Recent Posts

Ladybugs climb on the handle of a garden shovel and down onto the surround foliage.
In the Garden

Ladybugs, Our Garden Warriors, Released

Our annual order of ladybugs arrived in the mail right on schedule. Unfortunately summer in the Pacific Northwest did not. We finally released our eager eager visitors anyway, though I doubt many have hung around our uninviting backyard. Still these little ladybug warriors were able to coax a bright smile from my sun-starved complexion, even while I cowered in the kitchen to watch them.

A slice of Key Lime Pie garnished with Whipped Cream and a slice of lime then dusted with cardamom
Dessert

A Key Lime Pie to Remember

Made with key limes, this tangy pie filling pairs beautifully with a cardamom laced graham cracker crust. Together they create a refreshing and memorable summer dessert. The recipe is also a vivid reminder of family. Aunt Cat may (or may not) have ever made a Key Lime Pie, and certainly never tried this exact recipe. Still it is her story, and my brother’s treasured memory, that inspire my affection for this distinctive pie.

A slice of Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake topped with Maple Glaze and toasted nuts is served on a white dessert plate.
Dessert

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake

Moist and delicious, this cake relies on oatmeal for texture and brown sugar and cinnamon for its appealing flavor. Topped with toasted nuts and an improvised Maple Glaze, Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cake makes a satisfying snack cake or dessert, perfect for sharing with friends and family.