A bowl of warm chili, a cool breeze, a cozy blanket and a blazing fire is the perfect recipe to cure the winter time blues. Growing up in the Adirondack mountains, we take our chili quite seriously, this warm and filling winter staple has become a beloved American dish and cultural touchstone. This year many…
Make Your Turkey the Star of the Show This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time of year when we are reminded of the value of our family, our friends, and of course – our food. Perhaps the most quintessential of all Thanksgiving dishes is the Thanksgiving turkey. As fowl indigenous to North America, turkey has been consumed at Thanksgiving (or other related harvest festivals) for hundreds…
Combine Favorite Flavors of Fall with This Delectable Apple Pie
The arrival of Autumn marks the beginning of one of the most popular cultural debates, “what is the superior fall flavor?” Some people are firmly grounded in the pumpkin spice camp, while others contest apple cider as the true hallmark of fall. One of our favorite fall flavors, however, has existed for centuries and has…
Is Your Home Ready for the Autumn Season?
Autumn has arrived, and that means that the cooler temperatures have, too. While fall in the Adirondacks is definitely a beautiful time of year, it’s also a precursor to the winter weather that will be arriving sooner rather than later. That’s why it’s a good idea to use the early fall months to get your…
Hi, Hi, Birdie: New York’s Year-Round Bird Population
In the Adirondacks, we’re treated to a robust bird population. From tiny hummingbirds to the Great Horned Owl, there are many types of birds to be seen in our forests, mountains, and backyards. Some birds migrate to warmer climates once the seasons begin to change, but many birds stick around for the snow. As a…
Stay Satisfied This Summer with Charlie Johns
Now that the summer season has begun, it’s a great time to do all of your favorite outdoor activities. The warm weather is optimal for hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, and all of the activities that make summer truly summer. Long days and nights in the wilderness, however, can limit access to creature comforts, including quite…
Bring a Dish to Impress with This Take on Potato Salad
Summer is a time for cookouts and other outdoor events. Chances are you’ll be invited to a party or family reunion, and you might be asked to bring a dish to pass. While there are many old reliable recipes you can certainly choose from; if you’d like to change things up this year, why not…
Five Fresh Takes on Graduation Parties
Do you have a high school graduation coming up soon, and are wondering what you can do to make the grad party a success – while minimizing stress? Like most milestone events, high school graduation is something that should be celebrated. But, it can be easy to get so caught up in event planning that…
Start Your Spring Gardening Right with Charlie Johns
It is spring in New York, and it’s a great time to get a start on your flower beds and gardens. An early start to your garden will leave you with beautiful plants throughout the rest of spring, summer, and the beginning of autumn. Perennial flowers can keep your garden beautiful year after year, with…
Is Corned Beef & Cabbage Really the Traditional St. Patrick’s Day Feast?
Perhaps the most popular symbol of St. Patrick’s Day is the feast of corned beef and cabbage, but did you know that this was not always the case? Historically, the Irish were too poor to afford beef (and often meat in general), and instead feasted on salted pork or lamb (which was much less expensive…