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

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

When I am looking for a dinner recipe that is quick, easy, and cheap, pizza burgers come to mind.  They come to mind when I am not looking for that kind of recipe, too, because they are just that good.
When I was growing up in Pennsylvania we used to go to this pizza place that was called Frankie and Johnny’s.  I don’t remember a whole lot about it except that the seats were blue vinyl, it smelled heavenly, and they had the best hoagies, pizza, and pizza burgers in the known universe.

 
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.

Summer is the time for cook-outs for sure. When you can make homemade, delicious (soft!) hot dog and hamburger buns in less than an hour why in the world would you buy them?
Did I say less than an hour? Yep!
These freeze well so you can make them ahead of time. If you have a regular baking day, or OAMC weekend make up a few batches of these for the month and freeze them for quick meals anytime.
Most of us do not consider

So, how was Mother’s Day? Mine was extremely quiet and uneventful which sounds boring but was really nice! My oldest son called and we ended up chatting for over two hours. That usually does not happen but I guess we were both rather lonely for each other. He comes home the end of this month. Did I mention he comes home the end of this month? Not that I am excited. I always want to bake lots of things for him and feed him well but he is very much into grilled chicken …read more

 
Yeah, it is pretty much down to the wire, isn’t it? Whether you need a few last minute things to round out the table or you need a whole buffet of last minute appetizers we have ya covered!
Here are some quick and easy appetizer ideas