FIRST, THE GOOD NEWS: After extensive restoration work on my Music Room (we jacked-up the wing), its two sets of Victorian pocket doors are now functional. The bad news? The first time I closed the doors, I discovered -- to my utter horror -- that the ancient mahogany panels were badly caked with mildew. Here's how I dealt with this fungal-issue and returned the doors to a state of lustrous beauty -- for less than $20. Read more » How I Restored My Victorian Pocket Doors
April 16, 2013
FIRST, THE GOOD NEWS: After extensive restoration work on my Music Room (we jacked-up the wing), its two sets of Victorian pocket doors are now functional. The bad news? The first time I closed the doors, I discovered -- to my utter horror -- that the ancient mahogany panels were badly caked with mildew. Here's how I dealt with this fungal-issue and returned the doors to a state of lustrous beauty -- for less than $20. Read more » Mid-April Garden Tour
April 13, 2013
CAN YOU JOIN ME ON A BRIEF TOUR TODAY? I certainly hope so, because I'd love to show you the work I'm accomplishing in the Rose Garden (above). I'd also like you to smell the earliest of the April flowers. Grab your coat and a hat (it's surprisingly-nippy here) and follow me outside: Read more » Mushroom, Spinach & Rosemary Tart
April 9, 2013
I LOVE THIS TART. It's filled with mushrooms and spinach. It's perfumed to the nines with rosemary and vermouth. And oh, the crust! It's buttery Pate Brisee. Who wants to taste this savory spring symphony? Read more » Eggs Baked in Puff Pastry Shells
April 5, 2013
WHAT'S ELEGANT TO SERVE and oh-so scrumptious to eat? Eggs, baked in puff pastry shells, and adorned with bits of cheese, chives, and bacon. I love them for breakfast, brunch, or as the first-course for dinner. They are a cinch to make. Read more » 1960s Pop-Rock Quiz – Answers & Winners
April 2, 2013
I'D LIKE TO THANK everyone who took my recent "oldies" quiz. Would you like to see the answers? Here they are, along with the names of three randomly-selected winners: Read more » Music Room Restoration, Part 2
April 1, 2013
I PROMISED to keep you up to date on the restoration-work in the Music Room. This is the 1850 wing of our house that had been built atop a dubious -- and downright dangerous -- foundation. Crumbling stone had caused the floor to sag, resulting in cracked walls and floors. Now, one month and 4,000 pounds of cement later, the room, for the first time in over 100 years, is secure. The dusty details: Read more » April Garden Chores
March 31, 2013
YESTERDAY, while photographing the 'Grand Maitre' crocuses in my Serpentine Garden, I discovered I wasn't alone. Meet the helpful garden-guest I encountered, and then -- when you've finished screaming -- have a look at the month's (plentiful) chores:
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