Favorite Things, Places, Parties & Projects

Try a Smoker

Using a Smoker Grill Enhances BBQ Meals & More

Learn how using a smoker grill enhances barbecue meats by infusing smoky flavor with fall-off-the-bone, juicy tenderness. A great gift!

Enjoy Family Time

Zoo Asian Lantern Festival Illuminates Wildlife

See an Asian Lantern Festival at the Pittsburgh Zoo of 44 illuminated displays depicting wildlife and more, including a 100-foot long dragon.

Prepare New Foods

Cultural Cooking Adventure: Vietnamese Dishes

Savor a culinary adventure making classic Vietnamese dishes banh xeo (crepes) and bo bia (spring rolls), with fish and peanut dipping sauces.

Make a Gift

DIY Dollar Tree Pumpkin Truck Fall Wreath

Learn how to make a charming fall wreath of mesh, ribbons and florals in 7 easy steps, with Dollar Tree materials and vintage pumpkin truck sign.

Fall Favorites

Pick Apples

Fall Harvest Table & Apple Napkin Fold

Have a seat at an early fall harvest table, decorated with apples, pears and grapes. See leaf-decorated dishes, twig flatware, and napkins folded in the shape of an apple!

Recycle Wine Corks

Wine Cork Wreath DIY Tutorial

Learn how to craft a beautiful wine cork wreath, by following the 7 easy steps detailed in this well-illustrated project tutorial.

Make Pumpkins

Easy to Make Fall Decor: Sweater Pumpkin

Tour a fall sock and sweater pumpkin patch, and learn how to make your own for home decor and vignettes, or to create a unique Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Craft a Wreath

DIY Festive Fall Grapevine Wreath

Make a fall grapevine wreath in 3 easy steps in under an hour! A cute flatbed truck sign, fabric and felt garland, ribbon and wreath are all it takes.

Holiday Posts

Back to School

Back to School Table

Take your seat at this charming back to school table in chalkboard black, white and apple red, with primary blue, yellow and green crayon color accents.

Halloween

DIY Eerie, Elegant Black Pumpkin Decor

Hauntingly beautiful Halloween black pumpkin decor. Recreate masquerade and black widow designs, or change colors and accents to craft your own look.

Veterans Day

A Salute to a WWII POW Veteran

Read a tribute to my father-in-law, a WWII Army veteran captured during the Battle of the Bulge, who later escaped from a German POW camp.

Thanksgiving

Craft Thanksgiving Bread Cornucopia & Pumpkin Rolls

Delight and impress Thanksgiving guests with an easy-to-make bread cornucopia and pumpkin shape rolls using packaged store-bought dough.