Today’s project uses some old barnboard-style wood to make an easy and very inexpensive Thanksgiving Centerpiece for our dining room table. My husband and I are in the middle of renovating our kitchen and other areas of our home, so we have a lot of bits and pieces of wood that are just lying around…
This delicious sausage garlic Parmesan pasta recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes, and I can also make it for my family at a cost of less than $10. What is not to like about that? My family loves any recipes that have pasta in it, and I love coming up with new ideas…
Biltmore Estate Gardens are a highlight of a visit to this iconic estate in Western North Carolina. The gardens, while not classified as a Botanical Gardens per se, is a fabulous place to see plants of all types. My husband and I recently spent several days in the mountains of North Carolina with our daughter….
ThisDIY Cutting Board Holder that fits neatly behind my cabinet door and holds my wire racks too!. Are you looking for a place to put your cutting boards? I have been storing mine on my counter tops, but I have been wanting to de-clutter the look in my kitchen lately, so I came up with…
This DIY Grocery Bag Dispenser Tutorial gives me a place to keep my used plastic bags and is super easy to make, too. Are you a grocery bag hoarder? I have always been one. They have so darn many uses, that it is a shame to just throw them away when you come back from…
It’s time for some apple pie oatmeal bars! They are packed full of flavor and are a perfect choice for enjoying the cooler autumn days. Apple desserts (like these apple crumble baked apples) just scream fall! It’s fall, y’all! For me, that means three months of nonstop baking, decorating, and general holidaying. I just…
This pantry closet makeover tutorial will show you how to make a tiny kitchen closet into a mini walk in pantry. My kitchen is small. It’s a gallery kitchen with very little counter space, so I am always optimizing it for extra storage. The pantry is the size of a small closet and every single…
Decorating your yard with creative metal yard art can add a wonderful touch of whimsy to your outdoor garden space! I recently spent a week in a lovely cottage in the mountains of North Carolina. It was a great get away with my husband, daughter and her boyfriend. We spent the time driving around the…
This no carve autumn leaf pumpkin project is fast and easy to do and looks great when done. Carving pumpkins is a lot of fun, especially when you do it with children, but it is also messy. Fortunately, there are many alternatives for a carved pumpkins that will still set a fall theme around your…
This 7 bean soup mix is the perfect cold-weather recipe. It is rich and hearty and has a lovely spicy herb blend to give the soup a lot of flavor. Cooking with dried beans is so popular that they even have their own National Day. January 6 is celebrated each year as National Bean Day….
Learn how to season cast iron cookware in just minutes with these easy tips! Cast iron cookware is my new best friend. My daughter has raved about the benefits of cooking with it for years and I only started using it recently. It is important to season cast iron cookware before using it, though. It’s…
This S’mores trail mix reminds me of the ever popular camping treat, and the kids will just love it, so it makes a wonderful after school snack. August 31 is National Trail mix day. Time to make everyone’s favorite party snack. Trail mixes are easy to find in the stores, but they are also super easy…
These Abruzzese Italian meatballs in my home made buttery tomato sauce are full of the taste of Italy! They are easy to prepare and have become a favorite in our house. Spaghetti recipes are some of my favorite go to meals when I want to give my family a dose of comfort food. Today we’ll…
If you are looking for the perfect way to end a busy week night meal, here are 10 of my best bars recipes. My favorite type of desserts to make are bars and squares. The main reason is the simplicity of making them. Many bars recipes are no bake, and even the ones that require…
I knew I would love this recipe for these No-Bake Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars before I even made them. They have my favorite ingredients – peanut butter and chocolate AND they are no bake. What could be better to tempt your sweet tooth? Peanut butter bars are a bit hit in our house. I…
This tasty double dark chocolate ice cream is dairy free, gluten free and also great for those on a vegan diet. The warm summer months are the time for a big helping of your favorite cold desserts. It is loads of fun (not to mention tasty) to dig into a bowl of creamy, rich and…
Do you have plans for a dog road trip this year,? These 10 easy tips should cover all the bases and make the trip lots of fun for you and your four legged friend. For my husband and me, summer is a time for family road trips. i have a large family in Maine, and…
If you are looking for a healthy, gluten free alternative to high carb wraps, try these tuna lettuce wraps. They are very tasty, packed with nutritious ingredients and so easy to make. I love that I can have several of them without breaking my calorie bank. You can’t say that with a normal wrap, can…
Cooking in parchment paper is a method of cooking fish, chicken or other proteins in their own cooking bags. It is also called “en papillote” (French for “in parchment”) or “al cartoccio” (Italian for baked in foil or aluminum.) Typically, folded parchment paper is used but al foil, paper bags or other materials can also…
Turn everyday items from around the house to make these creative garden art creations. Garden containers can cost an arm and a leg if you purchase it from garden centers. But this does not have to be the case. It is easy to create instant interest in the garden by making use of recycled or…
I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite daylilies in a garden tour. When it comes to versatility, blossoms and easy of care, very few perennials can match daylilies. They give a magnificent show of flowers, and sometimes more than once during the summer season. They can be managed by…
Try these no bake peanut butter energy bites. They are simple to make, ready in minutes and pack a nutritious boost with a taste that can’t be beat. Are you looking for a really easy to make and healthy snack that is both nutritious and super tasty? This is the recipe for you! These peanut…
This recipe for grilled pork with strawberry peach salsa goes from grill to the table so quickly, but tastes like you spent hours making it. There is nothing quite like a 30 minute meal, is there? They are great for busy weeknights when you don’t want to spend extra time in the kitchen. it’s time…
We recently had visitors from the UK who are gardeners, so we took them to JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh for a visit. One of my favorite parts of the gardens is The White Garden. It is a wonderful place to spend a day. You can walk around and enjoy Easter lilies, white agapanthus and…
Coleus plants add color to a garden bed like very few other plants do. I am always looking for plants to give my garden a burst of color which will last throughout the season. I plant the normal flowering annuals such as pansies, petunias, zinnias and others. But there is one variety which gives huge…
This chunky roasted tomato vegetable marinara sauce with pasta dish is the perfect meal for Meatless Monday (or any day of the week!) I enjoy eating meals that don’t have any meat in them, especially for lunches. I love to use roasted tomatoes in my sauces. Roasting them in the oven brings out the natural…