There is something whimsical and nostalgic about snowmen! When we lived in the Sierra Mountains the first snow was usually celebrated by having a pajama day, followed by plenty of hot cocoa, and running barefoot around the lawn just to see if you could endure the cold for one lap around the house...something invented by our boys. Go figure. We would make big snowmen every year, complete with a carrot nose, stocking cap, and scarf. Stick hands protruded out each side of the usually lopsided ... View the Post
Ahh NUTS! – Recipe for Cinnamon-Sugar Coated Almonds
When I saw these yummy sugar cinnamon coated nuts splashed across my FaceBook page, I knew I had to make them. Then I read that they were made in a crock pot. Seriously! Isn't a crock pot for chili and pot roasts? So I picked up a 3 lb bag of raw almonds at Costco, pulled out my crockpot, and made sure I had at least 4 hours to complete the task. Because I wanted to do a lighter sugar coating, I added twice the nuts that were called for and my family loved them. Hey, who needs MORE sugar ... View the Post
Cranberry Pumpkin Bread Pudding..oh yeah!
This year I totally went wild with pumpkin recipes. I have always loved the comforting taste of pumpkin in bread, cookies, and soup. For some people, Fall hasn't officially started until they see pumpkin drinks added to their favorite cafe's menu board. When I tried to make pumpkin puree from an actual pumpkin versus just opening a can I was totally hooked! There was no comparison to the taste, color, and texture. If you use canned pumpkin, there is not judgment here, but I am just telling ... View the Post
DIY Cheese Crackers that are out of this world!
For anyone who grew up watching Star Wars, May the 4th has become a fun geeky day to reminisce the often iconic, "May the Force be with you." I did a little background check on George Lucas, the filmmaker who gave us not only Star Wars but also the Indiana Jones movies. George grew up in Modesto, CA and wanted to be a race car driver, however all that changed after a near fatal accident right before he graduated from High School. He realized a new passion after enrolling in a local ... View the Post