Cowlick Cottage Farm Update

Sunday Osso Bucco

Carolyn Binder — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:14:23 +0000

Osso Bucco with Cheese Grits

On a quick lunchtime trip to the supermarket for some seafood the other day, I passed right by the meat counter. Well, I meant to pass right by the meat counter, except there were some absolutely gorgeous veal shanks sitting in the case, with a hand-lettered sign over them proclaiming, “Osso Bucco!” Osso bucco? I have never made osso bucco. Actually, I’m not sure I had ever even tasted it, but that just made it more intriguing. I knew it would be good. I had a nice chat with the butcher, who also ...continue reading "Sunday Osso Bucco"

Scenes from the New Garden Bed

Carolyn Binder — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 02:07:33 +0000

Proven Winners Supertunia® Vista Bubblegum

A garden in the making

Icelandic poppy

Shasta Daisy

Old-fashioned stock smells heavenly

Proven Winners Innocence® Opal and stock

Full disclosure: I am a Proven Winners Garden Guru, however, I was not compensated for these photos, nor for purchasing these plants. I buy them because I love them.

...continue reading "Scenes from the New Garden Bed"

February Morning Walk

Carolyn Binder — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:23:37 +0000

Camarosa Strawberry blossom

Wildflowers

Camellia Japonica

Heirloom Jonquil

Camellia Morning

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Hot Toddy Recipe

Carolyn Binder — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:30:04 +0000

Makings of a Hot Toddy

The temperature is going to drop down into the twenties tonight, a rarity for this odd winter, which has been so warm that we have been gardening in tee shirts and sandals most weekends. Now I am not complaining about that, but I am celebrating the cold weather. The cottage is freshly cleaned, and I handwashed all my woolies and hung them out in the fresh air to dry. Our favorite winter squash soup is bubbling in the oven, thick with cream and gruyere cheese, almost ready to be sprinkled with a little thyme ...continue reading "Hot Toddy Recipe"

A Review of Atlanta’s Mansion on Peachtree and Empire State South

Carolyn Binder — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:39:58 +0000

There is nothing like a midwinter getaway to lift a girl’s spirits. Recently, my friend Laura and I escaped to Atlanta to reconnect and recharge. She was on her way to Switzerland to go skiing. I was on my way…to Atlanta! We enjoyed a fabulous stay at the chic Mansion on Peachtree. The rooms are serenely gorgeous, the service excellent, and the English garden is perfect for a morning stroll.

The English garden at Mansion on Peachtree

The hotel is located in Atlanta’s exclusive Buckhead neighborhood, with proximity to Atlanta’s best restaurants and shopping. The hotel’s driver is available to take you ...continue reading "A Review of Atlanta’s Mansion on Peachtree and Empire State South"

Winter Evening Garden Stroll

Carolyn Binder — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:20:13 +0000

The Live Oaks at Dusk

A day off is joyful. Somehow, even in my wiser years, a day off from work still feels a bit like playing hooky. I went with that feeling today. I planned to spend the day preparing for the arrival of family and friends for the weekend. We are celebrating the holidays together for the next few days, and there is much to be done. Meals to prep, sheets to change, things to shine. I didn’t do any of it today! We will work that out tomorrow. Today, I got a cute haircut, had my toes ...continue reading "Winter Evening Garden Stroll"

Ethel’s Meyer Lemon Chocolate Tart

Carolyn Binder — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:56:53 +0000

My husband doesn’t often indulge in sweets, but he has always had a special fondness for one certain Ethel M chocolate. Lemon Satin Cremes. A rich, dark chocolate on the outside, the filling is an unbelievably yummy lemon creme. The combination of dark chocolate and sweet, zingy lemon is sublime. He used to bring those chocolates home when he traveled out west on business. Las Vegas, baby! On a really good trip, he would sign a big contract, win at the poker table and bring home Ethel M chocolates. Kind of like a Triple Crown for a road warrior. I’m not ...continue reading "Ethel’s Meyer Lemon Chocolate Tart"

Baking for Christmas – Mexican Wedding Cookies

Carolyn Binder — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:45:18 +0000

Mexican Wedding Cookies

I’m not really a baker. Except for the Caramel Cake, which was inspired by the book, The Help. And the Tres Leches cake, because the idea of “three milks” fascinated me. And Mexican Wedding Cookies, which were inspired by a recent trip to a little French bakery in town. Yes, we have a little French bakery, where my husband and I ate patisserie and sipped hot, rich café au lait from bowl-sized cups. The little French bakery took me back in time to our honeymoon in Paris, where there was a bakery on every ...continue reading "Baking for Christmas – Mexican Wedding Cookies"

Announcing the Proven Winners Garden Gurus!

Carolyn Binder — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:40:49 +0000

Proven Winners Picasso and Diamond Frost Euphorbia

If you have been following my blog for any period of time, you know that I love to share my passion for gardening. While I’ve never thought of myself as a guru, I do love to write and talk about what we’re growing, and I love to learn from other gardeners just as much. So I am honored and excited to be joining an outstanding team of gardeners, writers, and all-around amazing people as the Proven Winners garden gurus! I first became involved with the friendly and knowledgeable ...continue reading "Announcing the Proven Winners Garden Gurus!"

Thanksgiving Morning

Carolyn Binder — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:36:23 +0000

Beautiful Baby Collards Ripe Jalapenos. Ole! Proven Winners Antique Rose

Thumbergia

Pecan Grove

Echinacea Bud and ...continue reading "Thanksgiving Morning"