Living With Kids: Jan Verhoff
I always love to hear stories of how families chose their homes. Sometimes it’s walk-through-the-front-door-perfect, and sometimes it requires a little imagination. Plus also a general contractor with access to heavy machinery!
Jan and her family needed a little help, but they also put in a lot of their own sweat equity — I love her advice about that! — and I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t have done it any other way.
Come meet her. Happy to have you here, Jan!
…Yogurt Lemon Sheet Cake Kids Can Make All By Themselves!
One of the most beloved and easy cake recipes is the classic French yogurt cake. The tradition goes that it can be made by measuring all of the ingredients using a standard (French) yogurt cup. And while this recipe doesn’t specify those measurements, it’s pretty close. And one of the best parts about this lemon sheet cake is it can be made by kids in its entirety. (Younger children will obviously need help with the baking part.)
In addition to the tangy yogurt, this sheet cake has loads of fresh lemon juice. It’s about as lemony as you can make a cake. And really this sheet cake doesn’t even need frosting… it’s that good! (That said, there are still two frosting recipes included below. Hah!)
…Yogurt Lemon Sheet Cake Kids Can Make All By Themselves!Read More »
Highlights
Tall House Renovations
Making Limewash For Wallpaint in the Family Room at the Tall House
Sanding Floors in the Tall House Attic
Applying Soap Finish To Wood Floors in the Tall House Attic
The Double Wall We Found in the Living Room at the Tall House
Tall House Attic Renovation — Part 3
Moving Into The Tall House
Installing a New Old Window in the Workroom at the Tall House
Restoring The Original Cast Iron DoorBell at the Tall House
Tall House Kitchen Remodel — Part 4
Another Round of Fixing the Brick Floor
Tall House Entry Renovation — Part 2
Tall House Entry Renovation — Part 3
Tall House Entry Renovation — Part 4
Painting the Front Doors of the Tall House
Tall House Staircase Renovation
Plumbing Troubles at the Tall House
Restored Cast Iron Radiators at the Tall House
Fixing the Brick Floor and Installing Reclaimed Bricks
Creating a Curved Ceiling in the Tall House — Part 1
Creating a Curved Ceiling in the Tall House — Part 2
[Former] Dining Room & Lighting at the Tall House
Installing the Laundry Room Counter at the Tall House
Little Cupboard Under the Stairs at the Tall House
Renovating the Landing at the Tall House
Some Treasures We’ve Found at the Tall House & Small House
Moving the Green Piano to the Tall House
Making Built-In Bookshelves at the Tall House
Building a Built-in Closet from IKEA Pax for the Primary Bedroom at the Tall House
Early Renovation of the Carriage House (a building in the Tall House Garden)
Bringing Back the Original Doors of the Carriage House
Fixing The Carriage House Doors
Bringing a Small Digger Tractor to the Tall House Garden
Figuring out Plumbing in the Tall House Garden
Working in the Tall House Garden
Transforming the Big Garden Doors with Glass
Bioethanol Fireplace at the Tall House
Building Window Benches for Betty’s Bedroom at the Tall House
Painting Upholstery on a Bed in the Tall House
Renovating the Workroom at the Tall House
Tours of Finished Rooms & Tall House
Finished Tour of the Laundry Room at the Tall House
Finished Tour of Flora June’s Bedroom at the Tall House
Finished Tour of Betty’s Bedroom at the Tall House
Finished Tour of the Primary Bedroom at the Tall House
Finished Tour of the Green Bathroom at the Tall House
Travel
A Visit to the D-Day American Military Cemetery
Family Trip to Mykonos, Greece (after two years apart during the pandemic)
Family Trip to Santorini, Greece
A Visit to Mortagne Au Perche, France
A Trip to Marrakech, Morocco — Part 3
A Trip to Marrakech, Morocco — Part 2
A Trip to Marrakech, Morocco — Part 1
A Visit to Monet’s House & Gardens at Giverny
A Family Trip to the Dordogne region of France
Family Trip to the US — Part 1
Family Trip to the US — Part 2
A Family Trip to Yosemite, California
Family Trip to Scotland — Part 1
Family Trip to Scotland — Part 2
Family Trip to the British Island of Jersey — Part 1
Family Trip to the British Island of Jersey — Part 2
Tour of Chateau D’O, Normandy, France
Tour of Chateau “De Castro”, Normandy, France
Family Visit to Versailles, France
Family Trip to Heidelberg, Germany
Family Trip to the Alsace Region of France (Strausburg & Colmar)
Press Trip to Chateau Purnon in the Loire Valley
Miscellaneous
Adventures at the Cottage — Part 2
A Discussion About My Ancestry
