My raspberry bushes made me so happy I could cry last week. For the first time since we bought those first woody canes four or five years ago, they produced more fruit than we knew what to do with. Bowl after bowl, day after day, we picked big, bright berries. And the next day, thereContinue reading “The Raspberries Are Ready”
Author Archives: christinanifong
Sampling Scapes
Garlic is not a mainstay of our garden. We have grown it a few times, but most years we struggle to find garlic bulbs in the fall, when it’s time to plant. Last year, though, I asked at my farmers market: Will you be selling any seed garlic this year? When should I look forContinue reading “Sampling Scapes”
Spring Stir Fry (with Scapes)
In early summer, our garlic bulbs send up flowers that must be picked if the plants are to grow into fat, tasty bulbs. The best part is the flowers (scapes) are edible — and delicious at that. I experimented and found I liked the stem of the scapes best. They have a starring role in this simple, yummyContinue reading “Spring Stir Fry (with Scapes)”
Strawberry Season
Strawberry season is nearly over at our house. We’re just about done with those three weeks or so in May when our two berry patches draw us in and don’t let go. Sleep? Dinner? Travel? Forget it. We have berries to pick! In the cool of nearly every evening, we search and snap the redContinue reading “Strawberry Season”
Eating My Way Through Virginia’s Wine Country
For four days I lived someone else’s life. I drove along country lanes connecting horse farms and wineries and estates, and ate multi-course breakfasts, lunches and dinners cooked by celebrated chefs often working just a few feet away from where I dined. I stayed at resorts and in manor housesContinue reading “Eating My Way Through Virginia’s Wine Country”
Spinach Banana Muffins
We are a big muffin family and I often find ways to tuck veggies (think pumpkin, zucchini) into my batter. But when I first made these, I braced myself for a chorus of frowns and yucks. Instead, these muffins disappeared. They were a hit for breakfast and snack and were requested for dessert one night. You heardContinue reading “Spinach Banana Muffins”
Why I Cook Dinner
True confession: Sometimes I hate making dinner. I know, I know. You do too. It takes too much time and you don’t have everything the recipe calls for and you get distracted by your dryer beeping then you burn something. Or maybe you put a beautiful, healthy dinner on your table and someone says inContinue reading “Why I Cook Dinner”
Snow Days
I remember so fondly the snow days from my North Carolina childhood. Peeking out the window expectantly, devouring the AM radio cancelation list, scrambling into gloves and hats and boots. There were forts to be fashioned, snowmen to be birthed, hills to be sledded. I remember, too, when my thrill of snow was put onContinue reading “Snow Days”
Errands by Bike
My husband is an avid bicycle commuter. Two feet of snow. Twenty-mile-an-hour winds. Torrential downpour. No matter. Heʼs out there. Every day he goes to work, he goes on his bike. His resolve has inspired all of us. My nine-year-old son bikes to school with his dad (itʼs on the way to work). And lastContinue reading “Errands by Bike”
Lost and Found
What a close call. Recently, a dream of ours, my husband’s and mine, nearly came true. Yet the closer it came to being, the more I realized how much I didn’t want it. In fact, in losing what I thought I wanted, I found something I didn’t know I was missing. I discovered what itContinue reading “Lost and Found”