Ashley English's Blog, page 26

Compound Butter

Hi everyone! My "Small Measures with Ashley" is up over at Design Sponge. This week I'm talking about making compound butters using springtime herbs. These lovely spreads take a dish from "ho-hum" to "DY-NO-MITE!" in seconds. Fer reals. Hope your Sunday is going well. It's hovering close to 70 degrees outside here, so, no complaints. My little dude is sleeping soundly beside me on the bed,

Signs of the Times

Ah, yes. Spring has sprung. And although it is hovering around 49 degrees today, and although Huxley and his Papa and I all wore hats and sweaters and turtlenecks and wool socks out to have breakfast with my cousin and her family this morning, and although hot beverages and flannel blankets are still the order of the day, spring is definitely here. There's proof everywhere I look on our property

Give It Away Now

Two fantastic (and generous-thank you!!!) websites are currently offering giveaways of my books. Check out Katy Wolk-Stanley's Non-Consumer Advocate (good through 9 p.m. tonight, PST) and Amanda Formaro's Craft Gossip (lasts until midnight tomorrow, CST) for "Homemade Living" freebies!

Digesting the Reader

Huxley and I both had doctor's appointments today. We're seeing the same physician, Dr. Polansky. She's perfect for us. She's SO Asheville, which is to say, she has big chunks of fire engine red streaks in her otherwise brown hair, has chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling of one of her examine rooms (as well as a plug-in electric water fountain tucked into the corner, next to the vase of

Much Obliged

So, here I was, on a drizzly Friday evening, eating pickles and sharp cheddar, drinking an Anchor Porter, and chillin' with my men when I get an e-mail from my buddy Sarah up in Brooklyn. "Um, your recipe for 'Honeyed Prawns & Polenta' is the recipe of the day on Epicurious" she wrote. Epicurious is the online home of Bon Appetit and (the no-longer-in-print) Gourmet magazines. Holy moly. What an

The Great Debate

My comment that the "jury is still out" on the use of sunscreen over at Design Sponge has caused some concern amongst readers. As such, I've decided to itemize the reasons this debate rages as listed by the Environmental Working Group, examining each of their points: 1. There is no consensus on whether sunscreens prevent cancer. The fact is, after reviewing the scientific research, the National

Water World & Baby Tears

Happy Friday, all! I'm back! After a week of some much-needed vacation and family time, we three Englishes returned home to our forest abode on Wednesday. I decided to make it a "real" vacation, fixing my compass squarely on my men, my family, and my need to step away from the laptop, hence my scarcity this past week. My "Small Measures with Ashley" post is up over at Design Sponge. Being in

Leavin' On A Jet Plane

We're headed out to Florida tomorrow. My Pop and his wife are in Tampa (more specifically, Valrico), while Hubs' folks are in Sarasota (more specifically, Siesta Key). I can't wait to have uncles and aunties and grandparents available to hold Huxley, listen to him giggle, and dip my feet (and his!) into the ocean.Before I go, I thought I'd solicit travel advice from all you parents out there. Any

This Is How It's Done

Bucket list item #368: Make donuts=Check.

Calendar Gift Bags

Happy Friday everyone. My "Small Measures with Ashley" post is up over at Design Sponge. This week offers up a tutorial on repurposing outdated calendars into unique gift bags. We've got friends arriving any minute. They'll be staying with us through Sunday, along with their almost one-year old, Awynn. I love it when they come; time creeps along super slowly while we chat, feast, laugh and opine.