Something brown, bubbly, and studded with strawberries came out of my oven last night, and I just stared it at because I didn’t know what it was. However, using the theory, “If you don’t know what something is, taste it,” I cut off a corner hoping it wouldn’t scream. (It didn’t.) Then, I decided that… Continue reading Strawberry Je Ne Sais Quoi

Today, my most outrageously festooned hat, upon which a ten-inch-high stuffed swan of multicolored feathers is perched, has been mistakenly served as the main course for someone else’s Mother’s Day tea, so I’m wearing a baseball cap and pajamas instead. I plan on sauntering out into the yard and indulging myself in a low-key “tea… Continue reading DIY Mother’s Day Tea

The “Stubborn Cabinet Hoedown” is a delightful kitchen ditty that’s rolled right off our tongues since we moved into our present house nearly five years ago. It goes something like this: Kick the cabinet Give it a push Dry the fridge pee Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh. Turn around, The door’s open again. Kick it harder, Grab… Continue reading Shut It: Kitchen Cabinet Calamities

Our little bundle of pandemic (sourdough) starter—a bouncy, bubbly baby bursting with a subtle tangy sass—is just over a year old. Not to be underestimated, this little gem of cultivated wild yeast, is a sturdy beast, turning out bowls and loaves of bread—and pizza—two-three times a week, and it’s time to celebrate the fact that… Continue reading Pandemic Starter (Sourdough Starter) Birthday Party!

Mangled houseplant season has begun, and I sense I’m already off to a killer start. Sometimes, I can get plants from kits to grow—and they do really, really well—for a while. Then, I forget about them, hoping that Nate and Alex will hear their desperate cries for help—and rescue them from Dr. Bonkers the Butterfingers… Continue reading Polka Dot Plant

Lately, something strange has entered my gleaming glass cookie jar, and I can’t stop looking at it, every time I pass by my otherwise neat and tidy kitchen. While there are still a half dozen happy little cookies that cling to the sides of the jar and say, “Here I am! Look at me!” another… Continue reading Cookie Hack

At a certain Rite-Aid, in an undisclosed location, hopped up on sodas and Pixy Stix, I wiped the Easter display aisle clean of various assortments of confetti-arrayed confections. Then, I hippity-hopped home, only to realize that what I really needed was 34 more ounces of lollipops—but not just any lollipops—Chupa Chups. But not just any… Continue reading Chupa Chups Lollipops: Get in my Easter Basket

In verdant fields, ripe with pickled carrots and green-onion stalks, rainbow-feathered chickens gallivant about until they rest their little chicken heads on pillowy loaves of French bread bathed in sweet-salty soy and lime sauce. This wild, fresh, and crunchy dream came to life in my kitchen just last night, and a picture of the sandwich… Continue reading Spring Chicken Sandwiches

The craft alarm, which sometimes sounds like a retching cat, prompted me to steer the Fixin’ Leeks and Leaks Team directly into the storm: the paper towel stash for the cat’s hurricane of unrecognizable aftermath (what IS the cat eating?)  and Michael’s Crafts. You see, the cat can’t resist a beautiful flower arrangement. Nate bought… Continue reading Craft Alert: Loopy Petal Spring Flowers

The pounding drums, bagpipes, and electric-guitar sounds, characteristic of the Dropkick Murphys’ style, have been blasting through the house since February 15th. Every night, when I make dinner, I’ve been selecting the Celtic punk station on Pandora, plugging in the speakers, and cooking up a raucous meal of very healthy vegetables and lean proteins. Getting… Continue reading Boozy Shamrock Shake