“Graceful Vacation Day Drinking” is how Southern Living describes my non-patented method for enjoying a cocktail (or several) on vacation without cutting your day short. They included that method as one of 50 Reasons to Love Summer in the South, and I agree! Southern Living, June 2019

I can’t get down with the whole clothes rental thing, because I’m shaped funny and would always rather pull an old favorite from the closet than buy something new. (See also: I’m cheap.) But getting a perfectly sharpened chef’s knife in the mail every three months and returning the old one with a flick of the wrist and the provided box and tape? HEAVEN. This is everything I love about EVR Sharp. Cool Mom Eats, June 2019

The newest addition to Columbia’s restaurant offerings, the self-described “French(ish)” Black Rooster, is a darn good time, not to mention great food and beverages. I could only choose one dish for the Free Times Bite of the Week, but there were several contenders, and we’ll be back for sure. (Check out one of my other favorite dishes on Instagram.) Free Times, October 2019

If we’ve talked recently, you know I’ve become somewhat obsessed with golf, which I took up late last year. And I’m not good! But this is what I love about it, and also why you should start (and how it’s not as expensive or difficult as you thought). Wilmington Magazine/Columbia Living, July 2019

I love soup, so picking just five was tough, but these are solid. Along with fellow Free Times food writers Bach Pham (mac and cheese), Cam Powell (tortas), Mike Dojc (breakfast sandwiches), April Blake (hummus plates), and Tug Baker (hash and rice), I shared my five favorites around Columbia, South Carolina. Loved writing mine, love exploring theirs! Free Times, September 2019

Usually the Bite of the Week is from a locally owned place, but there are nationally owned businesses that get it right. Publix fried chicken is oh-so-right and there are plenty of local chefs out there who agree. Free Times, July 2019

When life gives you spoiled milk…make ricotta. This is one of my favorite ways not to waste milk that’s gone slightly off, because it’s easy and leads to delicious lasagne. Good Life Blog, June 2019

I mean, maybe it is extra? But it’s delicious. Henry’s always does comfort food right and this sandwich is excellent. Free Times, August 2019

The Bite of the Week is a fun way to showcase local favorites, and this labneh from Arabesque in Columbia, SC is definitely on my list. Free Times, June 2019

This is hardly an original thought, but Edisto Island really is the most relaxing place, even when there’s a lot of work involved. Even if the work involves ladders and clippers and industrial cleaners. (Full disclosure: it helps when the work is occasionally interrupted by golf.) Still, faced with limited choices, I can finally relax. Good Life Blog, May, 2019

Who doesn’t love to eat good, local food and get paid? I went rogue at Di Prato’s recently and tried something new instead of my usual marinated pepper and mozzarella panini (also excellent). This sandwich was excellent. Read all about it in this week’s Free Times (or just go get one). Free Times, May 2019

Not that you don’t want to go to France. I mean, we all do, but it isn’t always possible, n’est-ce pas? The Kitchn allowed me to share my thoughts on the one item I will drive to Costco to get, because it’s almost as good as the French kind. The Kitchn, April 2019

No matter how many times I read about the perfect method for peeling hard-boiled eggs, they don’t always come out just right. But I love deviled eggs (and this super easy recipe), and I have a back-up plan in case they come out ugly. Cool Mom Eats, April 2019

Got some bread? How about a few pieces of fruit that are a little past their prime? There’s a solid chance you already have all the ingredients for this super simple bread pudding with fruit. And if you have ice cream to serve with it, that’s even better! Cool Mom Eats, April 2019

It was a pleasure to research and write this short piece about fitting volunteer work into a busy schedule. I enjoyed hearing from several people about the creative ways they volunteer. United Way of the Midlands is trying to make it easy for anyone to be a volunteer! Free Times, April, 2019

Choosing the Bite of the Week for our local alternative weekly is always a lot of fun because who doesn’t like to eat food and talk about it? This dish isn’t quite on the menu, but it sure is good. Free Times, March 2019

Nope, this article isn’t in French, y’all. But it is about how I came to make a real beef bourguignon and what I did with the leftovers. (Spoiler alert: The leftovers may have been better than the original!) Good Life, March 2019

Whether you chop it yourself or save even more time by buying it already chopped at Trader Joe’s, mirepoix is a great start to so many dishes. This is how I make it, store it, and use it. It may sound fancy, but mirepoix is something any cook can use to save time and add flavor. Cool Mom Eats, February 2019

