Beverages 
Some Like It Hot: Basil & Frico
Browsing through my new volume of Canal House Cooking, I came upon the perfect pairing for my favorite basil summertime drinks — the Italian crispy, cheesey treat known as a frico. Perfect for me because I love something salty to munch along with a cocktail. These are so simple to make, the thought of having [...]
Road Trip, Cool Sip, Rosemary Lemonade
Early tomorrow morning we hit the road, Poppy and I. We’re headed for a workshop middle of the week and we thought we’d veer through Washington’s wine country on the way to Montana: the Yakima Valley, Red Mountain, Walla Walla and then wheat country, the Palouse. Truthfully, the photog workshop is [...]
Montmerency Cherry Joy
Life is not a bowl, but a frosty glass of cherries, hot pink and straight from the garden or the farmers market. Last year I read about the health benefits of Montmorency cherries and that their juice is prized, which might be true of any sour cherry. A sleep aid, better [...]
Boozy Mint Muddling
Okay you muddlers, May is the beginning of mint season here in the Pacific Northwest. Kentucky Derby Day, the first Saturday in May, can be a little early especially if it’s been cool but we can usually scrounge up enough for a couple of juleps. In case you’re wondering, a muddler is the tool a [...]
Spring’s Honey Do Cocktail
Spring is officially here and the activity level is really amping up around our garden. The bees aren’t the only ones who are in a semi-crazed state jumping from one corner of the garden to another in hopes of making a dent in a continually updated list of priorities. Not that I’m making a list [...]
What’s Up With the Paper Cup?
Oscars tonight. In the meantime something else to ponder, and sorry, no gowns involved. It’s the not-so-glamorous, but equally frivolous paper cup. Use them once and discard. While others have been carrying their reusable cups into coffee shops the past few years, I rarely have. Truthfully, I don’t buy much coffee out, but still, I [...]
An Old-Fashioned Christmas Eve
Sometimes tradition trumps local and Christmas Eve is one of those times in our house. Seeing my father-in-law wearing red and green plaid pants, a crisp white shirt and Christmas bow tie, walking in with a tray of Old-Fashioneds is a stunning memory of my first Christmas Eve in Iowa. From that moment on, I [...]
Just Cube It
Even though ice cubes have been around since the 20’s, you’d think they’re the latest, greatest invention around our house. We’ve become devout cubists. Have you got a bowl of perfectly ripe fruit that no one can possibly eat? Make juice or puree and freeze it. This time of year it’s practically impossible to [...]
The Real Blue Angels . . .
Blueberries, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, or give us the vigor to do so. Superfood? Though blueberry’s uber-healthy status is common knowledge, superfood designations in general are presently under scrutiny. Whatever their official status at the moment, it’s one of the sweet things in life that something so delicious is so [...]
Drink It: Basil & Berries
Giveaway results at the end of this post!
You can’t fool a basil plant. it’ll absolutely wait until it’s warm enough to come out and play. Once summer really and truly arrives, basil can be your best friend at a party or picnic — ready to mix it up and bring out even the shyest of [...]
