the adventures of an incurable optimist

Author Courtney McDonald

Happy new year, southern style

Recipes for my deviled eggs and for my mother in law’s cole slaw

Pimento Cheese

Yes, yes, it’s finally here: the McDonald recipe for pimento cheese. What is pimento cheese, some of you are asking? It’s an appetizer, a snack, it makes a great sandwich, it pairs well with those best summer tomatoes we all… Continue Reading →

Roar

About three weeks ago, I saw in my mind a picture of a lion’s paw, and someone was pulling a thorn out of the paw. I’ve been pondering this: who is the lion? who pulled the thorn?

Pizza joy

This is too, too good not to post – this way, when I need to watch it another 427 times, it will be easy to find. Guarantee the one -minute time investment is worth it.

Confinement

I love to garden and I find that it has a marvelous way of being the perfect tonic at the perfect time. Sometimes it’s an opportunity to be fully engaged just with the work of my hands, a welcome respite… Continue Reading →

Liberté … from the same old boring cocktails

Hello from the inside. I, like everyone else, have been living out the ultimate ‘I just wish I could stay home ALL THE TIME’ fantasy for the last five six who-knows how many weeks due to “the unprecented circumstances” and… Continue Reading →

No baloney

Dear all, the post below was (mostly) drafted on December 27, 2014. That’s a long time ago. In fact, that’s bologna. Or baloney. Except, well – read the below about that. I can now see that I was held up… Continue Reading →

holiday edition: green bean casserole

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all. It’s been a while – I got a little busy. Had to move this blog, a couple big projects at work, got married, you know, just this and that. Anyhow in honor of the holiday today, I… Continue Reading →

playing dress-up

On color blocking, time wastage and the sheer joy of DIY fashion layouts.

of magpies and cats in bowties

I can admit it, I’ve always been a bit of a magpie, collecting shiny bits that caught my eye. Anyone who’s been to my house can attest that I like to have my things about me, little bibs and bobs… Continue Reading →

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