The UXLocale

11/01/2026

I want to write better, and if you haven’t figured it out by now, I’ll find a way to do it here at The UXLocale.

I want to write more, finish what I start, and get better at saying what I mean without piling on words. Partly for the UX—I want to capture what this place is, why we do what we do, and what shapes it —and partly for myself.

I’ve traveled, eaten, cooked, met people, stood in places that have changed me, and learned things I don’t want to lose. Then there’s the ordinary human stuff—love, aging, grief, joy, family, work, mistakes, change, and small moments that don’t seem important until later.

I have stories to tell, thoughts to sort out, and things I want to get on paper before they slip away.

I just read:
Good Writing: 36 Ways to Improve Your Sentences by Neal Allen & Anne Lamott, and one piece of advice stopped me:

FINISH IT.

That one got me. I have so many drafts and starts tucked away because they weren’t ready—or maybe I wasn’t ready to finish them. I want to change that.
So I’m VERY excited about our TWO new writing workshops with Lynn Leschke of Pop! Writing, who brings 35 years of teaching writing to the table.
If you have stories rattling around in your noggin, unfinished pages tucked away, or simply want to write better, come learn alongside me.



Pop Writing Pop ✍️

10/31/2026

Happy Halloween, Masks Off

Thank you to the women who called out the use of AI in the top ten image in Friday’s post. I feel like this is a confession, and here goes. I used it a month ago to create an image for notebooks for my post about the upcoming writing workshops. Glad I got that off my chest.

The reason is so stupid.

My office is a mess. The rest of my house is tidy; I have piles of books everywhere, but it’s an organization that I can live with. The restaurant is always tidy and clean; we have lists on lists on lists on how to maintain it.

But my office, where I do the bulk of my writing, looks like a serial killer's den. So, I gave in—and conjured up a perfectly contrived photo of neatly stacked notebooks. And my gut was like, eww, gross, but I had to get on the road, so click, send.

I don’t know why I did. I hate the illusion of perfection.

Just a few weeks ago I recorded a video of our new pizza, and I used edits to put it together, except I didn’t edit it at all, and that made me laugh every time.
We are all on the run and trying to do our best, and sometimes our best is a little sloppy.

Ideas come quickly to me, and I’m working on finishing one thing before moving to the next. But using AI images is cheating—a mistake I won’t repeat.

So here is my real stack of notebooks, my inspiration wall, my favorite notes, and my piles of files and binders that need filing/sorting.

I’m so excited about the upcoming Tenth Anniversary Party, which got me thinking that I have gotten this far without it, so I’m going to return to being...

Imperfectly Yours,

Elaine

10/30/2026

10/27/2026

Every pairing dinner gives us a chance to stretch our creativity. After nearly ten years without a b**r pairing, we brought it back with a twist.

Our last was traditional Bavarian fare. This time, we partnered with Ben and Adrienne of Murder Hill Brewery, who are vegetarian, so we created an entirely vegetarian menu. Finally, I had a perfectly good excuse to bring out my crows: caw, caw.

My fairy godmothers, Michelle and Jeena, are always game for my ideas. I dream and research; Michelle turns those thoughts into something lovelier than I imagined, and Jeena makes sure every detail falls into place. She also reminds us to stop and appreciate what we've created.

My kitchen team brings it all together, juggling five courses, plating, and timing with remarkable care.

Listening to Ben share his story, sourcing practices, and passion for brewing reminds me that the people who keep working their craft for the love of it show it in the final product, and that supporting small matters, now more than ever.

And then there are our guests. Six had never visited the UX! They trusted us with an unseen menu and an evening of communal dining. Watching strangers become friends around a table is perhaps my favorite part.

That's the magic of gathering. Good food and drink bring us together, but the people make the evening memorable.

Thank you to everyone who made it special. Winter Wonderland is already sold out, and we can't wait to do it all again! To learn about all of our events and experiences, please visit our website: theuxlocale.com/events

PS Our Tuscan Dinner in July is more than half full already.

**rpairing **rpairings

10/24/2026

get your sweet on.

10/21/2026

Last week taught me a few things. This Week, We're Ready.

