Our fair city is celebrating its 200th birthday in 2012! Bicentennial events are planned all around Columbus, OH. Below is a curated list of my top five. Thanks to travel plans, we will not be able to attend many festivities but we will celebrate in spirit. 200Columbus Best Bicentennial Events One of our cities most beloved institutions, the Columbus Metro Library, will host birthday parties at all 21 locations at 3 pm on Saturday February [...]

It sounds like a bit of a crazy hippie idea, but bartering is an important part of homesteading. Cash is sometimes hard to come by  because many homesteading families like ours choose to live on less income. In a city, everyone doesn’t have the space to make everything a homestead can produce so we share. In lieu of real money, I can trade the use of tools, home canned goods, produce in season, writing and [...]

I know I always brag about how many cool things are going on in Columbus. Tell me if it’s getting old. But seriously, one can never be bored here! Here are a few events coming up for those who enjoy life, food, and gardening: Nurtur the Salon Makeover Contest – Nominate someone deserving to receive a full makeover at Aveda salon Nurtur in Upper Arlington. I am a judge so I can’t nominate or be [...]

Before I make a meal plan, I always look ahead on my calendar. This week is particularly full of local events that I hope to attend: It’s Dine Originals Restaurant Week! Enjoy original prefix menus for just $10/20/30 November 7 -13 and support Local Matters at the same time. I think I’ll treat Lil to lunch at Katzingers or tea at Mozarts. This Tuesday is election day! We suggest voting No on Two but the [...]

A friend alerted us to the OSU Equine Center Open House today. It was not crowded, highly educational, free, and fun. They have historically offered an open house every fall, so stay tuned next September to their website for dates.

Several readers and friends have asked me where I recommend going to pick pumpkins. The truth is, I don’t have a farm that I love. All I’ve visited are too crowded and pushy with extra purchases and sugary sweets. I wish I could find somewhere reminiscent of my childhood where the focus was on the pumpkin picking, not the extraneous stuff. Here are five choices: 1) CRC Pumpkin Patch – The Clintonville Community Resource Center [...]

Ever wondered how to make bacon? Why nitrites/nitrates are sometimes used? Do you enjoy making meat jokes? I will cover all this and more in my Charcuterie Class on October 18 at Wild Goose Creative, the last of my Preserving Series. Participants get to go home with tasting samples in their belly and a few fresh sausages to boot. One lucky reader can win a place at the meaty table! Just leave a comment below [...]