It was one of “those days,” the ones that seem to be just non-stop meetings and chores. I started with 7 am and 9 am meetings and then would be having friends over for lunch, so I needed something that would be pretty low maintenance and as much make-ahead as possible. We are finally having…

Pork is particularly well-priced right now, a perfect season for it since it pairs so well with many fall fruits and vegetables. I was able to buy this roast for only $1.39 a pound so have enough for at least 15 to 20 servings at a remarkably low price. With the continuing impact of the…

Our family had a grand finale to the summer with a trip to a beautiful lake house, for a week of fishing and relaxing, the latter involving playing lots of board games, reading, and just hanging out together. We took along all kinds of groceries for days and days of meals together, and the gardeners…

Over the weekend I mentioned my latest trip to the local farmers’ market, including reference to a 5 pound half cabbage. Well, that was an estimate; when I pulled out the scale to get the real weight, that half weighed in at a whopping 6 pounds, 14 ounces–really glad I didn’t buy the whole head!…

Sometimes you just need a rich little dessert to top off a summer meal full of salad and veggies or grilled entrees. This is a quick and easy bar cookie, especially if you have some pre-soaked dried apricots. I had an extra pound that I cooked up after last Christmas’s baking and then froze. Though…

It was a beautiful day for a trip to the Farmers’ Market, with an opportunity to test the bag I had just finished for carrying things like produce or books or whatever. Good thing that I made it strong, as I ended up with a 5 pound half cabbage, two large butternut squashes along with…

Cucumbers for a quarter. Red onions for less than 50 cents a pound. Farmers’ market produce at its best. Time for some quick and inexpensive pickles. The vinegar in the brine will keep the red onions bright, though these should be eaten fresh, as a few days will start to see some color bleeding into…

In the spirit of “frugal, fast, and fun,” I tried out a new technique in my garden this year.  Last year I had read another gardener’s account of making her own seed tape. It sounded easy but I wasn’t planting any more seeds at that point and promptly forgot about it. Enter sowing season 2012….

Here is a use for some of the season’s abundant zucchini that is far different from my last post. This one is a dessert reminiscent of an old-timey picnic, but it starts out with a cake mix so it’s an option for even your busiest day.  Making cupcakes instead of cake also shortens the time…

We are moving into that season again, the time when the number of zucchinis in your garden may begin to exceed your kitchen creativity. Even if you don’t have these in your own yard, friends may be ready to share, and the farmers markets are full of these shiny green summer squashes, from tiny fingerlings…