I’ve been wanting to organize my very favorite recipes into a very special place.  I could only imagine my happiness if someone handed me a box like this, filled with cherished recipes.  I would probably explode with joy.  So the journey begins. The Daddy Monkey gave me this box for Christmas and I love it […]

Earlier this month, I was lucky enough to receive some lovely homegrown navel oranges fresh from my mother’s tree.  One of the perks of living in Florida!  I used Ashley English’s recipe for Orange Vanilla Marmalade, and after tasting the first bite of marmalade, I found myself directly in the kitchen chopping oranges for a […]

Yesterday, we decided to join our friends on their yearly visit to the local farm for u-pick strawberries.  I think I can safely declare that it is indeed Spring, even if the calendar says otherwise. It was a glorious day with temperatures is the mid 70’s!  (Northern friends, you won’t be hating me so much […]

I couldn’t help but feel a small sense of accomplishment on Candlemas this year. This marks our first full year of festivals.  It was with Candlemas last year that I began our year of rhythm. This year I did manage to spread the festivities out over a few days, but not by much.  I’m still […]

I know it’s a bit late to be posting photos of the gingerbread house, but since I shared the the last two here, it seemed only fitting that this one be recognized as well. This year I had real help from The Girl.  The Boy did help a bit, then wandered off to build Lego. […]

Six years ago, on November 9, 2004, I fell down the back steps of our house, on my way outside to hang diapers on the line.  This Wednesday afternoon, in a race out the door to make it to the library before it closed for the holiday, I fell down the same steps, in the […]

Overall, The Day of the Dead party turned out to be quite the celebration.  The weather was quite cool, but a welcome change from the usual heat. Friends and family from far and wide, old and new, came together to celebrate life. We ate. We played. We celebrated while my handmade papel picado banners flapped […]

The party was a smashing success!  I now understand the power of the potluck.  It was so nice to not feel the burden of cooking all of the food myself, and there was a fantastic spread! Here’s just a peek at a few of the amazing dishes we enjoyed: Roasted tomatillo salsa, made by me. […]

I really wanted to do lots of canning this summer.  But it sort of got away from me. One day while at the produce market, I found South Carolina peaches on sale for $1.29 a pound.  So bought a ton and carted them home.  This was my first time using Pomona’s Pectin, and I really […]

Fall seems a long way off down here in Florida.  I know that if I am patient, it will arrive eventually.  So here I wait.  I cleared off the summer nature table yesterday.  I replaced the sunny yellow silk with an autumnal orange one.  A small pumpkin, a handmade (hibernating) bear and a few pinecones […]