Updates About My Book, Ejaculate Responsibly
Making a Rothko-style painting
Major Storm Knocked Down Towers on the 13th Century Church Across The Street
Oscar’s High School Graduation
Small House
Small House Video Tour Before Renovation
Renovating the Small House Roof — Part 1
Renovating the Small House Roof — Part 2
Renovating the Small House Roof — Part 3
Renovating the Small House Roof — Part 4
Clearing Out the Small House Upstairs
Treasures Found at the Small House
The Work Jacket We Found at the Small House
Working On the Small House Upstairs
Loft Beam Repair at the Small House
Restoring the Loft at the Small House — Part 1
Restoring the Loft at the Small House — Part 2
Insulating the Ceiling at the Small House
Small House Upstairs Repointing — Part 1
Small House Upstairs Repointing — Part 2
Small House Upstairs Repointing — Part 3
Renovation of Small House Upstairs Ceiling and Beams
Renovation of Small House Ceiling — Part 2
Small House Upstairs Bathroom Floor Renovation
Welding Repairs on the Doors at the Small House
Small House Loft Electrical Updates
Building the Upstairs Bathroom Walls at the Small House
Small House Upstairs Bathroom Sheetrock
Handmade Faucets in Small House Upstairs Bathroom
Upstairs Bathroom SubFloor at the Small House
Tadelakt Walls in the Upstairs Bathroom at the Small House
Soaping Tadelakt Walls at the Small House
Cleaning Reclaimed Tiles at the Small House
Reclaimed Floor Tile in the Upstairs Bathroom at the Small House — Part 1
Reclaimed Floor Tile in the Upstairs Bathroom at the Small House — Part 2
Building a Vanity for the Small House Upstairs Bathroom
Foam Fix in the Small House Upstairs Bathroom
Installing an Antique Bathtub in the Small House Upstairs Bathroom
Restoring the Loft Staircase at the Small House
Wiring and Electricity Update at the Small House
Bathroom Lighting Upstairs at the Small House
Bedroom Floor Renovation (Upstairs) at the Small House — Part 1
Bedroom Floor Renovation at the Small House — Part 2
Bedroom Floor Renovation at the Small House — Part 3
Bedroom Floor Renovation at the Small House — Part 4
Bedroom Floor Renovation at the Small House — Part 5
Remaking the Bathroom Door Upstairs at the Small House
Installing Baseboard Upstairs at the Small House
Replacing Glass in the Big Windows at the Small House
Painting Windows at the Small House
Limewashing a Bedroom Wall at the Small House (last half of highlight)
A Kitchen From the 1400s at the Small House
Electricity Updates at the Small House
Finishing Wood Floors with Soap or Staining With Vinegar
Fixing a Broken Stone Mantel Upstairs at the Small House
Clean-up Day on the Ground Floor of the Small House
Staining the Loft Floor at the Small House
Restoring the Ground Floor Staircase at the Small House
Staining the Ground Floor Staircase at the Small House
Removing the Blacksmith Forge Hood at the Small House
Painting Woodwork at the Small House
Staining with Vinegar and Applying Linseed Oil to the Wood Floors Upstairs at the Small House
Plumbing Updates at the Small House
Converting a Cast Iron Radiator to Electricity at the Small House
Insulation on the Ground Floor Ceiling at the Small House
Repairing the Ground Floor Fireplace a the Small House
Restoring the Small House Gate — Part 1
Restoring the Small House Gate — Part 2
Restoring the Small House Gate — Part 3
Restoring the Small House Gate — Part 4
Some Bath Details at the Small House
Repointing the Living Room Walls at the Small House — Part 1
Installing the Entry & Kitchen Ceiling at the Small House
Insulating the Living Room Ceiling at the Small House
Installing the Living Room Ceiling at the Small House — Part 1
Installing the Living Room Ceiling at the Small House — Part 2
Repointing the Living Room Walls at the Small House
Restoring the Ground Floor Stair Landing at the Small House
Putting Linseed Oil on the Big Beams at the Small House
More Painting at the Small House
Electrical Installation in the Living Room at the Small House
Working on the Living Room Floor at the Small House
Repointing the Big Wall in the Kitchen/Entry Area of the Small House — Part 1
Repointing the Big Wall in the Kitchen/Entry Area of the Small House — Part 2
Ham and Cheese Overnight Breakfast Casserole — Perfect for Mother’s Day Brunch
Have you ever made a breakfast casserole? They’re great for holidays or special days. You prep it the night before, then pop it in the oven in the morning. It keeps things simple, but also feels special and substantial. And the leftovers are so great for busy school mornings! The leftovers can even be cut into squares, wrapped well, and frozen.
