Home Is My Happy Spot

The Secret Ingredient In Wilted Lettuce Back in grandma's day, culinary delights were made with heart-stopping lard rather than butter.  Maybe you've never heard of lard, but it comes from pig fat, and as gross as that sounds, makes the best biscuits and flaky pie crusts you've ever eaten. In the era of big gardens where families saved money on meals by freezing and canning their own homegrown produce, wilted lettuce during the growing season was a special treat at dinner.   Wilted lettuce is a summertime specialty. Simmering wilted lettuce dressing on the stovetop fills the kitchen with a pungent, mouth-watering aroma.  It takes me back to my own childhood when I'd come in from playing and find mom busy preparing some for dinner.   What makes this old-fashioned recipe so delicious?  The secret ingredient to wilted lettuce is bacon grease .  Before you slap your hands to your face in horror, let me remind you that paradoxically in our ultra, heal...

So Many Strawberry Recipes, So Little Time Strawberry season arrives at different times for all of us, depending on the region and climate in which we live.  June, however, is the primetime strawberry slot for many, with festivals being in full-swing in small towns across the country to celebrate this delectable fruit.   Prize-winning strawberry recipes abound, since there are seemingly endless ways to enjoy this versatile berry--in salads, smoothies, jams, salsas, and desserts.  It's nearly impossible to fit in all the ways you can serve strawberries within such a short harvest season, so you have to be choosy.   Sure, you can buy strawberries at the grocery year-round, but using fresh strawberries during peak season is when your taste buds will really savor the fireworks of sweetness. Strawberry pie is a "must" for your menu at least once during the season, but there are so many pie recipes circulating online, which one is most deserving of the splurge...

Just Like Grandma Made In today's busy world, cooks are looking for meals that can be fixed quickly.  Between working, soccer games, and other commitments, no has time to spend hours in the kitchen.   Cookbooks, magazines, and recipe sites abound that target people with hectic schedules, promising fast fixes that are simple but delicious. While some snap meals requiring only a few ingredients are tasty, many of them aren't.  Let's be honest.  The faster a meal comes together, the less likely your family will like it. Yet, when you think back to the meals your grandma made, especially if your granny grew up during the Great Depression, do you remember how mouth-wateringly delicious they were, even though her meals were nothing fancy and very basic? How did she do it? For one thing, she used whole foods and made everything from scratch.  Today's cooks cut corners by using canned broths, frozen vegetables, and other pre-packaged foods to save time.  It...

What Is Cabin Fever? According to Merriam-Webster, cabin fever  is defined as extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or a confined indoor area for a prolonged time.    You've been stuck in the house all winter, and you're bursting to get outside and do all the things you love.  Problem is, it's still cold!  Even after the snow melts, the ground is often too soggy and muddy to enjoy.   Hang in there--we have some great tips to help you cope until warmer days arrive! 1.  Plan Your Garden Remember the beginning of the pandemic when store shelves were picked clean, restaurants were closed, and farmer's markets couldn't open safely?  People who normally weren't gardeners realized planting one might be a good idea.  Whether you're a veteran gardener or a beginner, the last leg of winter is the best time to decide on and map out a plan for your garden. Gardens come in all shapes, types, and sizes, so you can choose the...

Oldies, But Goodies Hallmark is best known for its escapism entertainment where fans can find a happy place to lose themselves in a stress-free love story that always ends happily. While Hallmark movies attract viewers from all walks of life, it has particularly been a haven for Christians and conservatives who flocked to the network to avoid the vile and secular programming that saturates the majority of networks. When the pandemic struck the entire world in 2020, even more people gravitated to Hallmark movies while they were stuck at home, drawing comfort from them like a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup.  Images:  Crown Media Despite gorging on an inordinate amount of these Hallmark movies (they are addictive!), there is a growing rumble of discontent among fans.  Conversations within the realm of social media reveals Hallmarkies prefer the older movies over the majority of newer releases.  This is admitted in hushed tones because Hallmark fans are a dedicate...