The Importance of Casseroles: Cheesy Baked Pasta with Ground Turkey and Spinach

Sickness. A meal for a shut in.   A welcome home meal after a long absence. Beareavement.  A new baby.  A new neighbor.  A casserole serves all needs.  With the ease of the 9″ X 13″ pan, covered in foil with the reheating/cooking instructions written right on top, the casserole has been delivered to grateful recipients for generations.  Think back to the times you have been the lucky recipient of such meals.  You probably don’t remember the meals as much as the love and support nourishing you or your family through your time of need.

A piping hot frittata delivered to my husband after surgery including a gorgeous calla lily, a tea towel and wooden spoon to keep, a salad with vinaigrette and a loaf of French bread, all packaged in a beautiful basket.

Ricotta-Sweet Pea Toast

“How luscious lies the pea within the pod.”   Emily Dickinson

This easy-peasy(pardon the pun!) ricotta-sweet pea toast is so good, you’ll forget all about avocado! Using a really good sourdough cut thick, lemony ricotta cheese is heaped on then topped with minty peas.  Classic spring flavors made fresh on a toast.  So simple, so good, you’ll want to have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Hypertufa Garden Sphere-DIY Tutorial

Stone in a garden just does something to me.  I love the patina, texture and architectural interest it weaves  into a natural setting. Its earthy color makes it easy to incorporate into any garden for a rich yet subtle sculptural effect.  It whispers of antiquity and timelessness.  Stone spheres as garden ornamentation in particular, imparts a quiet serenity in the space.

Three orbs sit among a perennial bed of bluebells, enhancing but not detracting from the beauty of the flowers.

Coconut White Chocolate Scones

These scones are out of this world.  With a double dose of coconut inside the scone and sprinkled on top, they are a coconut lover’s dream come true. The white chocolate chunks are a lovely complimentary flavor and a nice surprise as you bite into one.  Moist and not too crumbly these will please even non-scone lovers.  Truly delectable!

Spring Sweet Pea Soup

“The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” –Harriet Ann Jacobs

Throw open your windows and doors and let those wonderful spring breezes in while you make this soup. Soup? You bet.  Spring and green peas go hand in hand and this soup showcases peas brilliantly.  Velvety smooth without a drop of added cream, the flavors are bright and fresh like a burst of sunshine.  I made it a day ahead and reheated it gently on low heat. A delicious early spring in a bowl!

Easter Table and Front Porch Décor

Treating you to lots of eye candy today to inspire your spring or Easter décor and entertaining!  From the welcome of spring blooms on our front porch to Easter around the house and at the table, there are ideas galore  to take away.  Enjoy!

An ice cream parlor chair repurposed into a planter greets visitors with a chalkboard welcome sign. Tutorial here.

Charlotte aux fraises

“Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment.” –Ellis Peters

Looking for a make-ahead, no-bake, showstopping spring dessert?  Look no further.  This strawberry charlotte is it!  The lovely pink color comes from puréed strawberries which are passed through a sieve to give the filling a luscious, velvety texture.  The lady finger cookies are dipped in a lemon simple syrup giving the cake a fresh burst of flavor.  Easy to make, the cake looks sensational and tastes, well, like a slice of heaven!