Let’s get this casserole prepped and ready to go.
…Ham and Cheese Overnight Breakfast Casserole — Perfect for Mother’s Day BrunchRead More »
Flora June Blair’s Birth Story
Flora June Blair turned 13 today. It’s the end of an era. Our youngest is officially a teenager. To mark the day, I thought it would be fun to republish Flora June’s birth story. And be sure to check out the links in the last paragraph for more photos and details.
From June 7, 2010
Today, Flora June Blair is one month old. I can hardly believe it. What was our family like before June arrived? I don’t even remember. To mark the day, I wanted to write down her birth story before I forget the details.
Ejaculate Responsibly — More Book Tour Dates!
Since I’m heading to the U.S. for a conference and for our son Ralph’s college graduation in May, my book team has put together a few more book tour stops!!! I am REALLY looking forward to these events. If you can make it, I can’t wait to meet you and connect with you in person and hear your stories. These are the dates and cities:
May 9th – PHOENIX
NEW EVENT
7:30pm at The Garn Residence
45 S Sawyer Lane
Gilbert, AZ 85296
RSVP to John.a.webster@icloud.com — space is limited.
Earlier that day, you can find me at the Mom 2.0 Summit, The Camelback Inn, Scottsdale
5402 E Lincoln Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
I’ll be part of the Closing Keynote.
Click for conference tickets.
May 10th – SALT LAKE CITY
6pm at The King’s English Bookshop
1511 S 1500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
In conversation with Amy McPhie Allebest of Breaking Down Patriarchy.
Click here for SLC event tickets.
May 11th – SALT LAKE CITY
6pm at The King’s English Bookshop
1511 S 1500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
In conversation with Amy McPhie Allebest of Breaking Down Patriarchy.
SOLD OUT
May 13th – BERKELEY
7pm at Books, Inc.
1491 Shattuck Ave Berkeley, CA 94710
In conversation with my husband Ben Blair.
Click here for Berkeley event tickets.
May 15th – ATLANTA
7pm at Eagle Eye Book Shop
2076 N. Decatur Road Decatur, GA 30033
In conversation with author, Jessica Handler.
Click here for Atlanta event tickets.
Dessert For Two: Fluffy Lemon Pudding
Oh my goodness, you’re going to absolutely love this recipe! It comes, slightly adapted, from Rachel Allen’s Irish Family Food, a beloved cookbook. With spring here, it makes a perfect addition to the Dessert For Two series – scaled down a bit, that is.
This recipe is magic. Magic! As the pudding bakes, it separates into layers of spongy cake and a warm, lemon custard (think: lemon curd) on the bottom. Basically it tastes like warm lemon bars only with the crust on top. And the rim of the baking dish gets that kind of sticky, caramelized crispy edge. So darn irresistible!
…6 Secrets and Tips for Moving Home Smoothly
Some moves are bigger and more hectic than others. But let’s just get this out there: moving stinks! I don’t know one person who has ever said, “Moving is great! I love it!” Quite the opposite! That’s because it’s just plain miserable most of the time. Packing up all of your belongings, schlepping them to another town, state, or country? Not fun at all. Am I right?