This one is personal. I love to cook and my time in the kitchen is peaceful and centering. But that’s me. My mother, had she been less frugal, would have hired a private chef and never set foot in a kitchen again. And she was awesome. Cooking isn’t for everyone, and I think we’re putting a little too much pressure on ourselves. Learn more about my mom and why she (and I) fully support your desire to stay as far away from the kitchen as possible. Folk Rebellion, March 2018

My Pilates instructor shared a version of this recipe with me a while ago. It’s the perfect recipe for anyone who likes food, doesn’t have a lot of time, and wants something to eat for a few days in a row without getting bored. I tweaked it to make it super easy. (Instructions: Throw stuff in slow cooker. Leave. Come back and eat.) You need this chicken. The chicken is so easy, so delicious, and so versatile. It’s like magic. Cool Mom Eats, January 2019

It’s just too darn cold everywhere, even here in South Carolina. And when it’s this bitter, you need soup. And this soup from Camon, a tempura udon, is perfect. So go get it. Free Times, January 2018

Buying the ugly produce among the more perfect goods saves everyone money, because it cuts down on what the stores tosses or gives away at the end of the day. Here’s why you should do it, and how you can use the ugly stuff. For the record, monetizing ugly produce doesn’t seem to be helpful (even though in this country we monetize everything, don’t we?). Amanda Mull’s recent piece for The Atlantic is a good read about macro treatment of ugly produce. Good Life Blog, January 2019

Patricia Moore-Pastides, first lady of the University of South Carolina, has figured out a thing or two about staying healthy and throwing a heck of a party. After a visit with her at home, I shared Moore-Pastides’ tips for staying healthy during the holidays — and she gave us a recipe to include, which I’ve made and eaten three times since getting it. Free Times, December 2018

I do love doing a Bite of the Week for Free Times because I love food. And who doesn’t love a fancy hot dog? This week, I headed down to Five Points in Columbia to try a dog from Evil Weiner. Free Times, December 2018

Do you like to party? I like to party. But this time of year, it can be hard to keep up. It can feel like you need a filing cabinet (or at least more than that one side of your fridge) to keep up with all the invitations. Here’s how to manage your schedule so you can actually enjoy it! Columbia Living, Charleston Living, and Wilmington Magazine, December 2018

My recipe for salted lavender shortbread is one of my favorites, and one of the easiest things I make. (Besides, it was once approved by a chef friend, who asked for my “secret recipe,” which charmed me beyond belief.) It’s on Cool Mom Eats and is featured as part of this year’s Pinhole Press holiday baking contest. Hooray! P.S. Head on over to that contest, because you can win serious prizes, like a dang 5-quart KitchenAid mixer. Cool Mom Eats, November 2018

All year long, I turn everything that’s almost stale and also remotely bread-like (this includes potato chips, of course, because I will not eat stale chips, unless it’s an emergency) into bread crumbs. I store them in the freezer in a bag marked “Breadcrumbs 2018 (or whatever year)” and use as needed. Read my latest for the Good Life Blog to find out why I’m breading everything right now. And learn how to make easy baked and breaded cutlets, with any kind of meat, fish, tofu, vegetables, or whatever you feel like breading and baking. The Good life Blog, November 2018

Are you southern? Was this pretty much on your table every holiday meal? Even though I’m told we can eat oysters year-round now, since farmed oysters are actually good for the environment, November is when it gets just cold enough to bring on a mad craving for oysters. Add butter and saltines, and you have one delightful (and super easy) oyster pie! Cool Mom Eats, November 2018

My hometown of Columbia, South Carolina hasn’t always been a Mecca for food. And, um, I still wouldn’t call it a Mecca! But one thing has changed: there are plenty of good places to eat here, and I’m never at a loss. I love doing the occasional Bite of the Week for our local alternative weekly, because it makes me get out there and try things. Free Times, November 2018

I love to cook. It relaxes me. Chopping, stirring, tasting, and seasoning – all while listening to my favorite music or catching up on This is Us – is one of my favorite things. But I don’t always have all day to make it happen, and I love my mom’s easy recipes. This pork tenderloin probably came from a newspaper recipe, but I have it written out by hand. So easy, and so good! Cool Mom Eats, October 2018

