Heat wave leave you wilted? Summer thunderstorm knock your power out? Rolling blackouts in your city? Forget the stove and oven because no-cook recipes are the way to go in the summer. From June through August, I tend to take a vacation from the slow, simmering-on-the-stove kind of recipes in favor of the quick and […]
Move over raggedy old comforter with the ketchup stains in the corner…there’s a new picnic blanket in town! After seeing the photos of this picture-perfect painted picnic blanket (say that 10 times fast!) I was surprised to see how easy the project actually is. What you’ll need… Canvas drop cloth (find one lined with plastic […]
Stripping down to a tank and shorts, jumping in the nearest water source, sticking your head in the freezer…all tried and true methods for cooling down in a heat wave. What else can you do? Mix up a pitcher of a deliciously refreshing sweet drink, like this Clementine Drink recipe, complete with orange ice cubes. […]
For impromptu flair and flavor, I like to keep a jar of great chutney in my fridge. It’s a versatile spread that can go on anything from a sliced baguette to a simply roasted pork tenderloin. While you can pick up a variety of different chutneys at most grocery stores these days, you can also […]
Fancy flower arrangements never seem to strike me as much as a simple bouquet of one or two types of flowers. And nothing brings me a smile more than having one of my daughters present me with a grouping of dandelions, grass and the occasional wildflower from the backyard. A bouquet doesn’t have to come […]
If you’re ever feeling uninspired, take a stroll down the aisles of your local hardware store. Some of the best project ideas come from the bare-bones materials you can find there. Shake off the intimidation that goes hand in hand with expensive or complicated home improvement projects, and seek out simple materials that will inspire […]
Nothing says summer like a watermelon sliced up into big pieces shaped like smiles and ready to be eaten out on the patio where drips are welcome. Is there any better feeling than cutting into a watermelon that is at its peak ripeness? When you go to choose a watermelon, you want to make sure […]
Over the past year, I went through a kitchen remodel at my home that tested our family’s patience and sanity (how many creative ways can you microwave dinner?), but turned out to be so worth it! The time, effort and cost that went into the kitchen really makes me want to know all about every […]
One of the great things about going to cookouts and potlucks is seeing what everyone brings to the party. At a 4th of July barbecue last weekend one of the guests brought a fun appetizer: tortellini, prosciutto, mozzarella and hot peppers on a skewer. Amidst the chips, dips, and cheeses, the starburst of tortellini kebabs […]
Don’t you love when you see something in a store and think, “Hey! I can make that.” Although you have to carve out the time in your schedule to gather supplies and see the project from start to finish, it’s well worth the effort to have a finished piece that is close to what you […]