While often mistaken for Halloween, Día de los Muertos isn’t spooky at all. It’s a joyful celebration of life and remembrance, honoring loved ones who have passed with food, color, music, and community.

At one conference in Mexico, I met Georgia, an exuberant woman from Greece.

The Greeks are credited with developing the technique of using thin layers of dough, known as "phyllo," which means "leaf" in Greek. The introduction of phyllo dough transformed baklava into the delicate, flaky pastry that is now celebrated.

Have you ever picked a blossom from a crepe myrtle tree, squeezed it, and watched it blossom into a beautiful little flower? This year...