For a deeper dive – over 500 posts on life, mind, body & spirit
Did you know that you can wash your car without water? Waterless car wash products are appearing everywhere in easy-to-use spray bottles.
In this era of shrinking aquifers, any water we can save is a plus. Read more here.
You may also like Life of Water; Water of Life, Kowalski’s Grocery Story and Fiji Water, and “Dallas Snow-Over.”
It was a dark and stormy Sunday night… We really hadn’t planned anything for dinner. Maybe fish & chips? Not really sure, I went to the grocery store. Strolling into the frozen food aisle, where I haven’t really shopped in some time, I couldn’t find anything that wasn’t loaded with cheese, salt or fat. Worse, no fish & chip options unless I wanted fish sticks with an entire meal (think Lean Cuisine, ugh!). Then, I saw it – a bag of frozen gnocchi. Suddenly any other ideas about dinner went out the window.
Gnocchi is fabulous, succulent, rich and wonderful. (Post Script: gnocchi is potato based for those who avoid wheat.) Even better, this gnocchi was made by the Pasta Works Restaurant nearby in Chisholm, Minnesota – a local business. Now all I needed was a can of tomato puree and some fresh basil for a fabulous meal.
You can try making gnocchi from scratch, but we’ve never had good luck with that. On the other hand, frozen gnocchi is inexpensive (around $3 for 8 side servings) and really easy to make. Boil water in a pot. Put in half a bag of the frozen gnocchi. Wait 5 minutes until they float to the top. Drain and you have two main servings. Top with the heated tomato sauce and thinly sliced fresh basil, a little pecorino or shredded Parmesan and Mmmm. It may never make it to the table.
Another option: with basil plentiful at farmers’ markets right now, try it with fresh pesto sauce – also delicious!
You may also like Fresh, the Movie, Spaetzle – German Mac & Cheese, Super Easy Crock Pot Lasagna and Ultimate Banana Bread.
Two twin mattresses (8-10 inch height) covered in painters’ cloth linen and tufted, plus one plump bolster equals one great sofa. It also serves as a bed or even two guest beds.
While the contrasting color for the bolster is a good idea, the bolster should be twice as large in diameter. This way the seating space and back support would create a real seating option.
Creative idea.
One more sumptuous option from Caravane below. This is definitely a DIY option. Anyone who collects vintage blankets or quilts could fold and stack them quickly and easily on a long coffee table, covered platform or bench of your choice. Wouldn’t you love to take a nap here?
Here’s a fun idea by Hillary Thomas that could be use for a futon or daybed too. It could also re-purpose a quilt or matelassé cover. Add quirky pillows and voila!
The reason people are so creative with regard to sofa beds is because the furniture industry is deeply asleep. They have yet to figure out how to make an inexpensive, attractive and comfortable sofa bed. Actually they have yet to figure out how to make in expensive, attractive, flexible furniture in general. This is not rocket science, as you can see in the pictures above. It is inertia and complacency. Read more at this post: Our Furniture Moves Around.
You may also like Romantic Bedroom Before & After.
Picnic months have finally arrived! Picnic in a Jar. Now this is a great idea for those of us with plenty of canning jars taking up shelf space.
Here it’s pictured with BBQ beef, coleslaw and baked beans. But why not chili, cheddar cheese, sourcream & cornbread on top, or chicken & rice salad with sliced apples, or a fresh pita quarters with spicy hummus and olives?
Instead of lemonade, I would put lemonana in the second jar. Lemonana is the Israeli answer to sweltering desert summertime heat.
Recipe: Make fresh lemonade. Pour into a jar or water bottle that can go in the freezer. Leave room at the top of the jar for expansion in the freezer. Stuff the jar of lemonade with a handful of fresh mint. Freeze.
Take with you for the day. Enjoy it as it melts. Keep it in your car while you run errands. It will stay cold and fresh until the end of the day. You stay refreshed and hydrated.
For mouth-watering summer meals – fast, easy and delicious check here.
You may also like Super Easy Crockpot Lasagna, Babette’s Feast and Fun Edible Gifts to Make.
Azaleas and apple blossoms are everywhere. We made a trip to the Minnesota Arboretum last Sunday. It was gently raining – but crowded just the same.
Tulips of every color, daffodils, rhododendrons in shades of purple colored borders, walkways and large lawn areas.
Scroll down and you can walk with us.
A virtual spring flower fix.
You may also like Ground Hog Day, May Day and Antique Bookstores in Paris.