Author: Lisa
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Pork tenderloin
The key to a delicious pork tenderloin is to make sure you do not overcook it. We use a wireless thermometer and take the pork tenderloin off the grill (or out of the oven, if you don’t have access to a grill) when it reaches 137 degrees and then tent it with aluminum foil to… Read more
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Edinburgh Scotland
While staying in London, we took a (long) train ride to spend a few days exploring Edinburgh and, while a few days visit does not make me an expert, below is what we learned. Places we visited: Where we stayed: Since we were only visiting Edinburgh for a few nights, I wanted to stay somewhere… Read more
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How to travel with just carry-on luggage for a month
We never check our luggage. Ever. Frankly, I just don’t trust the process and want my things with me at all times. Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way to avoid checking my luggage – even for month long trips. Clothing, shoes, underwear and outerwear Other things I bring along on the… Read more
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Rolled sugar cookies
This recipe is adapted from a mid 1980s Better Homes and Gardens cookbook that is still one of my go-to references for great recipes. I’ve used it so frequently over the last 40 years that the pages are stained and practically falling out. I’m never getting rid of this cookbook! Ingredients: To prepare the dough:… Read more
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How to book a great vacation rental
When we travel – especially in Europe – we tend to stay for 2-5 weeks. Even when both of us were still working, we found that it worked great to mix vacation days with part-time work. If you’re employer is flexible – and you can show you are still able to get the work done… Read more
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Citrus smoothie
We try to work out at the gym every day and I make this smoothie the minute we get back home. We bought a Vitamix several years ago, and it gets a daily workout itself with this recipe. Also, I’m not into overly sweet smoothies, so the lemon and lime really help to make it… Read more
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Ghent Belgium
We probably never would have considered a trip to Ghent, but the terrace outside our cottage in Bruges was being rebuilt and the owner graciously arranged for us to take a side trip to Ghent for a week. Ghent is a lovely city with a younger vibe than Bruges. In fact, it may have the… Read more
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How to save money and reduce spending every day
When my kids were in elementary school I used to have coffee with a group of moms on Friday mornings. One day, one of the moms shared that they were going to have their mortgage paid off before their kids went off to college. Having three kids relatively the same age and facing the possibility… Read more
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Sanibel Florida
I’ve loved Sanibel Island for as long as I can remember. I spent a large part of my childhood growing up in Fort Myers, so day trips to the island were a fairly regular occurrence. Once our children were old enough to travel, we started vacationing there in the winter to escape the Wisconsin winters.… Read more
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Creamy pasta with peas and prosciutto
I always have the ingredients on hand to prepare this dish because it comes together so easily and tastes so good! I’m not including too much on serving sizes or quantities with this recipe as it is super flexible depending upon your number of guests and everyone has their own preference for sauce vs. pasta… Read more