Archive | June, 2009

Why American Women Should Not Take Our Freedom for Granted

Why American Women Should Not Take Our Freedom for Granted

Has anyone else been surprised to see so many women taking to the streets in Iran, in protest of the election so obviously stolen by what’s-his-name-who’s-clearly-whacked? I am both frightened and relieved to see their covered heads, marching with fists raised…but it’s also a reminder of just how close we all are to chaos and […]

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Cooking with Lard

Cooking with Lard

I had never cooked with lard before. It just seemed gross to me. Plus, as a saturated fat it was on the list of things I didn’t need to add to my already saturated diet. However, my elderly, ill mother specifically requested that I make one of her favorite summer meals: pasties (Cornish meat pie)…with […]

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My 5 Favorite Easy Chillin' Summer Treats

My 5 Favorite Easy Chillin’ Summer Treats

Here in Pennsylvania, we have had torrential rain for 40 days and 40 nights, and it’s hard to believe that summer will ever come. But when it does, I’ll be ready with these 5 easy summer treats to keep my kids and myself nice and cool. 1. Frozen grapes on a stick. Get a bamboo […]

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Buy Local, Buy American

Buy Local, Buy American

Last night I went into a Lowe’s for the first time. I needed to buy a cat door for the chicken coop I’m building (long story, I’ll save it for later!). I’d never been to Lowe’s before. It was fine. Big. It had that stinky chemical smell. I wouldn’t rush to go back for any […]

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Campfire Cooking! My 5 Favorites

Campfire Cooking! My 5 Favorites

I was one of those naughty Girl Scouts who only joined the troop when it was about to go on the camping trip. I knew I would get some good food cooked over an open wood fire. I think we made some sort of hamburger stew in a tin can that was so yummy! Now […]

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Stocking Up Starts Now!

Stocking Up Starts Now!

For many new gardeners or foodies, the idea of harvest or stocking up seems like a fall-festival–type of activity. Nothing could be further from the truth. Harvest is happening all the time! And to be truly prepared for winter (which is, thankfully, months and months away), now is the time to start stocking up. Today […]

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Put Your Kids to Work. They'll Be Glad You Did

Put Your Kids to Work. They’ll Be Glad You Did

I recently read a sweet little book called Growing Up Country, by Carol Bodensteiner. She describes her childhood growing up on a dairy farm in Iowa. What struck me most about her account is how much she enjoyed being challenged with work on the farm. At each age, she “graduated” to harder and harder chores, […]

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Top Ten Reasons Why Art is Essential to the Human Spirit

Top Ten Reasons Why Art is Essential to the Human Spirit

I’m currently staying in this really cool hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, called 21C. It’s a museum dedicated to 21st century art, so as you can imagine, there’s art everywhere. As I ate dinner by myself in the absolutely yummiful hotel restaurant called Proof, gazing at amazing and bizarre horse photographs (with a wonderful video loop […]

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