The cooler weather threw us a curveball Saturday, and our last-minute decision to close the greenhouse for seating meant fewer tables and longer waits. This week, we're better prepared. We'll use the patio and greenhouse for guests waiting for tables, and I've brought back our 90-minute seating reminder. With fewer seats as the weather turns, a little give-and-take helps everyone enjoy the fun. I've also doubled down on food orders. We are NOT running out of anything Saturday night!

And what a week we have ahead!

Friday brings a private afternoon party, then regular dinner service, and live music with Weasel Step at 7 pm.

Saturday kicks off with a painting workshop led by our favorite Bob Ross instructor, Caryn P., and DJ Proud Larry takes over the evening.

And Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Our first Chef's Table dinner of the season, featuring Murder Hill Brewery! P.S. It's my first VEG Chef's Table!

Speaking of food, our new Lamb Duo was inspired by a dinner I had in Ireland. We've got Guinness on tap, and this week I used it to deglaze all those delicious brown bits for the lamb stew. I've also mastered splitting the G. Sometimes a little silly goes a long way.

And speaking of silly-fun events, our TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY is getting closer! BT Smokehouse just joined the lineup, and we've already hit 100 RSVPs! Please RSVP through our website so we can plan for the crowd. It's shaping up to be a be-there-or-be-square kind of day!

Our updated b**r lineup is online, too.

Ten years in, I'm still learning, adjusting, and figuring out how to do things better. We have a big week ahead, and we'll do our part to make sure everyone gets their fair share of what makes this place special.

Thanks for sticking with us, rolling with the changes, and keeping this little hill hopping. Sometimes better, not perfect, is exactly how you get there.

Murder Hill B.T.'s Smokehouse Murder Hill
Guinness

10/14/2026

A Little More Warmth,

Our fall and winter menu is taking shape: slow braises, roasted root vegetables, wild mushrooms, fresh herbs, and good ingredients given the time they deserve.

Our Lamb Duo pairs garlic-butter-seared chops with a slow-braised stew finished under golden béchamel. Short ribs simmer in red w**e and beef stock, then tossed with fresh pappardelle, and a half chicken gets a generous rub of butter, garlic, and thyme before heading into the wood-fired oven.

And I'm especially excited about our two vegetarian additions! Our Winter Is Coming Pizza brings together roasted squash, caramelized onions, chèvre, rosemary, and a little maple-hot honey. Our New England Mushroom Pot Pie, featured in photos, packs a wonderful mix of locally grown mushrooms, leeks, and carrots, all tucked beneath a golden cheddar biscuit crust.

Five dishes, each with its own personality, from the deep umami of slow-cooked meats and mushrooms to the sweet-and-savory mix of roasted winter vegetables.

This is the food that makes me look forward to shorter days and colder nights. Good company, a glass of w**e, something bubbling away in a cast-iron skillet, and absolutely no reason to rush home.

So maybe skip cooking tonight, change those plans, and see what we've been up to.

10/08/2026

I want to write better, and if you haven’t figured it out by now, I’ll find a way to do it here at The UXLocale.

I want to write more, finish what I start, and get better at saying what I mean without piling on words. Partly for the UX—I want to capture what this place is, why we do what we do, and what shapes it —and partly for myself.

I’ve traveled, eaten, cooked, met people, stood in places that have changed me, and learned things I don’t want to lose. Then there’s the ordinary human stuff—love, aging, grief, joy, family, work, mistakes, change, and small moments that don’t seem important until later.

I have stories to tell, thoughts to sort out, and things I want to get on paper before they slip away.

I just read:
Good Writing: 36 Ways to Improve Your Sentences by Neal Allen & Anne Lamott, and one piece of advice stopped me:

FINISH IT.

That one got me. I have so many drafts and starts tucked away because they weren’t ready—or maybe I wasn’t ready to finish them. I want to change that.
So I’m VERY excited about our TWO new writing workshops with Lynn Leschke of Pop! Writing, who brings 35 years of teaching writing to the table.
If you have stories rattling around in your noggin, unfinished pages tucked away, or simply want to write better, come learn alongside me.



Pop Writing