When Cool Mom Eats asked for a recipe for easy, kid-friendly lasagna, I went to the back of the box. This recipe is combination of recipes from the boxes of various brands of oven-ready lasagna noodles. (But I couldn’t resist telling you how to incorporate a couple vegetables, just to use them up. But they’re optional!) Cool Mom Eats, September 2018

You know, that rice dish you made out of previous leftovers? Keep the party going with these delicious rice balls, which I made for years before I found out they were called arancini in Italy. Buon appetito! Or, you know, as we say around here, “Eat up, y’all!” These are so easy, it’s not even really a recipe, just a list of instructions. The Good Life, September 2018

Amy Nelson is an absolutely lovely person, and she knows food like… someone who really knows food. She’s practical and fun, sincere and charming, smart and generous, and totally down-to-earth. We could learn a lot from Amy about living the farm-to-table lifestyle, and I sure hope we get the chance. I didn’t cover a tenth of what we talked about in this interview, but read it any way. And when she becomes an even bigger star, you can say you’ve followed her career since the beginning. You’re welcome. The Kitchn, May 2018

This one is my husband’s invention, though he’s sure someone has done it before. But I can’t find it on the internet, so he gets the credit. Besides, I love everything he does on the grill, so. Find out his cool trick to keeping the grill clean. Cool Mom Eats, May 2018

I may not know much about wine (or maybe I do, or maybe I’m somewhere in between), but this is how I learned to order something I’ll like, wherever I am. Columbia Living/Charleston Living/Wilmington Magazine, May 2018

I didn’t believe it either, but I tried it, wrote about it, and ate the results! Cool Mom Eats, April 2018

Happy Earth Day, y’all! Here are a few tips for lazy people who want to do the right thing. Cool Mom Eats, April 2018

Y'all know how much I hate driving more than eight minutes from my house? Bodhi Thai is worth it. Find out why in this week's Free Times. Free Times, April 2018

I don't know if I'm cool, but I'm a mom and I eat (like, a lot). This is my first post for Cool Mom Eats, and it's one of my favorite tips. We love Trader Joe's dijon mustard, and this is how I use every last bit. Cool Mom Eats, April 2018

In the latest installment of Grain of Salt, I weigh in on whether one letter writer should help her boyfriend pay his mortgage and what on earth another one should do about this super annoying coworker. Full disclosure: I HAVE BEEN the annoying voice-to-text coworker. But my phone screen was broken, and I tried to be quiet. It didn't work, so seriously, I'm the worst. Photo by Alice Pasqual on Unsplash  Free Times, April 2018

Y'all know I love to do a little #scrapcooking, right? This simple dessert, made with leftover doughnuts or sweet rolls, only requires two other ingredients, three if you count whatever you use to grease the dish. And it's pretty enough for a dinner party! The Good Life Blog, April 2018

Other than airplanes, there are two places you should take care of yourself first: in your wallet and in bed (or wherever you like to get it on). This is the advice I gave to two letter writers this week. Photo by Melody Jacob. Free Times, February 2018

Spoiler alert: One way we cut down on food waste is by making the kids compost, but we make it easy. You can read all about how we do our best to keep our trashcan always half-empty on The Kitchn. The Kitchn, February 2018

When to run away from over-zealous experimental dishes that are the result of trying to clean out your fridge, that is. I like to avoid waste by using what I have on hand, but sometimes we take it too far. Good Life Blog, February 2018

The latest Grain of Salt: The ex-boyfriend who doesn't think he's all that bad. (Spoiler alert: He is.) Plus: What does one do about all these rumors? Free Times, February 2018

I love telling the world what's so good about South Carolina, and writing this article about outdoor activities in Columbia was a pleasure. Not flying this month? You can read it here. Delta Sky Mag, February 2018

I anticipated drama at this restaurant, thanks to a Facebook post hinting at past drama. My visit was drama-free and the food was pretty great. Free Times, February 2018

Working with phyllo is easier than you think. Spelling it is not, but that's another story. Plus: Find out why I love my group text. Southern Living, January 2018

The title says it all. And, yes, someone asked me a kink question. Hope they liked the answer! Free Times, January 2018

I mean, if I can, you can. Spoiler alert: My exercise involves plenty of Law and Order. Read the latest installment  of "Perfectly Capable." Columbia Living, Charleston Living, and Wilmington Magazine, January 2018

Otherwise known as #scrapcooking," pretty much my favorite way to put together a meal. Read my latest for Goodwill. The Good Life, January 2018

