This might be a role reversal in some families, not ours. I was in the kitchen cooking dinner and Carrie was on the roof of her office ripping off shingles when I snapped this picture. We have the permits and work has begun on replacing the roof of Carrie’s office. Read the Saga about our […]

Two things you don’t want to hear you wife say in the same sentence: There is a bee on your head. Hand me the hammer. We were putting new siding on the Studio. As I held a sheet of siding against the wall for Carrie to nail in place, she gasped “There is a bee […]

With such big repairs as fixing the roof and foundation looming ahead of us, I was surprised at how much satisfaction was derived from replacing the water heater blanket this weekend. You may have read or heard my complaints about how the previous owners of our house were amateurish and/or inept in so many of […]

An old grapevine had been allowed to grow wild at the back of our lot. It had engulfed and killed at least one tree and was entangled in two others. It had also entwined itself in the back fence as well as a (used to be) decorative picket fence. The central mass of the grapevine […]

The first time we walked into what became our new house, we were impressed by some of the original Craftsman architectural details in the living and dining rooms. In addition to the built-in hutch, the fireplace flanked by built-n bookcases, and the crown molding, the sliding pocket doors separating the two rooms elicited a significant […]

This is a bad thing on so many levels. It is hard to look manly when you are running screaming through the house, slapping yourself. If you think it pisses Carrie off when I work on the house wiring without shutting off the electricity, you should see her reaction when the sparks from the resulting […]

From Gourmet Servings: 1/2 Cup Prep time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 5 minutes Difficulty: Easy 3 TBS cumin seeds2 TBS black peppercorns1 1/2 TBS paprika1 TSB kosher salt1 2" piece cinnamon stick2 tsp whole allspice1 tsp hot red pepper flakes Toast cumin seeds in a dry small heavy skillet over medium heat, shaking frequently until […]

From bon appatit Servings: 2 1/2 pounds Prep time: 10 Minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Difficulty: Easy 2 1/2 lbs zucchini, peeled, trimmed and sliced into 1/4 inch thick pieces. 1 onion thinly sliced, or 1 tsp onion powder2 TBS kosher salt2 cups vinegar, preferably Champagne, but white works1 cup sugar1/2 tsp ground ginger1/4 tsp […]

From the Culinary Institute of America Servings: 10 Prep time: 30 minutes plus 4 hours to marinate Cook time: 10 minutes Difficulty: Easy 10 chicken breasts, about 6 -7 oz each, with or without skin and bones. Marinade4 fl oz vegetable oil, olive is okay2 fl oz cider vinegar2 fl oz lime juice, about two […]

4 Servings, easily doubled Prep time: 10 Minutes Cook time: 40 Minutes Difficulty: Easy 1 pound of fresh carrots 1/4 cup butter 1/3 cup brown sugar Salt and pepper Peel the carrots and cut them into thick slices. Drop them into boiling water for about 20 minutes or until they are as tender as you […]

I’m serious. Turn the oven off. Confirmed by Penelope and Jacky.

This legacy Dearing Family Recipe has produces hundreds of dozens of cookies across multiple generations.