Controlling Clutter & Organizing Your Home When we’re suffering from the mid-winter doldrums, the urge often strikes to clean up and clear out all of our “junk.” Junk might qualify as boots, hats and mittens that never seem to find a home; dog toys that Fido carries from room to room; toiletries that clog up… more
Granola’s been a staple of breakfast and school lunch boxes (in bar form) for over 50 years. Although it was invented as a health food back in 1863 by James Caleb Jackson at the Jackson Sanitarium spa in Dansville, New York, it wasn’t until the 1960s that lowly granola was elevated in popularity as a… more
Create Memories with Family Pajamas! Open a family photo album from times gone by and you’re bound to find photos of the children wearing matching Christmas pajamas. The PJs were often the first gift they could open on Christmas Eve. The kids were delighted to open a present, and Moms rationalized the indulgence as being… more
More than boxes and bows… Amid the search to find the perfect holiday gifts, it’s easy to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. We secretly hope that each perfectly wrapped present will contain the spirit of the season. We try to capture the wonder and delight of children, the sense of community in… more
Although seen traditionally as an accompaniment for roast beef, popovers are a versatile alternative to breads and rolls at mealtime and they’re easy to make. When you’re pinched for time putting together Thanksgiving dinner, let popovers be your secret weapon. Mix up a batch quickly and put them in the oven, which will give you… more
We’re at the start of apple season in Vermont, and orchards across the state are getting ready to greet thousands of people who pick their own. You almost always pick more than you can eat, so it’s helpful to have some go-to apple recipes that are simple, tasty and healthy that everyone loves. Applesauce fits… more
The cover of this month’s catalog is from one of my favorite paintings, Royalton Fair, by Cecil C. Bell. Painted around 1961, it depicts a community gathering on a summer evening to enjoy the traveling carnival. A local band played in the bandstand all evening, there were games and contests, and a few enterprising souls… more
Preparing a salad with wild greens and herbs is a tasty way to learn about foraging in Vermont. Dandelion greens, a wild chicory, are ubiquitous; purslane grows in everyone’s gardens; and watercress can be found in local streambeds. Blend these with wild herbs such as mint, thyme, and parsley and then combine with early spring… more
It may come as some surprise that Vermonters are quite fond of seafood. Despite being the only New England state without a coast, fish and other fruits of the sea sneak their way into our diet fairly frequently. One tasty, satisfying and economical way to enjoy it in the winter is with a hearty chowder… more
If you’re at all superstitious, turn luck in your favor with this delicious twist on a time-honored pork recipe. The rich, fatty nature of pork has come to symbolize wealth and prosperity and is thought to be lucky when eaten at the start of the New Year. We’re also honoring family heritage with a variation… more
