This recipe is a mixture of several pasta salads I grew up eating. It has an Italian flavor profile with lots of basil, tomatoes, Italian sausage and figs, but I add more texture and color with plenty of vegetables, some grilled, some raw. They're all chopped up to make a fresh salad that's an amazing […]
One thing I've been looking forward to ever since we put in a pool in the backyard is an outdoor movie night. It's like the ultimate summer experience, right?! Well this is the year we finally made it happen! We got a projector, a screen, our trusty pool floats, some glowing lights, and some floating […]
Outdoor Kitchen Sources Chris here. As you probably know by now, I love cooking outside. It's my happy place. Like most people I started with a grill — which is kind of the baseline outdoor cooking tool for any homeowner or renter. A grill is a great investment for its versatility and ease of use. […]
For someone who loves to cook things from scratch, you might be surprised to learn that hot dogs are my favorite food. There, I said it. And I stand by it. What really makes hot dogs fun are the toppings you can add to them - endless combinations, and a great way to serve a […]
There's something so satisfying about a rapid fire clean-up round. If someone is coming over in less than 20 minutes, I've got a formula for speed cleaning that helps me feel like my space is welcoming, yet I'm not going to be hustling at the last minute. (Generally, I'm only focusing on the first floor […]
Leg of lamb is such a dramatic dish. And if you're going to cook one, slow-roasted on a rotisserie in a smoke-filled grill chamber is about as good as it gets. There's just something about the way the smoke of a grill coaxes out so much flavor from lamb...it's incredible. I wanted to create a […]
This post is not sponsored in any way. We paid full price and sought out all of these trips. All opinions and experiences are my own. I don't usually do travel posts because I'm such a homebody, but every now and then, we have an occasion worth celebrating that calls for a big trip. Most […]
This post is sponsored by Lowe's Home Improvement You know those projects that sort of linger in the background until someone is coming over? Like for instance, we knew we were going to eventually clean our outdoor patio furniture and prep the backyard for pool season. But it wasn't until we had a date on the […]
This is a great mash-up of two of my favorite things: burgers and tacos. It's also one of my favorite ways to serve burgers in my house, since Jules has food restrictions, and I'm just not a fan of gluten-free buns (convince me otherwise!). So that's why if I'm serving burgers to my family, this […]
We divvy out chores in my household, and honestly, the kids have loved to help from a young age. When Greta was 2 or 3 she started unloading the dishwasher, just because that's what she saw us doing. Now it's Polly's chore to set the table for dinner because our older two girls walk the […]
We're ready to have people over in our backyard space now that it's so nice out in North Carolina, and it reminded me of the elements that I think really create that perfect outdoor setting for guests. Outdoor entertaining, to me, is really about making people feel comfortable and special. Here are a few things […]
If you're in need of a side dish that comes together in about 10 minutes, this cucumber crunch salad is your dish. The flavor is on point and it always gets rave reviews. Plus it can be made and served in the same bowl, making clean-up a breeze. Serving Bowl | Serving Spoon Set This […]
This year for Mother's Day, I wanted to share with you some delicious dishes you can make for your mom, your wife, or any mother figure in your life to show some love and gratitude. Now, since I do 90% of the cooking in our house, Mother's Day is just a regular day of cooking, […]
The health benefits of spices are nothing new, but I do love researching facts about them. For instance, recent research on turmeric has shown that one compound is associated with anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antioxidant properties. I've shared my golden milk recipe, which is of course based on the traditional Indian beverage that's been around for […]
The other day, I was talking to Chris about what I've learned about sunglasses over the years. I have a prominent nose with a hump, and I was today years old when I realized that I don't like my glasses to fit above the hump on my nose. So a low-bridge fit is best for […]
Over the years I've talked about my love for hot sauces, which has raised some questions about which ones I use, when I use them, etc. So today I'm bringing the heat with the best hot sauces of 2024. I'll start with some of the most popular hot sauces that people know and love, and […]
Beyond Yoga Shorts | Beyond Yoga Tank | Nike Socks | New Balance 9060 | Nike Free Metcon 5 I always want to be up on what's new. I want to be sure I'm recommending things that are fresh, but also the best. And there's definitely different brands for different people. The algorithms must be […]
This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own. Until recently, I’ve just used my Swiffer WetJet to clean up spills. Old faithful, that Swiffer. But I always felt like it was doing the most basic surface cleaning, not actually deep cleaning my floors (is it just me?). When I really thought about […]
I'm so proud of cauliflower. 20 years ago, I mean who would have thought, right? You can get it tempura-fried, roasted in romesco sauce, served as a steak - endless options! Here's another for you, featuring a homemade dairy free Caesar dressing that is just as good — if not better — than the original […]
Thank goodness there are great substitutions these days for dairy products. What used to be just milk alternatives has expanded into really delicious vegan cheese, yogurt and more. But with all of the options on the shelves these days, you may be wondering, "Which one should I choose for cereal? What about desserts?" I get […]
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Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations