Good Things by David

It's always fun going antiquing even if I don't plan on buying anything, but I do allow myself the possibility should I come across something enticing.  That's exactly what happened to me on Monday.  It had been a long time since I had even entertained the notion of visiting an antique shop, so I ventured forth and drove on a beautiful day over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge across the Delaware river (yes, the same river made famous by the Leutze painting of George Washington crossing it). Going back to my former hometown of Haddonfield is a nice treat since it doesn't happen all that often.   I've shown you before what the main street looks like in that  [town]  with the numerous shops, cafes and  restaurants; it is teeming with activity every afternoon.  There's a little bit of everything for everyone here and I encourage you to visit if you're ever in the area.  Some things have changed since I last visited, such as digital metered par...

I celebrated my birthday on Tuesday in a very low-key manner here at home, which is always nice because I don't like to make a huge fuss.  Birthday cards, phone calls and notes from loved ones kept coming throughout the day (I love hearing from people near & far), but in the afternoon a very special box arrived via mail.  I had been told prior to this that my dear niece was sending me one of her specialties and that I should look for it soon.  Without a moment to lose I opened the box to see what was in it.   My Birthday Treat I first read through the birthday card which had the outlines of my niece's & nephews' hands along with their names (these cards are saved & cherished!).  A few written words are always greatly appreciated by uncle David.  Next to that card, however, was a container of sweet edibles lovingly made by my little one, all packaged & cushioned with bright tissue paper.  I gasped at how wonderful and unique...

Adorable dog cookie cutters in five charming shapes were available from Martha by Mail many years ago.  Any dog lover, baker & collector will adore having these cutters in their possession, because they make deliciously whimsical cookies any time of year.  Pretty enough to make it to the Westminster Dog Show and win Best in Breed, these iced cookies will surely please the most discriminating dog owner. Set I had a spotted Dalmatian with a pointed tail ready to lead, a fluffy Poodle with prominent pom poms, a furry Collie with such a gorgeous coat, an adorable Dachshund with tiny legs and an elongated body, and of course, the lovable and cobby Bulldog with it's tiny tail.  I've seen these make charming favors for birthday parties and as cake decorations, but they can be used for just about any type of celebration if put on platters or packaged up in clever boxes or cellophane bags.  Why not surprise the staff at the veterinary's office the next time you tak...

Summer is an especially difficult season for some of our pets and we must do as much as we can to ensure their safety and well being during this time.  Everything from heatstroke to burned paws can be detrimental to a pet's health when the weather temperatures soar.  As a pet owner, I take extra care of my four-legged little ones here at home because I don't want any mishaps or accidents to occur.  Let's take a moment to review some safety tips and reminders so that our furry companions stay protected. If you're like me and think of your pets as members of the family, then you'll agree that adhering to a few basics is critical in keeping doggie or kitty comfortable and in optimal health.  Just about everyone I know has a pet or two or three at home, so I thought I'd share with you a few wonderful images of their babies. Gigi, Zorro & Tinks They are pets of The Gregs. Outdoor Activity It may be tempting to leave dogs & cats outside unsuperv...

I'm going to be picking raspberries this afternoon because they are ripe, plump and simply juicy.  Whenever I see those wild raspberry canes coming out of the ground I try to be as patient as possible, but it's hard.  The raspberries around our home are the tastiest I've ever had in my entire life.  Their deep jewel-like red coloring is absolutely amazing, so I waste no time in picking whatever I can.   One thing you must understand is that this task has to be done with bare hands.  I've tried using gardening gloves, but it's pointless and frustrating.  The ripe berries disintegrate under the weight of the gloves, so I have to be extra careful with my hands.  Yes, I do get nicked by the thorny canes and I do get spider bites sometimes, but it's worth it to me because I get to bring these tasty fruits into my home to enjoy. I've posted how I love to have these raspberries in the past, so I thought of showing you those images again.   Y...

One needs to have an Heirloom Chocolate Cookie dough to complement the recipe for Heirloom Sugar Cookies  from a previous post.  This particular recipe has been used before to make lovely Mint Chocolate Cookies , so if you’ve already baked those magnificent treats, then you know what you’re in for.  Let’s focus on the dough, because it’s such a great recipe to work with and is meant to be used with any type of cookie cutter. Using the finest dutched cocoa powder will yield a thoroughly rich cookie with a dark coloring.  People respond to these cookies because of it.  I’m partial to iced chocolate cookies for birthday parties and celebrations.  My niece and nephews adore the chocolate cookies I bake during the holidays, so I know for a fact that they’re well received by little ones.  Adults will love them to! I don’t add a lot of sugar to the recipe because the cookies don’t need it.  Just like the Heirloom Sugar Cookies, these tender ...