Viv and Hugh are back to school (hallelujah!) and I’m trying to be a little more intentional about baking with them on the weekends. A good friend recently reminded me what a great exercise it is - both for quality time, and for math, sharing, direction following, and patience… and it produces a stash of … Continue reading Whole Wheat Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Vivienne is seven! Her birthday lined up with our February vacation week trip to Phoenix, so this year, we decided to throw her a party early and take advantage of Valentines Day with a cookie decorating theme party. Hearts, sprinkles, and unlimited frosting... what more could a seven year old want? This was our first … Continue reading Valentine’s Cookie Decorating Party
I was tasked with pies (apple and pecan!) for our big Thanksgiving gathering, which reminded me I keep planning to post this you-can-make-pie-crust-too pep talk. You really can! It's all in the timing. I decided to attempt making pie crust on my own as a teenager, armed with The Joy of Cooking and not much … Continue reading Pie Crust 101
I'm resurfacing after a few tough weeks! Teething (sleepless) toddler, first colds of the season, work travel, and some more serious medical issues for Vivienne... it's all been a little too much. Lately, whatever the particular day requires of me has used up all available energy, not leaving much for elaborate cooking or creative projects. … Continue reading Easier Pumpkin Pot Pies
About this time last year, Ryan and I started getting serious about an idea we'd been tossing around: what about starting a supper club? We were hankering for a good, old-fashioned gathering of foodies - not necessarily experienced cooks, but people who would really get into researching recipes, menu planning, wine pairings, centerpieces. Beautiful, slow meals … Continue reading Supper Club
'Tis the season for voluminous CSA kale bouquets! Out of curiosity, I just did a Google search for "kale," aaaaand: 113,000,000 results. So, I'm not going to write anything revolutionary here. In fact, I hesitate to write anything at all, because: ugh, really? We're going to talk about kale some more? But the thing is … Continue reading 3 Actually Good Things To Do With Kale
I’ve always put canning in this category of “things really meticulous people who have time on their hands do.” Something that used to be done out of necessity, that is now essentially a foodie hobby. So, when Ryan decided we should try canning, I had reasonable questions, like, “Why?” And, “Do we really have time for … Continue reading Small Batch Canning
The Key to the House 