what jen does

Life, home, and a little travel

Author: JEF

  • summer tomato love

    summer tomato love

    A part of me wishes this meal could happen any month of the year. Another part of me is just flipping thrilled that it only happens in August and September. Makes me love summer that much more.

  • This is the beginning

    I’m taking on a big project. Big like a house. You can read about it here.

  • Green tomatoes galore

    Green tomatoes galore

    Every week I tell my friends and neighbors that I’m “going to be swimming in tomatoes” the next week. And, the dumb tomatoes have been making a liar out of me for several weeks now. I get just enough big tomatoes to make a good salad for friends and baby tomatoes for post work snacks.…

  • staycation city

    staycation city

    EVERYONE: Where are you going on your vacation? ME: Nowhere.

  • arugula pistou with hazelnut panko and summer veggies
    recipes

    arugula pistou with hazelnut panko and summer veggies

    I’ll never forget the first time I made pesto. It was like any moment when Ariel from the Little Mermaid is singing. Magic. So when I learned this week that there is a French version of pesto called pistou, I was pretty surprised. Long story short? It’s like pesto but without the cheese and thicker.…

  • Another Garden Post

    Another Garden Post

    At this point, the question that really remains is how many garden updates can I write before the tomatoes ripen? I honestly would have thought the day would have happened already… but alas, no ripe tomatoes… HOWEVER, we are close! I’m reluctant to call us halfway through Summer because that would be depressing to me.…

  • my favorite things outside

    my favorite things outside

    One of the best parts about living in the burbs is just how much outdoor time you can really have. This does potentially lead to many many trips to Lowes but it also leads to sun-kissed cheeks and slightly blonder hair.  While I clearly love my whole garden, I think one of the best parts…

  • Patriotic Stripe Cookies
    recipes

    Patriotic Stripe Cookies

    It’s a week after Independence Day and I’m still missing it. So much so that it’s taken me about a lifetime to get around to posting this recipe. I’m a huge fan of sugar cookies. They are a bit like bacon. You always need more than one and you rarely regret it. I normally make…

  • Sweet Baby Snap Peas

    Sweet Baby Snap Peas

    … and just like that I feel like a garden wizard. Almost. I’m wrapping up a wonderful extra long weekend off from work – of which much was spent outdoors in the sun. After spending so many weekends lamenting, planning, planting, and re-organizing the garden… all I do now is weed and check for more…

  • Coconut Angel Food Cake
    recipes

    Coconut Angel Food Cake

    Oh man. This summer cake could be the best thing that happens to your long weekend – or your Wednesday night. Either way, angel food cake is simply amazing. It’s so light and heavenly. The ultimate summer dessert. Then when you add a bit of coconut flavoring and some fresh fruit…. flavor fireworks my friends.…