Ideas for relaxed, beautiful living — because this season deserves to be savored
Halloween Dinner on the Patio: A Fall Menu & Spooky Tablescape
A Halloween dinner on the patio with smoky split pea soup, Bourbon & Broomsticks cocktails, pumpkin Bundt cake, and spooky sugar cookies. Use decorations you already own, add a little color, and invite your friends.
Split Pea Soup with Smoked Ham Hocks
Thick, hearty split pea soup with smoked ham hocks and simple vegetables. Call it Swamp Soup for Halloween—or make it whenever a good bowl of soup sounds right.
BOURBON & BROOMSTICKS — AN APPLE CIDER BOURBON COCKTAIL
Bourbon & Broomsticks: an apple cider bourbon cocktail with lemon, ginger beer, and an alcohol-free option. Five minutes, no shaker—and a little bourbon research from my brother Greg.
PUMPKIN BUNDT CAKE
Pumpkin Bundt cake with warm fall spices and cream cheese icing. Mrs. Tindel’s recipe earns a place at Halloween dinner—and beside tomorrow’s coffee.
Sugar Roll-Out Cookies
Witch hats, pumpkins, and spiderwebs dress up these Halloween sugar cookies. Sally’s rollout recipe, a little icing, and your own decorating style—no perfect piping required.
Navy Bean Soup
When Arizona’s forecast finally drops below 100, it’s soup weather. Mom’s navy bean soup is full of white beans, vegetables and spinach, with a few quick pulses for a creamy broth.
Snowbird Kitchen Essentials: What to Keep at Your Arizona Home
Back in Arizona? Stock the kitchen without spending your first day wandering grocery aisles. Start with our arrival essentials, shared shopping carts, and printable checklist.
A Morning at Queen Creek Olive Mill: Breakfast, Shopping and the Garlic Festival
We went to Queen Creek Olive Mill for breakfast and the Garlic Festival. We came home with a shirt, an olive oil dispenser and plenty of reasons to return.
Ridiculously Easy Key Lime Pie
This easy Key lime pie has a creamy sweet-tart filling, homemade graham cracker crust and lime-zest whipped cream. Make it ahead and chill until dessert.
Escape the Heat in Sedona: Red Rocks, Golf and a Stay in Oak Creek Canyon
A first-time Sedona golf weekend with red-rock views, a creekside stay at Junipine Resort, memorable meals and a moving visit to the Chapel of the Holy Cross.
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.