Wine and cheese

Eighty three years ago, some church bells rang out in a Spanish city, and a man had a vision - a vision that cost him blood, sweat, and tears, but has since changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, including mine.

Vale la pena, as the man would say.  It was worth it.

To mark this anniversary, some friends of mine threw a wine and cheese party.  What could be simpler and more elegant?  Lay out some cheese and fruit, heat up some bread, uncork some good wine - et voilà, an instant celebration.

St. Josemaría, I think, would approve.

Happy Feast Day!




Wine and cheese




Inspired to love

This is a brilliant little documentary featuring people who have been inspired to change their lives and do everything for love.  No cheap sentimentality here.  As St. Josemaria Escriva said, without love, life isn't worth living.

One woman says in the video, "The best bit you can put in a recipe is love. Do it for love - it does taste different. I'm not joking."

I know exactly what she means. When my late grandmother was sick with leukemia, she lost her appetite and would hardly eat because nothing tasted right. But she loved it when I cooked for her, because she said that my cooking was the only thing that tasted good.

I think of her every time I cook and I always try to add that extra secret ingredient.

Watch scenes from the video and share your own story here.




Inspired to love