A year ago, at Halloween time, I noticed that the big hound Devorguilla’s left eye was a little funky.  A trip to the vet revealed that the lens was not held in place properly anymore, possibly due to an inherited muscle degeneration.  The lens bouncing around left the eye looking cloudy.  I was told it could be a precursor to glaucoma but unless Devie seemed uncomfortable there was no reason for concern. We monitored it [...]

My aunt Deb picked and delivered a large box of pears from her farm.  We ate some fresh, but soon the pears begged to be preserved before they rotted. My thoughts turned to pear sauce and pear butter, but I have a large store of applesauce already in the pantry and I’m not sure I would enjoy pear butter.  Then I considered, what about brandied pears?  They contain alcohol, which puts them head and shoulders [...]

There are several opportunities for gardeners to improve their landscape this week at little to no cost: On November 1, visit supermarkets for free straw.  Our closest grocery uses straw bales to display pumpkins and then gives them away after Halloween.  We use straw to protect our strawberries from frost/thaw heaving, to mix in garden beds, and for chicken run bedding. Word on the street (aka twitter) is that the Columbus Habitat for Humanity ReStore [...]

Meet the newest tool in the hand-powered arsenal at Hounds in the Kitchen: A cider press! Charlie of Windy Hill Apple Farm had this press on display with a for-sale sign the last time we visited.  I immediately recognized it as a well maintained machine for a good price. We debated for a few days about whether we need a press when: 1) we have no apple tress, 2) even if we moved to a [...]

This post is part of Menu Plan Monday but I have to start with Sunday. Tonight, Alex made a wonderful paella with shrimp, mussels, and clams for his mother’s birthday dinner.  Served with steamed brussel sprouts on the side, the shellfish-loving Baillieul family appreciated every bite. Here’s what we’ll eat the rest of the week: Monday – parent observation night for Lil’s ballet followed by Mad Mex for dinner Tuesday – baked Mahi, roasted homegrown [...]

Can you translate this request from Lil? “Mama, can we make a backup? Like when we went to Canada at Old McDonald’s and stay in the car and they put food in a bag?” Did you figure it out?  Lil wanted to visit a fast food restaurant, probably for the toy. My heart swelled and I giggled just a little at this request.  I am proud in a way that my five year old does [...]

Annette of Sustainable Eats recently shared a day in her life and challenged others in the slow food lifestyle to do the same. It is an interesting idea to compare our individual days. What chores do we share? What aspects of our routine are unique? What can we learn from each other? Why call it ‘slow life’ when we are so busy? At any rate, here’s what I did this Tuesday October 19, 2010: 7:45 [...]