It’s a far, far better thing you do when you pull off the basics really, really well, than attempting a complicated fiasco that you will never, ever do again. For those who, like Penelope, tend to over-think things, here are a few of her favorite things that will help you keep it simple.The Leifheit P37200 […]

Great break-up lines in Valentine’s Day history:

“No matter what happens, I’ll always love you.”
“I still want to be friends.”
“You’re great, but …”
“I don’t know if I believe in soul mates.”
“I just need some time alone.”
“It’s not you, it’s me.”
“Can I have my DVD player back?

If even the possibility of hearing one of the aforementioned lines […]

You can save a lot of time, trouble, and extra trips to the store by reading a recipe all the way through before you start making it. Actually, before you even shop for it. There’s a name for doing this. It’s called “Mise en Place,” literally “putting in place.” It means not only having all […]

Jason Freundlich of Cincinnatti writes, “My girlfriend is a little, um, finicky about, well everything, but especially what kind of measuring stuff she uses when she bakes. I don’t want to bring this into session (because it’s costing enough already), but does it really matter?”Sorry, Jason. On this one, she’s not off base. Glass is […]

We never think milk or butter or eggs will last forever, but for some reason we look at a tin of allspice like it’s the portrait of Dorian Gray, and will never age. So here’s how to gauge the life of your dried spices.Give the old ones a whiff. If they don’t mesmerize your senses, […]

After the big game last Sunday, Stacy Donaldson from Grand Rapids wrote…What’s with these guys? My future-ex Donald was supposed to come over to watch the Giants-Green Bay Packers game, so I promised him your The Zen Master’s Apple Pie for some good karma to go with the game. And just like your friend Bubby […]

Same as with your boss when you ask for a raise, a lemon will release its juice a lot more easily if it’s been warmed up a little first. Pop it into the microwave for a couple of seconds before squeezing it, and you’ll get more juice. If your supervisor is too tall to fit […]