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
Baked Apple with a Caramel on Top!
Apples! Apples! Apples! It seems like I just can't get enough of that amazing fruit. Here is a super easy and very classy baked apple recipe with a special twist that would have delighted Johnny Appleseed. Top with whipped cream or serve on a caramel drizzled plate and you have a dessert that is gluten-free and full of flavor. Start with baking apples. They are denser in texture and usually have a tart flavor. If you are not sure which one is best, ask the grocer or farmer which ... View the Post
Apple Galette- Pie with its own sense of style!
My Great-grandma Upton was an amazing cook. She used to make pies and cobblers that would make your mouth water as soon as you walked into her cozy home. One day she sat a pie on the table in front of my Great-grandfather. The crust looked a little funny. "What is that supposed to be?" he asked. My spunky grandma picked up the pie, tin and all, and tossed the whole thing into the backyard like a Frisbee. "Your dessert," she replied. My Great-grandpa never questioned her dessert ... View the Post
Lemon Curd ~ a taste of California Sunshine!
I couldn’t help but notice lemons in the road near where we lived. I thought a truck might have spilled some of it’s load. The next week I noticed a few more. When I looked up, I realized there was a house at the top of a long driveway across the street and also at the top, was a lemon tree. A few weeks later I saw a man , parked at the end of the driveway, getting his mail. I quickly ran over and introduced myself. “Hi,” I began. “We are new to the neighborhood. I noticed you have a lot ... View the Post
Amazing DIY Centerpiece- including chalkboard paint recipe.
I remember when I was in 4-H as a kid. Mrs. Orosco was our "Foods" leader and one of the classes was on creating centerpieces. For those who participated in 4-H Favorite Foods Day, we were actually judged on the food, the menu, and the table setting. I received a medal the year I rocked the Pineapple Lime Parfait from my great-grandmother's Joys of Jell-O recipe book. While the Pineapple Lime Jell-O Parfait, dolloped with Cool-Whip may have gone out of style, having a great centerpiece is ... View the Post