Last Friday morning I went grocery shopping as I was expecting my two out-of-town sisters for the week end. Have you noticed that in the last couple weeks that the costs of milk and dairy items, grain products such as bread and cereal, and related baked goods are shooting through the roof?

For example, my [...]

We nearly had a frost two nights ago, there was snow at the higher elevations. We took precautions this year, covered the tomatoes and they were fine. Last year we had an early, unexpected frost and that was it! I was out of town Monday night and my husband picked all the [...]

Making a Fall Centerpiece is very easy and inexpensive. My talented friend, Sandy Tuin has taken an inexpensive cloth napkin with Fall colors. On top she has used two small silk pumpkins (real ones are fine) that she bought last year at 90% off at Hobby Lobby. Combined with a [...]

My husband and youngest daughter Mary and I were able to sneak away for a 10 day trip to the Oregon Coast and Columbia River Gorge at the end of August, our first, well deserved, vacation in over a year. I thought it would be fun to share a few pictures so you can [...]

One topic I talk a lot about is buy fruits and vegetables locally and seasonally.

When we visited Oregon last month we enjoyed shopping at a family farm. This sign

posted at the end of the parking lot caught my eye.

Here is a picture of the old packing shed where we bought some fresh [...]

How would you answer this question?

<<<Could you please tell me what type of oil I should use in making my bread. I normally use canola oil but was reading that it is very bad for one. Olive oil would have a strong taste. What do you use, sesame oil? If you [...]

The following is a sample of questions I have been receiving lately regarding bread baking problems and other topics of interest to homemakers.

Dear Marilyn,

Besides eating bread faster, how can I keep my homemade bread from going moldy? Thanks. Nancie

Dear Nancie,

I have four strategies for keeping bread from going moldy. [...]