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Hi Everybody!! Allen Smith here. You may be familiar with me from the various TV shows, books, social media sites and blogs where I share my home and garden knowledge. I’ve teamed up with eHow Home for this new venture …
You know what I really look forward to every winter? The specialty citrus that become available at the market. While citrus obviously isn’t local to my area (upstate New York), I just can’t seem to get enough of these fruits …
Some things just never get old. The first snow of the year, chocolate cake, the amazingly transformational power of a little elbow grease and a can of paint. It’s no wonder I do a little happy dance each time I …
I made this silky Butternut Squash and Parsnip Soup with maple syrup as an appetizer for our Thanksgiving dinner. I was able to use homegrown butternut squash (that grew out of my not-active-enough compost pile), and the soup garnered rave …
A homemade fruit cordial (also known as a fruit liqueur) can easily be made by combining alcohol, sugar, and a fruit flavoring agent: in this case, fresh pears. I am new to making cordials, having just been introduced to them …
I’ve always thought of grapefruits as being quite austere: eating them felt like a punishment more than a joy. Recently, however, I’ve discovered how delicious grapefruits are in salads. And I don’t mean a sweet fruit salad…I mean a savory …
When I moved into my home, I was faced with an obstacle that many owners of 1960s ranch houses encounter: a pink bathroom. Decked out with pink tile, dated wallpaper and an unattractive fluorescent vanity light fixture, there was definite …
I grew butternut squash in my compost this year. Yup…it was not at all intentional but I am extremely happy to have the “volunteer” vegetables. Since I have quite a few, I’m using them quite a bit in my cooking. …
I planted red kuri squash in my garden this year, and I wish I could say I grew the one above. Sadly, my plant didn’t do well at all, so I picked this one up at my local natural foods …
Today, I’m bringing you one of the simplest do-it-yourself projects I’ve stumbled across in a long time. Seriously. Not only can even the newest DIYer can tackle this one with ease and build their “I did it!” confidence along the …
The Brussels sprouts I grow in my garden always end up a little sad looking compared to the local ones I can pick up at a nearby market – mine are tiny! Still, I plant them every year because I …
I will be the first to admit that making your own condiments isn’t always worth the time. Since I realized how easy it is to make amazingly tasty sauces in a blender from just a few fresh ingredients, though, I …
I don’t grow my own concord grapes, but they’re available at local markets this time of year. I thought it would be fun to turn them into a healthier version of the preservative and sugar-filled grape jelly we’ve all come …
In years past, once the summer gardening season was over I pretty much closed up shop and waited for spring. Not this year: it’s mid-November and I’m still enjoying fresh garden greens now that I know which ones are hearty …
Yesterday, I found some local apples that were way past their snacking prime. I’d stashed them in the extra refrigerator in our garage, then completely forgot about them. Despite their slightly withered state, I decided they’d be perfect in a …
