Author: JOY journal

After a long career writing for local newspapers — and, on rare occasions, for publications such as The Washington Post — Nora is enjoying a second wind as an innkeeper. She still blogs and does writing projects of special interest. She lives in Appalachia with her husband and a dog named Finn, who is beside himself with joy when the family's daughters have college breaks.
recipes

3 pizza toppings for the meat/moo free crowd

JOY journal

“There's very little in my world that a foot massage and a thin-crust, everything-on-it pizza won't set right.” mystery writer G.A. McKevett/Sonja Massie Whether it's a night that everyone is too busy to cook or a casual office party, pizza is often a holiday mainstay. And, when you can't have or don't want to have meat or… Continue reading 3 pizza toppings for the meat/moo free crowd

recipes

Sunshiney potato soup

JOY journal

“Not everyone can be a truffle. Most of us are potatoes. And a potato is a very good thing to be.” Massimo Bottura, "Massimo Bottura: Never Trust a Skinny Italian Chef" A potato may not look like much, but just think of the things you can do with one. Mash it, fry it, turn it… Continue reading Sunshiney potato soup

spiritual life

I should have eaten more cheese

JOY journal

“The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.” Willie Nelson, American musician Not long before my bodily self went utterly lactose intolerant, I stood in a market in Pittsburgh's Strip District and eyed an aged cheese hanging from the ceiling by lovely twists of rope. Sigh. We were already loaded… Continue reading I should have eaten more cheese