One of the benefits of living in West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, on the corners of the states, is syrup: both maple and hickory. Sitting in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is this one - and it is some of the best I have ever had. They show… Continue reading My Obsession With Syrup
Sour Cream Pound Cake
Our middle son wanted to make strawberry trifles for dessert, so I baked him a pound cake to use as the cake base. Earlier in the week, we tried a full butter pound cake, which I found very dense. The sour cream gives this pound cake a lighter texture and makes it nicely moist. It… Continue reading Sour Cream Pound Cake
The Yearly Seed Count
Every winter, I sit down and go through my seed packets and bags. It keeps me occupied when the weather is still winter. I feel like I am accomplishing something, even if my garden is frozen solid. I write down everything and organize it by what is new this year and what goes back 2… Continue reading The Yearly Seed Count
Garden 101: Understanding Onions
Long ago (like 3 homes back), I started growing onions. My first foray into it was a 50/50% success rate. I got lucky with the green onions (scallions), but the regular bulbing onions I planted (an onion set) produced nothing. It took me a couple of years to understand why where you live and variety… Continue reading Garden 101: Understanding Onions
Gardens To Plan: Berry And Fruit Garden
At our previous homestead, my fruit and berry gardens were a source of pride. I had so many plants growing, and many were unusual, such as white blackberries and lingonberries. When the boys were little, they loved going out to pick and have 'garden nibbles'. But more so, growing fruit and berries is economical. After… Continue reading Gardens To Plan: Berry And Fruit Garden