"...and they ate with gladness and simplicity of heart"
Using your home-grown herbs in your meals doesn’t have to be something you can ONLY do in the summer! Spring has been unusually long-winded this year. I like that. Probably because I’m still in my winter body and not quite ready for summer primetime. A long-lasting springtime also gives us more time to get a garden in order. Or, in my case, plant herbs in my window box. Oh, how I long for a garden! Alas, our land is mainly in the shade EXCEPT for a great open spot smack dab in the ...
Food and drinks are necessities of life that sustain us, and small, simple touches can make our meals some of our happiest moments of the day. This isn’t going to be the most earth-shattering blog post. If you know anything about me, you already know that I think that simple things are the best. A favorite pepper grinder. The mug that reminds you of your happy place. Fresh-picked wildflowers. Honeycomb. First cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. We over-complicate life. ...
If you think I am always prepared with a perfectly stocked pantry, cellar, fridge, and freezer, and have a car tote filled with snacks, think again. Although a girl can plan and dream, right? In my heart of hearts, I am thoroughly on top of everything. I have a bullet journal and a shared Google calendar with Dennis, and my mind constantly adjusts schedules as life wiggles its way in. The reality is that preparation is hard work. It takes thought. Planning. And money. It also takes balance ...
There’s a special bonding moment when you raise a glass and give a toast, followed by that happy clink. Here’s why I think giving thanks and appreciating everyday moments are essential. Salud! To Your Health! Cheers! Did you know that folks in the UK will use the word “cheers” as “thank you?” From wedding toasts to praising someone for remarkable achievement, raising a glass with a special someone is a special bonding moment. I love that part about “cheers” and “thank” can be the ...
The joy of homemaking is surrounding yourself with useful items that make you smile. Today’s Five Foodie Finds for Friday focus on little kitchen accents that add a signature touch. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. 1. A happy yellow-bottomed thermal coffee carafe. Are you looking for a stainless steel double-walled insulated thermos that keeps coffee and tea hot for 12 hours? This is it! You’ll also love the safety lock if you’ve ever ...
Ever wonder why a crackling fire draws you towards it like a moth to a flame? The fire’s warmth is more than just heat; the foods you cook on a flame add more than nourishment. One of my favorite memories as a kid growing up in the Research Triangle in North Carolina was the annual church hayride at the country home of our friends, the Barbours. We lived in a suburb of the state capital, close to physically yet far away from life on the outskirts of town filled with Tobacco fields, cotton ...
What if I told you that the relaxed, calm, and satisfied feeling you have at the end of hosting dinner could be the same feelings you have before they arrive? First, let me describe an ideal ending to a good meal with family and friends and a typical mood before they arrive. You know, when most hosts are already frazzled. I believe that both before and after can be happy and relaxed. Today, I will share the secret. An ideal ending to a good meal. Lights are dim as a candle or two ...
There’s a reason why it is so unbelievably pleasurable to bite into a deliciously juicy, steaming hot, and perfectly grilled burger. And there’s also a reason why we all have our personal favorites. How quickly would it take you to describe your perfect burger? Chances are it would take half a second, and you probably would explain to me where to get it, what toppings to put on it, and why it’s your favorite. My favorite chain burger is In-N-Out. Please give me a simple cheeseburger with ...
Meeting up for drinks, coffee, or dinner was so yesterday. If you’re overlooking the morning hours, you’re missing out because breakfast dates are the best! “Hey, let’s meet up for drinks at 5:00.”“Want to grab a coffee tomorrow before lunch?”“I made reservations at 7:00, but they’re booked until 8:30. Will that work?” Technically, all of these scenarios ARE pretty awesome because who doesn’t like to get together with good friends or go on a date with the love of your life? However, ...
If you’ve ever wanted to stop the world for a second to get off the ride and breathe in the joy of the moment, why not do it today? What would you say if you and I sat at a coffee shop and I asked, “Whatcha’ doing for delight today?” Would your answer look like this? “I don’t have time.”“Yeah, right. Too many deadlines.”“Must be nice.”“I wouldn’t know what to do if I had a moment to breathe.” Okay, here is the right answer to my question: “I’m grabbing a few minutes today to step ...
I’ve dutifully added the “jump to recipe” widget. I don’t want you to jump. I want you to linger. Because I want to linger. I want clever titles. I want shorter, bite-sized pondering. Learnings. Sharing. Thought-provoking prose. And pretty photos. Artwork. I want images that capture what I FEEL. The thinking in words is only half the story. No one is (really) reading my blog because it turned into everyone else. But I’m not everyone ...
Oh, hi there. You’re pretty busy right now, aren’t you? Okay, I will make this brief. Print, bookmark, or pin this Easy Cheesy Roasted Garlic Chicken Skillet Slider recipe. Better yet, make it for dinner! It’s 4:00, do you know what’s for dinner? We’ve all been there. Many of us are “there” right now. It goes like this: You have no idea what’s for dinner, and you’re weary. But wait, there’s more! You’re trying to eat clean and trying to go the keto route, paleo, or ...
Thanksgiving time is my favorite time of year! I'm not just talking about the third Thursday in November. Nope. That's too limiting. I believe that Thanksgiving "time" starts with the first day of autumn and lasts all throughout winter. So consider this Thanksgiving-inspired pot pie recipe more of a seasonal staple that can last half the year! This post is happily sponsored by Wick's Pies. They have made pie crusts and pie glazes in Indiana since 1944. #WicksPies #TrustTheCrust ...
When I was a kiddo growing up in the 70s and 80s, my mom volunteered at our local food coop. Instead of paying the annual membership, she would show up at her assigned time and break down all the bulk nuts, grains, cheeses, and whatever into smaller twist-tie bags. She’d weigh them and mark the price on the tiny sticker. We’d do our monthly coop shopping when she completed her assigned duties. Well, one small note… when I said she was a volunteer, I also meant that -by default - I was also a ...
To me, travel is all about the food. Months before the unforgettable year of 2020, Dennis and I spent eight glorious days traveling the peaks and valleys of Israel and Palestine. Every moment was overflowing with exposure to historical places we had read about our entire lives as well as an introduction to unbelievable culinary delights. Today I’m tickled pink to introduce you to two of these delights: Shakshuka and Labne. This post is happily sponsored by Karoun Dairies ...
Click here for my video of how to find, prepare, and dehydrate Chicken of the Woods! There is an old tattered book on my library shelf that was written in the 1960s. Every time I pick it up, a distant memory stirs within me. A memory that is partly true and mostly wishful. The book is called Stalking the Wild Asparagus and is written by Euell Gibbons. Here’s a little ditty from the book cover: “A delightful book on the recognition, gathering, preparation and use of the ...
I’ve wanted to write this post for a long time and share simple tips for a perfectly tender steak. If we focus on these two easy things, our steaks will be of the highest quality and deliciously tender. But first, let’s get real. The last few years have been pretty hard on our pocketbooks, haven't they? Meat prices fluctuated all over the place, and frequently beef was hard to buy. And finally, when we could buy steaks at the grocery store, the last thing we wanted to worry about was ...
