-
Roasted Garden Vegetables with Fresh Herbs
When the harvest is booming, roasted garden vegetables are on my menu. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and is so easy to do. It’s that time of the year again! So many things are ready from the garden to put on the table. Tonight it is a recipe for roasted baby potatoes, with onions […]
-
Elizabethan Garden Statues – Manteo – Roanoke Island
My husband and I recently attended a wedding on the coast of North Carolina. While we were there, we took the time to visit the Elizabethan Gardens at Manteo on Roanoke Island. Seeing statues that depict characters from real life is so inspiring. For another post on this type of experience, be sure to check […]
-
My Vegetable Garden Make Over
I love vegetable gardening. There is nothing quite like harvesting and cooking vegetables that you have grown. If you like to grow vegetables, be sure to ready my post about how to troubleshoot vegetable garden problems as well as some solutions. One of the problems that can happen when you start a vegetable garden is […]
-
Natural Paths for Garden Beds
Anyone who has priced hardscaping lately knows how expensive it can be, particularly if you have large areas to cover. I am redoing my whole area that I used last year for veggies. Long story short, the squirrels were a nightmare for me and I don’t plan to go through that experience a second time. […]
-
The Secret to Perfect BBQ Chicken
I know. Everyone says they have the perfect BBQ chicken recipe. But when you try it out , you often end up with a dry piece of chicken that tastes pretty good but is not in the slightest bit tender. I have tried putting the chicken on the grill for a long time, for a […]
-
How To Make An Easy DIY Bean Teepee
This year, I changed my vegetable garden into a combined perennial/vegetable border. It’s a long story but basically, the squirrels got the better of my veggies last year and I swore never again. Since I will have flowers and vegetables growing in one space, I wanted some decorative and functional items in it. This DIY […]
-
DIY Summer Mason Jar Flower Vase Project
One of my favorite things to do on Sunday morning is to meet friends for breakfast or brunch and catch up on the week. Normally, we go out to a variety of restaurants and alternate each week between them. This week, I wanted to have our friends over to our house for breakfast. I’ve been […]
-
Amaryllis Bulbs Forcing – Easy Gardening Project
Amaryllis bulb forcing is one of the easiest decorating projects that you can do to decorate with Christmas plants for the holidays. I ended up with a bulb after a Yankee swap party last Christmas and planted it early in February to add to my collection of indoor plants. It was not long before the […]
-
Make Your Own Smoky Dry Rub & FREE Printable Label
This smoky dry rub is a staple in our house. We use it at least once a week. It’s great on steaks or any hearty meat. I love to BBQ. Well, truth be told, I love it when my husband barbeques. I spend so much time cooking and perfecting recipes that it is nice to […]
-
11 Crock Pot Recipes for a Slow Cooking Summer
I don’t know about you, but I love making crock pot recipes all year round. In the winter I normally make casseroles and stews in it. During the summer, I still make these recipes but also make all sorts of main courses. side dishes, BBQ food and desserts in it too. I’ve put together a collection […]
-
Savory Hearty White Bean Chili
We love chili at our house. It does not matter if it is warm or cold outside, a big helping bowl of this hearty white bean chili always hits the spot. It is my latest addition to my crock pot recipes collection and my family just loved it. This recipe can be made with ground […]
-
Slow Cooker Braised Chicken and Noodles with Wine & Tomatoes
This recipe for Slow Cooker Braised Chicken and Noodles with Wine and Tomatoes is full of flavor. I used boneless skinless chicken thighs because they give me the most tender results. This is nothing like crock pot recipes to make meal prep easy. Crock pot meals are a big help to any busy cook. But wait […]
-
Savory Cheeseburger Pie
My husband is English and loves a traditional Shepherd’s pie. This recipe for cheeseburger pie is a take on that dish made into an American version. The dish is simple to do. I make it the way I make shepherd’s pie…a bit of this and a bit of that. Whatever is in the fridge or […]
