As usual, when the third week in August rolls in, I think back to the days when my kids returned from camp. After the initial nausea of opening the trunk wore off, we’d decide what special trip the family would take. more

It must be August, because everyone is off on their last hurrah vacation trips before the kids come home from camp and the Yomim Tovim start. This past Shabbat, my husband Jerry regaled us with his travel plans that took place in 1975 during the summer after his sophomore year at YU. more

Last month, my daughter’s car lease was up. So we began researching cars that were safe, reasonably priced and of course “cool.” In my days, we drove whatever car was available. In 1980, I was thrilled to get the 1970 Bonneville that belonged to my uncle Morris, a”h. That car was the size of a small yacht. I think it had more room inside than some Manhattan apartments. It got me to where I had to go and I was thankful for it. more

Remember when buying a cup of coffee meant … buying a cup of coffee. Sure you had a choice of what type, regular or decaf; skim or regular milk; sugar or sugar substitute, and hot or iced. Then came the flavored coffee creamers, followed by flavored coffees. You could have made it at home, or bought it at a luncheonette, candy shop or coffee shop, which was basically a mini restaurant that served breakfast and lunch along with coffee. Today, coffee is no longer just coffee. more

So, it was the last day before the Nine Days. You know what that means: Last day to swim, do your laundry and, of course, stuff yourself silly with meat, because for the next nine days you can’t. You can eat it on Shabbat and, of course, if you make a siyum. more

When Naomi Nachman took her radio show, “Table for Two,” on the road last week, webcasting live from Gourmet Glatt in Cedarhurst, it was just the latest of an expanding list of foody adventures for Woodmere’s “Aussie Gourmet.” more

Have you ever been locked out of your car or home? In the past, it rarely happened, as I tended to leave my front door open. I figured no one was going to try to break into the front door (actually, they could have just walked in). Yes, I know, it wasn’t very smart. There were times as well, when inadvertently, I, or my daughter Jordana, would forget to lock our cars. more

Summer is my favorite season and swimming (ok, sitting by the pool) is my favorite pastime. One person who really enjoys the pool and the yard today is my husband Jerry. My idea of a great yard is a clean pool, lush landscaping, nice furniture to sit on, lay out in the sun on, and a nice dining set to sit around when we barbecue. My husband Jerry, unfortunately had different ideas. more

Last week I shared a burger recipe, this week I have another. Last week it was a main, this week it’s a dessert. Sweets date back to ancient civilizations. Desserts, as we know them today, are the product an evolution of technology and culinary experimentation. more

Growing up in Brooklyn, I don’t remember ever having a barbecue. We ate “hockfleish,” which was basically a hamburger, pan fried. It was thick and juicy and we ate it without a bun … at least that’s how I remember it. I could be wrong; I’ll let you know after my sister reads the column. more