So, someone asked me a kink question. (I chose the clown photo because what's kinkier than that?) Another letter writer wants to know how to find medical care with a heart. Read them both and let me know how I did. Free Times, January 2018

This is the second installment of Grain of Salt, in which one letter writer wants to know what do do about a mis-placed compliment and another wants to know how to handle an awkward traffic court situation. Free Times, January 2018

I love a chance to spotlight a local business, especially when it's owned by a friend. This Bite of the Week was fun to write (and delicious, because I totally ate it after I took the photo). Free Times, December 2017

I'm super excited about my new column, "Perfectly Capable," because you are. I'll be sharing tips on how to do things that seem harder than they are, starting with how to host a fun dinner party without Pinterest. Columbia Living, Charleston Living, Wilmington Magazine, November, 2017

Ever since I first read "Can this Marriage be Saved?" at the age of six, I've wanted an advice column. Thanks to Free Times, it finally happened. In the first installment, I tackle divorce and Mad Dog, in two unrelated questions. Free Times, December 2017

The thing is? I'm not really sorry. I hate those tiny carts! the commenters were split in their opinions, but I stand by mine. The Kitchn, November, 2017

It's time to step up. And I don't want to hear any complaining about how your parents always re-load the dishwasher after you do it anyway. Nope. Do it their way. You grew up here; you know the drill. It's time to show your appreciation! The Kitchn, November, 2017

Do you shop alone or with your spouse? It may be harder to schedule, but we like shopping together and helps us connect. The Kitchn, November, 2017

I've wanted to do this piece forever. Many thanks to Chef Rob Patterson, formerly of Hannah Jane's and Saluda's in Columbia, South Carolina, for sharing his recipes for spreads and breads. Photography by Carter Wade. Columbia Living, Charleston Living, Wilmington Magazine, November, 2017

Are you married to someone who pretends to know less than they do about basic household and cooking tasks? Introduce them to Google. The Kitchn, November, 2017

I really enjoyed learning more about this great group of friends and their long-standing Friendsgiving tradition. Photos by Jeff Amberg. Columbia Metropolitan, November, 2017

Every now and then I get to write something that might help someone. This is my favorite lunch at my favorite lunch place, and Free Times featured it as their Bite of the Week. Free Times, November, 2017

It's tempting to rush out and get everything you need, or Amazon Prime it, which you can do in your pajamas. But don't clutter your home with these 5 things. The Kitchn, November, 2017

I'm as tempted as the next shopper by a really good deal. Here's why those current deals on eggs aren't as good as they seem. The Kitchn, October, 2017

Sometimes you write something you know will be controversial, but every now and then readers take you by surprise. Apparently not everyone agrees that hand washing is important. The Kitchn, October, 2017

No oven's going to tell me what to do. I want a sous chef. The Kitchn, October, 2017

The Kitchn did a news blitz recently and I wrote a few posts for it, including this one on the devastating fires in California. The Kitchn, October, 2017

Almost any parent will you tell you that kids will be kids, and eat what they want to eat. Now there's some science to back it up. The Kitchn, September, 2017

Call it whatever you like, but I'm probably right on this one. The Kitchn, September, 2017

Spoiler alert: it doesn't involve a hair dryer. Here are some tips for safer, quicker chicken thawing. The Kitchn, August, 2017

The rule of lists on the internet? Always make it a prime number. And 5 is easy! This is how we do the snack thing at our house. The Kitchn, September, 2017

Because I don't like to get up early in the morning, or stay up late, or pack school lunches. Time to DIY, kids! The Kitchn, September, 2017

The farmers market is a great place for kids, full of fresh produce, friendly faces, and life lessons. Here's how you can make it fun and productive for everyone. The Kitchn, July, 2017

It may not be happening in your neighborhood, but in some places, people call the health department, even the cops, on kid entrepreneurs. Here's what I think about that. The Kitchn, July, 2017

In my latest blog post for Southern Living, I explain exactly why I'm the one dodging people I know while buying the cheapest vodka at Morganelli's. Southern Living, July, 2017

You know what's a lot of fun? A fruity spritzer on vacation. You know what's no fun at all? Ruining your own vacation or someone else's by overindulging. Southern Living, June, 2017

It's a huge secret! You should read this now! Kidding. The secret is "make a budget," but this was fun to write. The Kitchn, July, 2017

