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In: In The Kitchen

This is a favorite of ours, we serve it every Easter and at just about every summer get together. It’s pretty quick and easy, especially if you have one of those pineapple corer gadgets. Unfortunately it doesn’t hold real well so for best results make it the morning you want to serve it. Strawberry Pineapple Salad Fresh strawberries Fresh pineapple Shredded Coconut Powdered Sugar 1/2  orange Wash, hull and cut strawberries up in to chunks.  Peel, core and cut pineapple in to chunks.  In a clear glass serving bowl layer pineapple, strawberries, coconut and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.  Continue layering until bowl is full.  IRead More →

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In: In The Garden

I find figuring out when to prune what trees and shrubs can get very confusing.  Apparently, it not always best just to pick up the loppers and start whacking away when the mood strikes.  We  have a big, old growth lilac that my husband wants to take a chainsaw to.  After a little research I have found that large ones like that have to be pruned in stages cutting one-third at a time over a three year period.  He’s not happy about that.  For now, I think we will start with dead heading after the flowers bloom and keeping the suckers at bay.  Since lilacs form theirRead More →

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In: In The Kitchen

This dish is delicious and perfect to serve at brunch for Easter, Mother’s Day, Christmas, Baby or Bridal Shower or anytime!  It’s so yummy and with bacon you can’t go wrong!  This recipe looks like a lot of work but it goes together pretty quickly if you do a little prep work. Bacon and Corn Spoon Bread 3/4 c. yellow cornmeal 1 1/2 c. water 1/4 c. butter 8 oz. of your favorite grated cheese 1 1/2 c. corn (canned, frozen or 3 ears of fresh) 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 t. salt 1 c. milk  4 eggs, separated 10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbledRead More →

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In: In The Garden

Do you have some plants you have tried to baby through the winter so they can be added to your flowerbeds in the spring?  I have two miniature rose bushes my husband got for me that I have been moving from window to window trying to find a happy spot for them.  I’ve had to do a lot of pruning, the house is dry and we haven’t had a lot of sunlight lately.  They need to get planted outside soon! On warmer days, move your plants outside for a few hours at a time.  Start out in a semi shady spot, then over a week orRead More →

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In: In The Home

It’s a beautiful first day of Spring here in Northern Idaho, the sun is out, there is a chilly wind blowing.  I have little birds moving into the bird house my front porch.  Watching them, it dawns on me…holy smokes my windows are dirty!  Time to truly begin the Spring Cleaning, washing the windows will be at the top of the to-do list. There are several different methods for washing windows and I think everyone has their favorite.  You will want to start with a bucket of cleaning solution, a sponge, lint free towels or squeegee and possibly a step-ladder.  For your outside windows a softRead More →

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In: In The Kitchen

Here is a hearty addition not only to your St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage, but it is also delicious served with stew, soup, pot roast or toasted served with jam or honey.  This bread contains no yeast and is leavened by a chemical reaction between the buttermilk and baking soda.  The crust will have a rough, craggy looking appearance but the inside is tender and moist.  After removing from the oven, if time allows, wrap it in a damp cloth for 8 hours to settle.  Although it should be served cool, ours never makes it that far, we eat it hot out of the oven with lotsRead More →

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In: In The Garden

Every year, right after Valentine’s Day, I start to see beautiful displays of colorful Primroses in every grocery store I walk into.  It’s so tempting to snatch up one of each color and line my kitchen window sill with all of them.  I was able to hold myself back this year after learning a little more about them.  I would always buy at least two and they would be beautiful for a week or so, but soon the leaves start turning yellow, the blooms turn brown and fall off, soon they end up thrown out.  It turns out Primroses aren’t really meant to be houseplants…who knew?!?  They are actuallyRead More →

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In: Reflections, Thoughts and Ideas

I don’t know if it’s the finally melting snow or the warmer temperatures but I am feeling a huge sense of renewal.  The crocus, iris and tulips are beginning to poke through the winter mulch and I feel the breath of fresh air that spring brings right down into my soul.  I have spent the majority of winter assessing my life, my goals, my hopes and my dreams only to come up feeling lacking.  I have realized that I can keep coming up with excuses or I can come up with action.  I have spent far too long on planning and plotting, on waiting for this or thatRead More →

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In: In The Kitchen

This is a delicious and easy to make pound cake that goes well with berries in season and whipped cream or warmed up with a cup of coffee or tea.  You can add a quick glaze of powdered sugar mixed with a little milk if you’d like, but it’s just as good without it.  Let me know what you think! Buttermilk Pound Cake 1 c. butter 3 c. sugar 4 eggs 1 c. buttermilk 3 c. flour 1/2 t. baking powder In a large mixing bowl cream the butter then slowly add the sugar while mixing.  Add the eggs one at a time mixing wellRead More →