There's a reason I'm a much better cook than I am a baker: Cooking is an art, Baking is a science. Cooking allows you to be creative and is much more forgiving of the occasional misstep in measurement. Baking, on the other hand, demands …
Finding Room to Grow More Fruits & Veggies
Short on space for your vegetable garden? No problem! Today we'll talk about an easy way to grow more fruits, vegetables and herbs - even if you don't think you have the room for it. The only requirement is that you have access to some outdoor …
Adding Vintage Charm with Architectural Salvage
I'm not like other girls when it comes to shopping. In fact, if I never stepped inside a mall again, I would be okay with that. Instead, you're much more likely to find me happily digging through an antique/vintage/architectural salvage-type store …
How to Make Light and Fluffy Potato Gnocchi
Whenever I hear someone say they don't like gnocchi, I wonder if it's because they've only had the dense, chewy flavorless lumps that occur when the dough is overworked. That's not how it should be. At its best, gnocchi is light and fluffy - …
Fresh Basil Pesto with Toasted Pine Nuts
Fresh Basil Pesto with Toasted Pine Nuts is a versatile recipe you can use in so many ways. Try tucking some under the skin when roasting bone-in chicken breasts - or simply toss your favorite pasta, gnocchi, noodles or roasted vegetables in it. My …
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 good location for whatever I drag …
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 …
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 to …
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, hostas, and future …