Who said good esthetics had to be complicated. Simple cakes, true flavors is the motto of Meg Ray owner of famed Northern California bakery Miette with locations in San Francisco and Oakland. Thanks to the just published Miette (Chronicle Books, June 22) you can now try your hand at her signature creations, the Princess Cake, Tomboy and Bumblebee and 72 other recipes. Guys should not let the scalloped page edges and feminine touch in book...

How many of us have considered going the solar way to green our 4th of July Cookout? DIY enthusiasts might not have enough time on their hands to build their solar oven before the week-end. A good place to start and collect information is Solar Cookers International which documents efforts in that field the world over. Many initiatives take place in developping countries. Outdoors enthusiasts can start with a Camper's Kit like the one (pictured...