It would be dreamy to hire a moving company to do all the work, but since that’s not always an option, I rely on some tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned with you to help you or someone you know have an easier time packing and moving — and hopefully making it a bit less miserable in the process.
Ready to get packing? Let’s go!
…Living With Kids: Emily Hart
Oh, is Emily refreshing! Hers is the classic and always happy-making story of a family living in not their forever home…but their growing home. I love that term. And I also adore that the Hart family hasn’t pushed pause on living with kids with style just because of that fact; they choose to make pretty when they can, always with an eye on whether it’s a smart project for resale value. So sensible. But so difficult to resist when you’re craving new kitchen cabinets, right? Friends, I’m pleased to introduce you to Emily. I just know you’ll enjoy peeking into her home today!
…Recipe: Spring Arugula and Pea Shoot Salad
This delicious spring arugula and pea shoot salad makes good use of fresh, green spring veggies, greens, and herbs — and not asparagus! (nothing against asparagus, but it seems like we eat it and see it all the time during spring. It’s nice to have a few other favorite spring veggies to enjoy too.) Hopefully wherever you live, you’ll have access to the same or similar ingredients because this really is a yummy combination!
This salad uses farro, which is an ancient variety of wheat. It cooks fairly quickly and you can find it near the rice at the grocery store. But another whole grain can easily be substituted. (I’ve included variations and substitutions below the recipe.) It helps to bulk the salad up with extra protein and carbs to make it more filling.
This salad would be great for lunch or dinner as is, but it’s also great with a piece of grilled chicken or fish, or even veggie burger.
…10 Great Books for Spring
Does it feel like spring yet where you are? I’m hearing rumors of Mountain West snow, and more atmospheric rivers in California. Or maybe you live somewhere that seasons don’t really exist — and the days just turn from warm to hot without much fanfare. Good thing there are so many amazing books to help us remember the wonder of spring!
…Little Farmer Easter Baskets
A simple way to celebrate Spring and Easter is to notice signs of new life in nature. You can carry this idea even further, by transforming a traditional Easter basket into personal mini gardens to be planted for spring. You can use wooden wine boxes to make little raised beds and filled them with veggies, flowers, and kid-sized gardening essentials.
Not only are these boxes easy (and inexpensive) to put together, but they provide a project for the little ones that will last all spring and summer. Happy Easter! Happy Spring!
…How To Get the Most Intense Easter Egg Colors
Want to know how to get the most intense easter egg colors? Well, I’ve done the research and dyed a LOT of eggs. And this is what works.
…One Pot Dinner: Mediterranean Chicken Pilaf
Who doesn’t love a One Pot or One Sheet Pan recipe? You’re going to go crazy for this Mediterranean Chicken Pilaf for at least five reasons:
1) It’s so easy to prepare and clean-up is a snap, 2) SO yummy, 3) it’s an odds-and-ends recipe that will help you clear out your fridge and pantry, 4) there’s spinach in it, so it’s got to be healthy too, right? and 5) did I mention how delicious it is?!
Without the chicken it makes a nice, light lunch. With chicken, it’s a lovely dinner. (There are variations below, too, if you’re vegetarian or dairy-free.)
…Geometric Wire Bunny | Make It!
Let’s make modern geometric bunnies. It’s a simple idea — wire formed to make the shape of a bunny — but it can be used in so many fun ways!
It was a little bit of a challenge to find the right wire but now that the leg work is done, it won’t be as tough for you. Plus, there’s a free downloadable template to help you out. There are two bunny versions in the photos. One is small and simple — you could make a dozen of these fairly quickly. The other version is oversize. As in 3 feet wide! It’s a little more challenging, but still totally doable.
The smaller one is pictured below as a napkin ring, but it would also be adorable as an accent on a gift. Or you could hang one sweetly from an Easter basket. Or you could attach a long ribbon and use it as a springtime bookmark!
The larger one is oversize and quite dramatic. Hang it on your door in place of a wreath. Or display it on the wall above the sofa. It looks good as both interior and exterior decoration — and you can customize the color with ribbons!
Directions for both sizes are below.
