Vine & Dandy Living
Gardening • Recipes • Homestead • Simple Living

One of my favorite ways to preserve herbs is by drying them. There are several ways to do this, but I've had the best success with two simple methods: air drying and oven drying. Air drying takes a little more patience, but it is incredibly easy and helps preserve the herbs' natural flavor and aroma. Before you begin, rinse your herbs thoroughly and gently pat them dry with a clean towel. Delicate herbs like cilantro are easiest if you remove the leaves from the stems first.

Fresh herbs don’t just make your garden smell amazing—they can add flavor to meals, attract pollinators, and become part of simple wellness routines. Whether you have a large backyard or a few pots on the patio, herbs are some of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow. As someone who moved from the Midwest to the Arizona desert, I’ve learned that herbs are often some of the toughest and most forgiving plants in the garden. Many actually thrive in our hot, dry climate w

If you spend much time here, you’ll quickly learn that my love of gardening didn’t begin with me. It was planted many years ago by very special people—my grandparents. I truly had the best grandparents in the world. They were kind, patient, wise, and some of the greatest teachers I’ve ever known. They loved gardening, cooking, and living a simple life, and somehow they made ordinary moments feel extraordinary. Some of my favorite childhood memories were made in my maternal gr

Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures. I could sit all day and watch them interact with each other. The faint buzzing of their wings and the tiny chirp they make when they are near immediately grabs my attention. The hummingbirds in our area were late this year. I don't know if it was because the weather took a while to warm up, but I was disappointed that I did not see any until August! When they finally started coming around to eat from my feeders, I was completely in

Spring is an exciting time for me. The air is cool and refreshing, the buds of bold greenery poking their curious heads from the ground,...

Hello, fellow gardeners! 🌿 Welcome! I’ve decided to begin this new adventure because gardening has always been one of my greatest passions. I grew up watching and helping my parents grow and preserve our own food, and I spent many hours learning from my grandparents in their garden. I was always amazed that something so beautiful and delicious could grow from a tiny seed or seedling. My hope is to share gardening tips, favorite recipes, personal stories, and everything I’ve

Hello March! That time of year when spring is right around the corner... or so we are all hoping:) It snowed today, and as discouraging...

April is here with sun and rain and the hint of green, yellow, purple, red, and white flowers popping up everywhere! Our ornamental Cherry Tree is blossoming, and the sight of it makes me take a deep breath and rejoice in awe that spring is finally in full bloom!!! Thank God for getting us through this long winter. Now is a good time to prune your trees and shrubs to encourage new growth! Be careful if you are pruning roses as the thorns can be very unforgiving!! Get

Indoor herb gardens are a wonderful way to grow fresh ingredients in the kitchen without overcrowding your counters. Use hose clamps to...