I’m an inveterate recipe clipper. I have folders and notebooks full of exciting new recipes I want to try. The majority of them languish in my cupboard for years, never seeing the light of day, but some become family favorites, like this recipe for apple pie. When I made it a few weeks ago for […]
Perfect Pie Crust
Thanksgiving means PIES in our house! Pumpkin, of course, but we also usually have a couple of other varieties, like pecan, apple, or cherry crumb. And, in my humble opinion, and, at the risk of offending a few people, I think every Thanksgiving pie deserves a homemade pie crust. No two ways about it, they […]
Watercolor Landscapes
Here are some more of the paintings I did in a workshop this week at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, with Robert Yonke. This first little landscape was painted using a limited palette of only three colors to give it a more unified look. Dusk 7″ x 10″ This next one is really “drippy” – I’m […]
Watercolor Workshop
It’s always fun to learn something new, right? Well, it can also be challenging and frustrating! I spent the past three days in a watercolor workshop at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, and there were moments when I was ready to pack up my stuff and head out the door. I had to step outside my […]
Cute Kid’s Apron
Seven girlfriends, great food, cheap wine, lots of sewing and decorating projects, and unseasonably warm November weather combined to make one really fun weekend here at my house! My two aunts, my sister and niece, my mom, and my daughter all joined me for a weekend of sewing, talking, laughing, and eating way too much. […]
Broccoli-Mandarin Salad
This Broccoli-Mandarin Salad is one of my favorite recipes, and I always serve it during my Summerhill Weekend Sewing Retreats. It’s really colorful and has an interesting variety of textures and flavors. The dressing is light, with just a hint of sweetness. Everyone seems to enjoy it – I hope you’ll give it a try. […]
California Roll-Ups
These cute little pinwheel sandwiches are a great accompaniment to soup and salad. During my Summerhill Weekend Sewing Retreats, we serve these California Roll-Ups for lunch, along with Cheddar Wild Rice Chowder and Broccoli-Mandarin Salad. I’ll pass those recipes along to you soon, also. They’re both winners! This recipe is really quick and easy, and […]
“Perfect Slipcovers” Class at Summerhill
Slipcovering is a bit of a lost art, but it’s a handy skill to have, and I enjoy teaching others how to give a well-loved chair new life with a brand spankin’ new slipcover. This past weekend I hosted a “Perfect Slipcovers, Start to Finish” class here at Summerhill, and six women came to learn […]
Pumpkin Soup with Smoked Paprika
With the chilly temperatures we had last night, it seems that fall is quickly on its way out, and winter’s lurking just around the corner. We haven’t had our first frost yet, but I’m expecting it any day now. These chilly days and nights make me long for a nice, hot bowl of soup. There’s […]
Oatmeal Raisin Bars
I’m busy baking again, in preparation for another Summerhill class next weekend, so I thought I’d share one of the cookie recipes I made today. These Raisin Bars are one of my favorites. I’ve been making them ever since I got married, and my kids loved them as an after-school snack when they were growing […]