Agreed- I'm sticking with cast iron. I am not interested in replacing other non-stick options when the finish gives out or gets scratched, and I'm happy to put some elbow grease into keeping my cas...

I would love to get rid of our cable, but then Mr. sfumato wouldn't be able to watch the Red Sox, and that would kill him. Sigh.

I was a vegetarian for a long time, but that changed when I went to college overseas where being a healthy vegetarian just wasn't possible. Mr. sfumato loves meat too much to give it...

Yes, absolutely. We have a Sentry fireproof and waterproof model (it's about 40 lbs and we keep it hidden, so someone (hopefully) can't easily run off with it). We went through a flood and were i...

We were facing the same issues in our very long south-facing hallway and front foyer area (a switchback staircase in our entryway means that we have very tall walls and high, airy headspace). ...

I LOVE this! Kathy, if you're reading, are you able to leave the pots out all winter, or do you have to recreate this garden every year? We have a huge balcony, too, but we're in Bost...

Whatever you do, do NOT use fondant. That stuff is nasty. I'd use this recipe from Gale Gand:

Agreed with these two: * rejoice that some people have work in these very hard times * say hi to the workers... it's easier if you have friends working outside your window...

You can also make Faux Umeshu if you can't find ume- just use hard, unripened apricots (I like them when they're in the turning from green to blush stage). Not quite the same as real umeshu, but st...

What about something between paint and stain? Or something like whitewash? http://...

Something I read in one of Ina Garten's cookbooks a few years ago really resonated with me: basically, she says not to invite people with whom you DON'T want to spend time over for dinner parties, ...

My original comment seems to have been eaten! It's Garnet Hill's Zinnia Pattern- they've carried it for the last few summers:

Yes, it's Garnet Hill's Zinnia pattern (they seem to carry it every summer):

Just pickled 10 lbs of fiddleheads (a gift)! We've got half in a regular dill cucumber-type brine and half in a spicy brine. Yummm.

Having just cleaned all the baseboards, chair mouldings, windowsills and frams, and other wood-painted-white trim in our (rented) apartment, I will tell you that while it looks nice, white trim sho...

we're having a Mother's Day early dinner for mr. sfumato's mom! on the menu (so far): *grilled blue cheese burgers, ribs (soy/mirin/garlic/grapefruit marinade) & hot italian sausages ...

These are also good with butter- my sister would very carefully mix up a tiny bowl of butter and honey to spread on bread. Yum!

I always make them for Baked Brie with Caramelized Onions (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Baked-Brie-with-Caramelized-Onions-1008; Bon Appétit | December 1995; requested by ou...