 My finished Irish Potato candies. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022. Yep. It’s that time of year again…St. Paddy’s Day. And my family would disown me if I didn’t make my yearly homemade Irish Potatoes! (Well, I certainly hope not!) So what are Irish Potatoes, you may ask? According to Eater, this candy was never actually made in Ireland but originated (probably) somewhere in the Philadelphia area, in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania in the late 1800s. The Irish immigrants of the time seem to have invented this VERY sweet candy that looks like miniature potatoes, hence the name. The recipe I typically use as a reference can be found on AllRecipes.com. I modified this recipe a wee bit and doubled the recipe to satisfy a family of five. Ready to get your hands messy? Here goes…
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 Bathroom vignette with apothecary jars, river rocks, taupe towels, and a snake plant. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022. This month, I decided to give our master bathroom a spring makeover. To say it needed a “refresh” is an understatement. Truthfully, there wasn’t much there to “refresh”! I didn’t take “before” pictures because it was too embarrassing to share, but here’s a quick overview of the design issues I had to address…  Top down view of my bromeliad mother plant and her newly planted pups. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022. About bromeliads… Without getting too technical, bromeliads are a type of air plant or epiphyte, meaning the plant draws what it needs from the humidity in the air. This plant doesn’t technically need soil, but the soil does provide a way to anchor the plant into a pot and provide an extra boost of nutrients and water. In nature, an epiphyte’s roots attach to trees or other plants, anchoring them to a good place where they catch the best nutrients and humidity from the surrounding air.  Homemade banana and raisin bread. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022. The end of winter can be so dreary, can’t it? I find myself chomping at the bit with anticipation for the warmer weather that seems like it’s taking its good old time getting here! I’m craving the warmth of the upcoming spring. Maybe something warm and home-baked will help…
 Celtic Shamrocks Wood Burned Decorative Plate by Di's Studio Designs. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2019. The legend of the shamrock is closely tied to St. Patrick—a man who was born in Roman Britain, lived as a slave in Ireland as a youth, escaped his bondage, and then spent some time back in England, where he seems to have become a Christian missionary or priest.  Pothos plant just misted. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022. I have been refreshing the decor in my master bathroom and decided to add some greenery to the mix. Adding plants in a bathroom is a win-win for everybody. The plant gets plenty of humidity (which many tropical plants love), and we get a sense of healing and calm. If you’re using your shower regularly (which I hope you are!), your plants will benefit from the humidity in the air. If you have a window for natural light, that’s even better. Typically, tropical plants are the best for bathrooms or areas with high humidity.
I love having real houseplants in my home. There’s something simple and nurturing about puttering in plants. I realize not everyone has a green thumb...Even I kill a plant or two sometimes! There is also the issue of proper lighting. Plants need natural light to grow, and most will die if they don’t get enough. So what to do if you want greenery and plants in your home without the maintenance or lighting worries? Get creative with artificial flowers and faux greenery!  White faux floral bouquet. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022. A recent trip to the family doctor reminded me that I need to eat healthier! So I thought I’d kick off March with one of my favorite healthy meals— homemade chicken soup. This soup is a slight variation of a family recipe passed down from my great-grandmother—a little Ukrainian woman who could make a paper bag taste good! I have fond memories of helping her peel and chop vegetables and making this soup takes me right back there to that tiny faux marble kitchen table all those years ago.  Chicken soup cooking in a pot. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022. |
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