at home in southern rhode island

Quick and Easy Peach Pie with Streusel

2016-07-19T17:07:00.001-03:00

Peach pie is one of summer's oldest rites of indulgence; indeed, there isn't a better summer dessert with the season's fresh peaches. This recipe for peach pie has no memorable source, since I have been baking it, or some version of it, for over 40 years. I have added blackberries to it and raspberries, as well. The fruit pie recipe takes about 20 minutes till oven-ready and that includes peeling the peaches. It calls for an old-fashioned streusel topping, but I have created an even quicker, easy
method for fruit pie streusel.

Chocolate's role in Newport history

2016-07-11T12:25:00.002-03:00

The American Revolution, chocolate, and our national historic treasures—

When Jews immigrated to America in their ever-evolving diaspora, they were not allowed to have slaves, so they turned to trade. Chocolate was the commodity which played an integral role in the development of important Newport landmarks, and indeed, many of Rhode Island's most valued national historic treasures.

New England Clam Chowder - an old family recipe

2016-07-02T13:01:00.002-03:00

New England Clam Chowder is a Rhode Island favorite hearty soup that feeds a crowd and comes from the sea, of course! An Ocean State original, made from quahogs...traditionally served after the "polar bear swim" on New Year's Day, this quahog clam chowder recipe is a keeper...

photo swatterson

a great family soup recipe that has been handed down through generations. Enjoyed the whole year long, New England clam chowder is a real warmer-upper for the brisk days of winter. Best prepared the day before you intend to serve.

An Easter dessert with summer written all over it

2016-03-29T13:03:00.003-03:00

In the past, key lime pies or lemon meringues were the usual Easter desserts. I have always purchased a coconut cake as well, I guess because it was a favorite with the kids especially if it was in the shape of a rabbit. This holiday, I came across a recipe for Coconut Key Lime Sheet Cake, a delicious combination of the three, no rabbit needed.

Snowy morning breakfast strudel made easy

2016-03-21T17:25:00.000-03:00

This fruit strudel recipe is about the easiest breakfast treat or dinner dessert with a scoop of ice cream there is. Not much sugar and plenty of fruit wrapped in puff pastry from Pepperidge Farm. It reminds me of years ago when our daughter lived in California, we'd get this wonderful fresh strudel from a German bakery in Encinitas.

We awoke this second day of spring to snow here in southern Rhode Island, so I decided to start baking.

A secret corned beef and cabbage recipe served with a little Irish-American history

2016-03-17T10:52:00.000-03:00

As I write this, everyone is at the St. Patrick's Day parade in Newport, RI. I can picture this sunny day, the streets awash in green crepe paper and hats, Irish knit sweaters, babies and young girls with shamrock-painted faces, and guarded flasks of Jamieson in herringbone vest pockets. I hear, even from here on other side of the hill, police car sirens resonating over and over, leading the parade to its end at the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), where the celebration will be capped off with a traditional American - Irish boiled dinner, corned beef and cabbage, a little more Jamieson and lots of Guinness.

Healthy whole wheat berry muffins

2016-03-16T12:24:00.000-03:00

Homemade healthy breakfast muffins are easier than you think and take no time at all. No electric mixer needed. Recipes for muffins are much like making pancakes. The wheat and oat muffins below are made from whole wheat flour, a little old fashioned oatmeal, fresh fruit, plain yogurt and not too much sugar. The perfect healthy strawberry and blueberry muffin to start your day.

Planting a rose garden in the Northeast

2016-03-15T13:53:00.000-03:00

When planting a rose garden in Rhode Island, or even just a few roses in the Northeast, there are many choices to consider: color, variety, whether shrub, tea, or climbing, fragrance, and of course, you'll want pest-free roses, disease resistant, and winter hardiness.

St. Patrick's Day is fine time for gardening

2016-03-14T11:55:00.000-03:00

The St. Patrick's Day parade in Newport, RI, is a fine time to celebrate your Irish heritage or pretend to be from the Old Sod even for the day. But from the looks of this morning's police report in the Newport Daily News, we're more than happy to have spent these early spring days in the back perennial garden at Linden Cottage.

This past weekend was exceptional, a few rare glorious days in March, warm and sunny and perfect for clearing last year's spent foliage, because its clear to walk and rake freely and not crush any fresh green shoots just before the spring bulbs poke through the cold spring ground.

