in years past i've had the fortunate circumstance to live close enough to my parents and in-laws that christmas was always held at one of their homes. while i helped out with food preparation and other things, i was never completely responsible for making sure everything went like clockwork. then ...
Eat
chicken & bacon pasta salad / with homemade dressing
this is one of my family's favorite salad recipes. i could personally eat it all week long! i'm always so disappointed when it's gone. it's really easy to make and it's great for putting together earlier in the day - the longer it sits in the fridge the day you're going to eat it, the better it ...
mini cheesecake recipe
these are my mom's mini cheesecakes. she's actually kinda famous for them in the area where i grew up. i cannot even count the number of times she's been asked to bring them to church activities, weddings, open houses, meetings, dances, etc. which goes to show you that they're not just for ...
how to: make cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries
i have to admit that i have never before eaten canned cranberry sauce. i know a lot of people like it - maybe their family ate it growing up and that is what they're used to and what they like. but i can tell you that the cranberry sauce that makes me feel nostalgic is the kind that my own mother ...
cajun cheese steak fries
this is pretty much one of the easiest recipes you'll ever make! but don't be fooled by its simplicity - they really are delicious! so let me show you just how easy they are. all you need to do is... 1. preheat oven to 425. wash some potatoes. 4 medium potatoes is plenty for two adults and two ...
one-pot pizza pasta
my family loves pizza! i adore having my kids sit nearby as i prepare the toppings and then glancing up and acting surprised as they sneak yet another piece of pepperoni or pineapple. they think it's the best game in the world - trying to be so secretive in getting a bite without me knowing. while ...
oatmeal chocolate chip cookies – they’re ready when you are!
today is a cold, rainy fall day. and nothing would hit the spot better than some warm straight-out-of-the-oven oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. but since it's cold and grey, and we're all in our pajamas (and all feeling more than a little lazy), who would want to get out all the ingredients, make the ...
homemade hot fudge sauce & chocolate syrup
if your kids are anything like mine, they practically live on chocolate milk. plain milk just doesn't cut it for them. it has to be chocolate milk. because of this i tend to have a small stockpile of hershey's chocolate syrup in my pantry at all times. but every now and then it's nice to have ...
pot roast (in the slow cooker) & home made gravy
there's nothing better than coming home from church on a sunday afternoon, opening the door, and having the smell of pot roast to greet you. actually, there is one thing better than that - knowing that dinner is already pretty much done! this is the slow cooker pot roast my mom has made for years. ...
caramel & cream cheese apple dip recipe
fruit dips are one of my favorite things! i already love eating fruit of all kinds just by themselves, but having a creamy fruit dip makes snacking on a regular 'ol apple feel like a special treat. and with only three ingredients, this apple dip is a no-brainer, especially when you ...