We set out to mark Robert Burns’ Day, But made the food in our own way: Haggis for meat, Wouldn’t menu be neat, If all puddings were on the buffet. Several puddings each guest did provide; Mushroom leek and corn first arrived, We made Yorkshire pud, Oh my was that good. Indian carrot completed the sides. Sup’ ended with three fine desserts; Chilled chocolate for the young squirts, J.C.‘s plum pud stuck, Our only bad [...]

In honor of Saturdays and Farmers Markets, today’s giveaway is for three of my favorite reusable bags. I love these sacks from b.b.begonia because they roll up into tiny bundles with the included snap. I keep one in my purse at all times for trips to every kind of store. When the bag gets dirty, I throw it in the wash. Made of lightweight polyester, it dries in a flash on the clothesline. Lest the [...]

Last year, when I turned 30, my birthday was all about me. This year, I want to celebrate with you fellow cooks and readers. Let’s countdown to my birthday (October 9) with some giveaways! First up is free shopping at Krogers. Krogers is a supermarket store chain in the Midwest. I shop at our Graceland Marketplace location once a month of so for staples and organic produce. What I like most about Krogers is that [...]

Step 1: Put out a call on Facebook that you are canning. Tell friends you will teach them. Step 2: Offer to entertain their kids with paper mache when friends respond. Step 3: Breathe deeply as chaos ensues when friends and kids come over. Step 4: Enjoy the chatting as you work together to peel and slice ~30 pounds of peaches. Step 5: Give your friends canning confidence as they help fill jars with peach [...]

Lots of awesome things happened around the homestead today: we pickled homegrown peperoncini peppers, filled the basil jar with dried basil, made stuffed sausage, put cabbage into a crock for sauerkraut, and brined pork belly. In the evening I convinced Alex to clear out the cornichon cucumber patch because they were past their prime. What happened with the excess cukes? Witness the unscripted madness: 1) Take a bite to confirm it’s bitter. The cuke is [...]

On Monday, my aunt sent an email telling the Columbus Tayses that the old timey band the Carolina Chocolate Drops were coming to Dayton tonight, July 1, for a free performance during CityFolk Fest. Moments after the news hit my inbox, my Mom called. “Did you hear? Where will we stay?” There was no hesitation – this band is a family favorite and we had to go. Lil and I have been buzzing with anticipation. [...]

This week has been all about flowers here. When we returned to Ohio, everything was in bloom! Along with all others who marvel at plants and science, we had to trek to the Ohio State University campus to view the largest flower in the world. Rarely coaxed to bloom in a greenhouse, a Titan Arum, aka corpse flower, bloomed last weekend in the Biological Sciences greenhouse. It attracts flies with a scent that reminds many [...]