Home Decor/Cookbooks
- Slow Cooking in Summer
- A Farmer's Garden
- How to Garden Without Pain
- Salad Dressings
- Complete Book Index
- Have an Outdoor Party
- Grass Cutting
- Fragrance Candles
- Easy Entertaining
- Why We Need Cookbooks
Posted by
Trevy Thomas
Trevy Thomas
My favorite winter kitchen appliance finds new life in the summertime. Making dinner in a slow cooker is a good way to stay cool.
I tend to think of a slow cooker as a wintertime appliance, used for soups, roasts or other hearty fare. Today I realized how foolish that is. Summer is a lousy time to have the oven on, or sometimes even the stovetop. And on a really hot day, no one wants to stand outside to grill either. Enter the crock-pot, ready to accept whatever I give it in the morning, and cooly cook all day at a nice low temperature. I made a Chicken Fricassee today that smells delicious. Don't report me, but I took the recipe from Fresh From the Vegetarian Slow Cooker, only I substituted chicken for the vegetarian part.
Posted by
Trevy Thomas
Trevy Thomas
One couple's account of their gardening experience, and how they learned to live independently because of it.
I was a little skeptical when I saw that the authors of a recent gardening book were named Gardner. I wondered if people would take me seriously if I started selling English Muffins or school busses, but I'm not sure anyone would pick up on the pun. Gardner seemed too much of a coincidence. But after reading the book, I'm convined that this lovely couple was born to garden, so the name makes perfect sense. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to grow all your own food, earn an income from the process, and experience a truly independent life, Gardens of Use & Delight paints a vivid picture for you. Don't miss the homemade catsup recipe included with this book review.
Posted by
Trevy Thomas
Trevy Thomas
Back pain doesn't have to stop you from enjoying your favorite gardening hobby.
We are very familiar with back pain in my household. Because of it, our rather large yard goes mostly unplanted. Past experience has taught me that gardening, which could be enjoyable, becomes a back-breaking chore. So I was thrilled to receive a copy of Easy Gardening, which has shown me some tricks to gardening which will save me from back pain. I have always wondered how it is that so many elderly people manage beautiful gardens without any complaints, while just a few minutes of weeding was enough to send me for bed rest. Now I know the secret! This book is a useful tool for anyone who wants to learn easy gardening tips.
Posted by
Trevy Thomas
Trevy Thomas
Learn to make your own salad dressings, and bottled dressing will no longer be a grocery staple
When I was growing up, we rarely used bottled salad dressing. My mother made a simple one of lemon and olive oil that was a nice complement to the vegetables without adding an overpowering flavor. As an adult, I kept up the habit and was pleased to learn that this was not only an economical choice, but a healthy one. This dressing is made right in the bowl over top of the salad, so the quantities will vary depending on how much salad you have.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper over the salad.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the greens starting at one end of the bowl and squeezing all the way across.
- Using your thumb to cover most of the bottle opening, drizzle good quality olive oil all the way across the salad, being careful to splash some on each exposed leaf.
- Toss well and serve immediately.
Posted by
Trevy Thomas
Trevy Thomas
Find what you're looking for quickly with this complete index of featured books.
Cooking
Appliances
Baking
Celebrity
Health
Outdoors
Techniques
Gardening & Outdoors
Household
Appliances
Baking
Celebrity
- Chef Interrupted (compilation)
Health
Outdoors
Techniques
- A Flash In the Pan Cookbook (Sautéing)
Gardening & Outdoors
Household
- Easy Green Living
- Decorator's Problem Solver (how to fix ugly problems)
Posted by
Trevy Thomas
Trevy Thomas
Invite friends over for an easy outdoor party with some helpful suggestions.
Having an outdoor party is a great way to entertain and show off your garden, or the begining of it, at the same time. So far, all I have to show off is a new deck and a few tulips, but that's reason enough to celebrate. I think of a party as being any time I'm not working. Therefore, every evening I can head outside and wait for something delicious to cook. Don't wait for company to try the recipes in this bbq book.
Posted by
Trevy Thomas
Trevy Thomas
After the first cut of the season, grass seems to get high faster.
Gardening season has begun, and one of the first areas screaming for attention is the lawn. You may be tempted to get an early start on enjoying the outdoors, but there's a good reason not to mow before you have to. The grass comes back faster than it seems possible. By the time you've finished the last pass, the first one is practically ready again. This year, our mower broke and can't be repaired for another two to three weeks. I don't know if we'll make it until then, but even with the rain we've had, the grass just doesn't seem to grow as fast as it does once the cutting begins. The lazy girl in me is enjoying this excellent excuse to simply sit outside and look around, getting ideas, without actually having to do anything. Get a good book and enjoy your outside space, long grass and all.
Posted by
Trevy Thomas
Trevy Thomas
How to choose candles that smell good and are safe for your environment.
I was pleased to learn in a recent environmentally-friendly book that Votivo candles got the thumbs-up from a very green author. They have been a favorite of mine for a long time, but I always felt guilty burning them because of the black smoke that eventually stained the glass holder. There are some wonderful soy candles available now that completely eliminate this problem and that also smell beautiful, but Votivo still tops my candle shopping list. Keep plenty of candles around. They give your home an instant decor boost.
Posted by
Trevy Thomas
Trevy Thomas
Easy decor and slow cooker appetizers will make throwing a Friday night party a breeze.
One of the things I love about slow cookers is that you can get all of the work done ahead of time, so when you're ready to eat, the food is ready for you. But beef stew, or some other traditional crock pot recipe, is not what you want for a cocktail party. This new cookbook solves the problem by giving you tons of recipes for the slow cooker that are actually elegant, including many designed for cocktail parties. So plug in the Champagne Fondue, toss out a few bowls of Sugared Walnuts and have a late night party. Pretty glasses for Martinis or Cosmopolitans and lots of candles are all you need for a festive decor. Have a fun weekend.
Posted by
Trevy Thomas
Trevy Thomas
Make room on your bookshelf for current cookbooks. The Internet won't give you everything you need to know in the kitchen.
Many years ago when I discovered online cooking sites, I decided I no longer needed food magazines or cookbooks. Every recipe I wanted could be found online. I even threw out my old treasured Cooking Light, Gourmet and Bon Appetit Magazines. This was during a time when I was on a clutter rampage, and I was following the organizational rule that said if you can find it elsewhere, don't save it. Well, those organizers don't know everything, especially when it comes to cooking. While it's true I rarely need back issues, I missed the arrival of a new cooking magazine each month. I could stretch out on the porch with my magazine and find inspiration. The same is true of cookbooks. Reading the author's thoughts about the recipes she'd created, or for what occastion she served a meal opened the door to new possibilities in my own kitchen. I took pleasure in reading it, and received a gift of inspiration that might encourage a dinner party or new recipe of my own. I still use the Internet as a valuable resource, but there's nothing quite like sitting with a real book in your hands just for the sheer pleasure of it. For more dinner party inspiration, read this recent review of Chef, Interrupted. I hope you'll enjoy it from someplace really comfy.
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