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We found what was left of Crazy Mops late this afternoon. Not sure what happened, the boys and I found the feathers and what what left of her body on the grass. Life on the homestead….not always pretty, but you get to experience appreciation of new life and the respect of passing. I can’t leave you with just the bad …
With the kitchen still (still….sigh) under construction, I’ve been cooking on a camping stove outside on our patio. We’ve been super good, still eating mostly JERF (just eat real food), with the occasional not-JERF treat (ahem….entire bag of Oreos snarfed down by 2 boys.) When out grocery shopping, the only question we ask ourselves is, “is this something you can grow, …
Patience is what we’ve been practicing for the last two months in our house. Going into a major kitchen remodel is never a “fun” thing (well, except picking out wall colors, flooring options and kitchen bling), but I never expected a 2-week stall. So close, yet so far away. We’re currently hung up on the granite cutter. Counters need to …
I recently heard this quote by Ray Bradbury, “Jump off a cliff and build your wings on the way down.” It’s supposed to be an inspirational quote, but I can’t shake off a animated gif of a disastrous ending. If retelling of inspirational quotes is anything like the game of telephone, perhaps Mr. Bradbury’s original quote was more eloquent. I just …
Before I get into the recipe, I wanted to give you a quick peek at the Daytime TV studios where I tape cooking segments at. It’s a show that’s syndicated in nearly 200 markets in the US with hosts Cyndi Edwards and the incredibly funny Jerry Penacoli (formerly of EXTRA.) My cooking segments are around 4 minutes-ish long. We tape …
Ever since our post Needs Reboot, Scott had I have been working so hard re-vitalizing our business. We’ve been listening to podcasts, reading business manifestos, devouring great books, masterminding with smart people and having “Board of Directors” meetings with Nathan and Andrew at the dinner table. The boys have equal say in the business (most of the time), there have been a couple …
A lovely reader sent a package of his homegrown star anise spice. Have you ever used star anise before? Normally, when I buy them at the Asian market, they look like they’ve been picked through – none of the “stars” even resemble stars. Upon opening the bag, there is a dusty, musty smell. Not these. These are fresh and dried …
Our new “mail-order” baby chicks are now about 1 month old. For the first couple of weeks, the baby chicks are so adorable and teeny that you just want to keep them in your house and pet them all day! Well, the bigger they get, the more they eat. The more they eat, the more they crap. Chicken poop STINKS. …
Four and a half years ago, Diane crossed the Mexican border with “contraband” that I had requested via text from Tecate, Mexico. She arrived at my door late at night with a small rolling luggage piece in one hand and a single, red backpack in the other that I immediately tore into. Beef jerky, 2 bottles of wine, Doritos, chocolate …
After 3 years of planning, designing, re-designing and procrastinating, we’ve finally started our kitchen remodel. I’ve been both looking forward to and dreading the start date – three weeks without a kitchen is traumatic. Well, I should say estimated three weeks. Which probably means closer to 3 months in home remodel timeline. I spent all weekend cleaning out the cabinets and …
I love this thing! No more having to wonder if my timer went off (while I’m in a different room). My phone syncs with the iDevices Kitchen Thermometer and will zap me when the food is done (just kidding – it just beeps). Or how about when the grill is outside and you’re inside the house?! Review of the …
Alongside fire-roasted chestnuts, Boiled Chinese Peanuts are sold as cheap street food in China. It’s a cold-weather thing, and I know I’m posting this recipe in the dead heat of the summer, but I am missing real Chinese food….a little nostalgic for humble eats. Raw peanuts are boiled in water with cinnamon sticks, star anise, garlic cloves and a little salt. …