Autumn is the perfect time to go on a picnic. The weather is cooler but not yet cold. The changing colors of the leaves are so beautiful and inspiring. And you get to spend time outdoors with friends and family. But do you ever struggle with getting out the door? You intend to go on a lovely picnic but can’t seem to make it work? I want to share myRead More →
Can you believe that it’s October already and that means it’s time for the October Soup of the Month. This month I’m showcasing a classic dish as a soup. Chicken and dumplings are a family favorite, so I thought that I would create a soup that uses the same tasty ingredients. This Chicken and Dumpling Soup uses basic ingredients like chicken, onions, carrots and celery. If you like comfort foodRead More →
Today I’m doing a mash up of two of my favorite foods…pumpkin pie and bread pudding. I enjoy pumpkin pie so much but I am trying to hold off on making one because maybe I enjoy it a little too much. And bread pudding is a favorite breakfast item around here. It’s such a great comfort food. So the blending of the 2 becomes the best Pumpkin Pie Bread PuddingRead More →
I love to make home decor from gathered materials. There are so many reasons that I enjoy this process. During the gathering phase you get to be outdoors, exploring the world. What will you see while you’re walking that country field or forest road? An eagle soaring above or a deer jumping out of the brush. The fresh air and the beauty of the world around you is so energizing. Read More →
Usually when I talk about porches I am referring to the porch on Pinecone Cottage. But today I want to talk about the porch on the front of my house. It’s very sad looking right now and needs a redo. By this time of year the flower pots are looking scraggly and it’s time to add some cozy to my furnishings. Do you need a fall update for your porch? Read More →
If you have a cutting garden or you like to gather natural materials, then having a flower press can be a great way to extend the use of your flowers. There are so many things that you can do with pressed flowers, ferns and leaves. Over the years I have pressed leaves and flowers many different ways. In fact, I was about 7 years old when I pressed my firstRead More →
I walked out to the garden a few days ago and my heart sank. Changes that signaled the end of the growing season were everywhere. I had been out of town for about 3 days and in that short time it was evident that the seasons are changing. Autumn can be a wonderful time of year with all it’s colors and crispness. But I don’t like losing the garden. AndRead More →
Our cabin sits at a lower elevation in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Washington. And right now it’s blackberry season. So when we go to the cabin I like to pick a bowlful to use in my meals. Our particular type of blackberry is not the plump variety that you get in stores. It’s a seedier variety that is okay if eaten fresh. But just try to bake with itRead More →
The fall season is a wonderful time for gathering natural materials for your autumn decor. I look to nature to provide much of my autumn decorations and embellishments. Not only do I enjoy the gathering process, but the colors and textures are perfect for the fall. I would like to share some of the natural materials that are ripe for the picking. And give you some suggestions on how toRead More →
Have you noticed that I frequently make fun of my zucchini? I really enjoy eating and cooking with the zucchini that we grow in our garden. It’s just that zucchini can get out of control so quickly if you miss a day or two in picking it. We do regularly eat the zucchini from our garden. My go-to methods of cooking zucchini include sauteing it in a little olive oil,Read More →