take a hike
Feb28

take a hike

Hocking Hills State Park Ohio is about three and a half hours from Pittsburgh but it could be a totally different world. Massive sandstone gorges, rock caves, Indian carvings and towering hemlocks make this pristine area both romantic and enchanting. Ollie had a little trouble deciding if she wanted to start our day long hike. Dave had to carry her into the park – but she got the hang of...

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STICK IT
Jun20

STICK IT

You don’t need a green thumb to have a colorful outside space, my family says I have a black thumb and I am always trying to prove them wrong but I also like to have a backup plan just in case! Here is an idea that doesn’t need watering, never gets bugs and blooms all year round. Take an odd number of sticks (odd numbers look more natural) look for ones that have smooth bark or bark that can be pulled off. Cut them to a size you like...

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Fill in the blanks…
Jun14

Fill in the blanks…

Something easy with a beautiful outcome is always a good thing. I have been trying to fill in a shady bed for a few years now. There is a good start of sweet woodruff in place but there are lots of gaps and it drives me crazy. Our solution, plant an inexpensive perennial (in this case a colorful mix of impatiens) to cover the gaps in an artful way. I love the...

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Orange you glad this isn’t the same old butter!
May26

Orange you glad this isn’t the same old butter!

Thank you Ina Garten! She published this recipe way back in 2004, I filed it in the back of my mind until last week when I wanted to send a special weekend breakfast to a friend. A trip to my go-to bakery for a homemade loaf of eight-grain cranberry bread, served with the orange butter sent the breakfast gift over the top! I may never go back to bagels and cream cheese again. Orange Marmalade Butter 2 sticks unsalted butter room...

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A tribute to all that goes around comes around
Mar23

A tribute to all that goes around comes around

This little gift was sent to me, published in 1941. Helping you around the house, to get all kinds of projects done. So Pintrest, so fun, so old, so new, I thought I’d share a page or two. And this To make candles longer burn, No dripping from the wick, Just chill awhile in icebox cold, And frost will do the trick. And this! Don’t be impatient when you bake, A pudding or a cake – To turn them out as soon as done, Is often a...

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Chicken Curry with Sweet Potatoes and Coconut Milk
Feb03

Chicken Curry with Sweet Potatoes and Coconut Milk

January was a month of recipe testing, looking for the fresh and healthy, and moving in new directions. Chicken Curry with Sweet Potatoes and Coconut Milk a recipe shared in The New York Times by Melissa Clark was my winner. After making this aromatic dish a couple of times, and with a modification or two I am now hooked on all things curry. And as serendipity goes, a gift from my husband -the cookbook Jamie’s Food Revolution, by...

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