-
DIY Vegetable Oil Sprayer – No Need for Pam
Pam is an easy way to cook without adding a lot of oil to a pan, but it is full of chemicals and the aerosol is not so great for the environment. The solution is simple – make your own vegetable oil sprayer. Using an oil sprayer is a great way to save calories on […]
-
The Garden Charmers Combine Perennials and Vegetables
What is better than a perennial garden bed and a vegetable garden bed? Why, a garden bed that combines them both together. And take it a step further and add herbs to the mix. You will end up with one fantastic garden that meets all your needs. And that is just what the Garden Charmers, […]
-
My Garden in May – Lots of Flowers in Bloom Now
This year has been a series of set backs in my garden. It is almost the end of May and I’m way behind, but finally have some progress to show for all my work. Things that set me back were: My father’s death in February which resulted in two trips to Maine. A very long […]
-
Hash Brown Potatoes – Great Breakfast Dish
Looking for an easy recipe for hash browns to cook for a Sunday Brunch? These delicious hash brown potatoes are so simple to make and the fresh herbs make them taste just great. Sunday morning is a special time for us at our house. We normally go out to eat for breakfast as a treat […]
-
Bakery Style Jumbo Chocolate Chip Muffins
Bakery style muffins are certainly not designed for those on a diet. Those babies are enormous. This recipe for jumbo chocolate muffins gives you the indulgence of those big muffins without the price tag that goes along with them. They make a great breakfast on the go. The jumbo chocolate chip muffins are easy to […]
-
Strawberry Shortcake with Whipped Cream Topping
This strawberry shortcake is one that my mother made each summer when the fresh strawberries started appearing in the supermarkets. It is our family’s most favorite summer time dessert and is lovingly called “Grammy’s Shortcake” by all her grandchildren. Fresh strawberries make such a great addition to desserts. They are fresh and naturally low in […]
-
Have you got the Blues?
Blue is such a wonderful color. It is not often found in flowers, although there are some. Many of the flowers that are called blue have more of a purple tinge to them. But you can add blue to your garden with carefully chosen garden accents, seating and other items. If you like blue in […]
-
Grilled Rosemary Garlic Pork Chops
It is that time of the year again – barbeque grilling season!. Spring has (finally) sprung and if you go for a walk in the evening, most likely, you well be surrounded by the smell of barbecues making their evening meals. We love to barbecue at our house. We do it all year long. (every […]
-
Easy Pistachio and Almond Cake Recipe
Remember the old Mounds saying: Sometimes you feel like a nut and sometimes you don’t? Well, sometimes I feel like home made cooking and sometimes I don’t. On those days I will make recipes by the semi home made cooking method. (as in taking short cuts ’cause I am pressed for time.) This recipe for […]
-
Sour Cream Banana Bread with Walnuts
I love recipes that make use of overripe produce that might otherwise be destined for the garbage bin. This sour cream Banana bread is a great recipe for the frugal cooks out there. It makes a great snack and easy breakfast on the go. Sour Cream Banana Bread This banana bread starts as a thick, […]
-
Today’s Garden Flower – My Bearded Irises are Blooming
Each morning, all during the spring and summer, I start my day with a walk around my flower beds. I just love to see what has happened from the previous day. I’ve been waiting for my bearded irises to bloom so it was a lovely surprise today. This particular variety is one of my great early […]
-
Savory Slow Cooker Pot Roast
This savory slow cooker pot roast has a flavor that cannot be beat. The meat cooks beautifully, and ends up being fork tender and full of flavor. There is nothing quite like crock pot recipes for easy cooking and superb flavor. Plus the house smells great while the meal is cooking. Crock pot cooking […]
-
Easy Chicken Enchiladas
I’m in the mood for Mexican tonight. Well, I am in the mood for Mexican every night, but tonight I am doing something about the yen. Mexican food is so rich and delicious. I love cooking it because I can adjust the spice exactly the way I want it, instead of letting a cook in […]