What’s for dinner?

Summer Squash, Scallops and Rice Pilaf with Balsamic Glaze
Nothing beats homegrown veggies straight out of the garden. Every time I've gone home to Indiana this summer, my mom - who … [Read More]
What’s for dessert?

Blackberry Cabernet Cupcakes
My friends are hosting a Valenwine’s Party tonight to celebrate Valentine’s Day with wine tasting. Most people think of cheese and … [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]

“Double Treat” Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
I don't need bookmarks in my cookbooks. They naturally fall open to the most oft-used pages, guided by oil stains and batter splatters and clouds of flour. The page where this Double Treat Cookie recipe is located is one of these. These come from the one and only Church Cookbook: the blue-covered "Brethren … [Read More]
In the Fresh Domestic Garden

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]

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]
Around Town + Beyond

What to Pack in a Camping Bin
When I decide to go camping, it's usually a spontaneous, last-minute idea. To make it easier to take off on an outdoorsy trek as soon as nature calls - without forgetting any essentials - I keep a big plastic storage container packed with most of my camping supplies ready to grab and go. What to pack in a camping … [Read More...]

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...]




