What’s for dinner?

Taco Pockets
This is a super easy recipe I stole - er, adapted - from my sister's mother-in-law. The first time I visited her house, she made … [Read More]
What’s for dessert?

S’mores Cookies Recipes
If summer had a flavor, it wouldn't be lemonade or BBQ or even ice cream. Believe me, I eat ice cream all year long. Summer tastes … [Read More]
In the Fresh Domestic Kitchen

Butternut Squash, Shrimp, Shallot & Shredded Carrot Soup
It started with a can of Amy's Organic Butternut Squash Soup. This creamy, squashy soup inspired a few additions for a little pizzazz, so while it warmed on the stove top, I thawed a dozen frozen cooked shrimp in the sink, then sauteed them in olive oil, adding a couple teaspoons of chopped shallots (about 1/4 of a … [Read More]

Peach Caprese
With my bountiful tomato harvest, I need to expand my palate beyond the basic Caprese. Feeling a little fruity, I came up with this Peace Caprese (or "Capreachy") Salad: 1/2 peach, peeled and cubed 6-8 cherry tomatoes, halved 3-4 mini balls of fresh mozzarella, halved 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp lemon … [Read More]
In the Fresh Domestic Garden

Plant Progress: Day 5
The company flowers and African Daisies keep coming up. Joining the green ranks today: Some Simpson’s Curled Lettuce. They don’t … [Read More]

3 Flowerbeds + 10 Dirty Fingernails Later…
Today launched our post-Memorial summer hours at work, when we're released at 3:30. And I made the most of my extra hours. First, … [Read More]
Around Town + Beyond

The First Camping Trip of the Season
This weekend, the warm weather forecast won out over the writing deadlines that begged me to stay indoors. Nature called, so in response we started packing our supplies and invited friends to come out for the first camping trip of the year. Our camping trips are usually somewhat spontaneous; during the week we … [Read More...]

Sunday Eve Picnic: Mini Wine & Cheese Party
Today became "Use Up All the Gift Cards Weighing Down Your Wallet" Day. Fueled by a scrambled egg/bacon/English muffin breakfast from The Shore Restaurant followed by a couple of West End Tavern Bloody Marys, we headed to Great Northern Mall. First stop: DSW, where I stretched a $25 gift card (and then some) into … [Read More...]