I second the vote for printed cloth napkins. I have 5 or 6 sets acquired from assorted locations. The batik set from World Market is the best at hiding stains. Another cheap and easy option i...

Another vote for Bengal Spice and Candy Cane Lane. Both are in heavy rotation around here, but a bit hard to find. When I do find them I stock up.

The 5$ roast whole chicken can't be beat. And 3$ for two live butter lettuce heads. And fresh pineapple for under 3$ apiece. These are my favorite Cost-co deals at the moment. They also ha...

I have a small chest freezer that I inherited. It holds a lot, but much food is wasted due to being lost in the abyss. I would definitely go upright next time.

I have a box of peeled steamed chestnuts in the pantry. Any suggestions on what to do with it?

One friend I know gives away snack sized packets of microwave popcorn, unpopped. She says the kids love it and the parents do too. If you bought a big bulk box it wouldn't be too pricey.

Aveeno makes a great hand cream that stays on through handwashing. Vaseline used to make one too, but I haven't seen it in a while. I use the Aveeno one all the time in the winter, especially ...

My favorite carrot salad is shredded carrots with rice wine vinegar, sugar, lots of dill and a pinch of salt. Sorry I don't have measurements. I just do it all to taste. Toss together and let ...

I bought some of these at the farmers' market on Saturday. They are delicious and sweet with a slight floral note. Much better than the average pear.

Orange juice mixed with ginger ale, saltines with honey, and my new favorite orange granita. Chicken soup is good too, although I will confess to loving Lipton Cup-o-Noodles soup wh...

My plates are green and I certainly don't find it an appetite suppressant. In fact, most food looks quite lovely on it. I grew up in a household that used black octagonal plates f...

Having friends for dinner again tonight. This is getting to be a regular Saturday night thing... We are making tortellini, bread sticks, a green salad and watermelon granita for dessert. I ma...

I have that problem too, but have been trying to cook a little lower fat. Regular non stick sprays tend to burn, but the new Pam Professional High Heat spray is awesome. It's a little more expe...

Big cooking day here. Applesauce from today's farmer's market apples. Pesto from last week's basil. And and impromptu alfresco dinner party with grilled pork tenderloin, oven roasted local p...

I love these too, but also have a peanut allergy. I make a sauce out of Duguid and Alford's Seductions of Rice cookbook that is equal parts sugar and rice vinegar cooked down with a minced garlic...

When we have our pirate parties, they are for grown ups. Everyone must come dressed as a pirate. And we play many pirate themed board games. The first year I made rum balls and...

I made some of these last Friday and they are already half gone! They are delicious.

I made the bruschetta last night but with white beans instead of chickpeas. I also left out the olive paste since I didn't have any. But it was delicious. I will definitely be making this on...

I was a pretty picky kid, although I did eat vegetables and had a fairly wide variety of things I would eat. But things that did not fall into my acceptable category were not eaten. I was stubbor...

The best way to get the garlic smell off your hands is to rub them on your stainless steel sink with a little soap and water. Something about the stainless steel works like magic. If you don't...