With Christmas quickly approaching, I wanted to point you to some fun, family things you can do this month that I’ve written about in the past. Enjoy! Christmas Eve Nativity Pageant Yes, we’ll be doing this again on Christmas Eve. Although we’re considering a variation for the first time ever. If they kids are interested, [...]
{ 6 comments }
A typical recipe around here has only a handful of ingredients. If I get beyond five or six, my head begins to implode. Too much measuring, too much mixing, too many steps — just to prepare something to stuff in your mouth to run to the next choir concert or soccer game? No way. This [...]
{ 1 comment }
The past couple of weeks, my sister and I have been sorting through my parents home, preparing it to be sold. We moved to the house in 1968. My parents home was always neat and clean, but they did not throw away things that might be needed or used. 40+ years is a long to for [...]
{ 9 comments }
Nothing is better on St. Patrick’s Day than a hearty dinner of corned beef and cabbage. Serve this vegetable rich dinner with Irish soda bread, and you’ve got a full meal. Ingredients 1 onion, sliced 30 baby carrots 15 small red potatoes, quartered 2 lb corned beef brisket with spice packet 6 C water 1 [...]
{ 3 comments }
This post brought to you by Kenmore Live Studio. All opinions are 100% mine. I confess. I have never, ever watched the Super Bowl. I realize that makes me some kind of freak. Sorry. Most years when the Super Bowl starts, I’m at church. I don’t have some moral objection to watching a football game [...]
{ 6 comments }
We’ve been making stew since we were first married. It’s an inexpensive and healthy meal. Now that we’re on a modified paleo diet, I’ve adjusted our typical beef stew recipe to fit our new eating plan. This is what I have cooking in the crockpot right now. Hope you enjoy it. Ingredients 2 lbs lean [...]
{ 1 comment }
This post brought to you by TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine. I do not like spicy foods. To be clear, my husband says that my kind of mild salsa is just a bowl of diced tomatoes. Just about anything can put my mouth on fire. In spite of all that, about 26 [...]
{ 0 comments }
There is nothing like hot cocoa to take off the chill — and nothing like sugar free cocoa to keep the calorie count at a reasonable level. Here’s a slightly spicy sugar free hot cocoa recipe that is so easy to make. Whip up a batch at the first frost. Even my 7-year-old can whip [...]
{ 13 comments }
Need to warm up on a cold  night. This wassail is absolutely delicious. Sweet and tasty with just a little tang. Yum! Ingredients 2 quarts apple cider 2 cups orange juice 1/2 cup lemon juice 12 whole cloves 4 cinnamon sticks 8 whole allspice berries 1 pinch ground ginger 1 pinch ground nutmeg
{ 4 comments }
Is this really Greek pasta? Probably not. The name, as far as I know, comes only from the feta. But it is so simple to make, packed with vitamins and minerals, and tasty. It’s also vegetarian. Heap in on your plate and enjoy! Ingredients 4 cans diced tomatoes 2 cans white beans 1 T basil [...]
{ 2 comments }
There’s something to be said for comfort food. My sweet mom served us up this version of sloppy joes my whole life. I realize I am not a qualified food photographer. But, trust me, these are tasty. Simple, quick, warm, and yummy. Ingredients 1 lb extra lean ground beef 1/2 C ketchup 1 T prepared [...]
{ 2 comments }
Last year I made a Christmas neighbor gift that was a hit. That’s saying something when you’re a woman who avoids the kitchen at all costs and who refuses (on a regular basis) to contribute to the church cookbook. So the Smith neighbor gift of 2009 has officially become the Smith neighbor gift for all [...]
{ 1 comment }
Since I was a little girl, our Christmas morning tradition has been to have a breakfast Christmas wreath. But a number of years ago, we added a Christmas Evebreakfast tradition as well: Christmas French Toast. It’s quick and not too terribly bad for you. But most of all it it so fun and really tasty. [...]
{ 4 comments }
A number of years ago a good friend of mine from high school/college/pageant days mailed this recipe. It’s tasty and quick and much more healthy than the usual melted cheese laden variety. Ingredients 4 small bell peppers, cut into strips 2 small red onions, cut into strips 4 t olive oil 1 t cumin 1 [...]
{ 2 comments }
As far as I’m concerned, I never have time to cook. I only want to be in the kitchen long enough to sustain life. It’s just not fun for me. But even if you love cooking, almost-no-time meals made using a crockpot can save you on busy days. This meal is laughably simple, remarkably healthy, [...]
{ 1 comment }
Chicken alfredo is divine. OK, admit it. Anything covered with alfredo sauce is divine. But traditional alfredo sauce is a conglomeration of butter and cream and cheese — an assortment sure to land squarely on your thighs. This version of chicken alfredo delicious and healthy — and much less likely to squeeze you our of [...]
{ 0 comments }
We love seafood. But cooking it is something of a mystery to me. Lobster? Clams? Crab? Um…restaurant food. But most fish I can handle (as long as it’s cleaned and decapitated). Salmon is a perennial favorite in our home. This healthy fish dish is delectable and super simple. Ingredients 8 salmon fillets or steaks (about [...]
{ 2 comments }
What’s turkey brine? Simply said, it’s a salt water soak for your Thanksgiving entrée. About three years ago I decided to use brine for out Thanksgiving turkey. I’d never done it before — in fact, I’d never heard of it — until I happened across a recipe with promises of super moist, juicy Thanksgiving Day turkey [...]
{ 7 comments }
Never buy the over-priced taco seasoning packets again! This simple mix is delicious for all kinds of Mexican foods, chili, etc. I use this in my Chicken Taco Soup, too. Use about three tablespoons of spice mix per pound of meat. Ingredients 2 T chili powder 1/2 t onion powder 1/2 t garlic powder 1/2 [...]
{ 3 comments }
You can make this nutritious soup about as fast as you can open the cans. This is really, really tasty. I don’t specify the can size, because it’s really not crucial. Just dump the stuff together and enjoy. To keep it healthy, go easy on the garnishes and/or use healthier versions. Ingredients 2 T minced [...]
{ 11 comments }
