I get very excited to be in the kitchen during Autumn. The abundant overflowing bins of cruciferous vegetables, apples, wild mushrooms and squash call me to take them home. They are like beautiful delicious treasures waiting to be properly discovered. There is nothing more satisfying than uncovering the golden glowing hue of a winter squash […]
November 19, 2019
Thieves oil is an essential oil blend. It is named Thieves Oil based on a story from around the 15th century. At the time the bubonic plague was running rampant throughout Europe and Asia. The story goes like this…four notorious thieves were robbing the infectious dead bodies of all their possessions. Yet they miraculously never […]
October 21, 2019
There is nothing that signifies NW cuisine more than salmon! There are several ways to cook it, but one of our household favorites is to cook it on a cedar plank on the grill. The smell of Autumn, smoking cedar and fresh dill are absolutely intoxicating! I’m sharing one of my favorite quick and easy […]
September 27, 2019
Raspberry season peaks in July in the Pacific Northwest. Are you ready? INGREDIENTS CRUST 1-1/2 cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 45 wafers) 1/3 cup chopped pecans 1/4 cup butter, melted FILLING: 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar 2 tablespoons orange liqueur 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or real vanilla 1 cup […]
July 8, 2019
We just passed the mark of the starting of summer which means it’s officially GRILLING SEASON! American’s love their charcoal and gas grills and fancy electric, gas or pellet smokers to sizzle up or slow roast their favorite meats or vegetables. Some folks even love to go the non-conventional route and cold smoke cheeses or […]
June 26, 2019
When I lived in San Francisco in the early 2000s, there was a lunch spot at 100 Pine St in the Financial District called Birley’s Café. They served sandwiches, salads, and sweets but what I consistently went back for was the SOUP! Even when the takeout soup joint Soup Freaks opened, they still couldn’t hold […]
April 17, 2019
Trees in your yard can provide you with so many abundant opportunities for beauty, shade, fruit and homes for neighborhood birds and squirrels. However, trees can also pose a safety hazard to your property and home if they are not properly inspected and maintained. Regular tree maintenance is important, but even more so before a […]
March 1, 2019
I love a good football party. Growing up, my family always threw down the BEST Superbowl parties. My mother was a master party planner and excellent cook. We’d have themed parties depending on which teams were playing and the food tables would be off the hook! Every variety of dip, chips, saucy crock pot creations, […]
November 28, 2018
Fall is here! As the days shorten and the end of Daylight Saving Time approaches I start to use my crock pot more and more often. Working full time it is great to come home to a ready to eat home cooked meal. This recipe is an easy to make comforting fall favorite. The leftovers are […]
October 24, 2018
One of my favorite things to grow in my garden is summer squash. There are so many beautiful and delicious varieties that grow well in the Pacific Northwest including crookneck, patty pan, zucchini, straight neck and a variety that I fell in love with, the tromboncini. Buttery, flavorful and an abundant producer, it took over […]
September 27, 2018