Cynthia OConnor OHara - Cooking, baking, and making: 100 recipes and DIY ideas for all seasons and reasons

Cooking, Baking, and Making

100 DIY Ideas for
All Seasons and Reasons

Cynthia OConnor OHara

a.k.a., The Harried Housewife

Copyright 2017 Cynthia OHara.

Published by Mango Publishing Group, a division of Mango Media Inc.

Photography: Cynthia OHara

Cover Design: Elina Diaz

Cover photos: Shutterstock/Timolina, Shutterstock/MarharytaKovalenko, Shutterstock/OnlyZoia

Layout & Design: Elina Diaz

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Cooking, Baking, and Making: 100 Recipes and DIY Ideas for All Seasons and Reasons

Library of Congress Cataloging

ISBN: (paperback) 978-1-63353-556-5, (ebook) 978-1-63353-557-2

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017905348

BISAC category code HOM005000 HOUSE & HOME / Do-It-Yourself / Cooking / Decorating

Printed in the United States of America

Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.

- Henry David Thoreau

In loving memory of my mother,

Janice L. OConnor

With all my love,

To my husband Michael,

And my daughters, Colleen and Kelly

CONTENTS

Home is the nicest word there is.
Laura Ingalls Wilder

I would be willing to bet that some of your fondest memories are filled with heartwarming remembrances of cozy gatherings with family and friends. And chances are, when you conjure up these thoughts, you recall a contented atmosphere complete with delicious food shared with those close at heart. Whether they were holiday celebrations with all the glitz and glitter of the season or simple weeknight suppers, theres something special about spending time with loved ones in a welcoming environment at different occasions throughout the year .

While its true that folks today lead busy lives, studies show that were spending more time now than in recent history in our homes relishing the old-fashioned ways of domestic life but with a modern-day twist. From the way our grandparents and great-grandparents prepared food according to the seasonto the way they used whatever was on-hand to enhance their homewere embracing the age-old practices of doing things ourselves but with the help of modern-day conveniences. In this regard, Cooking, Baking and Making will take you through the seasons with a scrumptious selection of easy-to-make recipes and simple DIY projects to effortlessly create a cozy, home-centered way of life.

It doesnt take a lot of time or a lot of money to make things by hand to share with family and friends. In fact, you probably already have many things available around your house. Seasonal centerpieces can be made with items provided by Mother Nature herself, tiered platters can be created out of dishware that you probably have not used in awhile, and all those extra vases that you have stashed in a corner of the house and are wondering what to do with, can now be painted and transformed into sleek ornamental vases that match your dcor. Our grandparents likely repurposed and made use of whatever they had without giving a thought to spending any money. Nowadays, we can go to places like dollar stores and craft stores to pick up inexpensive items to complete a project.

We can rummage through items at flea markets, frequent garage sales, and stop by yard sales to find the perfect things to bring home and create something new from. Its exciting to make something from practically nothing, whether items are from your house or discovered somewhere else. For example, several years ago my mom and I found gorgeous teacups at a yard sale that cost 10 each. These were transformed into elegant candles and gifted to relatives at Christmas. I am blessed to have had a mother who could make something look nice with whatever we had on hand. She was very creative in that regard, but was not a mom who would sew, knit, make our clothes, etc. She was a busy mom of four who worked outside of the home and who decorated our house on a budget, cooked seasonally, and created a cozy atmosphere for family and friends.

I find creating things to be both soothing and gratifying. Also known as The Harried Housewife, I have been cooking, baking, and making professionally for 20 years. As a food columnist, lifestyle writer, cookbook author, and creator of The Harried Housewifes RECIPE BOX television segments, I take great pleasure in providing seasonal recipes and imaginative ideas to time-crunched, budget-conscious folks who would like to make mouthwatering dishes and fun and practical items to enhance their homes and share with loved ones. With the increase in popularity of all things domestic and DIY, now is the time for an inspiring book that will take you through the seasons with food, dcor, and more.

Well begin with spring, since its the season of my beloved mothers birthday, and is an exciting time of year. Snowdrops appear through patches of snow, trees begin to show their blooms, and robins sing their cheerful songs. The much-anticipated, earthy smell of soil mixed with rain signals the season of new beginnings. Its at this time of year that rosy leaves of rhubarb begin poking through the soil, waiting to grow into full stalks. When theyre ready to be picked, pair them with juicy strawberries and create a mouthwatering Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp to enjoy on a breezy spring afternoon. A Stone Trivet is an easy-to-make project and would be a lovely place to set your bubbling dessert to cool.

Another idea for a springtime occasion is hosting a Ladies Luncheon complete with Smoky Bacon Deviled Eggs and Herbed Cucumber Tea Sandwiches. Tips on how to properly launder linen and hang it in the sun are provided; and projects such as creating a Spring Centerpiece, Doily Wrapped Utensils, Tiered Serving Platter, No-Sew Table Runner, and Decorative Tray to coordinate perfectly will make this event even more memorable.

Summer brings sun-soaked afternoons and star-lit evenings where the seasons freshest ingredients shine. An alfresco get-together is a fabulous way to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, and savor tasty recipes like Dill Dip with Crudits, Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Burgers, Grilled Steak with Corn Relish, and Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa. Its also an ideal occasion to highlight some of your practical summertime DIY projects. Fun and doable projects to create for an outdoor gathering are a Summer Centerpiece, Practical Caddy, Decorative Coasters, Dip and Crudits Holders, Terra Cotta Pots for Silverware, Wine Charms, Soap Dispenser, Frozen Ice Bucket, and Marbled Edible Bowls.

The cool autumn months are ideal for hiking through the wooded hills, feeling the crunch of leaves underfoot. Pick pretty wildflowers and colorful berries as you go along to create a gorgeous autumnal centerpiece. Stop at a local orchard for cider made with fresh-squeezed apples. Treat yourself to a cup of Orange-Spiced Cider that is sure to chase away the chills. A bowl of Corn and Crab Chowder will comfort both body and soul, and Mini Cranberry Corn Bread Loaves is a flavor-packed delight starring some of the seasons most popular flavors. Pick the perfect pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and then turn it into aromatic Pumpkin Cinnamon Doughnut Muffins. Save the pumpkin seeds to make Roasted Pumpkin Seeds with Seasonings. End the grand Thanksgiving Day feast with Chocolate Pecan Pie that will have everyone swooning at the table.