Ideas for relaxed, beautiful living — because this season deserves to be savored
AUNT SHARON’S APPLE PIE
Aunt Sharon’s handwritten recipe called for twelve apples and very few rules. This version keeps the family spirit, with a flaky all-butter crust, three kinds of apples and just enough rebellion.
A Labor Day Celebration on the Patio
A relaxed Labor Day dinner on the patio with grilled lemon-herb chicken, watermelon salad, a Little Italy Spritz and a make-ahead plan that leaves more time for the fun part.
Grilled Lemon-Herbed Chicken
This grilled lemon-herb chicken is marinated with olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs for juicy chicken with a subtle lemon flavor.
Linda’s Fresh Watermelon Salad
Watermelon, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and fresh mint come together in this colorful summer salad from my sister Linda, finished with a simple lemon and olive oil dressing.
Whipped Boursin with Honey and Toasted Pecans
Creamy whipped Boursin topped with toasted pecans, fresh thyme, and honey. A beautiful appetizer that takes just minutes to put together.
Game Day Hosting Essentials for the Patio
Set up your patio for football season with serving pieces, drink tubs, grilling tools and game-day extras worth cheering about—even if your team isn’t.
Fish Taco Tuesday on the Patio—with Margaritas, Obviously
When we can’t get to Rocky Point, crispy fish tacos, easy refried beans, and margaritas on the patio are the next best thing. Even Johnny B—the resident fish skeptic—comes back for seconds.
Crispy Beer Battered Fish Tacos
Crispy beer-battered fish tacos topped with fresh pico de gallo, avocado, and creamy lime sauce. These are the tacos that converted our resident fish skeptic.
Blended Margarita
This frozen blended margarita is cold, citrusy and made for patio happy hour—because some Arizona afternoons call for the blender.
Game Day on the Patio: Easy Football Food and a Free Hosting Guide
Football season is back—and so is our family football pool. Here’s an easy game-day menu with Traeger ribs, Grumpy Sicilian Pizza, chocolate chip cookies, and a free hosting guide to help you pull it all together.
Big-Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies for Sharing
These really good chocolate chip cookies are loaded with milk and semisweet chocolate chips. Keep the chips frozen, skip chilling the dough, and bake a batch worth sharing—or hiding in the freezer.
Easy Traeger Ribs for Game Day
Easy Traeger ribs with a sticky BBQ-honey sauce — most of the work happens ahead of time, so you're free to enjoy Game Day instead of babysitting the grill. Feeds a crowd.
Grumpy Sicilian Pizza
Thick, golden and cheesy, this Sicilian-style pizza is made for game day, casual dinners and feeding a hungry crowd. Make the dough from scratch or take the easy shortcut.
A Simple Summer Happy Hour on the Patio
A bright spritz, two Italian-inspired appetizers, and a 30-minute prep plan make this summer patio happy hour easy to pull together—and even easier to enjoy.
Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd and Cream Cheese Frosting
This three-layer lemon cake has bright citrus flavor, lemon curd between every layer, and a rustic cream cheese frosting. I first made it for our son’s engagement party, and it has been a celebration cake ever since.
The Great Pantry Label Saga of 2026: Spice Cabinet Edition
A simple spice cabinet project that turned into three trips to Staples, two redesigns, one professional printer, and a surprisingly satisfying finished shelf. Download the free printable pantry labels and instructions.
Italian Marinated Olives
These Italian marinated olives are warmed with garlic, citrus zest, fresh herbs, and a little red pepper. An easy make-ahead appetizer with plenty of attitude.
Lin’s Tabouli Recipe: A Fresh, Lemony Favorite
This fresh, lemony tabouli recipe came from my sister Linda. It’s filled with parsley, tomatoes, green onions, and bulgur—and served with torn flour tortillas for scooping.
Chinese Chicken Salad
Teriyaki chicken, crisp cabbage, ramen noodles, almonds, and a simple sesame dressing come together in this fresh Chinese Chicken Salad—an easy lunch or make-ahead patio favorite.
Mango Chicken Salad
Fresh mango, chicken, avocado, crisp greens, and a bright citrus dressing make this an easy warm-weather lunch or patio dinner—one I could happily eat three times a week.