May, 2012:

Baseball Snacks Pop Up!

May 31st, 2012
by Wendy.
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Baseball fever is running high and fans are root-root-rooting for the home team as the season gets underway. Whether you are part of the crowd gathered at a major league ballpark or little league stand, sitting hunched over your 5-inch black and white or lounging in front of the plasma TV, baseball is best enjoyed in the company of another All-American—Popcorn!

Like baseball, popcorn is a product of the Americas and has been around for thousands of years. Yet over time, it has remained a simple little kernel of goodness. Wholesome and whole grain popcorn contains energy-producing carbohydrates and provides needed !ber to the diet. And, popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories— a great asset for a team player.

If your fan has a serious case of baseball fever, offer them a homemade remedy that is sure to cure. (more…)

Garden Party

May 21st, 2012
by Wendy.
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There are few pleasures that compare to eating something fresh from the garden. And what simpler thing to grow than herbs? They require little space, need minimal care and yield big flavor. During winter months, packaged herbs are a godsend. But in the summertime, nothing beats grabbing a handful of greens from the yard to flavor a dish or adorn a table.

Growing your own herbs is more economical than the store packaged variety, too, especially when planting perennials. And at the end of growing season, herbs can be dried for winter use or tied together for aromatic bouquets. If you don’t have the space for a specific herb garden, plant them in your flower bed or vegetable garden, or if you lack a garden altogether, herbs will grow in a window box or windowsill. (more…)

A Fireside Favorite

May 14th, 2012
by Wendy.
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by Nicole

Spring came on quick this year. All at once, the trees have blossomed, the lawn has grown lush and my husband has hauled out his favorite outdoor toy: the fire pit.

This man is serious about fires. Each is a work of art, crafted from the kindling up for maximum burn time, warmth and beauty. And there’s no commercial firewood allowed; I once suggested purchasing a cord and he stared at me in horror. “Why would I pay for wood with all these trees around?” he asked, gesturing expansively out the window at our mid-sized suburban yard.

So, whenever we lose a tree, he rolls the logs out back to split—by hand—with an axe. It can take weeks. He then painstakingly stacks the wood into piles, which he carefully rotates for years to ensure optimal seasoning. I’m pretty sure nobody has gotten this excited about building a fire since the cavemen. (more…)

Making Mom’s Day Special

May 7th, 2012
by Wendy.
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My brood has given me some pretty memorable Mother’s Day gifts over the years. I’ve been lavished with breakfasts in bed, flowers, jewelry and (most treasured of all) the drawings, poems and handprint crafts that make my heart swell to this day.

But the kids are growing up and, though it pains me to admit it, their finger paint days are behind them. So this year, they and their dad have planned something super special just for me.

My guys know that one of my absolute favorite pastimes is watching movies. Before the kids came along, my husband and I went at least once a week.  Motherhood has severely curbed my movie habit.  For more than a decade I’ve mostly been relegated to (heavily interrupted) DVD viewings in the family room. (more…)

It’s Time for a Spring Fling!

May 4th, 2012
by Wendy.
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The sleepy lull of the winter solstice has finally come to an end. Whisk away the cobwebs, pack away the parka and haul out the patio furniture–spring is underway and not a moment too soon! Everywhere you turn, the earth is teeming with life. It is an unabashed season of rebirth; an awakening of the dormant spirit that calls for celebration. Now is the perfect time to welcome the outside  world back into your home. Plan an afternoon tea with friends and neighbors who’ve been in hibernation these past few months. An afternoon tea gives you the perfect excuse to 1) get your spring cleaning done 2) use your seldom seen china and silver and 3) pretend you’re a British royal and wear a fashionable hat.

Of course, Americans have favored coffee over tea since 1773, so you’ll want to have both available. Additionally, offer guests finger sandwiches and sweets. The following recipe tops a shortbread-type base with the sweet goodness of strawberry preserves, popcorn for an added whole grain bonus and drizzled chocolate for an elegant touch. (more…)

Make Mom Queen for a Day

May 1st, 2012
by Wendy.
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Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the one person who affects us more profoundly than any other. Mothers, or those who take on the responsibility of “mother” during our formative years, shape much of who we are good, bad, or otherwise. From infancy through adulthood, the role a mother plays is multifaceted and ever changing. It is seldom predictable and often challenging. It requires strength and selflessness. It requires love.

For the endless list of things she does, has done and will do, take the time to tell her how much you appreciate her. Treat her like a queen for the day, in honor of her ability to withstand the royal pain you’ve been on occasion. Small tokens and gestures will mean a lot, but, by all means, splurge on a trip to the islands if you’re feeling really generous.  (more…)