Hand Saving Tip

Last night I was cooking some root vegetables. The recipe called for a mix of potatoes, carrots, and turnips to first be tossed in oil. The next step was to coat the baking dish with oil as well. I would have once used a paper towel for this job, but we've sworn them off as one small way to create less trash. So I drizzled a little olive oil in the pan and used my fingers to spread it about.  Knowing I'd have to wash my poor, cracked hands yet again, I proceeded to rub the remaining oil all... Continue reading

Half-full Is the New Empty

No. I'm not joining the ranks of the ever-pessimistic set. It's a brand-new preparation philosophy the past few days has inspired in me. Here in the middle of Alabama, we don't take our snow warnings lightly. If even an inch of snow is predicted, you can bet your bottom dollar the grocery stores will be run amok with shoppers preparing for all contingencies: batteries, candles, the proverbial milk and bread. And if you are like me, a bottle or two of good wine plus supplies for plenty of... Continue reading

It’s Not Just Friday. It’s Pole Bean Day.

I try to gang all my meetings and errands together. I pick a date to get them all done. I assume I will not be able to do regular work on that particular day. This was supposed to be that day. But my first meeting ran over, bumping my second meeting out of the running—it was a lunch with a new user's group, so no one would even miss me. Cool. My afternoon meeting was canceled due to illness, and so I found myself at home with nothing planned or pressing. Part of me really wanted to blow... Continue reading

Grill Starter Kit: A Jar of Used Cooking Oil

We don't fry much anymore, but my daughter had a birthday recently and she wanted burgers and real, home fries. Hey, it's her day. She gets what she wants. And they were yummy. But afterward, there came my usual fried food cleanup quandary. I don't like to pour the used cooking oil down the drain. It could clog things up. I hate to fill the garbage up with this stuff knowing the bag could tear and then what a mess. Throwing it out in the yard seems wrong as well. What to do? Save it for... Continue reading