How-to's, tips and tricks

I enjoy cooking with garlic because its flavor is unmatched by any other spice. However, the scent can linger on your hands for quite a while. Throughout the years, I've experimented with various methods to peel garlic, but unless you use gloves, you're bound to get the garlic scent on your hands. Perhaps you've come across viral videos where someone places garlic cloves in a jar, secures a lid, and then shakes the jar vigorously to peel the garlic. I wanted to try out the i

A few years back, a friend mentioned that her husband was creating vanilla extract from scratch. I was intrigued, puzzled, and amazed. I had no clue that making extracts at home was possible. After some research, I discovered how simple it was to create. It's not fast, but certainly easy. The initial piece of advice is to steer clear of buying vanilla beans from your local grocery store or Walmart. Purchasing them there could be financially draining, and frankly, I'm not sure

I frequently use ACV (apple cider vinegar) in recipes, for cleaning, and in healing mixtures. If you have priced it out recently, its expensive and many may not be able to afford it, which is a shame, it has so many amazing properties and uses. I've been intending to make my own ACV for a while, but it hasn't been a priority. I considered it earlier this season while making apple pies for the neighbor and even when I anticipated harvesting from my own trees. Despite having ma

For a crafter, this might be one of the most unfortunate events imaginable! However, if you love shopping for new clothes, it might not...

Jarrahdale, Porcelain Doll, Cinderella's Carriage I must admit that I haven't given much thought to processing my own pumpkin for pies...

When I was a kid, I worked at a truck stop in my little town. The owner, Reva Jackson, was an amazing lady who seemed to have an answer...

I did it again.... forgot to take the eggs, butter, and milk out of the fridge so they have time to get to "room temperature". What a...

How often have you attempted to fill a plastic bag with leftover sauce, soup, or any liquid without an extra pair of hands to hold the...

There is nothing worse than when you are in the middle of a recipe and realize you don't have a key ingredient. As I have said before, I...

I saw this wooden trivet at a local craft fair with a kitchen conversion chart on it, and thought what a clever idea. I have no idea who...

Have you ever left the coffee maker on, not realizing it, and when you do remember, the coffee that was left in the pot has been burned? ...

You know when you are trying to be super quiet so the hubby or kids don't hear you open the snack cupboard door? Or the baby is sleeping,...

Growing up in southeastern Arizona in the 1980s meant that silver jewelry was very popular. We had a local silversmith, Mr. Hernandez,...

Did you know that white rice has many purposes and can be used for more than eating? I use rice in many different applications. Have...