This recipe for creamy garlic mashed potatoes is a slimmed-down version of the original recipe. Light sour cream and skim milk are the secrets to keeping the fat in check but not losing any of the flavor. The potatoes are cooked with garlic cloves in fat free chicken stock to give additional flavor and then…
What else can I do with My Potato Masher? We all know that making mashed potatoes needs the use of a common kitchen item – the Potato masher. (affiliate link) The term “potato masher” seems to imply that this kitchen tool has only one function. In fact, a potato masher can be used for a…
Packing Peanuts = Light pots and Less soil I love the look of large planters. They bring nature onto patios and decks. Many stores carry very large designs that are just gorgeous. But large planters can be cumbersome and heavy to move around because of their size. They also use a lot of soil which…
Did you know that forgetting to compost is one of the most common mistakes that beginning gardeners make? The home is full of unusual compost items that you may not have ever thought to throw on the compost pile. I am a huge fan of composting for vegetable gardening. The end product is wonderful for…
Did you know that forgetting to compost is a common vegetable garden mistake? Making newspaper mulch is simple and so beneficial so there is no reason for you to make this error. Newspaper is a great product to use to control the weeds in your garden. It is beneficial in both flower and vegetable gardening….
One of the delights of gardening is growing herbs. They are simple to grow and add tons of flavor to your recipes. Growing thyme is easy. The plant is a perennial that comes back year after year. It is a fragrant herb that I use in cooking all the time. There are quite a few…
These tips for growing daylilies will ensure that yours are the stars of your neighborhood. They are easy-care and even deadheading daylilies is a simple task! Daylilies are one of those perennial bulbs that everyone should try to grow somewhere in their garden. I have several patches of them. The flowers are showing and dramatic…
These reader tested cooking tips and households hints will make sure that your time spent in the kitchen is fun and productive. I recently asked my readers on my Facebook Gardening Cook page to give me some frugal cooking tips. They did not disappoint. These are some of the ideas they came up with! Reader…
If you have never discovered Hometalk, you should check it out. Hometalk is the largest home and garden info hub on the web. The Hometalk team recently contacted me and asked me to curate a board for “Inventive Uses for Rubber Bands.” I was delighted to accept. Here are just a few of the…
These creative hummingbird feeders will attract the delicate birds to your garden with their colorful red designs. I am always fascinated when I see hummingbirds flitting around my garden. They are so delicate and seem to defy all rules of aeronautics as they hover over flowers gathering nectar. Hummingbird Feeders for any garden setting You…
I am a breakfast person. Whether it is eggs and bacon, or a quick muffin, I need something to get me going in the morning. I don’t like breakfast really early in the morning, but I do like to have something that is considered a breakfast food sometime before 10 am or so. I am…
This Mexican chili dip could not be easier to make. It is one of my favorite “go to” recipes when I am invited to a pot luck party. The bowl is empty before the party even gets going. It is that delicious! Best of all, you can make it ahead of time and then just…
Anyone can dunk strawberries and other fruit into melted chocolate. It is easy and fast to do and makes a great looking party appetizer. But perfectly drizzled chocolate looks so much more professional. These cooking tips will make sure that your drizzled chocolate will rival those on any dessert tray. Growing strawberries is much easier than…
Are you looking for a effortless meatless meal? This recipe for bean burritos uses a kidney bean and pinto bean combination, which is a nice change from the traditional black bean recipe and is really tasty. These burritos take only 15 minutes from start to finish, so they are perfect for any meatless Monday. My…
This cucumber mint sauce is the perfect side dish to tone down the heat of any Indian food recipe. The cool taste of the yoghurt combines with the cucumber mint and garlic to give a refreshing change from spicy foods. It’s a great way to use up cucumbers with a bitter taste, or those that…
This collection of drinks and cocktail recipes is perfect for your next party. I admit it. I love cocktails and refreshing drinks. And if they are great looking, so much the better. So, it makes sense that I would be looking online for the best drinks recipes to share with my readers. The best cocktail…
Looking for a delicious dessert that is easy to make but fancy enough for any dinner party? This no bake strawberry almond cheesecake is perfect! It has a lovely glazed topping and makes a great addition to your collection of cheesecake recipes. Keep reading to find out how to make this tasty cheesecake dessert. Fresh…
Pepperoni and Cheese Calzone – Printable Recipe My daughter and I often go to Lily’s Pizza in Raleigh. One of their specialties is their calzones. Sort of like healthy little pizza pockets! I do my best to duplicate the taste at tome and my family loves these! You can add whatever fillings you like. For…
This beer braised pork roast is my latest in a long list of crock pot recipes. There is nothing like coming into your home after a long day at work to the aroma of a pork roast that has been simmering all day long. And if it has simmered in beer…all the better! Keep reading…
I enjoy experimenting with cocktail recipes. I often drink Southern Comfort with diet coke. I also love Amaretto as a liqueur and in mixed drinks. This drink was an experiment and I ended up really liking it. Treat yourself to my Amaretto Southern Comfort Sour. Keep reading to find out how to make this cocktail….
It’s grill time at our house! There is nothing like a few skewers of grilled shrimp to take your barbecue to a whole new level. Shrimp hold up well on the BBQ and this blend of spices and honey is just delicious. I used fresh herbs in this recipe. I have fresh herbs growing in…
Kahlua liqueur goes beautifully with chocolate in cocktail recipes. This adult chocolate milk cocktail combines the coffee taste with cream, chocolate milk and vodka for a great taste sensation. It is rich and delicious! There is something slightly decadent about drinking an alcoholic chocolate milk from a special cocktail glass. Today, we are going for a…
Oh my goodness – all my favorite things in one dessert! If you love peanut butter as much as I do, and the combination with chocolate is one of your favorites. If coconut and pecans tempt your taste buds too, look no further than this delicious recipe for Peanut Butter Fudge Cake with Coconut Pecan…
I’ve always considered strawberry begonia plants as an indoor plant, since that is the way that I have generally grown them. But I had a surprise this year when I discovered that the plant is a hardy perennial for me here in North Carolina. Growing Requirements for Strawberry Begonia Plants I purchased several small strawberry…
Generally, I don’t eat macaroni salads. I try to limit carbs where I can. But this macaroni salad with fresh peas and carrots appeals to me, since I adore fresh peas. The recipe is rich and creamy and makes a great picnic or barbeque side dish. This Macaroni Salad with Peas and Carrots makes a…
Tropical Taste Sensation – Orange Delight Are you looking for something light but still gives you a hint of sweetness? My mother used to call this Orange delight recipe the “Weight watcher’s dessert” since they had one very similar and it was about all the original weight watchers diet used to allow for desserts…something with…