Jam is NOT the first thing that comes to mind when I think of fresh tomatoes, and I suspect we may be similar on this point. Salads? Sandwiches? Summer gardening and lazy afternoons? All of those things, yes, but jam, definitely not. So upon discovering tomato jam my eyes were opened to tomatoes in a […]
There is something gloriously cathartic about making a fresh pie crust. For me I happened to find that is a true opportunity to practice mindfulness… Which is actually a form of meditation. Theoretically it helps your brain sort out and clean out and organize things better when you meditate or practice mindfulness. What a bonus […]
I have a short list of items that I think are truly special breakfasts. There is something really cozy about breakfast, isn’t there? The smells, sights and sounds make it extra memorable. For me, it’s the smell of coffee and the sounds of it percolating, or of the machine grinding the fresh espresso beans. It’s […]
So it turns out you can actually grow your own asparagus. Who knew? I’m no stranger to having a vegetable garden, mind you. But asparagus has always seemed a little extra intimidating. As with anything, it takes time. A productive asparagus bed must be mature… Like a few years old… And then it should produce […]
I remember the first time I saw green tea ice cream. It didn’t even cross my mind that it wasn’t pistachio. But when I tasted it, I was certain it was not pistachio. It’s interesting to me that this is an ice cream that is not that sweet, which I think makes it appealing. And […]
Fig jam….. Ahh. Doesn’t it just sound a little bit sophisticated? My exposure to figs from childhood into young adulthood consisted of a particular cake-like cookie. That’s it. Really. I did not know what a fresh fig looked like. When I moved to California 2007 from many places far colder, one of the first […]
I’m hot, pregnant, and I don’t feel like cooking. When I say that I am pregnant, I am really pregnant… Like the doctor says any day now we could have the big event. Having a baby is emotional anyway, and for me, it not only recalls the joyful and amazing births of my 2 other […]
Growing different types of lettuce and arugula is kind of fun. Of course you need to get the season just right for the climate you live in, and in my garden, I need to acknowledge sooner when a particular plant has served its time and purpose and needs to be replaced or removed … I […]
I think tomatoes from a home garden in late summer are biblically good. Like crazy sweet juicy amazing good. They have an intensity and sweetness that it is very difficult to find elsewhere. Growing them at home is so gratifying, since you get to watch them germinate from the seed and then expand into […]
I want to share that I am not a professional chef, gardener, or homesteader in any way. I’m not even a professional mom, although I have two beautiful daughters, another on the way AND a gorgeous step daughter as well. For those that may not know, I am one of those corporate people with an […]
One thing you MAY notice as you read my posts, is a general positive and warm leaning towards Italy and things Italian. YES. It’s true, I am an Italophile, BIG TIME. I love the country, people, lifestyle, food, weather, culture… a lot of things about it. I have a multitude of happy memories from […]
So this is what being pregnant or nursing for a few years in a row does to your brain…. How can I write a post about cocktail parties without sharing some favorite cocktails? Oh, and I do have some favorites. There are the traditional ones, like margaritas and sangria, which, when made well, can be […]