…Dessert for Two: The Easiest Chocolate Mousse You’ll Ever Make
Who needs a little chocolate fix today? How about the easiest chocolate mousse you’ll ever make
Traditional recipes for chocolate mousse are much more complicated than this recipe. That’s why it’s called the “Easiest Chocolate Mousse You’ll Ever Make.” Those traditional chocolate mousse recipes contain eggs and involves several stages of whipping, mixing, and refrigerating before being ready to eat. This one cuts the time down by a lot and is really nothing more than whipped ganache. No eggs needed. It even cuts out the extra step of whipping the cream. So while it’s not the most traditional recipe out there, it still embodies the same flavor and texture of a much more complicated, involved mousse.
You’ll love it. Guaranteed.
…Dessert for Two: The Easiest Chocolate Mousse You’ll Ever MakeRead More »
DIY: Adorable Felted Spring Chicks
Welcome Spring! The daffodils are blooming along the highway, cherry blossom buds are beginning to pop up along the branches, and the sunshine gets a little earlier, brighter, and warmer every day. This little row of felted spring chicks is sure to be one of your very favorite home decorations.
These birds are so fun and simple to make, once you get the hang of it, you can make about forty in an hour or so. Make a few for everyone you know — they are perfect decorations for spring and Easter! And you can leave them perched in your home year-round to make you smile. Now, let’s get started!
…How To Grow Your Own Wheat Grass
Have you ever planted wheat grass for the spring holidays? It’s super easy and gratifying, and a lovely little ritual to welcome the new season. Sometimes I plant wheat grass to be used as a centerpiece. Other times as spring decor for our entry table. One year I planted it in Easter Baskets. It takes about 8-11 days to fill out and look lawn-like, so think about when you will want it on display and then count backwards to find the best planting day (sometime this week will be ideal if you’re aiming for Easter).
Here are my easy directions:
-Fill and level your container with potting soil. Leave about an inch of space at the top.
-Place an even layer of wheat kernels on the soil. It should be a pretty solid layer with only a little bit of dirt showing.
-Water daily. Keep the soil pretty moist. For a 6-inch container, I pour in a glass of water each morning.
That’s it. You’ll see sprouts in about 48 hours. And grass in about a week. The wheat won’t look great for ever — some people trim it with scissors to extend it’s life — but I prefer to just replant. (You can also juice it if you’re into that!)
A note about containers:
I’ve had success planting wheat grass in all sorts of containers, as long as I’m considerate of drainage. I’ve planted in metal buckets with no drainage holes, using a couple inches of foam peanuts underneath the soil. I’ve planted in glass containers, lining the bottom couple of inches with pretty pebbles. And I’ve planted in traditional ceramic containers with built in drainage holes.
P.S. — Natural dye Easter eggs in every color.
Flora June’s Room
We’ve been living in the Tall House for a year and half, and I’m happy to report that Flora June’s room is officially finished! And it is so cute I can’t stop staring at the images.
I’m going to give you a tour in photos, with notes in the captions, and then at the end I’ll show you what the room looked like when we first visited the house, and some of the in-between stages. First I’ll start with some overall shots, and then we’ll look at some details.
…Recipe: Simple Baked Salmon with Kale Salad
Looking for a light, refreshing meal to bring into regular rotation? How about fish and a hearty salad? Simple Baked Salmon with Kale Salad just kinda hits the spot when you’re tired of winter meals.
Salmon tends to be the go-to because it’s pretty easy to find wild-caught frozen salmon year round. But if salmon isn’t your thing, you can still make this with your choice of protein — be it beef, chicken, pork, plant-based protein (tofu and tempeh), or other types of fish.
But forget about the salmon for a bit, because the real star here is the citrus. Winter is the season of citrus, so why not welcome it with open arms. So many different types of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons, limes, and more! It’s glorious and you can use every meal as an attempt to add more citrus into your day. This kale salad is full of yummy ingredients and drizzled with a bright and refreshing Blood Orange Mint Dressing.
You’ll feel so good after eating this! And it’s delicious. You’ll love the fresh crunch of raw cucumber and pepitas, and the pungency of the red onion. If you can find them, try blueberries too. There’s a whole lotta flavors going on — and then there’s the avocado! So creamy and decadent.
…