Boo! Did I scare you? Maybe not but you may be tense, stressed and overwhelmed for reasons like the pandemic, election and change in the weather. Add our own personal ‘stuff’ and it is the making of a bone chilling spooky movie. Here are some Halloween tricks and treats. Read more
Hi Claudia,
I would love your professional advice. I’m in the process of decorating my dining room. We just purchased new chairs and will be repainting our dining room table a bit darker to give it a fresh look. I just can’t decide on the sideboard. Should I get one that matches the table or a different color? – Suzy, Monroe, NY Read more
Once upon a time, 2 months ago, I would make a grocery list and shop once a week. Now I am shopping minimally, maybe once a month. My new normal will be mindful shopping with less frequency. Read more
Growing up in the Bronx was a unique experience as far as city life goes. My grandparents’ house was a magical place filled with beautiful flowers, vegetable gardens and fruit trees. We had our own mini farm. We canned tomatoes and made wine. Read more
My roasting pan and cookie sheet that I loved and used for years started deteriorating. I added both to my shopping list. We get into a routine of using the same items every day. I went into a cabinet I seldom use and found not only a brand-new roasting pan but a cookie sheet that was part of set for air frying in the oven. I’ve used both of these ‘new’ items regularly. Read more
You don’t know what you don’t know until it’s time to know it. As a homeowner since 1989, I am on my second round of homeownership. My former house was a 30-year run. As the original owner, when something needed service, I had it serviced. When something broke, I had it fixed. That house was well built and well maintained. Read more
The best gift you can give yourself is creating a bedroom that is the most comfortable room in your home. Your day starts and ends in the bedroom and in many homes, it is the most neglected room. Let’s focus on the components of the bed itself. Read more
Chef Cathy Vogt recently held a Summer Taco Cooking Party at Watergrasshill Bed and Breakfast in New Paltz, NY. Attendees learned how to chop, pan sear, season and work with local ingredients to create a delicious meal. I participated in this hands-on cooking class. My task was to make 2 salsas, tomato-pepper and mango salsa. We all worked as teams and shared a delicious meal of Summer Squash & Basil Soup, Pan Seared Chili Lime Cod, Spicy Mushroom Walnut Taco filling, fruit salsa, guacamole, crunchy vegetable slaw. The food was fresh and flavorful. Read more
As temperatures rise during the summer months, keeping cool becomes a priority. Air conditioning is ideal, but not all homes have it. When my former house was being building in the late 80’s, we added central air with multiple zones and the builder thought we were crazy. Crazy or not, it is a necessity in my life and well worth the investment. In my new house, which is 3 levels with one zone, I’m getting adjusted and finding ways to cool my house. Here a few of my tips followed by shared tips from readers.
Don’t know how to do something? You can get the answer by using Google, social media, ask friends or ask your mama. Here are some tips you may find helpful. Read more