Today was weigh-in day and I’m down 26 pounds. It’s cause for celebration, but not with food. I’m learning not to use food as a reward. There won’t be any Snickers bars or Big Macs today–just a few champagne corks popping inside my head. My successful diet began when I …
Decades of Journals I had a journalism teacher in high school named Jean Williams, who designated me an editor of our high school newspaper. We got along famously, and I continued to visit Ms.Williams for many years after graduation. On one of those visits she advised me to begin keeping …
As part of my increased enthusiasm for all things healthy, I have recently discovered that I like almond butter. I mean, I really like it. That’s not to say that I don’t still enjoy peanut butter, but there are definitely benefits to making your own almond butter at home. It’s quite simple.
Ah, the shade garden. Cool, dark and serene. On hot August days nothing beats retreating to the sheltering shade. Whether it’s an old lawn chair under a tree, or a hammock swinging gently under dappled sunlight, escaping the heat and activity of a summer’s day could be just a few …
Goosebumps and tingles. Goosebumps ran up both my arms and tingled around my neck as I tried to see out the bedroom window. At first, all I could make out in the dark were raindrops trickling down the panes of glass. It was summer, and the window was cracked open …
Okay, I confess. I have been a “to do” list person from way back yonder. I still use them to this day. And the reason I use them is that they work. I’ve gotten them down to a fine art. I prioritize, sort them by daily, weekly, and monthly. I …
From one year to the next, growers begin their season with high hopes. And yet, so much of what we hope to do is affected by the fickle weather patterns so prevalent today. As a young boy I would complain to my grandpa if my garden wasn’t getting enough rain, …
These mini deep dish pizza cups are just as fun to make as they are fun to eat. Let the kids help so they get just the toppings they want. This is the basic ground beef/tomato/cheese version, but you could easily substitute pepperoni or healthier veggie toppings. Enjoy! Ingredients: 3/4 …
Gardens, particularly an English “cottage garden” can get quite unruly unless the space has a definite border of brick or timber. I have used cross ties, landscaping timbers, limestone rock and old brick to contain and frame a garden. Fallen logs are a favorite as well. And though I have …
Let’s face it: You either like blue cheese or you don’t. If you like it you know there’s no other flavor quite like it. Just a whiff of it sets my mouth to drooling. And those who don’t like it–and there are many–really don’t like it, and are prone to …
Sometimes the unthinkable becomes reality and murder touches our lives. It can hit us so unexpectedly that it’s like a sucker punch knocking us breathless. Such was the case with me in Roanoke, Virginia, in the wee cold hours of January 3, 1986. When the phone rang at 4 a.m. …
Here’s an easy recipe I use for making tender pork chops with a savory mushroom gravy. There’s usually plenty of gravy left over to go with mashed potatoes, which is pretty much a requirement in our family. Try it, you’ll like it. For EASY Instructions click “Read More” below.
