it after that until the coronavirus vaccine is widely distributed, namely until the second-half of 2021. Working from home likely curtails business travel, as well. While it is just over 10% of air travel, business travel represents about 75% of airline revenue. Business travelers are more likely to book expensive, premium seating in the first class cabin. The cost of a first class ticket is at least double that of an economy class ticket for domestic travel and can be ten times as expensive for international travel. Since this class of service does not represent a proportional increase in airline costs, these higher prices represent a significant proportion of airline profits. Business travelers are also less price sensitive than vacationers, since they have less flexibility when or where they travel to and are not paying the cost of travel out of their own pockets.
I have been sitting back, reflecting on what the month of November means to me and what I am grateful for in this crazy year. Gone are the sunny days of summer, the outdoor barbecues, the golf games and the rich hue of autumn leaves. The air is brisk and those clouds forming in the sky just might mean snow … oh, no! It’s time to get snow tires!
If timing had been better, I would be writing about the new Adam Sandler Netflix movie, “Hubie Halloween,” which released in early October. Even now, post-Halloween, if you haven’t yet watched it, please do so and enjoy some laughs that are much needed this year.
Typically, we’d be traveling this time of year. Autumn is a favorite time of year for us to pack some coats and gloves, get out of town and go on an adventure. The weather in Texas is mostly the same in October as it is in August, so a trip to a locale with some fallen leaves, cooler temperatures and an excuse to put a chunky sweater to use is always welcome.
As I write this in mid-October, I am very hopeful that we have had a successful election, and that a peaceful transition of power has been able to take place in Washington. Unfortunately, I put those odds at a slightly less than 50% chance. The results of the election have permeated the thought processes and have been a motivating source of frustration for many investors throughout the second half of 2020. I am writing this article to encourage you – that the markets, although volatile, can handle whomever is elected President of the United States.
My favorite new dish for 2020 is the galette. A kind of free-form pie, it can be sweet or savory, is quick to make and oh, so delicious! If you are looking to introduce a new dish into your rotation, it can hold just about any fresh vegetable or fruit you can find. It’s also a great way to re-purpose leftovers into a whole new meal. A pie dough recipe is included here; a pre-made pie shell would work fine, as well. Enjoy a galette as a fall treat or a new addition to a holiday meal!
National Sister’s Day was celebrated on August 2 this year, a day that celebrates the unique bond between sisters. And there could be no two people more different than me and my sister, Kathy. We grew up together in a small Maryland town nestled in the valley of the Alleghany Mountains. She was the outdoorsy type, while I was happiest indoors, curled up in a chair reading a book or talking to my friends on the phone.
Fall is the time to enjoy deeper, more complex flavors. It’s also a good time to consider our gut health as we head into the cooler months. The popularity of probiotics (live bacteria and yeasts) and their benefits has encouraged people to consume more kombucha, sauerkraut and yogurts. At The Local Grocer, we’ve also had more requests for kimchi – a traditional, naturally-fermented food from Korea that is rich in vitamins and probiotics.
