Is Loft-Style Decorating Right for Your Home?

loft daylight basement lead pic

While the look may not fit in your typical mid-west farm kitchen, there are several situations where using the loft style of home decorating can work. Even if you don’t live in the middle of an urban metropolis. Read on.

Best Gift Cards and Restaurants for Vegan Fast Food

Vegan Fast Food Feature Pic

With more and more people being directed to a plant-based diet by their doctors these days, and the demand for cheap, fast food moving ahead with gusto in North America, vegan fast food options are becoming more of a priority.

Give the Gift of Reading Any Time of the Year

gift of reading

Whether it’s graduation time, Father’s Day, Christmas or a loved one’s birthday, it’s always appropriate to give the gift of reading. Young learners, and lifelong readers alike appreciate presents that celebrate the written word.

From Grilling Aprons to Kitchen Tongs, the Best Grilling Gifts for Backyard Cooking Enthusiasts

Grilling at summer weekend

Grilling gifts are the perfect choice for backyard cooking enthusiasts. Whether it’s a set of his and her grilling aprons or a pair of kitchen tongs (more on why I prefer them to BBQ tongs later), having the proper grilling tools keeps things streamlined and efficient. If you’ve got presents to purchase this summer, and… [Continue Reading]

Tailgating Menu Stress Bringing You Down? Best Tailgate Menu Ideas for Vegans, Vegetarians and Carnivores

Hot Dog with Baked Beans and Potato Salad

Coming up with a few tailgate menu ideas might seem simple enough. Until you sit down to plan the logistics of what needs to be prepared, how you’ll handle the power supply and oh yeah . . . clean up. For extra fun, you may have decided it’s a good idea to provide a flexible… [Continue Reading]

Classy Presents on a Budget: Consider a Wine Club Gift

Cellars Wine Club Picture

If you’re looking for a gift idea that’s above par yet meets your budget requirements, consider a wine club gift. They come in all price ranges, including one I just found that sends your friend or loved one a new and interesting variety every month for less than twenty bucks per bottle. The wine club… [Continue Reading]

Cream of Carrot Soup

Cream-of-Carrot-soup

I was not completely sold on the idea of carrot soup when I first heard it.  I gave it a try, though, and it quick became one of my favorite soups.  I’m partial to it in the fall, probably because of carrot harvest, but it is light enough to be on your table year round…. [Continue Reading]

Dogs and Emotions…

Dog-emotions

There has been debate as to whether or not dogs can actually feel emotions. Older schools of scientific thought have refuted the notion. Now, however, scientists and behaviorists are beginning to undertake studies to prove otherwise. Personally, I have no doubt that dogs can feel a full range of emotions including jealousy, sadness, fear, and… [Continue Reading]

Five Homegrown Pet Toys

Dog-toys

Dogs and cats are a lot like children. Buy them a new toy, and they’d rather play with the box. Keeping that in mind, there are some easy options in your home for entertaining your pet without spending a fortune… or anything at all, in some cases. The first is tug toys. Most dogs like… [Continue Reading]

Through a Dog’s Eyes

THrough-a-dogs-eyes

Did you know that a dog’s vision is not exactly like your own? Dogs are farsighted, which means that they have trouble seeing objects nearest to them, but as a dogs age their ability to see clearly becomes more challenged. You may have noticed that your elderly dog takes more time to recognize you when… [Continue Reading]

Spiced Roasted Almonds

roasted almonds

Need a great hostess or holiday gift and don’t have a ton of money to spend? Try these roasted almonds as an alternative to the usual sugary fare.

Some Different Ideas for DIY Christmas GIfts

DIY-Xmas-Gifts

Homemade gifts are not just the less expensive option for ‘trying times’. Speaking for myself, I truly appreciate a handmade gift. It doesn’t matter if it’s edible, wearable, or displayable. I appreciate the thought and effort that goes into a homemade gift.  The converse is also true. I’d rather make gifts than scour the malls… [Continue Reading]

Cat Care…

cat-care

People often associate pet training with the training of a dog. The fact of the matter is that many species of animals, including the cat, can be trained. I have heard of a hermit crab that was trained to ring a bell when he wanted to eat, an Oscar fish that would go through loops… [Continue Reading]

Crispy Dill Pickles

Dill Pickle

Dill pickles rock. Well, pickles rock. I have a small garden, and the bounty varies. When I get enough cucumbers to make a batch of pickles, and my tastebuds say ‘dill pickles’, this is the recipe I use.  I’ve tried several that offer up good flavor, but this one gives nice, crispy pickles and good… [Continue Reading]

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

IMG_0541

As far as flexible foodstuffs, nothing beats the pumpkin. It does everything — soups, main dishes, appetizers, side dishes and, my personal favorite, dessert.  The Whoopie Pie is an extremely popular dessert here in Maine. It comes in many permutations besides the most popular chocoate.  It didn’t take much to make the Pumpkin Whoopie Pie… [Continue Reading]