My latest creation is this Grinch Paintbrush Ornament. Yes, folks, it is getting to that time of the year. This is the time when my mind goes into overdrive trying to come up with ideas for fun craft decor items to make for the Christmas holiday. Keep reading to see how I turned an ordinary …

This Burlap Wine Bottle Bag is an inexpensive way to dress up a bottle of wine for a Christmas gift. Many of our friends are wine drinkers, and I love to purchase one of their favorite wines to give to them for the holidays.  Adding this homemade bag also adds an extra special touch to …

Christmas wreaths are commonly used on front doors, but can also used on mantles and in other areas of the home and garden such as garden gates. Aside from poinsettia plants, Christmas wreaths are one of the most popular ways to decorate your entry for the holiday season.   And nothing quite sets the mood …

 Winter flowering plants bring a blast of color to your yard and garden when you need it most – when the temperatures are really cold and not much is growing. It’s cold outside for most of us in the USA, but that does not mean that we have to sit idly by and wait for spring …

The sight of a Christmas cactus blooming is one of the joys of the season, for me. This plant is one of the traditional Christmas plants that are often seen for sale this time of the year. This holiday cactus plant is sold with buds on it each year, but how do you get this …

This boxwood Christmas wreath makes a nice change from the traditional fir wreath often seen this time of the year. it’s easy to make and you can use items from your own yard. I enjoy decorating with Christmas plants during the holidays and am always on the lookout for something a bit out of the …

These Christmas plants will have your home full of color, beauty, and good cheer this year. Even though the outdoor garden season has ended for many of us, that doesn’t mean that holiday plants can’t be front and center right now. December 12 is National Poinsettia Day. It is fitting that the most popular Christmas …

 A holiday cactus is a short-day plant which produces flower buds when daylight hours decrease. Fortunately for gardeners, this happens when much of the garden is not blooming, just in time for the major holidays – Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. There are three different types of holiday cactus plants, Christmas cactus – Schlumbergera x buckleyi, …

These Thanksgiving Tablescapes and holiday table ideas are so earthy and warm too, with all the colors of fall. Thanksgiving will soon be here and it’s the perfect time to bring out the big ideas for Table decorations. There is even a fall perennial (Chinese lantern plant) that produces small pumpkin-shaped pods, so making a …

If you like exploring on cold autumn mornings, you may have encountered frost flowers. These short-lived ice formations, also known as “ice flowers”, “ice fringes”, “rabbit ice” and “ice filaments”, are a special oddity of nature. In spite of the name, these formations are not actually flowers. When the air is very dry and there …

It’s time to learn how to cook garlic with this easy roasted garlic recipe. The roasting process bring out the garlic’s natural sugars, producing cloves which have a deep, mellow and slightly sweet flavor. While some recipes can benefit from the sharp bite of fresh garlic, roasted garlic has a more nuanced flavor that enhances any …

This recipe for scallops with white wine sauce is perfect for an elegant dinner party or date night meal. The dish is on the table in less than 20 minutes but tastes like you spent hours making it! The scallops are gently seared and served with a sauce that combines butter, white wine, garlic and …

Peeling garlic is one of those time consuming, but necessary kitchen tasks we always wish was easier. Below you’ll learn how to peel garlic fast, with the four garlic peeling hacks ranked in order. These four methods will change the way you look at peeling garlic. Any kitchen hacks that save time and make tasks …

Learn how to grow irises with our handy guide. This popular flowering plant is an early spring bloomer, which is easy to care for. Irises have showy flowers and are popular in cottage gardens. They come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. They are deer-resistant and attractive to both birds and butterflies. With more than …

You might already know how to freeze lemon juice but what about the zest? If you find yourself wondering “Can you freeze lemon zest too?”, you’ll be excited to know that you can! Not only can you freeze lemon zest, but the process of freezing it is easy and will give you flavorful citrus zest …

If you have too many lemons, you may have wondered “Can you freeze lemon juice?”. The answer is yes, and luckily, freezing lemon juice is easy! It’s always tempting to buy lemons in bulk instead of individually, because it’s so much more cost effective. However, if you’re not careful, you can be left with a …

Sedum rubrotinctum is a showy and colorful succulent plant that looks great in rock gardens. Also called “jelly bean plant”, and “pork and beans plant”, this succulent is easy to care for and makes a great addition to any succulent collection. This low-growing plant has plump, bean-shaped leaves with red tips that intensify under sunlight …

Direct composting, also known as trench composting, on-the-spot composting, or in-situ composting, is an effective way to recycle organic waste by using it directly in your garden. Traditional composting requires you to collect organic material in a compost bin or pile and then wait for it to decompose before using it in your garden. On …

How to stop avocados from turning brown is a common concern for anyone who loves this creamy, nutritious fruit. As most cooks know, once avocados are cut, they will quickly turn brown. This happens because avocados contain an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase, which will cause them to oxidize and darken when they come in contact with …

 Growing butternut pumpkins in a home vegetable garden is easy to do. This versatile vegetable is delicious and packed with nutrients. Butternut pumpkin is a type of winter squash, which means that the skin is hard and the fruit can be stored for several months after harvest. It is planted in spring and harvested in …

This collection of cocktails containing amaretto will please anyone who loves the flavor of almonds. Whether you prefer a drink that is sweet, creamy, tart, or tropical, amaretto can seamlessly blend into a variety of cocktails, adding its signature nutty taste. Many amaretto-based recipes require just a few ingredients, making them easy to whip up …

This recipe for salmon with mango salsa is refreshing and super quick to prepare. The dish pairs perfectly baked salmon with a vibrant salsa that is full of summer’s best produce. The juicy sweetness of mango, the crispness of fresh corn, and the creamy texture of avocado unite to create a salsa that is sure to …

Green beans are a popular vegetable garden plant, second only to tomatoes in popularity. However, before you decide to grow them, it’s important to understand the differences between pole beans vs. bush beans. There are many varieties of green beans, but all can be categorized into one of two ways: bush beans or pole beans. …

Loaded baked potatoes (AKA twice baked potatoes and stuffed baked potatoes) are the ultimate comfort food. If you love them as much as my family does, these variations on loaded baked potato recipes are sure to please. Cooking potatoes this way – baking them first, then scooping out the potato filling and adding other flavors – …

These vegetarian twice baked potatoes are a favorite in my house. We love the texture and taste that comes from potatoes cooked with this technique. Twice baked potatoes are a cross between a normal baked potato and a creamy potato casserole. The potato is baked and then, when it has cooked, you scoop out the …

What are portobello mushrooms? This question may pop up for people new to gourmet cooking, or those seeking healthy diet options. Portobello mushrooms belong to a family of mushrooms known as Agaricus bisporus, which includes portobello, cremini, and white button mushrooms. When left to grow, white button mushrooms will spread out and develop a large …