All-American Favorites for the Fourth of July

By Sandy Hu

I love a good barbecue for the Fourth of July. But this year, we are settling into our Special Fork office and will be busy making Ikea runs, setting up our food reference library and getting our new digs in shape. We can hardly wait!

Despite the workload, we’ll still be grilling in honor of the holiday, and if weather permits, enjoying our meals on the deck as we take a break from moving boxes and sorting papers.

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An Anniversary Weekend in Healdsburg

By Sandy Hu

Take my advice. Don’t get married the day after Christmas.

Steve and I were living in New York City facing our second Christmas away from home and planning our wedding. So why not kill two birds – get married AND be home for Christmas in Hawaii?

Not so smart. Christmas was incredibly hectic that year and the annual residual fallout is that we’re too partied out after Christmas to celebrate our anniversary.

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Take a Vacation to the Caribbean from your Kitchen

By David Hu

Who doesn’t like steak and potatoes? Instead of the traditional steakhouse combo, marinate your steak in citrus juices and accompany with sweet potatoes mashed with OJ.

This meal will transport you to the sunny Caribbean, no matter what the weather is like outside your door. It’s really easy to make and marinating tenderizes and infuses the flank steak with flavor. Be careful not to overcook.

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Tricky Nicky

By Andrew Hunter

Sometimes Marilyn and I sit at the dinner table and watch in amazement as our two boys eat. Or rather while Benny eats and Nicky twists, turns and falls off his chair; pulls a Lego airplane from his pocket to crash into his otherwise untouched green beans; and pokes his brother in the ribs before proclaiming he’s "all full". Without skipping a beat, Benny reaches over and steals Nicky’s potatoes. How can two children come from the same place and be so different?

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