The idea of a seafood picnic clambake supposedly originated in New England – Northern coastal Native Americans steamed shellfish (clams, lobsters, mussels) over hot stones covered by seaweed, and this practice was later adopted by early settlers on the Atlantic Coast as a way to celebrate the abundance of the bountiful ocean. I’ve always admired this kind of gathering and…
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With cheese boards and grazing boards all over the internet these days, it’s a wonder that breakfast boards haven’t made their appearance until recently. And I, for one, couldn’t be more pleased. Brunch is such a fun meal to serve for friends and family, and any time I can pass around a board where everyone can choose what they want,…
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One of the traditions in my family, since I was a child, is allowing the birthday girl or boy to choose their party theme and menu. So when my daughter had a milestone birthday this summer, right in the middle of COVID, she requested a tropical birthday party with a Hawaiian-inspired menu. Normally, it would have been a larger party,…
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If there’s one thing I love, it’s touring remodeled and renovated homes – especially ones that have character and have maintained the integrity of the home’s original charm. That’s exactly what I found when I was invited on a vintage home tour of my friend’s, Diana Elizabeth Steffen, updated Phoenix cottage bungalow. First off, let me start by saying that…
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Summer is the perfect season to take advantage of nature’s abundance of berries – which is why a few of my friends and I have put together the best summer berry recipes below, including this mini blackberry cobbler recipe from me! Whether you pick the berries yourself, buy them from your local farmer’s market, or even if they come straight…
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