Italy: Meglio soli che male accompagnati. = Better alone than poorly accompanied.
Since we are in the month of February, many of my entrepreneurial colleagues are using love themes in their blogs and newsletters. So am I, but in a slightly different fashion!
Those who know me well know that I didn't marry until I was in my forties. This wasn't by choice but by circumstance, the circumstance being meeting and falling in love with my husband Eddie. It was a long wait, but it was worth it... and I still like him.
For all you math whizzes, that means that I was single for the better part of my twenties and thirties. And yes, I had boyfriends during those decades -- but rarely on Feb. 14th [hmm]. That's a long time to celebrate Valentine's Day unattached.
But I still believe that being alone or -- better yet -- with friends and family on Valentine's Day is far superior to being with the wrong person on that day. If the person you're dating ignores you, cheats on you, or belittles you, why the heck would you give them your time???
That's why I love the Italian expression above -- and doesn't everything sound better in Italian? On this Valentine's Day 2025, appreciate the people who do love you, and spend time with them. Now THAT is advice your Italian grandmother would agree with!
Intestate Law: Who Gets What When You've Made No Legal Arrangements?
Let's talk frankly about intestate law. Intestate succession is what happens when you fail to leave behind a valid will or trust following your demise. We all intend to prepare our documents; we don't always get to it. Perhaps this will light a fire under your butt!
The designated beneficiary(ies) on a specific asset [think life-insurance policy, IRA, 401(k), etc.] takes precedence over the party(ies) named in your will. Assets without a designated beneficiary [think house, jewelry, bank accounts, etc.] will follow the terms of your will. But if there is no will to follow, then intestate law comes into play.
Although it varies slightly from state-to-state, intestate succession generally follows a pattern. I tried putting this to song to make it more memorable, but frankly, it's a lousy song. Sing it with me now:
"Oh, first your assets go to your legal spouse,
If no spouse, then to your children, both adopted and natural,
If no children, then to your parents,
If no living parents, then to your siblings, hey, hey,
If no living siblings, then to your aunts and uncles,
If no living aunts and uncles, then to your first cousins,
If no living first cousins, then to your second cousins,
And so on! Hooray!"
[I warned you it was a lousy song.]
Here's a checkup to do over the long holiday weekend:
Gundel Palacsinta [Hungary]
Welcome back to “Best Thing I Ever Ate"!
Perhaps because I've been on a new eating plan since late December, food has been on my mind lately (and broccoli has been stuck in my teeth). My current diet provides much protein, many veggies, and a substantial amount of fat. But no carbs or sugar [wah-wah]. Maybe that's why I am waxing nostalgic about one of my favorite-ever desserts: Gundel palacsinta.
A palacsinta is an Eastern European crepe or pancake, with both sweet and savory varieties available in many countries. But THE Gundel palacsinta is so named because it [allegedly] originated at the famous Gundel Restaurant across from the City Park in Budapest, Hungary.
Consider this: a light, thin crepe filled with rum-soaked raisins and walnuts, topped with a decadent dark chocolate sauce (with even more rum!). It is one of my "desert-island" foods... you know, one that you could eat every day for the rest of your life without tiring of it.
We don't have the actual recipe used at the Budapest restaurant (ssshhh... it's a secret!), but we do have some great copycat recipes on the internet. Today's recipe comes from Kanthi at www.joyofeatingtheworld.com. Kanthi is a Sri Lankan chef who resides in Japan, and there is no "same ol', same ol'" recipes on her website! I highly recommend you visit her site and learn to cook other international dishes at home.
Click here to download the pdf of Kanthi's recipe:
Please note that this is not a quick dessert to prepare. But it IS a beautiful culinary gift for your loved one this Valentine's Day. Or for me... yes, I will come to your house if you are making Gundel palacsinta. My husband can fend for himself for one night.
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