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Recipes, relaxed entertaining, Arizona escapes, and a little golf—everything happening around the nest.
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Recipes, entertaining, Arizona getaways, home projects, golf, and everything else happening around the nest.
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 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.
This grilled lemon-herb chicken is marinated with olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs for juicy chicken with a subtle lemon flavor.
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.
Creamy whipped Boursin topped with toasted pecans, fresh thyme, and honey. A beautiful appetizer that takes just minutes to put together.
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.
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 topped with fresh pico de gallo, avocado, and creamy lime sauce. These are the tacos that converted our resident fish skeptic.
This frozen blended margarita is cold, citrusy and made for patio happy hour—because some Arizona afternoons call for the blender.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A five-ingredient strawberry sorbet that tastes like summer on the patio — no fancy equipment tricks required, just a little patience while it freezes.
Vodka, ginger beer, and a squeeze of lime — the signature cocktail behind our Rod Stewart birthday night, copper mug included. Mocktail version inside.
Whenever we head up to Pinetop to see Tom, I never show up empty-handed — usually a bag of this grain-free granola, still warm from the oven. Almonds, pecans, and coconut, baked low and slow until golden.
A White Mountains golf getaway with good friends, good food, and a few lessons learned about Arizona monsoons — plus where to eat, hike, and unwind in Pinetop.
A simple, well-loved banana bundt cake with a cinnamon-pecan swirl — my brother calls it "rotten banana cake" because the uglier the bananas, the better it turns out.
A few ingredients, one gentle stir, and a glass that catches the light just right — this is my go-to spritz for evenings that don't need to be fancy to feel special.
A favorite shrimp recipe shared by my brother Greg — buttery, flavorful, and pretty enough to impress without feeling fussy. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping, or spoon it over pasta for an easy Little Italy-inspired dinner.
A slow coastal San Diego getaway with waterfront walks, the USS Midway, Balboa Park, Hotel del Coronado, Little Italy, and two recipes to bring the weekend home.
Escape the Arizona summer heat with a Prescott getaway featuring Courthouse Plaza, Whiskey Row, public golf, Watson Lake, a Grumpy Sicilian-inspired pizza recipe, and Karen’s weekend checklist for an easy trip.
Golf humbles you, frustrates you, and keeps you coming back for more. A few thoughts on why we love it anyway — plus a golf day checklist and a couple of favorites worth having in your bag.
Featured from For the Birds Living
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.
A White Mountains golf getaway with good friends, good food, and a few lessons learned about Arizona monsoons — plus where to eat, hike, and unwind in Pinetop.
Soft lighting, simple food, good music, and warm summer nights outside. A few easy ideas for creating a relaxed patio atmosphere at home — because summer evenings are for the Birds.
Seasonal Living & Getaways
A White Mountains golf getaway with good friends, good food, and a few lessons learned about Arizona monsoons — plus where to eat, hike, and unwind in Pinetop.
A slow coastal San Diego getaway with waterfront walks, the USS Midway, Balboa Park, Hotel del Coronado, Little Italy, and two recipes to bring the weekend home.
Escape the Arizona summer heat with a Prescott getaway featuring Courthouse Plaza, Whiskey Row, public golf, Watson Lake, a Grumpy Sicilian-inspired pizza recipe, and Karen’s weekend checklist for an easy trip.
Entertaining
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.
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.
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.
From the Kitchen
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.
This grilled lemon-herb chicken is marinated with olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs for juicy chicken with a subtle lemon flavor.
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.
Johnny B Golf
A White Mountains golf getaway with good friends, good food, and a few lessons learned about Arizona monsoons — plus where to eat, hike, and unwind in Pinetop.
Golf humbles you, frustrates you, and keeps you coming back for more. A few thoughts on why we love it anyway — plus a golf day checklist and a couple of favorites worth having in your bag.
A relaxed afternoon at Springfield Golf Resort— where a simple lunch, a beautiful view, and an easy pace come together. A look at Arizona golf course dining and how to bring that same feeling home.
Favorites & Finds
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.
A short, curated Prime Day watch list focused on things we already buy, restock, or replace — coffee, kitchen basics, beauty favorites, guest room essentials, and a few practical home finds worth watching.
Create a warm, inviting outdoor space with simple entertaining essentials that make hosting feel relaxed, beautiful, and easy to enjoy.
Keep Exploring
Every recipe, Arizona escape, golf story, and gathering—all in one place.