Bakery quality cookies Everyone has their favorite recipe for chocolate chip cookies, and I’m no exception. I’ve been making cookies since my early teens and chocolate chip cookies were always my favorite cookie to bake. I recently purchased a Cook’s Illustrated cookbook at a thrift store that is quickly becoming one of my favorite cookbooks. … Read More
Kitchen Refresh
I joined the COVID-19 project crew this week. Meaning, I finally got my act together and started to get more done around our home. Refreshing and decluttering My kitchen needed a refresh and a serious de-cluttering. It was feeling “too busy” and cluttered and I needed some visual space especially since we are spending so … Read More
Easy Lemon Scones
Just before I left to get groceries last week I came across a recipe for lemon scones. The only ingredients I needed were cream cheese and lemon so I added them to my list and planned to bake. I’m trying to keep the baking and sweets to a minimum, but … It just feels right … Read More
How to force forsythia and other blooming tree branches
When I’m impatient for winter to end I like to hurry the season along a little by bringing a little spring into my house. I do this by cutting some branches from different trees in our yard. Forcing is the process of causing a plant to flower before its natural season. The process is easy … Read More
Painted Chest of Drawers
Last summer and fall I started scanning Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist for antique dressers to paint and re-sell. I really only expected to find one or two, but they just kept showing up. By winter the garage had a nice collection of antique furniture. I managed to collect 6 dressers, 4 tables, a vanity, a … Read More
Corona Virus + Travel
So many people have messaged me and asked about our experiences of traveling during the Corona Virus outbreak that I thought I’d just share our experience here. When we flew to Florida on March 14th we had no idea how much our country’s health landscape would change. Sunday, March 15 | Our first day in … Read More
Simple Crochet Dishcloth
When I was 19 years old I crocheted a granny square afghan. My grandmother taught me – as I sat beside her, while she crocheted beautiful afghans for her two daughters and 6 granddaughters. I made a creamy white, basic granny square. My grandmother made beautiful, delicate and lace-like squares. I’ll post a photo of … Read More
HARBOR VIEW CAFE
The Harbor View Cafe is absolutely one of our favorite area restaurants in the area. It’s about an hour from our house, but it’s a scenic drive and is situated in a scenic setting on Lake Pepin. The Harborview Cafe has been in the business of making delicious-made from-scratch meals for 40 years. The chalkboard … Read More
1892 Farmhouse Kitchen
This farmhouse kitchen doesn’t have the popular “farmhouse” look people strive for today, but it is unique, and a wonderfully creative place to create delicious meals. My cousin, Deb, is an accomplished cook and entertainer extraordinaire. She makes all kinds of culinary magic happen in this wonderful kitchen regularly. A Farmhouse kitchen The galley kitchen … Read More
A YOUNG ARTIST
We learned last week that our kindergarten granddaughter, Sydney was chosen to have her artwork in the school district art show in Cincinnati. next-generation creative Sydney is our next-generation creative. My grandfather painted a little and was an accomplished carpenter. Our son, Nate is a creative and my niece, Mackenzie is too. I’m learning to … Read More