It’s July! And July means cherries! I have to say that I have struggled in the past to figure out what to do to preserve and use cherries in different ways rather than the usual cherry pie and just eating them fresh. This tasty concoction comes together quickly and can be used in so many…
It’s hard to beat the classic Caprese salad flavor combination of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. However, this version adds another dimension by adding a rich and syrupy balsamic glaze instead of straight vinegar to top it off. This, combined with a really good quality extra virgin olive oil, is all you need to make…
If you live in an area with distinct seasons like I do, there are natural limitations to when you can grow vegetables outdoors. In the spring, you have to wait until the threat of frost has passed and soil temperatures reach acceptable levels. Then, before you know it, shorter days and cooler temps will return…
Hello friends and welcome to our first Just Dabbling garden tour of 2018! Before we get started, I just wanted to remind you that I am not a perfect gardener so you will see weeds and a few other things you wouldn’t see on a perfect Instagram or Pinterest post. But, here’s the thing, this…
You planted several cucumber plants in your homestead garden, so you could enjoy them in salads and probably to can into a bunch of pickles. But you have more cucumbers than you think you’ll need. What do you do about it? How do you go about making use of excess cucumbers if you don’t want…
The summer months can be exceptionally hot depending upon where you live. Maybe you don’t want to give your kids ice cream when they ask for something sweet and cool. I think my kids ask for ice cream about once a day in the summer! Here are some alternative cool snacks that are just as…
One of our family’s favorite dishes to make and bring to gatherings is deviled eggs. They are easy, use a homestead staple (thank you chickens!), and are delicious! More often than not we choose to make the classic style but sometimes it is fun to try a change and spice them up a bit. I…
Each year millions of people celebrate during the summer months. Kicking it off with Canada Day (July 1st) and Independence Day (July 4th) there are also weddings, family reunions, potlucks, birthday parties etc etc. Unfortunately, many people end up sick during the celebrations because food was not handled or stored properly. These food safety tips…
Are you planning a big shin-dig for Canada Day or Independence Day? If so, consider some of these make-ahead food ideas for July entertaining. Making some of the food up to a week before the big day will enable you to relax and enjoy yourself. Begin by creating a budget for your event. Choose which…