Category: Featured

What Every College Freshman Needs To Know

by Talya Tate Boerner of Grace, Grits and Gardening

Tis the season of high school graduation. My Facebook feed is filled with pictures of fresh-faced graduates and proud parents. What an exciting, bittersweet time for the entire family. Even though it’s been thirty-four (yikes) years since I graduated from high school, I remember the feeling. Freedom. My unwritten life could finally begin.

In a snap, my own children donned caps and gowns and graduated from high school. How did that happen so fast?

Even though they grew up in a different place and time, I did my best to prepare them for college. So far, they haven’t moved back home.

Here is my list of thirteen essential skills for every college freshman. READ MORE…

Take Them a Meal

By Keisha McKinney of BigPittStop

I can think of nothing more that a family with a newborn needs (maybe besides some extra cash and sleep) than to have meals covered the first couple weeks they are home.

We have been blessed to have had my mom here the first week we were home and then Mr. McKinney stayed home for a week with us. But when you are trying to navigate all the new things going on, it’s so nice to have your basic need for continued nourishment met by friends and people who just care. And, we have been cared for. I’m so grateful for the ladies/families who have stopped by with hot, hearty, healthy meals to keep our family cared for these first few weeks while we care for our little man!

So, what makes really good meals to carry to a family of a newborn?

Tasty Tuesday: Strawberry Season

TALYA BOERNER: GRILLED POUNDCAKE WITH FRESH STRAWBERRIES AND BASIL

Grilled poundcake with strawberries and basil is that special sweet something you need for your 4th of July celebration. This dessert is super simple to make, especially since you’re already planning to fire up your grill for the holiday. Right? READ MORE

JULIE KOHL: STRAWBERRY SKILLET CRISP

Yet there are few dishes that can satisfy the senses quite like my Strawberry Skillet Crisp. The berries are cooked to a warm, gooey perfection and the topping is sweet, crunchy and buttery. It’s like being wrapped in a hug by your grandmother with a single mouthful.

Best of all, this dessert cooks up great in a cast iron skillet and nothing says home cooking quite like a cast iron skillet. READ MORE

ANITA STAFFORD: STRAWBERRY MUFFINS

Fresh strawberries are an appealing fruit with numerous health benefits. Strawberries are in season and abundant right now, so they are a great choice for eating fresh or for using in recipes. This muffin recipe is rich with buttermilk, but not too sweet, allowing the strawberries to take center stage. I baked these for breakfast, but I predict I will be having another one for a snack later today. READ MORE

DEBBIE ARNOLD: BLUEBERRY, STRAWBERRY AND CHICKEN SALAD WITH BLUEBERRY VINAIGRETTE

Spring has finally arrived (I hope!) in Arkansas. Our strawberries are just finding their way into the local markets, and they’ll be finding their way into lots of dishes at our house. This Blueberry, Strawberry and Chicken Salad uses my Blueberry-Basil Vinegar that I love, love. (The blueberry pickles it makes are super added to your salad.) READ MORE

How Keyboard Shortcuts Can Save You Loads Of Time

By Suzy Oakley of To Well With You

I’m not sure when I discovered the beauty of a computer shortcut – or exactly when I dubbed myself the Queen of Keyboard Shortcuts. ?

But I LOVE them.

I had used PC systems at all four of my summer newspaper internships, but it wasn’t until my senior year of college, when the school paper replaced its clunky old computer system with Macs (cue celestial music), that I realized just how technology can make our lives easier.

Why am I so in love with keyboard shortcuts? Let me count the ways:

READ MORE to learn several keyboard shortcuts that will save you time.

What My Daughter Is Teaching Me About My Body

by Brittney Lee

One morning last week, I went to wake Remi up while my shirt was tumbling in the dryer (because who has time to iron?). I woke her up wearing my dress pants and a fitted tank. When I get her up, we snuggle in the glider for a few minutes. And she saw my belly under the fitted tank and started sort of pouncing and pressing on a roll of tummy.

She giggled. She did it over and over. It was funny to her.

I cringed. I cringed because I don’t want that tummy roll when I sit down (I don’t want it on my body at all). I cringed because I don’t want her to hate herself like I do some days. I cringed because it wasn’t exactly flattering.

