Choosing the Best Plants for Your Garden
Have you ever bought a really cool plant on impulse – only to find there is nowhere in your garden that really suits it? Guilty as charged here. I’m a bit of a plant collector myself and can usually “find” a…
4 Questions to Ask When Planning Your Vegetable Garden
Well, it’s FINALLY that time of year again. Time to start finalizing your vegetable garden plans. Are you in?? I have BIG goals for our vegetable garden this year. (If you ask my husband… I always do!) 🙂 This will be our…
Pecan-Crusted Goat Cheese with Mixed Greens
Adding pecan-crusted goat cheese wheels to this otherwise simple salad really kicks up the “elegance factor.” As a result, this is a great choice for small dinner parties or other special occasions. Ingredients:Goat Cheese Wheels:1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped1 log (4 oz)…
Making Sense of Chicken Labels
Please note: This article was originally published in 2014. Current laws and regulations may be different. Few things get me as riled up as what is going on with food labeling these days. Thanks to legislators who care more about catering…
Your Trusty Garden Journal
Do you keep a garden journal? I do. I received a beautiful blank gardening journal several years ago as a housewarming gift. By now, it is well worn and coffee stained – and filled with little details about my beloved daylilies,…
Beyond Skillets: 4 Must-Have Cast Iron Cookware Pieces
Cast iron skillets are so easy love. Whether inherited from a beloved grandmother, found at a bustling flea market, or purchased brand new, the origin of these durable and dependable skillets doesn’t really matter. Once one makes its way into your…
Pomegranate Salad with Shaved Parmesan
This quick and easy salad looks so festive with bright red pomegranate seeds set against deep green Romain lettuce and shaved Parmesan cheese. Tossed in a homemade white balsamic salad dressing, it tastes as good as it looks. Salad Ingredients: 1…
Homemade Bloody Marys with Antipasto Skewers
Yesterday, we had a houseful of relatives over to make Christmas cookies (over 75 dozen!) Throw in some OSU football, our niece’s 20th birthday dinner and yet another viewing of Pitch Perfect – and viola! We had the makings of a…
Slow Cooker Pork Loin with Apple Cider
This recipe is so easy I almost didn’t post it here. But then it turned out so good – even better the next day (!) – I figured “what the heck, maybe someone else will enjoy it, too.” So here you…
The 4 Natural Enemies of Olive Oil
Did you realize olive oil is a perishable fruit juice? I guess I never really thought about it. Don’t get me wrong, olive oil has been a staple in my kitchen for years. I just never gave much thought to it,…
Dill and Lemon Steamed Salmon
Need a super fast week-night dinner? You can’t miss with this simple steamed salmon recipe. The best part? You can get it on the table in under 10 minutes! For a nice flavor boost, try it with my Sweet and Spicy Salsa recipe. Dill…
The Organized Gardener
Let me be clear up front – the title of this post is not referring to me. 🙂 At least not this year. My new husband and I moved in together a few months ago – and between work and kids…
Morels & Goat Cheese Bruschetta
This is easily one of my all-time favorite recipes. My close friend Sandy served this as an appetizer years ago and I’ve never forgotten how fabulous it was. Unfortunately, Morels are only in season for a very short time each spring….
Gardening from a Clean Slate
The last year has brought some big changes for me… I got married, became a stepmom to 3 really great girls, lost two of my three beloved elderly dogs… and moved to a new area. Okay, it’s not really “new” –…
Roasted Pear & Blue Cheese Salad
Sweet roasted pears, decadent creamy blue cheese, and peppery arugula are perfectly complemented by a balsamic vinegar reduction to give this salad incredible flavor. Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes Serves: 4-6 Ingredients: 4 firm pears, peeled and cut…
Soups On! Spiced Butternut Squash And Apple Soup
Even though summer isn’t quite over here in northeastern Ohio, the recent string of cooler days has me thinking ahead to the even cooler days to come. Fall is about crisp days, beautiful scenery, favorite sweaters, football games – and comfort…
Fresh, Fun & Festive Fall Decor Ideas
Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. The changing color of the leaves signifies Mother Nature is winding down for a peaceful winter’s rest. As the squirrels and chipmunks frantically seek out secure hiding places for their foraging treasures, its…
Pucker Up: Fresh Apple Drinks and Cocktails
As this super hot summer slowly draws to a close, here are a few refreshing fresh apple drink recipes for you to enjoy. The first is suitable for the whole family, while the other two are great for those late summer…
Quick & Refreshing “Citrusy” Summer Drinks
Whew – it’s a hot one out there today! With temperatures peaking above 90 degrees by this afternoon, summer is definitely in full swing in my neck of the woods. To help beat the heat, here are a few quick and…
Easy Bacon Wrapped Grilled Scallop Kabobs
Summer grilling isn’t just for burgers, hot dogs and chicken breasts. In fact, grilling is a great way to enjoy some of your favorite seafood dishes, as well. This simple recipe only takes a few minutes to prepare – and is…