Yield: approximately 4 to 5 half-pint (8 oz) jars This rhubarb marmalade is a brilliant way to capture the bright, tart complexity of fresh rhubarb in a spreadable preserve. The long, slow cook concentrates the natural sugars while mellowing the sharpness into something deeply jammy and floral. The addition of citrus zest and juice adds … Continue reading Hearty rhubarb marmalade
Month: April 2026
Letting go
"Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness." – Thich Nhat Hanh Keystone Holding responsibility for people whose needs are real is often unpredictable, and sometimes heartbreaking. I have the kind of life that requires continuous engagement. In this kind of life, the temptation is to grip harder and to … Continue reading Letting go
Windbreak and hedge plants
Windbreak and hedge plants are living barriers strategically planted to redirect wind, define boundaries, create privacy, and shelter homes, gardens, and livestock. Windbreaks typically consist of multiple staggered rows combining tall evergreen trees, deciduous trees, and dense shrubs, working together to slow and lift prevailing winds before they reach structures or crops. Hedges serve more … Continue reading Windbreak and hedge plants
Hearty rhubarb blueberry jam
This bright, jewel-toned jam is a natural pairing of tart rhubarb and sweet wild blueberries that creates a deeply complex, fruit-forward spread with a beautiful ruby-violet color. The rhubarb melts into a silky base while blueberries burst with floral sweetness, balanced by just enough sugar to let the fruit shine. A touch of lemon brightens … Continue reading Hearty rhubarb blueberry jam
Finding peace
"You will find peace not by trying to escape your problems, but by confronting them with courage and compassion." Running from difficulty does not bring peace, facing it does. People instinctively want to escape pain and avoid suffering. We scroll, we stay busy, we overwork, we numb. Gently we need to look at what it … Continue reading Finding peace
Garden site
Growing spaces and outdoor living spaces A good garden begins with the site. Before choosing plants or buying materials, it helps to understand the space we have and how it will support the kind of gardens we want. The best garden sites are not always the biggest or sunniest. They are the ones that fit … Continue reading Garden site
Hearty triple decker strawberry cake
(I left the filling out and used more real strawberries in the pictured version and colored some of the frosting pink. I also made and used about twice the frosting) This showstopper cake layers tender, buttery vanilla sponge with fresh strawberry filling and billowy whipped cream frosting for a dessert that tastes like a summer … Continue reading Hearty triple decker strawberry cake
Obstacles as the path
"The obstacle to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 5, Chapter 20. I find this idea remarkably durable. It has been revisited again and again across two thousand years because the human experience of obstruction has not changed. We still face illness, loss, failed plans, … Continue reading Obstacles as the path
Hearty oven-baked churros
Prep Time: 15 minutes Bake Time: 20 to 25 minutes Yield: About 20 churros Oven baked churros deliver all the warmth, crunch, and cinnamon-sugar magic of the classic fried version without the mess or guilt. The dough, made from a simple choux base, puffs beautifully in the oven, creating a lightly crisp exterior with a … Continue reading Hearty oven-baked churros
Hearty lemonade pie
Easy, creamy, mousse-like lemon pie. This pie is the ultimate mashup of powerhouse ingredients that together create something truly spectacular. Frozen lemonade concentrate brings that bold, tangy citrus punch while the cream cheese adds a rich, velvety body and the lemon instant pudding ties everything together into a perfectly set, silky smooth filling. A touch … Continue reading Hearty lemonade pie