Hi, Reader, Happy Labor Day weekend! It doesn't feel even remotely possible that it's already the end of August, but here we are. Tomorrow is the first day of September, and I personally cannot wait. It always feels like a breath of relief after the busy, chaotic heat of the summer! But yesterday, my friend Hannah and I hosted a party that was a breath of fresh air in and of itself. She mentioned the idea of an outdoor reading party a couple of months ago, and I was sold. What a great way to...
18 days agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hi, Reader, How are these long last days of August treating you? It's funny...as a blogger, I have a whole schedule for sending emails and talking about just the right topics, but right now, I feel like I need to step out of it and talk about something else. (Don't worry - I'll share recipes and helpful links below, too). I'm exhausted right now, and I wonder if you might be feeling the same. There's just so much going on, my to-do list seems piled higher than ever before, and I literally...
26 days agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hi, Reader, It is blackberry season here in Western Washington! The edges of our fields and forests are COVERED with invasive blackberry brambles (plus some of the native ones, too). Although it isn't exactly a good thing...it does happen to be a delicious thing. Every summer, my husband and I usually pick 4-6 gallons of blackberries to wash, dry, and freeze for winter cobblers and muffins. They're basically free food! But, there is nothing quite as lovely as coming back with buckets of...
about 1 month agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
Hi, Reader, It might seem like a bad idea to crank up the oven midsummer, but I promise, an old-fashioned crisp or cobbler is worth it. There is absolutely no better aroma that a warm apple crisp bubbling away in the oven, and this is the perfect time to make the most of all that delicious seasonal produce. Plus, I've recently shared some old-fashioned cobbler recipes, which I have to admit are EVEN EASIER to make than my go-to crisp recipe. That's not a criticism of the crisp at all - you...
about 2 months agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
Hi, Reader, Summer preserving season is HERE. From cukes and zukes to berries and 'maters, this is the busiest time of the year for kitchen preserving. Below, I'm sharing some of my favorite summer preserving projects including some that take almost no effort to more traditional canning recipes. Whether you've been preserving or are just starting to think about it, there's a recipe for you below! P.S. This is a great time to start preparing for apple season! Around here, summer apples start...
about 2 months agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
Hey, Reader, It's officially canning season! We have a case of cherries coming in next week from Azure Standard, and know many of you are already in canning mode. If you're not or you're feeling a little intimidated by the process, I have some help! I first taught myself how to can in 2013 without any fancy equipment. You really just need a large pot, jars, new lids, and some way to get the jars in and out of the canner. I started canning with an old soup pot and using quarter pint and half...
2 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hi, Reader, If you're new to living a more self-sufficient life, I highly recommend learning how to make a few pantry staples. It's amazing how powerful it is to know that you can make most of the items in the grocery store. From seasoning blends and extracts to leavening agents and even brown sugar, you can make-do with just a few basics. Plus, they're easy. Most require just 1-3 ingredients, so truly anyone can make them. So, you get a little confidence boost, skip the trip to the store,...
3 months agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
Hi, there! I'll keep this brief - strawberry season is HERE, and those juicy little gems deserve pride of place on your dessert table. My recommendation? This Strawberry Snack Cake. ππ° It's buttery and just sweet enough, topped with strawberry whipped cream, then garnished with even more fresh berries. You get layer after layer of strawberry goodness in every bite! It's like strawberry shortcake...in cake form. Get the recipe
3 months agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
Hi, Reader, Do you grow any herbs? I'll be honest - I wasn't that interested in them when I started gardening 11 years ago. I usually focused on basil and cilantro since you need those for pesto and salsa! But over the years, I've added more and more. Parsley, chives, mint, rosemary, oregano, thyme, bee balm, dill, sage, and probably more I'm forgetting. I love watching them grow, I love running my hands through them, and I love preserving them to enjoy all year long! Fortunately, herbs are...
3 months agoΒ β’Β 1 min read