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It was just us two newlyweds with a paella pan we received as a wedding gift. We produced a Spanish feast. The first course was shrimp balls with cilantro aioli, followed by a traditional paella (meat only). We finished the meal with almond milk custards. Delicious! Though, at some point, I was homesick and craving my aunt's sausage stuffing.

In the 1980s, Martha Stewart had a beautiful menus cookbook, the name of which escapes me. It was filled with lots of beauty shots and great recipes, including her buttermilk fried chicken. But my favorite recipe of hers, found in that book, was a salad composed of avocados drenched in a warm tomato dressing. So delicious! Unfortunately, that cookbook is at my mom's house and we constantly tussle over who should have it (she, who does not cook regularly, or me, who does).

The Culinary is closed for summer break most of this month so I am afraid you are out of luck there. Rhinebeck, across the river from Kingston has wonderful restaurants, including Gigi Trattoria and Sabroso. Also, if you seek good, cheap sushi Osaka is great. Rhinebeck also has a good farmer's market on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Just north of Kingston is Saugerties, and there you will find Miss Lucy's Kitchen which is delicious. I am afraid I have not found a lot of great places to eat in Kingston, but if you do, please share. In case you're wondering, this Colorado chic relocated to the Hudson Valley from Denver two years ago.