But then I realized, she’s learning from me. READ MORE…

Tasty Tuesday: Serving Up Spring 2

ANITA STAFFORD: ENGLISH TEA MUFFINS

These muffins are not the kind that jump up and shout, ‘notice me.’ Perhaps because they are made from an English tea, they have a more reserved presence. The flavors are subtle and mild, a quiet blend, but still making themselves known. Don’t misunderstand, these English tea muffins may be understated and simple, but they are far from Plain Jane. READ MORE

TALYA BOERNER: ROASTED SWEET POTATOES AND BROCCOLI

This roasted sweet potato and broccoli is oh so much more than roasted sweet potato and broccoli. It’s step one in my quest to cook a new dish every week during 2017. If you read regularly, you know my One Little Word for 2017 is Savor. (Savour for those of you in the UK.) And part of savoring is eating good clean food like a civilized human being at the table using one of the many, many dishes I hoard. READ MORE

DEBBIE ARNOLD: IRISH LAMB PASTIES

I’m ready to move away from heavy stews and braises in favor of lighter fare. Lamb is abundant in the markets I frequent, and I’m making use of the availability and lower prices. These Irish Lamb Pasties which I developed recently for Riceland Foods, are a super way to have a fairly quick meal on the table with relative ease. Pasties are a traditional Irish hand-held sandwich, typically made of pork. We actually prefer ground lamb. They can even be made ahead and kept in the freezer. Plus, you can use leftovers to make them. READ MORE

7 Common Mistakes in Raised Bed Gardening

Most beginning gardeners I talk with plan to grow their vegetables in raised beds — and for good reason! Those of us who have been raised bed gardening for years testify to how much we enjoy it! Better harvests, less weeding, sharp aesthetics — what’s not to love?

But as in any venture, there are mistakes to be made. The problem with mistakes with raised bed gardening is many times they aren’t easily corrected. I know this from experience!

From my own experience and from the experiences of others, I’ve compiled a list of 7 common mistakes in raised bed gardening. If you’re planning a garden for the first time or adding to your existing beds, this will help you avoid many of the mistakes I and others have made. And if you’re already gardening in raised beds but are seeing lackluster results, you may find some reasons why here.

Tasty Tuesday: Serving up Spring

TALYA BOERNER: SPICY CREAMED CARROTS AND CAULIFLOWER

Hey everyone! If you’re looking for a healthy, flavorful substitute for mashed potatoes, my recipe for spicy creamed carrots and cauliflower is a winner. It has a back-end spicy kick and very few calories. Hello, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian.

Yes, I like mashed potatoes with cream gravy just like the next normal person. I’m a fan of mashed sweet potatoes, too. But my spicy creamed carrots and cauliflower makes a tasty side dish without all the calories. Try it with roast chicken or grilled pork chops. Yum. READ MORE

ANITA STAFFORD: POUND CAKE COOKIES

Spring has arrived, and these Pound Cake Cookies are perfect for the events that come with springtime. If you’re hostessing a tea or a shower this spring you may want to serve a tray of these buttery little morsels. READ MORE

AMANDA FARRIS: STRAWBERRY SALAD

Arkansas strawberries are ready so we have been eating all things strawberry at our house. Strawberry shortcake, strawberry salad, strawberry smoothies, strawberry muffins and anything else we can think of to put a strawberry in.

Strawberry stands are a huge part of my monthly budget this time of year. I just can’t stop myself from stopping at one to buy some local berries from local farmers. READ MORE

Keisha McKinney: Easter Basket Ideas for Kids and Adults

Clearly, I love to make a celebration of everything. My birthday is near Easter so it was the time growing up that we celebrated with my extended family. And, since I was born on my uncle’s birthday it was always a big deal. Actually, most of my pictures in those little years were next to a big blow up bunny. They would put me on the dining table next to it and take my picture each year. In the background, you see plastic eggs, plastic grass and probably some chocolate sprinkled here and there. My mom, aunt, and grandmother always made sure we had a fun Easter basket full of goodies.

While I don’t really know the history of the tradition of the Easter basket, I do know that they were something we always had at our house and I can’t wait until my little man is big enough to start these traditions with him.

So, what makes good items to put in an Easter basket? READ MORE

Keisha McKinney: Easter Resources for Lessons and Learning

The next holiday season is upon us. Much of the décor of the day involves glittery eggs, baby chicks, bunnies in various dimensions, baskets, fake grass made out of paper or plastic and stuffed furry things in all the wrong colors. But, this holiday represents so much more. Easter is simply the biggest exclamation mark to the greatest story ever told. It’s a day that Christian denominations celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. It’s the period, end of sentence, at the end of a series of events that were predicted and foretold. Frankly, it’s the reminder of grace magnificent and mercy undeserved. READ MORE

Keisha (Pittman) McKinney lives in South Arkansas with her husband and sweet Boxer, Bailey and….a new baby boy! Keisha is remembering what it’s like to plan ahead for shopping trips to “the city,” getting resourceful at her small town Walmart and creating online shopping personas everywhere. She blogs @bigpittstop about daily adventures, cooking escapades, #bigsisterchats, the social justice cases on her heart, and all that she is learning as a #boymom!

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