DIY Ultra Healing Lip Balm

I have majorly dry skin.  Especially every year when the weather starts to turn cold, my hands turn into total alligators, and my lips get all flaky and cracked; they even started bleeding a bit last week.  Most chap sticks … Read More

Maple Pumpkin Pie Bars

I am extremely picky about pumpkin pie.  It has to be not too thick, creamy but not goopy, pumpkin-y but not bland, creamy and not rubbery, THE CRUST CANNOT BE SOGGY, etc. etc.  I have issues. I’ve been making hacking … Read More

Indian Coconut Cabbage Curry

Our CSA lately has provided us with mass quantities of greens.  As in, my entire bottom shelf of my refrigerator is filled with them.  This recipe uses none of them, but it did make a dent in the head and … Read More

One-Hour Astronaut Costume

N’s been saying he wants to be an astronaut for Halloween for a couple of months now.  I mostly ignored him for a while because I’m the sort of mother who values listening to her child.  But really, there was … Read More

Mascarpone & Mushroom Mac

Usually I’m pretty domineering about what we eat for dinner.  My way or the highway, fam.  But I figured I could allow N to choose his own birthday meal.  (I know you are v. curious for my tips on how … Read More

Baked Potatoes 7 Ways

Why, hello!  Welcome back to me from not-on-earth’s-face.  Well, another side of it, anyway.  We had a lovely trip to Chicago for a dear friend’s wedding and to Utah to spend lots of time with Grandma & Grandpa (and eat … Read More

I kind of have a thing for jars (who doesn’t?).  Baby food jars, mason jars, little Boston round bottles…total sucker.  Here’s a list of 5 easy bottled gifts that take a couple minutes each, max.

1. Homemade Vanilla.  There are a thousand “recipes” out there, but basically steep fresh cut vanilla beans in alcohol (we discovered we prefer rum to the more traditional vodka).  It usually takes 6-8 weeks to mature, but if you’re short on time, just stick a sliced open bean with the alcohol in the jar you’re gifting and write a “ready by” date.  This year, we did a set of extracts – coconut, almond, mint, hazelnut.  Wouldn’t it be so fun to get a bunch to try?

2. My beloved coconut honey sugar scrub.  Love this stuff.  It’s so simple but seems fance.

3. Rosemary Essential Oil.  I love the millions of uses she has for this.

4. I, for one, would certainly be grateful for this lip balm.

5. Marinated goat cheese.  Seems so special, but is so easy.  Take a chunk of whatever size you like of goat cheese, stick it in a jar and cover with olive oil.  Add whatever herbs you like – I love some fresh rosemary and a whole clove of garlic, with a pinch of red pepper flakes.

X