Here's an update of an older column about one of my favorite things - my cast iron pots. Note: Amazon has some cast iron cookware sales going on right now! I love cast iron skillets. I can remember Grandma cooking with two things: cast iron skillets and Revere ware pots. I don't think she owned … Continue reading The Best Way to Use & Care For Fantastic Cast Iron Cookware
I promised more easy summer salads, so here's another favorite of mine. I use fresh corn on the cob, cook and char it a little on the grill, then combine the corn with two kinds of legumes for some protein, in a light dressing. The corn can be totally cooked on a grill, but I … Continue reading Ultimate Charred Summer Corn Salad Made Easy
Summertime means lots of fresh vegetables and salad. I try not to make only lettuce based salads, though, and broccoli salad is a favorite at our house. Watch for more vegetable salads in the future! Broccoli salad is so easy to make. I don't grow my own broccoli - it always seems to be eaten … Continue reading How to Make The Most Fantastic Broccoli Salad
I had just harvested some kohlrabi from the garden. My husband picked one up and asked "What is this? It looks like it's from outer space!" Yes, Kohlrabi/Brassica oleracea is a little odd looking. And a little bit like a space craft. It's an excellent easy vegetable to grow though, and extremely nutritious, has antioxidants, … Continue reading Try this Strange Looking Vegetable Next time You See It
We don't eat a lot of pork at our house, but occasionally do like a nice pork chop. And what goes better with a chop than some flavorful rice. It's done all in one pan, and only takes about 30 minutes to make - perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. You need an oven proof … Continue reading Perfectly Easy Pork Chops and Rice In One Pot
We love Swiss Chard, and I often grow, as well as buy, Rainbow (Bright Lights) Swiss Chard. It's a healthy green, cooks quickly, and can be quite tasty without being bitter. Besides, Rainbow Chard is so pretty! By all means use plain green and white Swiss Chard if that's what you have. It's still a … Continue reading How to Cook Easy Skillet Rainbow Swiss Chard
There are few things that equal the sudden loss of a four-footed family member. This recently happened to our household. One night when I couldn’t sleep, I was up reading at about 2.30 AM. With a blanket on my lap, both Tommy and Squeeze, two of our house cats were on my lap. For an … Continue reading When a Pet Suddenly Dies – How to Cope with the Loss
Living way out in the country has lots of positives - being near a good Chinese takeout restaurant is not one of them. I've been trying to use my Instant Pot to cook with more often, instead of using it only for rice, potatoes or hard boiled eggs, or making yogurt. I bought a couple … Continue reading How to Make amazing Wonton Soup!
The cold crept back again 2 nights ago. Yesterday, the snow arrived. Heavy, all morning. And by evening, it was over knee deep with 18 inches on the ground. Night arrived as the clouds departed. Now it’s even colder outside with clear skies, stars from heaven blinking away, and a large yellow moon hung in … Continue reading A Surprise Sighting of the Owls of the Night
Follow some simple rules for a great photograph of your pet. These ideas work even if a family member is also in the photo. Though many phone cameras are great and get better every year, the more professional photographs will be taken with an SLR camera (most are now all digital), which have a lot … Continue reading Smart Ways to Take a Great Photo of your Favorite Pet