Tag Archives: holidays

My Joy in the Journey of cooking began at a young age. I was less than 10 years old when a friend gave me a cookbook; I loved it! In 1983, I published my first recipe—in the Paullina Centennial Cookbook. Before I could drive, I would walk to the farmers market in my small town to buy tomatoes and other fresh produce. In my first year of marriage, out of necessity, I made mayonnaise from scratch. The year we lived in Seattle, I made my first homemade syrup, since giant blackberry bushes greeted me just outside our apartment. I laugh …

Maintaining Hopeful Holidays for Dementia Patients and Their Caregivers The holidays are poignant because of our gatherings. Families gather and, in turn, memories are gathered. Stories are told—stories of when we were younger, braver or more cautious, impetuous or reserved. Such stories stir our emotions and tickle our funny bones; but for some families, there are beloved brothers and mothers, sisters and spouses unstirred by such stories, due to Alzheimer’s and related dementias. What are holiday gatherings like in such families? How do caregivers cope? Perhaps, most importantly, how can we best care for those afflicted and their caregivers? Lisa …