Autumn is approaching. I've noticed that by mid- August this year, some of the sugar maples already have hints of color, and the summer flowers and ferns are all dying back. I am not a summer person. I much prefer the cool days of autumn, with sunny pleasant days, that sometimes even require a sweatshirt, … Continue reading Bounties of Summer, Cool Nights of Autumn
I wanted, no needed, to bake something. So I went to one of my sources for all things baked. I love the Bake from Scratch Magazine. Wonderful pictures, do-able recipes for the home cook. More things than I can make unless I bake something every day. I've also purchased both books: Bake From Scratch Artisan … Continue reading Lemon Cardamon Cake Loaves
Spring and summer are fresh fruit salad times. I love using the most local, freshest fruit I can find for it. I've made versions of this fruit salad for years. I've long since lost the scrap of magazine where I found it. I make different combinations depending on what fruit is available, but always include … Continue reading Kicked Up Fruit Salad
Recently I have found myself thinking, as I peruse recipes on FaceBook and on line, many of these things are truly not healthy. Loaded with sugar, fat, and process products, desserts may look delicious, but I would be a tub if I ate them everyday! So what did I pull together this morning? A Decadent … Continue reading Make an easy Decadent Chocolate Ice Box Dessert
As a veterinary technician, I saw lots of dogs with hot spots, technically called a moist dermatitis. A pet owner would call in a panic for an appointment, because overnight their dog now had a large, irritated bloody spot with no hair, and the dog just wouldn't stop licking. As a pet owner, I've never … Continue reading Summer means Hot Spots in Dogs
This morning I wanted coffee cake. Blueberry season is almost here, and I need to use up what's left in the freezer from last year before I freeze and save this year's drop. So I found 2 or 3 small bags in the freezer, and poured them into a colander to thaw and drain. Now, … Continue reading Fox Pines Blueberry Coffee Cake
Making mayonnaise may seem daunting, but it's really easy! With a food processor (or a blender) you can whip up thick creamy fresh mayo that tastes better than any store bought jar. Once I made it in my own kitchen I stopped buying it at the store. Mayo is simple ingredients, things you probably already … Continue reading Easy Homemade Mayonnaise
I have always loved nature, and I love taking a walk outside in the woods. Unbeknownst to me, it's even got a name - forest bathing or in Japanese, Shinrin-yoku meaning forest medicine . This is the practice of immersing yourself in nature and using all your senses - sound and smell as well as … Continue reading Why Go Out into the Woods? Shinrin-Yoku, that’s why
Sometimes I bake just to use up ingredients i have on hand. Yesterday I found 3 pints of buttermilk in the fridge, and need to use up some of it. What to make...other than Moroccan Chicken , or other chicken soaked in buttermilk. And I wanted something carb to eat....so ... scones! Good for breakfast … Continue reading Baking Whole Grain Almond Raisin Scones
I recently read an article in a magazine about Moroccan Spice Mix, or Ras el Hanout. It's not an individual new spice you've never heard of - it's a mix of common spices, just like 5 spice powder would be in Chinese cuisine. I didn't want to buy any, so I did what we all … Continue reading What is Ras el Hanout?? And what did it do to chicken?