Leah H's Profile

Great post! I work for a company that develops treatments for tree health care (seriously!) and I can't stress enough the importance of planting native species and not planting a monoculture. Dutch Elm Disease devastated the American Elm not too long ago, and Emerald Ash Borer is doing the same to ash trees. Your local extension agent (most likely at the state university) is a GREAT resource for planting just about anything!

A bunch of tree geeks (consumers and companies alike) chat on Twitter on Tuesdays at 2pm EST using #treechat if you're up for learning a whole bunch about trees. Check it out-- there's tons of great info.

Looks delish! Is it me, or are the main photos from The Kitchn/ AT/ oh dee oh not coming up in Google Reader anymore? Major bummer if that's a permanent change!

My parents always asked my brother and I for a "wish list." It was understood that there was no way we'd receive everything on it, but it at least gave them some direction. And panic, when during my early-teen angst I asked for a boyfriend. Neither here nor there!

My husband and I find ourselves amidst a pile of random stuff after the holidays because family members don't know what to buy us. We'd rather nothing, but now that they've asked for suggestions, we're giving them. And emphasizing that gift cards to specific stores aren't cop-outs, really!

I always mix my mashed potatoes and peas. Almost every time I make mashed potatoes (one of my favorites) I have to make peas to mix in.

We always stored the ketchup in the cabinet, not the fridge. I don't much care either way, but my hubby likes it cold and my mother considered it base treachery that I changed haha And I like mushy fries much better than crispy ones.

I don't like my foods touching (except for the mashed potato/peas thing), but I'm working on it. Salad needs its own plate or bowl.

I only like stuffing when it's drenched in gravy.

No mushrooms, ever. I keep trying them, though, just to see if I can trick myself into liking them. I get the sense I'm really missing out on something great, but I can't get past the texture!

My brother's friend used to put American cheese on his Cheerios and chocolate syrup on his pancakes. ::shudder::

My hubby and I face this too, even though we don't have kids. We've gotten to a point where we despise "stuff" for the sake of having it, and giving random stuff for the sake of giving it. Thankfully, our parents all appreciate a wish list, so we can indicate items and experiences we'd like so we aren't saddled with random tchochkes, like striped toe socks and our 15th ice scraper.

Shipyard's good, but I find it gets to be really sweet really fast.

I'm DYING to try Harpoon's Pumpkin UFO (Harpoon's one of my favorite overall breweries) and Dogfish's Punkin.

This season, I tried Post Road Pumpkin Ale and have determined that to be my favorite-- still tastes like beer, but with a little pumpkin spice finish at the end, not overpowering at all.

Brussels sprouts sauteed with bacon and onions... YUM. I do spinach that way, too, since I think it's a little boring most other ways I've had it. I'm in the same boat as @asmallcontempt, that I haven't really experimented with too many veggies outside what my mom always made, but I'm definitely trying!

I keep trying beets, hoping I'll like them, but no-go. Same for mushrooms, unfortunately. I see these amazing recipes with portabellas and criminis and all sorts of exotic looking things, but I can't get past the rubbery texture. I struggle with eggplant, too... another texture thing. Thankfully, my hubby's open to experimenting and usually winds up having the same opinion I do. Whew!

Apple cider and Crown Royal. Hot or cold, always perfect. I have a bottle of Crown for just such cocktails!

Love, love, love! I've been on the hunt for a patterned, not-too-feminine, not-too-masculine duvet cover for our bedroom off and on for the past 3 years. The indigo color is gorgeous, and I love the swirls. I tried every link on the "buy" page of the site trying to find it! Pinning this post and checking back for online ordering info!

What a great idea! Looks beautiful, and I love that you were able to repurpose the shutter.