"When you're caught up in a new recipe, it's easy to forget even the most obvious cooking tricks and tips. But memorize these, and you'll always have success in the kitchen." - Food Network Kitchen "Always" having success in the kitchen seems like a big promise, but nevertheless there is a lot of helpful advice … Continue reading COMMON SENSE COOKING TIPS
"I’ve done the research & my findings are extremely consistent: if you want to make people happy immediately upon entering your (home), put together an egregiously large cheese board. There are no rules, of course, but I usually start with three cheeses, one soft. Three pickle-y/olive-y things, three kinds of cured meats, two or three … Continue reading PLATTERS & BOARDS
It’s been a long time since I posted anything on my website. The reason for my online absence is that after 20 years of being a stay at home mom, I began working as a hospice bereavement counselor in the fall of 2017. Do you know that the term “hospice” comes from the same … Continue reading HI THERE!
"On the first morning, when one of the chefs asked me why I took the class, I told him that my enthusiasm for cooking had outpaced my technical skills." - Shauna Niequist, Bread & Wine: a love letter to life around the table. I have felt this same dilemma. My passion for cooking far surpassing my … Continue reading WHEN PASSION FOR COOKING SURPASSES ABILITY
Preheat Oven to 325 F. Grease 10 inch tube pan; set aside. In a large bowl, beat 1 1/2 C granulated sugar, 1 C vegetable oil, 2 tsp vanilla, and 2 eggs until well blended. Stir in 2 C chopped peeled tart apples. In another bowl, stir together 3 C flour, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, and 1 C chopped walnuts. Add apple mixture to dry ingredients. Stir in just until moistened. … Continue reading RACHEL’S APPLE WALNUT CAKE
I love to cook. I love to love people with food. And I love to be relaxed when I sit at my table to share life with the people who have gathered there. Some times it is impossible to experience all of those loves, simultaneously, with from-scratch cooking. This is why I am a HUGE … Continue reading FOR THE FANS OF SEMI-HOMEMADE
"Homemaker". For 20 years this is what I wrote in the box for occupation. As a stay at home parent I spent my younger years advocating that I too was a working mom. But as I age and grow - and my perspectives enlarge - I realize how one sided my soap box issues have … Continue reading WE ARE ALL HOMEMAKERS
