Update: Vesuvio Bakery is open! See this post for more! Vesuvio Bakery is a must-stop in SoHo, New York. Isn't this the perfect color of green for a shop? I love this little place on Prince Street in SoHo. I took this photo exactly one year ago and I keep forgetting to go back. I love everything about it, the lighting, the awning, the gold lettering on the windows, of course, the color ...
Make your own taco seasoning, it’s way better!
Homemade Taco seasoning is so easy to make I don't know why I ever bought those packets. A few years ago I made my own taco seasoning by way of default. I simply forgot to buy a taco seasoning packet and I didn't want to run back into town to buy that one missing ingredient to an easy dinner. So of course I realized I have everything I need in my spice cabinet. The great thing about making your ...
Spring plants in the House
After a little Spring cleaning I could not wait to freshen up with some new house plants. While out picking up a few things and searching for some branches I somehow ended up with a flat of pansies and four bunches of pussy willows. My idea was to plant these in my front porch pots. What was I thinking? Everything is still frozen. The dogwood branches I put in my pots ...
Penne with Tomatoes and Two Cheeses
A delicious make-ahead baked penne pasta This dish, this pasta, is delicious and has many emotional ties to it, as food often does. It was on the cover of Bon Appetit Magazine in February 1995. I remember it because our friend and neighbor brought us over two large servings one night back in 1995. We had actually just met after having both moved into our brand-new homes on a cul-de-sac in Laguna ...
Got 5 minutes? Make this easy homemade pizza dough
Got 5 minutes? Make this easy homemade pizza dough. Seriously, why would I buy it when it takes only five minutes to throw together? My husband is the one who then shapes the pizza dough into rounds and he swears that our own pizza dough is better than anything we buy. I've tried to trick him a few times, but he can always tell. In the winter when it's cold it does take a bit longer for the ...
Valentine’s Day Cards
This is a project that kids of all ages can do with just a few supplies. Make watercolor hearts for your Valentine. You can include them in a card or on their own. They look beautiful in a vellum envelope. You can write messages or just send a handful of hearts. Simply paint a piece of watercolor paper with shades of pink and red or any colors you choose. The imperfections in painting is what ...