When I first began researching my family history, one of my main goals was to learn more about my great-grandmother, Esther Richardson, and the Richardson family of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. I was new to genealogy, but I quickly discovered how exciting it can be to search for records, follow clues, and connect with other researchers … Read more

Photo by Josh McMurtrie Even if your only outdoor space is a walkway, patio, or small strip of garden, weeds have a way of showing up. They push through cracks, settle into bare soil, and return just when you think you have handled them. Weeds are resilient, adaptable, and remarkably resourceful. In another context, those … Read more

With just a few simple ingredients, French Chantilly cream, also known as crème Chantilly, becomes one of the most irresistible dessert toppings. Light, airy, softly sweet, and delicately flavored with vanilla, it is delicious served on its own or paired with fresh berries, madeleines, scones, ice cream, crêpes, waffles, cakes, and many other desserts. Before … Read more

As I write this, the storm is moving closer, and the weather warnings are becoming harder to ignore. High winds, possible snow, and power outages are all part of the forecast, so everyone in the area seems to be settling in at home and waiting to see what happens next. I hope that wherever you … Read more

Vegan peanut butter bars are the kind of freezer treat you will want to keep on hand all week. They are rich, sweet, salty, and nutty, with a flavor that is reminiscent of a PayDay-style candy bar. Each bar has a tender almond flour cake layer topped with a creamy maple peanut butter layer that … Read more

This Mexican Street Corn, also known as elote, is smoky, creamy, tangy, and lightly spicy in the best possible way. Each ear of corn is cooked until tender and lightly charred, then coated with a rich garlic-lime sauce, crumbly Cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and chipotle chili powder. It is messy, vibrant, and full of classic … Read more

This green milk tea, also known as matcha milk tea, is creamy, refreshing, and full of sweet, earthy flavor. Matcha powder is whisked with hot water until smooth and frothy, then layered with milk, sweetener, ice, and chewy boba pearls for a café-style drink you can make at home. It is simple, soothing, and just … Read more

Pepperoni Cheese Pizza Muffins Pizza night is always something to look forward to, especially when the middle of the week needs a little extra fun. In our house, Wednesday has become the unofficial pizza night because it makes an ordinary weekday feel like a small celebration. While there are plenty of toppings to choose from, … Read more

Queenketo LCHF Gennaro Niçoise Salad. A generous keto salad that is hearty enough to serve as a complete main meal. The name may sound a little unusual, but there is a reason for it. This low-carb salad is inspired by the classic French Salade Niçoise and by Gennaro’s salad from Jamie Oliver’s Italian cooking. Both … Read more

These chocolate chip cookie crisps are thin, crunchy, and wonderfully dunkable. They have the crisp bite of a cracker with the familiar flavor of a chocolate chip cookie, but they are only lightly sweet, making them an easy snack for coffee, tea, milk, or a simple after-dinner treat. If you are expecting soft, gooey, buttery … Read more