Just~One~Donna

Did you know that people are starting to explore cheeses much the same way as they explore wines and that interest is specialty cheeses is soaring?  That's one thing I learned by talking with Cathi Fournier, the proprietor of Milk and Honey Bazaar , an artisanal cheese and specialty foods market, located in Tiverton, Rhode Island.  My friend, Robin and I visited this lovely shop one day last week to explore the world of specialty cheeses. The Quaint Milk and Honey Bazaar This tiny shop carries over one hundred varieties of cheese and Cathi encourages you to try before you buy.  I was looking for cheese to make "grown up" grilled cheese sandwiches so Cathi brought out a sampling of cheeses that would melt well. A Cheese Case at Milk and Honey Bazaar We tried several cheeses and bought a sampling of those we tried. My Cheese Purchase My cheeses were all cows milk cheeses: Fromage D'Affinois, from France, Parrano, from Holland, Cotswold Double Glouce...

Lighthouse Books Lighthouses are very popular attractions in these parts of the woods.  We are lucky in New England to have many lighthouses.  Rhode Island, the ocean state, has twenty-one lighthouses, of which thirteen are still active, and today I'd like to share two of my favorites with you. The Beavertail Lighthouse , located in Jamestown, Rhode Island, is the third oldest lighthouse (1749) in the New England.   Where are the two older lighthouses?  The oldest New England lighthouse is the Boston Light Lighthouse , built in 1716.  The second oldest New England lighthouse, built in 1746,  is the Brandt Point Lighthouse on Nantucket . The Three Oldest New England Lighthouses If ever you find yourself in Jamestown, Rhode Island you'll want to make time to pause and enjoy the beauty that is Beavertail Park, home of the Beavertail Lighthouse.  This park is open to the public free of charge.  The Beavertail ...

Summer in my neighborhood is wonderful for all the fresh vegetables that are available.  I love to see the baskets of fresh green beans showing up in my grocery store. It's even better that I have them growing in my little backyard garden as well.  The green beans from my garden are crisp and sweet.  When I am picking them I find it hard to resist popping one or two into my mouth.  They are just so good! Fresh Green Beans with Onions and Garlic Delicious Green Beans with Onions and Garlic Today's recipe is a quick and easy side dish that makes the most of in-season, locally grown vegetables. When beans are so fresh, a great way to cook them is with a quick saute on top of the stove. I like to blanch green beans for a couple of minutes first, cool them off in a water-bath and drain them before finishing them in a frying pan.  With this technique, you preserve the bright green color, fresh flavor, and crunch.  Your family will find it hard to...

It's been quite a while since I shared what's happening in my raised bed vegetable garden.  July was a little hard on my vegetables as the heat climbed into the high 80s and low 90s in New England.  I went away for a week in early July and while the garden was watered while I was gone, it wasn't watered as frequently as I would have done it.  That took a bit of a toll on my plants.  The good news is that my two rows of beans have been very productive.  I planted Burpee's French Filet and Bush Blue Lake 274.  Both have done very well, producing long, tasty green beans. I planted another row of beans this week that have already sprouted.  I'm hoping I'll get some beans before the weather gets too cold.  Time will tell. My red onions have done equally well.  They were planted from onion sets and have been growing like gang busters.  I've been pulling 3-4 onions a week all month.  They are sweet, tender and delic...

Treat Yourself to Watermelon Agua Fresca I apologize, but it seems I am on a watermelon roll these days.  The lovely watermelons at my local grocery store have been calling my name.  With the dog days of summer dragging me down, this recipe for Watermelon Agua Fresca provides a terrific pick me up. Watermelon is a perfect fruit to make into a beverage.  It is easily juiced in your blender and its natural flavor is refreshing on a hot summer day.  Make this Watermelon Agua Fresca as a summer treat for you and your family.  It's also a perfect refreshment for a summer party.  It makes a festive drink for your guests who prefer a non-alcoholic beverage and can easily become a signature cocktail with the addition of your favorite rum, vodka or tequila. Let's see how to make this refreshing drink. Watermelon Agua Fresca Watermelon Agua Fresca Ingredients Makes approximately 3 1/2 cups, undiluted 24 ounces seedless watermelon, cut into chunk...