Jammin’ It

Here on my little patch of heaven in Southwestern Ohio, we have been invaded. With cicadas. Everywhere. I can’t even hang clothes out on the line! But there’s a silver lining in this cicada cloud after all. They are not bothering the wild fruit, like black raspberries and mulberries. I went foraging yesterday and harvested enough to make a lovely mixed berry freezer jam. Of … Continue reading Jammin’ It

Peachy Desserts

I thought I was done with fresh peaches after making peach preserves, canning peaches for winter, and making fresh peach pie. Well, I was wrong. Some almost over-ripe peaches found their way to my back kitchen door. Over the summer, this scenario has been repeating itself with various fresh produce, and I’m not complaining!  The thing is, with peaches this ripe, they can’t hang around. So … Continue reading Peachy Desserts

Some New Ideas for School Lunches

As I always tell you, Thursday mornings are important to me since I get to chat with Matt Swaim/Sonrise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio. Today with Catholic schools week in full swing, we chatted about lunches and how to make them more interesting and nutritious to eat. First, let the kids help not only choose ingredients but also assemble them, according to age. Here’s some … Continue reading Some New Ideas for School Lunches

Blue Cheese Fig Tarts w Homemade Fig Jam

I so enjoy chatting with Matt Swaim, Sonrise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio. Today we revisited a popular Bible fruit: figs. Did you know figs were cultivated thousands of years before Christ was born? Sometimes it’s hard to find fresh figs, so I wanted to share a couple recipes using dried figs. The first is a lovely little tart and the second is an … Continue reading Blue Cheese Fig Tarts w Homemade Fig Jam

Summer Watering Tips

Home > Plant Care > In the Garden Blog > Gardening Tips > Summer Watering Tips From colleague and garden expert, Ron Wilson of Natorp’s nursery, another timely tip for summer. SUMMER WATERING PLANT TIP During the heat, you need to make sure to check your plants often. Always check your plants each time before you water. Physically and visually check to make sure water is needed by pulling the mulch aside to … Continue reading Summer Watering Tips

Boone County Arboretum Annual Tea Recipes

Oh gosh, I had so much fun doing my first Zoom presentation for the Boone County Arboretum’s Annual Tea with Josh, Nicole, Stephanie, Donna, and Kris last night. Log onto to their site to see just how lovely and productive this community arboretum is. There may be time for you to bid at the silent auction, too. My talk was about the 4 seasons and … Continue reading Boone County Arboretum Annual Tea Recipes

Orange Marmalade – 2 Ways to Cook

Guess what I woke up wanting to make today? Orange marmalade! All because of the windfall of thin-skinned, super juicy oranges friends Bob and Bert brought me.If you’ve never made orange marmalade, I hope this recipe makes you want to try. I’ve actually got 2 recipes for you: one a classic stove top recipe and another cooked in the crockpot. Here’s the deal: check out … Continue reading Orange Marmalade – 2 Ways to Cook

Blueberry Boy Bait and Caramel Chocolate Fondue for Valentine’s Day

Yesterday I went to the grocery with a list. All resolve left me when I spied a display of fresh, huge, beautiful blueberries in the produce section. Not on my list, but on sale!  Impulse buying? Yes, and no regrets. Especially on a snowy day with thoughts of a warm fire, a piece of fresh baked blueberry coffee cake accompanied by a mug of steaming … Continue reading Blueberry Boy Bait and Caramel Chocolate Fondue for Valentine’s Day

A is for Apple: Dumplings, Butter & Sauce!

I was in the mood for apple dumplings so I made a batch. It was the perfect fall day for making apple butter and applesauce, too.  Judy M., a longtime reader, loves the apple butter from Nashville House in Nashville, Indiana. “My sisters and I want to get together and make apple butter and we’re looking for that recipe,” Judy said. She has great memories … Continue reading A is for Apple: Dumplings, Butter & Sauce!

3 Ingredient Strawberry Ice Cream

I had a request to share this recipe – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this while training housewares employees at Macy’s. This was always a favorite! THREE INGREDIENT STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM  Use sweetened frozen strawberries. So easy, and pretty, too. Recipe can be doubled. Ingredients 12-16 oz. frozen sweetened strawberries, thawed 1 to 1-/4 cups whipping cream, unwhipped (1 cup for … Continue reading 3 Ingredient Strawberry Ice Cream