instruction and inspiration for the home cook
Hello dear readers. I thought I’d do a little rambling post since I doubt I’ll get a new recipe in before 2023, and I definitely won’t get cards out to friends and family this year. Consider this my very limited year-end review and heartfelt holiday greeting.
Continue reading “Goodbye 2022, It’s Been Real”
Well, hello there, lovely blog readers. Sorry for my neglect of this space. My attention is spread relatively thin these days parenting teenagers, writing the cookbook, and being at my dog, Davy’s, beck and call 24/7. It’s a good thing he sleeps most of the day because when he’s awake, he’s quite the little tyrant.
Continue reading “Pumpkin Cheesecake”
The fall harvest and crisp temperatures make autumn the perfect time to stir up large, comforting pots of soup. It’s also a crucial time to boost your immune system with school back in session, gatherings moving indoors, and fewer hours of sunlight. Soups like this vegetarian black bean are a great source of nourishment because not only is it packed with veggies, the black beans are a great source of protein and fiber so it’s a complete one-pot meal.
Continue reading “Vegetarian Black Bean Soup”
Well, hello again. I hope you are having a lovely summer. My girls and I are making the most of the remaining days before they start their sophomore year of high school. The past month we enjoyed a weekend at the beach with good friends, a couple great concerts in town, fun in Sunriver with cousins, a big family reunion with lots more cousins, and a couple of lake days. We also very much enjoyed this Citrus Vanilla Pound Cake, and I’m excited to share the recipe with you.
Continue reading “Citrus Vanilla Pound Cake with Summer Berries”
I hesitate to post simplistic recipes such as scrambled eggs with cheese, but I’ve been told that’s what people want, so here we are. I was further motivated last weekend by some bland, overcooked eggs covered with nearly plasticized cheese at a restaurant that proudly advertises its breakfast offerings. Seriously, there’s no excuse for that level of incompetence when cheesy eggs are so easy!
Continue reading “Cheesy Eggs”
I recently discovered that my daughters love French toast. One would think this would not be news since I’ve known them both pretty well for fifteen years. The thing is, from the time they were very small, they have kept me on my toes with their ever-changing tastebuds, never wanting me to get too comfortable. As soon as I would figure out that they both loved the freeze-dried fruit packs or bunny crackers enough for me to keep buying big boxes at Costco, they would both lose interest and leave me with a guilty pile of uneaten snacks. It’s safe to say that one or both of them expressed a dislike of French toast at some point, so I avoided it. I enjoy the path of least resistance as often as I can.
Continue reading “French Toast”
The need for good self-care is more essential than ever. Life has always held challenges, but it seems like everyone I know is facing difficult circumstances or significant life changes lately. At the very least, things are uncertain and weird for people, and it’s easy to fall into habits of self-soothing that might not be optimal for one’s health.
Continue reading “Instant Pot Steel-Cut Oats”
We celebrated Bob’s extraordinary life in the lovely Aspen Hall at Shevlin Park last Saturday.
Many people, including some of Bob’s family, couldn’t make it, so I thought I’d share his bio from the program and a video Ella put together that we played at the celebration.
This might come off as a little “woo woo,” but I don’t care. As I stated in my last post, I’m making up my own rules, and I was given a gift Monday morning that I want to share.
Continue reading “Gifts Amid the Grief”
It may seem strange to be hearing from me so soon. I am still in a state of shock and disbelief, and I am not ready for much one on one communication. But, as my dear friend said to me a few days ago, there is no guidebook, so I’m making up my own rules, and I feel compelled to share this message with you.
Continue reading “a few words”