Party Panache, Fried Onion Dip with Kale & Swiss Chard

Everybody likes chips and dip, right? Sneak in a little kale and Swiss chard for some nutrition, and top it off with some fried onions for texture and flavor~ I was using up some of my garden bounty Kale and Swiss chard are just like fresh spinach, you think you have way too much, but … Continue reading

Recipe Box, Pajama Day Cookies

When I first moved to the South as a new bride, one of my first friends was a true Southern Belle… She had a maid, a nanny, and a regular case of the “vapahs”…  photo source “Jenna honey,” she said, to become a Southerner, there are 3 things you’ve got to learn and you will … Continue reading

Tablescapes, I’m Hooked!

I know I’ve got a serious thing for fish I was so excited when I found the fish plates from Anthropologie and then found a pitcher to paint to match…you can see them at Trattoria Sardina here So excited… Then I went to Home Goods… and I saw this and I saw this and this … Continue reading

Recipe Box, Sweet Tea Lemonade Cupcakes & Sweet Tea Vodka Poke Cake

Drink your sweet tea and eat it too! Put it in your cupcakes and spike your loaf cake with Sweet Tea Vodka! The batter starts with Lemon cake mix, and the liquid is sweet tea with a little almond extract I like to make mini cupcakes, they’re easy to eat and don’t feel so sinful … Continue reading

Take-out Tuesday, Summer Squash & Prosciutto Pizza

I hope you had a great weekend! I made Sausage Gravy Biscuit Bake, recently posted, and realized there was a mistake in the recipe  😱 The flour to butter ratio in the gravy was incorrect.  😳  I have amended it and hope this hasn’t caused you any difficulties  😢  Sincerest apologies!!  Please reprint if you … Continue reading

The Organized Life, Storage Solutions

Happy Memorial Day!  We are practicing safety first with the “Harbor Patrol” on duty I want to start by saying that my house currently does not resemble the photos below.   It’s been full of sandy, crumb-dropping, “toy tornadoes” all weekend, but I hope to restore proper order soon! Since life tends to be MESSY  … Continue reading

Recipe Box, Summer Weekend Menus

I hope you’re having a great Memorial Day Weekend!   You’re probably busy flag waving, grilling, parading and saluting our incredible service men, but keep these easy menu ideas in mind as summer rolls along and you’re feeding friends and family I arrived on the coast early last week to plan, stock, cook, and make things … Continue reading

Recipe Box, Cauliflower Fritters

Here’s why you might just love this recipe It’s different, it’s easy, it’s healthy and it’s good! You can also use it for a pizza crust! Cut up the cauliflower and roast it until it’s almost done See, it’s just starting to get dark around the edges.  It’s cooked but not mushy Transfer cauliflower to … Continue reading

Tablescapes, Lunch in the Garden

We have had so much rain this spring that my backyard is a jungle  botanical garden… I’m so sorry California, how I wish we could share with you~     My Garden Girl has been working overtime and doing a great job   We recently enjoyed an unusually cool and bug free day, perfect for … Continue reading

Creations, Breaking Waves

Let’s paint today.  Painting is not a mysterious magical process, but rather just a series of steps and layers of colors and shapes… I usually paint with a very limited palette and mix my own colors. This helps keep the finished work uniform and cohesive For this painting I used Titantium White, Cerulan blue, Hanza … Continue reading