Are you looking for a family friendly sweet treat for the grand finale to the big dinner? How about dessert that you can pretty much make ahead, quickly assemble, and then serve with great aplomb? I've got just the thing for you... Snowman Sundaes A snowman sundae is sure to be a hit. I love that there's no baking involved. It's really more like craft project dessert. If there's a children's Christmas party on your calendar, you can even let the kids do everything except scoop the ice cream. They'll have a ton of fun creating their own snowman sundaes, for … [Read more...]
What's better than getting together with a long-time friend and catching up? Have you noticed that you can be so in the moment that time totally stands still? That's the way brunch was with my good friend when I visited her. We've been neighbors...bicycling partners...walking partners...decorating partners...and she even reminded me of our brief stint as catering partners. We even dreamed of being partners in a B&B. On this particular morning, after spending so many years and miles and miles apart, time seemed to stand still while we enjoyed this delicious brunch she prepared. Oh … [Read more...]
At our house, we LOVE blueberries. We could eat blueberries every day of the week...for supper and lunch and breakfast. And often we do. My hands-down favorite blueberry recipe...is Blueberry Buckle Coffee Cake. I could eat it every day for breakfast. Probably not a good idea, though. [wink] A few years ago, we spent the day at Niagara Falls and enjoyed lunch on the veranda of a restaurant overlooking the park and falls on the Canadian side. That day, salmon was the special and so I ordered it. When it was set before me, I was surprised to see it … [Read more...]
Complete a meal with a delicious and easy cheesy supper biscuit. I love these days when we're able to throw open the windows during the day and appreciate cooler evenings. These cooler nights make it possible for us to enjoy a roasted chicken dinner one night followed up by homemade chicken soup the next evening. A hearty homemade chicken soup is a pretty complete meal in itself, but there's nothing like a good homemade biscuit to accompany all that soupy goodness. For some time, I've been thinking I'd like to make cheesy biscuits. … [Read more...]
Several houses and towns ago, my neighbor enjoying hosting a few ladies for coffee and tea. She usually orchestrated it so that those of us who were working could enjoy a lovely weekday morning together. It wasn't anything elaborate, but it was very thoughtful and pretty. One thing she always did was to purchase some beautiful paper napkins. You know the ones with the gorgeous designs that are too pretty to use? She would set her table with special dishes. Pieces she picked up here and there from antiquing. They didn't necessarily match, but everything always looked beautiful. And of … [Read more...]
Have you ever made a new recipe that was so good your family begged for more? If you have a hungry crew, or kids who play baseball or soccer or lacrosse, this recipe for Italian Sausage and Spinach Soup with Tortellini is sure to please. There's nothing like coming home hungry to a hearty soup and thick slices of fresh bread in the springtime. I like to shop Aldi. Is there an Aldi in your neck of the woods? It's a different kind of shopping experience, but for the most part, I can save money, and get my shopping done more quickly in their small store. (This is not a sponsored … [Read more...]
One thing I've always wanted to do was try my hand at cake decorating. Sure I've frosted many 9x13 cakes in the pan. But a two or three or four layer cake? Never! Until now! I frosted a five layer cake!! With a real frosting bag and decor tips! Thanks to my friend who loves to decorate cakes. It all started with my friend's co-worker who was concerned that there wasn't enough cake ordered for her niece's wedding. Being the wonderfully kind soul she is, my friend volunteered to make more cakes for the wedding reception. Two layer cakes and a half sheet … [Read more...]
Actually these may be your great grandma's brownies. Recently I have wanted to make brownies. Not the box kind. And not the kind where the chocolate comes from cocoa powder. I wanted to make brownies made with unsweetened baking chocolate. Right off I need to confess that I am not a fan of cakes. Brownies are another story though. When I first got married, I thought I was Martha Stewart, that was before I knew who she was. I thought I needed to make everything from scratch. I was a real-foods health-nut kind of person. But, I liked my brownies. And … [Read more...]
