Recent Posts

The Moon is a Reassuring Presence, Plus Birthday Haiku Magic

The Moon is a Reassuring Presence, Plus Birthday Haiku Magic

The moon’s magic and reassuring presence, explored in haiku, along with a repost of an earlier birthday haiku about a full moon.

Tuscan Chicken Panini – A Grilled Sandwich You Won’t Be Able to Resist

Tuscan Chicken Panini – A Grilled Sandwich You Won’t Be Able to Resist

Sandwich Wednesday magic! This Tuscan Chicken Panini layers shaved deli chicken, spinach, mozzarella, Asiago, tomato, onion, and basil on sourdough (ours was Pablo & Missy’s garlic rosemary loaf). A quick, flavor-packed panini with a true Glover Gardens twist.

Wild Mushroom Lasagna with Zippy Sicilian Flair

Wild Mushroom Lasagna with Zippy Sicilian Flair

This Wild Mushroom Lasagna is layered with rich umami, garlic, creamy cheeses, and our signature Zippy Sicilian Marinara for a dish that’s as romantic as it is comforting. Born from a cryptic magazine clipping but perfected in our kitchen, it’s a love story in every bite.

Two-Bean Salad with Mint and Lemon: A Fresh Take on Tradition

Two-Bean Salad with Mint and Lemon: A Fresh Take on Tradition

This Two-Bean Salad with Mint and Lemon is bright, fiber-rich, and a little unexpected—a perfect partner for hearty mains like lasagna, barbecue, or roast chicken. Crisp green beans and silky cannellini are tossed in a zesty citrus dressing and finished with toasted nuts for just the right crunch.

Imprinted Like Fossils on Our Hearts: Remembering Tracy

Imprinted Like Fossils on Our Hearts: Remembering Tracy

A deeply personal tribute to my childhood friend Tracy on what would have been his 62nd birthday, reflecting on our shared roots in Gilchrist, Texas—a town erased by Hurricane Ike—and the indelible imprints left on our hearts by those we love. This remembrance honors friendship, loss, and the echoes of childhood that never fade.

Megan’s Guacamole: A Simple but Fab Recipe

Megan’s Guacamole: A Simple but Fab Recipe

This simple, crowd-pleasing guacamole recipe from my daughter-in-law Megan is everything you want in a classic dip—creamy, fresh, and restaurant-worthy. Great with chips, tacos, or Trash Can Nachos!

Mini Post: Happy-Making Brazilian Music (a good way to spend 8 minutes)

Mini Post: Happy-Making Brazilian Music (a good way to spend 8 minutes)

An amazing and inspiring jazz arrangement that immediately brings energy and happiness to the listener.

Of Fish Tales and Childhood Spells: A Quadrille for dVerse

Of Fish Tales and Childhood Spells: A Quadrille for dVerse

A quadrille poem for the dVerse prompt dives into the tales that shaped me—Puff’s fading magic, Gulliver’s sharp satire, Jonah’s stubborn faith—and the beachy wonder where I first heard them. Fish, wish, and childhood spells: stories that still shimmer like sunlight on the water.

Perfection, Simplicity and Connections at Happy Cocktail at the Tree House

Perfection, Simplicity and Connections at Happy Cocktail at the Tree House

Sometimes the smallest pauses bring the biggest joy. A simple fruit salad with hot honey, a glass of sparkling rosé, and an evening of test kitchen fun became a moment of connection and gratitude at the Tree House.

The Ultimate Savory-Sweet Bacon and Blue Cheese Panini with Hot Honey and Apple

The Ultimate Savory-Sweet Bacon and Blue Cheese Panini with Hot Honey and Apple

A crave‑worthy panini with crispy bacon, blue cheese, sweet apple, sautéed onions and hot honey — the ultimate savory‑sweet Sandwich Wednesday star.

Riki’s Tangy Macaroni Salad with Tuna and Shrimp: A German‑Inspired Summer Classic

Riki’s Tangy Macaroni Salad with Tuna and Shrimp: A German‑Inspired Summer Classic

Tangy horseradish mustard is a key ingredient in this tangy, creamy summer side that’s reminiscent of tuna casserole but much lighter and refreshing.

New Recipe! Sunburst Carrot‑Mango Salad: A Golden Summery Side

New Recipe! Sunburst Carrot‑Mango Salad: A Golden Summery Side

A bright, fresh side dish with carrots, mango, mint, toasted pecans, and golden raisins, kissed with lime juice and citrusy olive oil. Perfect with sandwiches, seafood, or anything that needs a little sunshine on the plate.

Caribbean-Inspired Trout Tostadas with Mango Pico and Smoky Guacamole

Caribbean-Inspired Trout Tostadas with Mango Pico and Smoky Guacamole

A zesty and tropical take on tostadas, made with seared speckled trout, spicy-sweet mango pico de gallo, smoky charred corn guacamole, and spicy pickled onions.

Pretty in Pink: Strawberry-Tomato Gazpacho Shooters (New Recipe!)

Pretty in Pink: Strawberry-Tomato Gazpacho Shooters (New Recipe!)

This chilled Strawberry-Tomato Gazpacho is sweet, savory, and just a touch spicy. Made in minutes with fresh summer ingredients, it’s a refreshing starter or poolside snack—and a showstopper in a shooter glass.

Quick and Spicy Pickled Red Onions: A Tangy, Zippy Garnish for … Everything

Quick and Spicy Pickled Red Onions: A Tangy, Zippy Garnish for … Everything

These Quick and Spicy Pickled Red Onions add tangy crunch and gentle heat to tacos, burgers, and more. Made with apple cider vinegar, jalapeño, and garlic, they’re a bold, fridge-staple condiment from Glover Gardens.

Hyde Park in Full Bloom: A Serene Stroll and a Picture-Perfect London Moment

Hyde Park in Full Bloom: A Serene Stroll and a Picture-Perfect London Moment

Hyde Park never disappoints. On my springtime trip to London, it offered flowers, stillness, and—just outside its gates—a perfectly iconic London moment.

London’s Holland Park: A Hidden Treasure with a Posing Peacock

London’s Holland Park: A Hidden Treasure with a Posing Peacock

I’d stayed in London’s Holland Park neighborhood for years without ever exploring the actual park. That changed on our 15th anniversary trip—and what a discovery! With a Japanese garden, hydrangeas, a strolling statue, and a showy peacock, Holland Park became one of the most surprising and joyful highlights of our journey.

Soft Tacos Like Mom Made (Simple Comfort Food)

Soft Tacos Like Mom Made (Simple Comfort Food)

These soft tacos were one of Mom’s go-to comfort food recipes—and they’ve stood the test of time. With a tangy, beany, savory filling and just the right amount of spice, they’re simple, satisfying, and endlessly versatile.

A Balancing Act: Citrus-Herb Jasmine Rice to Complement Plank-Grilled Salmon

A Balancing Act: Citrus-Herb Jasmine Rice to Complement Plank-Grilled Salmon

We gathered with cousins for a nostalgic lumpia appetizer, then lightened things up with plank-grilled salmon, fruit salad slaw, and a citrusy herb rice that ties it all together. A memory-filled meal—and a rice recipe worth repeating.

Test Kitchen on a Dark and Stormy Night: Zippy Cajun Shrimp and Crab Toast with Corn, Bacon and Boursin

Test Kitchen on a Dark and Stormy Night: Zippy Cajun Shrimp and Crab Toast with Corn, Bacon and Boursin

A dark and stormy weeknight was the impetus to experiment and create a new recipe: Zippy Cajun Shrimp and Crab Toast with Corn, Bacon and Boursin.