Can't Beat the Crock Pot!

I realize that I'm the person who always seems to go "over the top" when making dinner. But there are some days that I really don't want to put much effort into things. And some days it's that I have a million things to do, and when it comes time to sit down for dinner...I don't want to be spending 3 hours to get me there. It is then, my friends, when the crock pot comes out of it's spot behind my Le Creuset pots.

I can. Do you can? Well you can can!

Canning! My days have been consumed by canning...lots of it! I think it was a bad idea for Michael to let me get the pressure canner! I bet he's thinking that he's going to come home one day from work and Puck and Cooper will be in big jars on the counter! But hey...if they hold still long enough, it just might happen! And then I wouldn't have dog hair all over my floors! :)

Tried and true...with something new!

It's been a bit on the warm side here in Edmonds, and yesterday it seemed to break just a bit. While me and the boys hung out inside, the chickens had the run of the yard. The girls loved foraging all day, especially after I mowed the back lawn and stirred up all the bugs! :) When it came time to decide what was for dinner I pulled out my cookbooks and started thumbing through them. I smiled as I planned the dinner and knew that it has been a while since I did a dinner post so this was the perfect one!

Hectic Days at "the farm"

If you've ever spent any time in the Pacific North West you know that when the sun come outs...you hurry the hell up and get all of your yard work done. Because you know that if you don't...it's going to rain the very next day! And that, my dear readers, is what I've been doing the past few days. And because of that not only has my blogging taken a back seat...but my housework has as well!

Just one of those days...

Ever had one of those days that no matter how hard you try to get ahead, you feel like you are running about 20 clicks behind the rest of the world? Today is that kind of day for me. I feel like the hours are just flying by, and that I haven't completed many of the tasks that I needed to today. Maybe it's the weather...yea...that sounds good. It's the weather!

Puttin' on a front. We all do it.

I had a mother from The Healing Center tell me the other day, "Brian, if you are anything like the person you are here outside of The Healing Center...I bet you are always fun to be around." I smiled at her, laughed, and thought to myself..."Maybe you should talk to Michael about that one." ;-)

Why do I do it?

It seems as of late that many people are asking me the question, "Why do you do it?" And that question is about many different things. Sometimes it can be said with an undercurrent of judgement, curiosity, or confusion. But no matter what the undercurrent I'm still trying to figure out what the appropriate way to answer this question is.

The Big Syrup Fiasco & Blogging on a Budget

Okay, I know you won't believe me because you all think I always make fabulous meals that go off without a hitch. But I'm here to tell you that last night I had a bit of an issue while cooking dinner. And it's not the first time that I've had things go awry during meal prep! This is one time that I am happy I didn't decide to film a how to video! :)

Comfort food and planning for Camp Erin

I know that I'm always cooking up what some might consider "fancy" meals, even though I find them to be great recipes and not fancy at all, but I'm going to take a moment and be completely honest with you all. Yes, I love me a good braised brisket or braised short ribs with mashed potatoes but deep down inside me...I am a sucker for...

Back to Basics!

Today I found myself being excited about making something that is very basic in the life of any chef or home cook, making chicken stock. Now I know you are thinking, "Brian, this isn't simple! Simple is going to the store and buying the box or can of chicken stock!"