Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This fruity papaya rum punch is a bright, tropical summer cocktail made with fresh papaya, orange juice, triple sec and white rum. A splash of club soda adds a light, refreshing fizz. For more summer rum cocktails, you might enjoy … Read more

It’s the week before Christmas and right in the middle of Hanukkah, a time when sweet treats and festive drinks dominate the table. Yet this year I’m sharing a different kind of favorite: a bright, crunchy celery salad that’s unexpectedly irresistible. I almost saved this for January when everyone resolves to eat lighter, but it’s … Read more

Before you dive into blogging, make sure your website has a few essential legal elements in place. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself and your work. After years of blogging and learning from many generous professionals in this field, I want to pass along some of the practical legal basics I’ve learned. … Read more

These rainbow sun catchers are simple to make with pipe cleaners and beads, and they add a bright splash of color to any window at home or in the classroom. Kids can create them for St. Patrick’s Day or anytime to welcome spring. We recently experimented with beaded pipe cleaners after making some beaded rainbow … Read more

This simple oven-baked method is perfect when you need to prepare many individual eggs with minimal hands-on time. These muffin‑tin eggs have set whites and perfectly cooked yolks, making them ideal for feeding a crowd or assembling egg sandwiches (directions below). You only need eggs, a muffin tin, and an oven — and they take … Read more

This simple, flavorful weeknight dinner brings together spice-crusted salmon, a silky butter-and-wine sauce, crisp-tender spring vegetables, and penne that holds it all together. The blackening seasoning provides bold flavor, a quick blanch keeps asparagus and broccoli bright and snappy, and the sauce—made from white wine, butter, parmesan, and a bit of starchy pasta water—coats every … Read more

I had a lot of fun interviewing Emma Cooper yesterday about her e-book, Jade Pearls and Alien Eyeballs, as part of her virtual book tour. Update 21st April 2015: Emma has released a print edition of Jade Pearls and Alien Eyeballs, which is available to buy from Amazon. Emma’s book explores unusual edible plants: their … Read more

Parmesan brings a savory, salty, umami boost to a wide variety of dishes — from pasta and chicken to pork, fish, and vegetables. This collection highlights how grated or crusted Parmesan can be used in sauces, coatings, roasted sides, one‑pot meals, and even on tenderloins and seafood. Each recipe pairs Parmesan’s tangy richness with herbs, … Read more

Apple Cranberry Crisp is a lighter take on the classic apple crisp, brightened with tart cranberries and juicy pomegranate arils. This naturally gluten-free and dairy-free version comes together quickly with simple, wholesome ingredients and makes a comforting dessert—or a cozy breakfast. This recipe was originally published in October 2017 and has been updated with recipe … Read more

For a long time I hesitated to publish this post. When we moved into this house the backyard was in a dreadful state and it took us a lot of work to transform it. That was about a year ago and at the time I didn’t have a blog, so the photos I took were … Read more