While visiting with my daughter, Audrianna, in North Carolina a few weeks ago she showed me how to make one of her favorite quick dinners. It’s an Israeli dish called Shakshuka, a simple mixture of sautéed bell peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes and herbs topped with eggs that poach in the simmering sauce. You can add … More “Audrianna’s Shakshuka Recipe”
This year the plum (aka Roma) tomatoes grew bigger than ever and had no blossom-end rot, which has been a problem for the past few years. I am super happy because I love to dry them in my trusty little dehydrator and have a stash of these sweet reminders of summer all through the winter. … More “PRESERVING SUMMER’S BOUNTY”
Just harvested the last row of baby Bok (Pak) Choi; the birds were starting to feast on it (they know a good thing when they see it), and I wanted to make something for dinner that was SUPER simple and fast before they ate it all. This stir fry is so easy with just 5 … More BOK CHOI with MUSHROOMS and CASHEWS
I am not sure that everyone has access to fresh artichokes but if you do, you gotta be eating them RIGHT now since they are popping out like crazy this year here in our little northern California foothill garden! It’s a toss-up between fresh asparagus and artichokes for my favorite spring vegetable, oh wait, sugar … More “ARTICHOKES 101”
Took a break from soup making to do some gardening this past week before another big storm hit. I planted rhubarb which I’ve wanted to start for years, some garlic, onions and leeks (which I started from seeds months ago and are finally big enough to transplant) and shell and sugar snap peas, both … More “Spring has Sprung in California”
Years ago I stopped making specific New Year’s resolutions to avoid the disappointment of not keeping them. Now I pick one “intention” each January and make it my focus for the year. I have also switched from “what I want to do” to “how I want to do things”. So instead of “I’m going to … More “Being In the Present Moment”
Without a doubt the best part of the holidays for me this year was having my daughter, now living in North Carolina, come to visit for a week. We tried to cram in all our favorite holiday traditions, like decorating candles, making kite paper stars, watching “White Christmas”, visiting family for the Fitzgerald Family Christmas … More “AUDRIANNA’S FAVORITE PUMPKIN PIE from SCRATCH RECIPE”
With the holidays coming soon, my DIY urge kicks into high gear! I LOVE making things, especially body care products. The soap I made in early fall has cured and is so beautiful, I wanted to make some lip balm and healing salves to go with it for holiday gifts for my friends and family. … More GIFTS from the GARDEN
the pollen count 