What’s for dinner?

Butternut Squash, Shrimp, Shallot & Shredded Carrot Soup
It started with a can of Amy's Organic Butternut Squash Soup. This creamy, squashy soup inspired a few additions for a little … [Read More]
What’s for dessert?

Christmas Cookies: The Rest
After several trips to the grocery store to supplement decreasing supply and a baking flurry that filled all the flat surfaces in … [Read More]
In the Fresh Domestic Kitchen

“Double Treat” Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
I don't need bookmarks in my cookbooks. They naturally fall open to the most oft-used pages, guided by oil stains and batter splatters and clouds of flour. The page where this Double Treat Cookie recipe is located is one of these. These come from the one and only Church Cookbook: the blue-covered "Brethren … [Read More]

Valentine’s Dinner and Continued Surprises
I had no plans for Valentine's this year, which is the only reasonable way to spend the day. We celebrated on V-eve with his preparation of crab legs and asparagus with hollandaise sauce, and my contribution of quinoa with raspberry vinaigrette. Just, wow. Quinoa Recipe: (coming soon) And, of course, … [Read More]
In the Fresh Domestic Garden

Blue Jays and Spring Flowers After the Rain
Cleveland's latest rain prompted the last reluctant flowers into bloom, opening their blossoms to the drink up the spring showers. … [Read More]

Health Dept. Raids Farm, Destroys Harvest
Here’s the scene: You’re invited to a “Farm to Fork” picnic at a sustainable, organic community supported agriculture (CSA) farm, … [Read More]
Around Town + Beyond

How I Got the Grocery Store to Pay Me for Shopping
Yes, you read that right: I got the grocery store to pay me for buying name-brand toothpaste. And believe me, I don't work for Giant Eagle. I'm just a savvy bargain shopper. First, a disclaimer: I don't usually buy groceries at Giant Eagle, because I know that you can get better deals on better quality perishables … [Read More...]

Sunday Eve Picnic: Mini Wine & Cheese Party
Today became "Use Up All the Gift Cards Weighing Down Your Wallet" Day. Fueled by a scrambled egg/bacon/English muffin breakfast from The Shore Restaurant followed by a couple of West End Tavern Bloody Marys, we headed to Great Northern Mall. First stop: DSW, where I stretched a $25 gift card (and then some) into … [Read More...]




