Things you might learn: Budgeting tips Tassels swung wildly, and our glasses sloshed with celebratory concoctions this week to commemorate Alex’s graduation from high school and Nate’s 18th Father’s Day celebration. In true Fixin’ Leeks and Leaks style, we marked these milestones the same way that we approach New Year’s Eve: with a rip-roaring romp… Continue reading Happy Faduation Day: One Whopper of a Week

A severe case of “wall envy” drove me to hit the craft alarm, which sounded like the ice cream truck blasting its way through the neighborhood on a school night at 8:30 p.m., much to the dismay of neighbors with small children. (The neighborhood Facebook page exploded with accusations. Here’s just one example: “I’ll bet… Continue reading Craft Alert: Five-Minute Wall Art

If the clouds suddenly unleash a fury upon the BBQ grill—rain pelting the house like angry, dead crows shot from a cannon—grill that steak anyway. Gather the following supplies: Steaks, an umbrella, and Nate, and send them outside! Nate is the most important thing on that list, though. The determination. The skill. The grit he… Continue reading Steak-In-The-Rain

When that sizzling summer sun reaches through the window, grabs you by your “No Bitchin’ in the Kitchen” apron, and shouts, “Hot stuff coming at you,” arm yourself with a Popsicle sword and a pint of ice cream. Tell everyone to get out because tonight, you’re serving ice cream and fruit as the main course,… Continue reading Angel Food Cake for Dinner

Unwinding after a long day of tearing through the house and slipping (rump first) off the newly polished furniture, is absolutely necessary if you’re a demanding and aggressively affectionate cat. But finding that special place to unwind can be challenging. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution: the soaking tub (or any tub) in the bathroom. Just… Continue reading Kitty Cat Bathtub Bar

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