There’s something magical about the flavors that linger in our memories. Over three decades ago, I stumbled upon a delightful find at a...

The same two rescue cats, Smudge and Jaws, were fierce protectors and guardians of home and hearth. In Brooklyn, I managed to grow one...

One thing about cats is that they are quite generous with gifts. Before my pair of white rescue cats (age 16 and 17) passed away a couple...

Growing up, one of the great rituals of summer was CANNING. Having been raised in a Swedish Mormon farming family, CANNING was required....

Another one of Grandpa Safsten's“sayings” is “Never Get in a Pissing Match With A Skunk.”  Of course, being the gentleman that he was –...

This affirmation comes from my dad. He said that it became clear to him as a soldier in WW I and the Korean War that one of the most...

We’re sponges. We find inspiration in everything around us. We look at other art and think our work isn’t good enough because it’s...

. . . and your cats won't get on the broomstick. Happy Halloween!

He/she landed on my living room window, and I was treated to a half-hour closeup of the beautiful green underside of this incredible bug....

"When Your Horse Dies, Get Off" My grandfather was Oscar Johannes Safsten, who emigrated to the United States from Sweden as a young...

So here's a (bad) Halloween joke from the Ohana Cats on Mango Hill! (As told by a 4-year-old): "Knock knock." "Who's there?" "Orange...

This affirmation, a line from the musical “Mimi Le Duck,” has become a personal mantra for me. It serves as a constant reminder to...

In Brooklyn’s rain, where dreams align,  A coffee shop, a moment in time.  With raindrops dancing, a gentle embrace,  A memory painted, a...

As a grandmother to five wonderful grandchildren, my family history is a tapestry woven with rich stories and cherished memories.   On my...

As I sit in my kitchen turned studio, I am reminded to “Keep your eye on the prize!” This simple yet powerful phrase encourages me to...

On this September 11, 2024, I gather the last summer offerings from my garden and think of the lines from "The Last Rose of Summer" by...

Celebrating Grandparent's Day As a proud grandmother of five wonderful grandchildren, ranging from ages 1 to 10 years old, I would like...

Painted in 1986 , this rarely-seen artwork captures a tender moment between a mother and her daughter in Hawaii. They were modeling for...

A Slice of History This painting, titled “Alice Malt Shop,” captures a cherished piece of family history. It features my husband’s...

No matter the age of my children, my motherly instincts never end; they simply transform into Nana duties. One such adventure began when...