Slow cooker beef recipes are a big part of our autumn days around here. Beef is a favorite with all of us and the crockpot makes it easy to come up with yumminess without even trying, really. I mean, how do people do Sundays without a slow cooker?
This beef recipe will remind you of the French countryside even if you have never been there. Red wine, sliced orange, sliced lemon,  mushrooms and a long cooking time make this meat fall apart, buttery tender with an aroma that may have you neighbors’ knocking at your door. You better close the windows.

I …read more

So, today is none other than National Cheesecake Day! In celebration I wanted to post yet another cheesecake.
I love doing cheesecakes. Even though people think they are really hard, and impressive–they are a cinch. Just a few tricks and tips will guarantee your success. Once you have the basic formula down you can change flavors and crust and topping to your heart’s content.

This brownie cheesecake was actually an accident. I was trying out a new chocolate cake recipe for Matt’s birthday party (7/24)  and the texture of the cake was not what I wanted..too dense to be cake, too dry …read more

The first time I ever put blueberry and lemon together was a light lemon-blueberry mousse I made when I was first married. For some reason I never repeated the recipe, I suspect I forgot how I had done it. But..from that point on I was a fan of blueberry and lemon combinations.
When I discovered Numi Mate-Lemon Myrtle tea I was an instant fan. It has a sweet lemon flavor that is lemony but not pure lemon. There is a complexity from the lemon myrtle and mate combination that is awesome.

So, it really was only a matter of time until I …read more

O.k. so when it gets to be a muggy 110 degrees and the only breeze at night comes from your husband who snores, you know you are in the South and you need a quick and easy dinner.
Summer is hot here. We don’t use air conditioning, haven’t for the several years we have lived in this house. Frankly, it is too expensive, but I also like the idea of flowing with the seasons..experiencing them rather than manipulating them. I know..I am so weird.
Nothing is worse than cooking a hot meal in a hot kitchen and serving it in a hot …read more

I figure that the woman who invented blondies was a mom of many kids.  There she was, last few days of the month, children clamoring for something sweet and no chocolate to be had. What could she do? This brave woman had a choice.

She could throw her really cute red and white polka dot apron over her head and cry
She could create magic

I think she decided to create magic and threw ingredients together to make Blondies. You know why? These are the most versatile of bar cookies. I mean you can toss almost anything in there… well, within reason..I mean …read more

I had my thyroid biopsy this morning so I don’t feel like talking much. Wow. I was expecting the procedure to hurt but it was a piece of cake. It is afterward, with the swelling and bruising that makes you feel like you were hit by a mack truck carrying Sumo-wrestling elephants.
I wanted to get this recipe up in time for you to consider it for Fourth of July though.  I know, I know, you always have the same potato salad and it is tradition…well yeah! Me too, but you have to try this because it is addictive. Have I …read more

This is my entry to Presto Pasta Nights.
This is an unusual lasagne, with plenty of cheese and the flavor of both pesto and artichokes to add a little wow.  I came up with it because the local store was clearancing cans of artichokes for $1 each..who could resist all those artichokes? Not me.  So, you might just plan on seeing more recipes with artichokes because I bought a lot of cans! I think lasagne is Marc’s favorite food, well I know it is.  No matter where we go he will get lasagne if they have it.  If not he is …read more

I don’t cook pork nearly enough.  I just don’t think about it for some reason.  Dear God, I am in a foodie rut!
Anyway, I found a package of center cut loin chops on clearance (love those meat clearances!) for 50% off the lowest price…The lowest price was $10.00 and there was 10 of them in the pack. SO, in the cart they went, nestled against a couple of pounds of burger and a roast.

 
First of all…I have to admit that I dropped the camera.  Now when I want to take a picture I have to hold the thing closed with a finger while trying to get the shot without shaking.  Easier said than done… Hopefully I can either get that fixed or get a new camera soon.
Anyway, I was amazed.  Chocolate lava cakes look so complex but they are so amazingly easy!  If you have not tried them..this is seriously a dessert that you can have on the table in under 30 minutes and people will think you are incredible.
Which of course, you …read more

 
We call Shiloh Snickerdoodle. I am not sure why, we just always have.  Erin is Bo, Chris is Bubba, Matt is Huck (or Thoreau), Ethan is E, Shiloh is Snickerdoodle, Sean is Bud, Nick is Buddy or Big Guy, and Kyrie is Buggie-boo.  In some cases the nicknames are longer than the names.
I am not sure why I filled your brain with that bit of trivia other than I always smile when I see the word snickerdoodle.