I must have smelled the scent of a tomato vine stem at least a thousand times in my life, in so many different places throughout my life, but it only ever conjures up one memory. Standing at the kitchen sink, tearing the sun-ripened tomatoes off the vine, the smell hits me in the guts every time, green, fresh and sharp, yet somehow dusty. It transports me across oceans and back in time, to the garden of family…

Sex and gender have always been an intrinsic part of my thoughts about my children; as soon as I found out I was carrying triplets I hoped they were not all the same sex, because I wanted to experience parenting both and had no intention of going through pregnancy again after the havoc one multiple pregnancy unleashed on my body. Luckily, we did end up with a mixed bag. From the beginning, their clothes, blankets and so on were…

Individual Mushroom & Spinach Pizzas Feeds 2 adults and 3 extremely small toddlers (YMMV) Ingredients: 4 small whole wheat pita (or "pocket") breads 1/3 jar basic red spaghetti sauce (I use a generic-brand six cheese flavor) 8 mushrooms 12 oz. (approx.) shredded mozzarella cheese, aka "sprinkle cheese" 1/2 cup frozen leaf spinach 1. Place pita breads on a non-stick baking sheet and put under the broiler, on High, until slightly crisp on one side, or…