Headed to the beach? The mountains? Or anywhere else with a dog? Me, too. Make sure you have everything on this list. Columbia Metropolitan, July, 2017

I love a tea sandwich. Who doesn't? You can make them in any quantity, with ingredients to please any guest. Here are a couple of my favorites. Southern Living, May, 2017

Kidding. They aren't. And I hate Pinterest, but here's why I love mason jars. The Good Life Blog, July, 2017

This was my latest blog for Goodwill, in which I take home a whole frozen pig leg from the Lula Drake and it leads to a beautifully stocked freezer. The Good Life blog, May, 2017

That title is a little misleading, but this was fun to write: an ode to the Cool Whip of my childhood. By the way, people have big, big feelings about Cool Whip. The Kitchn, April, 2017

One of my editors at The Kitchn asked who had never been to Aldi and was willing to give it a try. Here's how it went. By the way, people have big, big feelings about Aldi. The Kitchn, April, 2017

Not sure what kind of camp you should pick for the kids this summer? This non-scientific quiz I wrote will help (maybe). Free Times, April, 2017

Those of you who know me know how much I love trying to fix things myself, even though I probably have more losses than wins. So, how do you know? When is it okay to try to fix it yourself? The Kitchn, February, 2017.

In my latest blog post for Goodwill, I wrote about the importance of old friends in the kitchen. Specifically, my oldest kitchen friend, Iona. The Good Life Blog, March, 2017

I was recently asked to write a post for Southern Living once a month, linking back to a recipe here. Which means I'll have to post here at least once a month, so hooray! This is what I told SL readers about that tex-mdx casserole. Southern Living (web), April 2017

I know you want to brag. I know you're excited. And so many people care, but every single on of your friends on Facebook is not the right audience. You know I'm right. Free Times, January 2016 (pdf).

This is why I never go out shopping on Black Friday. Moral superiority aside, I spent way too much at Net-a-Porter this Black Friday, but that doesn't count, because I didn't have to go anywhere. The Kitchn, November, 2016.

My roommate from back in the day (Hi, Mariah!) and I were trying to remember if we ever had food in our apartment. We didn't, but somehow we didn't starve. These days, it's like I'm expected to have food all the time. And here's how I keep it together when life is moving too fast. The Kitchn, November 2016.

Somehow her photo always ends up accompanying my posts about entertaining on The Kitchn. This is how I learned to love Halloween, which spawned my micro-famous pumpkin chili. The Kitchn, October 2016.

And writing this one - "What's Your Perfect Date Night In?" - was a lot of fun. How often do you get to quote Marvin Gaye and Bad Company in one quiz? (I actually don't know. Maybe it's a lot.) My date night in is almost always me inviting people over, cooking garbage from the fridge, and then drinking too much because I don't have to drive. The Kitchn, October 2016.

I love my neighborhood, but some people are just wrong. The Kitchn, October 2016.

I mean, duh. I can hear you rolling your eyes from here, kind of like the time I said to my husband, "You know? I just prefer flying first class." But I swear, having a weekly house cleaner makes our family stronger.  The Kitchn, September 2016.

You know you need to take your lunch to work: It's healthier, cheaper, and it probably tastes better! So why aren't you? I know why, and I'm here to help you change your ways. The Kitchn, September 2016.

I want you to stay (which is why I invited you), but I really need to get some sleep. But I wish I could hang! But here's how I shut it down. But only because I have to. The Kitchn, July 2016.

This month, I explain why I love extra guests for dinner, and how we always have enough. Goodwill, July 2016.

How I use a basic pimiento cheese recipe to inspire my favorite happy hour treat. Also? This resulted in my first photo credit in print! Free Times, June 2016.

It's great for cooking, but do you know why it's good for dogs? Read my latest for The Kitchn. The Kitchn, June 2016.

In Free Times Parent, I explain why it's so much more fun and rewarding to just say "no." Free Times, June 2016.

I mean, it's actually pretty exciting on its own, but here are some other ways I like to eat it. The Kitchn, June 2016.

I love using all the food when I cook. The Kitchn, April 2016.

Learning to swim is the first step to a fun summer. Free Times Family, May, 2016.

Camp is about more than bug juice. Free Times Family, April, 2016.

I'm a featured blogger for Goodwill. Here are my posts. 

This was part of a series I did for The Kitchn, covering dinner party dilemmas. Here's what I do with my drunk friends. #askingforafriend