Losing a dear friend and four-legged family member

2016-01-05T18:54:00.002-04:00

Losing a much loved dog can break your heart, and this week, our family's collective heart was broken. Our daughter's family dog, Hazel, a Bernese Mountain dog, has visited so often, I felt like WE had lost her when she texted to say "Hazel just died," at 7:15 Sunday night. Even though life expectancy is relatively short for Bernese, we somehow thought Hazel would be super Bernese dog. She was a "super dog" just not in longevity. Our daughter wrote so poignant a message on Facebook, I cried once again and again and reading it now...again.

Making Christmas in southern Rhode Island

2015-12-19T02:41:00.001-04:00

Christmas 2015

Finally getting the candles in the windows for Christmas in Newport, I found myself opening five tiny doors at once today on the advent calendar; remembering when there was lively discussion every morning here, as to just whose turn it was and there never were enough doors and windows to go around.

Newport, oh, beautiful Newport, RI

2015-06-11T10:52:00.002-03:00

It's June 2015, after one of the snowiest winters ever in southern Rhode Island. But the garden, after appearing quite wrecked late this winter, has recovered and is ready for your vacation this summer.

We have a new family hatched this early spring, born in our sun room gutter. Mama Mourning Dove is now on the lookout while fledgling gets the strength to fly away on his own.

Newport's summer just keeps getting better

2012-06-28T10:31:00.000-03:00

Photo courtesy Chris Cameron 2012

After Newport's whirlwind summer with Tall Ships and America's Cup trials, the Volvo is upon us in 2015.

Baked stuffed lobster à la New England

2012-06-16T03:23:00.000-03:00

Yesterday was National Lobster Day and all of New England is famous for its fresh fish. Here's a New England gastronomic favorite summer delicacy, an oh, so simple recipe for baked stuffed lobster. Because it is stuffed with the claw meat and scallops, it is also called Lobster 'Fisherman Style' in southern Rhode Island. The breading is light and not at all gooey. It's an easy recipe that can be prepared ahead and refrigerated until after cocktails.

Tasty hot crab dip appetizer

2012-01-30T10:25:00.003-04:00

Looking for an easy hot crab dip, a canape spread your guests will remember long after your Super Bowl party? It's an old favorite party dip or cracker spread recipe right from the sea and very tasty! Adults and children alike love this appetizer. Easy to make, quick and simple to serve on melba toast rounds or freshly toasted baguette pieces - cream cheese and crab canape spread appetizer.

Easy Lasagna rated best of 14 recipes

2012-01-27T15:23:00.000-04:00

An old lasagna recipe handed down from a master cooker, uses Jimmy Dean's Sausage instead of hamburger. Several years ago, when a friend was ill and received 14 lasagnas from helpful neighbors, this one was judged the best! The sausage gives the Italian recipe favorite extra flavor and is simple to prepare for a group. The secret to this easy meal is to not overcook the noodles. Lasagna servings are easy to manage and don't fall apart when cut from the casserole. There's no better time than the Super Bowl to try out this winner! Party recipe for about 15 servings.

An earthquake, Irene, and a strange wedding guest

2011-08-30T17:22:00.000-03:00

Amazing that all three of these events occurred in the same week: first an earthquake, or at least some minor shaking, then a our son's wedding, and of course, Hurricane Irene. Two were unplanned events, the doing of Mother Nature, but our home was unscathed. With a house full of family and guests for Patrick and Shauna's wedding on Saturday at the Officer's Club, US Navy base, Irene forced all of Newport, RI, and, indeed, Aquidneck Island, to revisit colonial times early in the day on Sunday, August 28, 2011.

Newport returns to halcyon days

2011-08-13T18:16:00.000-03:00

With the recent notoriety Newport RI has received, i.e., one of the top "Ten Most Beautiful Places in America" and its recent selection to host the last regatta of the America's Cup World Series 2012 sailing season, there's no doubt Rhode Island will get an economic boost from these two distinctions.

Newport home and garden spectacular

2011-06-17T13:31:00.000-03:00

One of the most anticipated events of the summer season is the 2016 Flower Show, hosted every year by the Preservation Society, keeper of the Newport Mansions. Scheduled when gardens are usually at their height of bloom, and always when the roses bloom, the Newport Flower Show is a home and garden spectacular not to be missed. Get your tickets now for the Flower Show at Rosecliff, a 3-day event for gardeners and shoppers, which showcases some of Newport's most important real estate.