Author Archives: cathyboettner

As you might remember, we prepped a bunch of holes along our neighbor’s retaining wall so that we could plant forsythias about 3 feet apart to create a thick green screen to block their view of our messy back yard (where all the trailers are.) What I didn’t report, is that when Jack and IContinue reading “Green Screen Update–Forsythias”

You will need a resistance band for this workout. I used a medium weight one. 10 Lateral Steps to each side with band at ankles 10 Lateral Steps to each side with band at ankles 12 Goblet Squats with 12 lb weight 12 Goblet Squats with 12 lb weight 20 Plank Jacks with band atContinue reading “Pandemic Physical Fitness–“I’m with the Band””

My family loves Philly Steak Sandwiches, and so do I. I started making these as a lighter alternative to the traditional beef version. It is super simple to do–and I usually make ahead for a quick weeknight meal. (I’m calling it meatless, but this recipe is not vegetarian.) 3 tbsp butter 2 large onions 2Continue reading “Meatless Monday–Philly Mushroom Sandwiches”

20 Front to lateral raise with 3 lb weights 15 Shoulder Press with 8 lb weights 15 Upright Row with 8 lb weights 15 Jumping Jacks 10 Torso Twists to each side with 8 lb weight 15 Side Bends to each side with 20 lb kettlebell 10 Wood Chops to each side with 8 lbContinue reading “Pandemic Physical Fitness–30 minute total body workout”

This is another design using the same branch and table cloth, but this time I used some wood pieces to elevate a cute butterfly catching bunny, flowers in blue pitchers (my favorite), hen on nests, and Snowbaby chick and bunny. I would use white or green plates with this to finish the look.

I have a curly filbert tree in my new foundation garden. It will only grow to about eight feet, and it will hide the electrical meter, etc. on the side of my house. But it has the added advantage of having really interesting branches. It had a branch last summer that trailed a little tooContinue reading “Easter Table”

I made some cherry wood smoked chicken to go with all the salads we made this week. I used the same techniques as are used in this YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd1rM3CsoN0&t=23s&ab_channel=Tasty This technique may look intimidating, but it really isn’t. I had to watch the video several times the first time I made turkey this way,Continue reading “Spring and Summer Salads–Smoked Chicken (or Turkey) Salad”

My friend Susan gave us some no-bake cookies last weekend, which didn’t last long. J was going to meet some friends in Chattanooga to go skateboarding, and I wanted to send some treats with him, so I made another batch of these delicious and quick to make treats. These are the classic no-bake cookies/hobnobs. Hobnobs–makesContinue reading “Susan’s Sweet Treats”

Oh, we love this one. I was introduced to it when we did a series of “healthy meals” for events at work to try to get our employees to see that food can both taste good and be good for you. I’m not sure that worked with our employees, but I have been making thisContinue reading “Spring Salads–Apple Salad”

We have had an unusually grey and cloudy few weeks, and have been getting a little stir crazy. So yesterday, we took a drive to Mowbray Mountain and hiked a part of the Little Soddy Trail. While it was on the cool side (about 43 degrees), the sun came out. Apparently, there used to beContinue reading “Pandemic Physical Fitness–Little Soddy Trail”