Watertown, MA. November, 2016

Remember all that fuss last month about the "Supermoon"? Hundreds of photos flooded Instagram, all of them looking pretty much the same. I decided to wait a month before posting this one, taken from my driveway.

Las Palmas, Canary Islands. November, 2013

Imagine living in a place where beach days occur all year 'round. Nice to imagine as we head into winter here in New England.

Watertown, MA. October, 2016

I live in an Armenian neighborhood, so tabbouleh is no stranger to me. I've tried versions from all of my many local markets. I've made it myself. But none comes close to this tabbouleh, available once a year at the St. James Armenian Church bazaar just steps from my home. Just the right amount of parsley, the right balance of bulgur and lemon juice. Mmmm-mmm. I indulge freely, while at the same time bemoaning the fact that I can't freeze it to enjoy throughout the winter. Instead, this photo will have to do.

Off the coast of Morocco. November, 2013

It is our custom and our delight to purchase something at a local market and then bring it back on board our Windstar cruise ship to enjoy at the next meal. This time, a lovely Moroccan bread purchased that morning at the sprawling market in Rabat. The vendor had just arrived, wheeling in a pushcart with a mountain of warm loaves. We bought a large one, and when I handed him the equivalent of 75 cents or so, he gave back a handful of coins as change. So cheap. So good.

Cádiz, Spain. November, 2013

So many markets, so little time. And, alas, never having a kitchen at our disposal to prepare the delights each of these European vendors has on offer. Yes, a luxury problem.

Kanlika, Istanbul, Turkey. June, 2007

I am one week into my traditional annual "eating plan" (none dare say diet) between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I avoid flour, sugar, refined carbs. Or at least I try to. Otherwise I will eat all of the hundreds of sweets that seem to materialize everywhere in this month of holiday prep. One dish that would be most welcome on my table this month is seen here at Korfez, a now-closed but happily remembered restaurant just a short boat trip up the Bosphorus from Istanbul proper: whole sea bass baked in salt, then filleted and served just so. Who needs cookies and caramel corn?

Istanbul. June, 2007

To make up for the loss of autumn's colorful leaves, let's begin December with this market shot from my first visit to the City of the World's Desire. If only travel to Turkey were as easy now as it was then. But even my friends who live in Istanbul warn about visiting their beautiful city under current circumstances. What a shame.