For the past several years I've been seeing sweet hand pies popping up here and there. They look delicious and fun and imperfect. Maybe it's their rustic imperfection that has me drawn to them. After playing around with a few butter pie crust recipes, I settled on this one. It provided the most wonderful envelop for our savory chicken pot pie, so I thought I would sweeten it and try my hand at...yes...hand pies. Sweet hand pies to be exact. But, now that I've made these...I see some savory hand pies on the horizon. With Valentine's Day on the … [Read more...]
There's a big game coming up this weekend. Are you excitedly looking forward to the game, the commercials, and getting together with friends? If you're like most, the week has been super busy and though you'd like to put out a great game day buffet, it may or may not happen without some major help. Help is on the way!! I scoured our Project Inspire{d} link party and put together this line-up of Last Minute Super Bowl Party Ideas and Recipes Handmade in the Heartland has some fun ways for serving up delicious Super Bowl Party Food. Gal on … [Read more...]
Have you ever met someone who goes above and beyond what's necessary or expected? I have a very special friend who would do anything to help you in a time of need. So much so, that she gave a beautiful table, that she loved and recently hand painted with beautiful flowers, along with some other pieces of furniture, to a woman she didn't know who had a house fire and lost everything. Her kindness doesn't stop there, though. She loves to bless her friends and others with gifts she creates. The other day she did something special for one of the residents of the retirement center … [Read more...]
It seems like the whole country is in a deep freeze. I rarely watch TV so I miss the hype regarding major storms, but I've been seeing the term "polar vortex" in status updates on Facebook and elsewhere. My husband had an appointment to meet someone a few hours away and it was cancelled because of the cold temps in Indiana. Here in Michigan it was minus 17 degrees last night and today I don't think we got above minus 3 degrees. It's cold. And that vortex brought in plenty of snow. Seeing all that beautiful frosting on the trees, the porch, and cars made me want to make snow ice … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 21 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. When was the last time you invited someone to your home? Is the question causing you to feel a little defensive? Maybe that's okay. Why? Because hospitality is not about comfort. Yup. I said it. If you're a good cook....people will enjoy your comfort food. If you're a great home … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 14 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. When I first decided on this series and came up with the topics for each day I was especially excited about today's topic: Be...Hospitable. This is a topic that sings in my heart. Yet, I have struggled each week to share something meaningful with you. It would be so helpful if you and I could sit down … [Read more...]
Welcome to Day 7 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be... Or...simply: Be... Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin” and in our homes and beyond. If you missed The Introduction or you'd like to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here. When you read the words Be Hospitable do you cringe? Are you thinking.... "I already have too many things to do, I can hardly keep my house together let alone have decent meals for the family, and I'm running constantly, when do I have time to be hospitable?" In this series about 31 … [Read more...]
I'd love for you to Pin or share this image on Facebook or Instagram. One thing I find myself doing more this time of year is cooking. I'm sure it's because of the plentiful harvest of some of my favorite fruits and vegetables. Now, I confess, I'm more of an eat-to-live gal, than a live-to-eat gal. I'm totally in awe of those of you who are wonderful and creative cooks. But, having said that, I can cook. And yes, it even tastes pretty good. [wink] These days I'm enjoying some new recipes assembled by my friend who not only loves to cook, but is a terrific cook. When she … [Read more...]
Yesterday I teased you with tea and banana bread. Oh my! It is The BEST banana bread. Maybe the yummiest ever!! You couldn't believe that I would withhold the recipe until today. I hope we're still friends! [grin] Just look at it sitting on the plate with that creamy pat of butter. Mouth-watering. Extraordinary. Moist. Flavorful. Delicious. Banana Bread. I know you want to reach into your screen and pick up a slice. This banana bread is the wonderful balance of light and hearty. Delicate for a ladies' tea and yet filling for your lunch with cheese and … [Read more...]
