What a great Thanksgiving weekend. We celebrated here at home in the afternoon and that evening, I went to the hospice house while Chris and the boys had dessert with neighbors. We’ve had boatloads of turkey leftovers, some of which have already been transformed into turkey salad sandwiches, turkey broth, and turkey tetrazzini. The next… Read More Post-Thanksgiving and Pre-Christmas
One of my earliest memories of dating Chris is of the two of us making a meal together. During the process, I set out some fish and asked him to “smother” them in butter. We were just getting to know one another (12 1/2 years later and there’s still a lot to learn!) and I… Read More Simple and Decadent Banana Pudding
This, my friends, is what happens when you take your peanut butter and jelly sandwich out for dessert. That’s right – you get a peanut butter and jelly muffin that’s bursting with yummy goodness. Oh, and did I mention it has no refined sugar? I didn’t? Well, it doesn’t. I’m guessing you’re loving it just… Read More Whole Wheat Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins
One of my cheap, go-to dinners is spaghetti. A box of noodles + a jar of sauce = food that everyone in the family will eat, and it all comes together in less than 20 minutes. Toss in some rolls and add a side of salad or frozen veggies, and it’s a fairly healthy meal.… Read More Happy Meatballs
Joe and Jack are big peanut butter and jelly fans. We go through a lot of jelly these days. I already make my own peanut butter (so easy) but decided to give making some jam a try. The only thing is that most of the jam fruits that I would want to use (strawberries, blueberries,… Read More Homemade Pear Butter
I’ve been using coconut oil more and more in my cooking. It’s a healthy alternative to vegetable oil, butter, etc., and it tastes great. I recently came across Iowa Girl Eat’s granola bar recipe. She uses coconut oil, and knowing how much Joe loves to snack + needing healthy snacks to send in Chris’ lunch… Read More No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars with Coconut Oil
Yesterday’s weather was beautiful – sunny and 60 degrees. I had clothes hanging to dry on the line and the sun was shining, but I couldn’t do much outside because Jack was napping and our baby monitor only reaches so far. I remembered that I had some blueberries that needed to be used up, so… Read More Jumbo Bakery-Style Muffins
The recent cold snap has hit us in Williamsburg, though not so badly as our family in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana (stay warm you guys!). The lower temperature has meant staying indoors more than normal, which calls for some creative play. Enter waffle making! Joe loves to help in the kitchen. I’ve never had him… Read More Banana Blueberry Flaxseed Waffles: Fun Activity, Fun Lunch
I love cookies. Unfortunately, Joe seems to have inherited this love from me. His father? Sure, he likes cookies, but Chris is more of a brownie and cheesecake man. I’m certain that Joe will love those, too, once he’s introduced to them. But for now, it’s a close tie between cookies and cake, the sweeter… Read More Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
I pinned a recipe for “Crusty Bread” from the Simply So Good blog I don’t know how many months ago. At the time I was in the midst of a bread-making bonanza and was particularly interested in recipes that required as minimal involvement from me as possible (i.e., no kneading, no punching down after a… Read More Overnight Stoneware Pot Bread
Oh dear, this sweet tooth of mine has kicked it up a notch this last month. I blame baby boy #2… or the heat… or genetics… or whatever! I planned a few treats and desserts for our 2 week meal plan, but apparently that was not enough this go-round. I found myself scrounging through the… Read More Cake with no eggs, butter, or milk? Crazy Cake!
These bars are the kind of thing your dentist warned you to stay away from. Sticky? Yes. Chewy? Yes. Sweet? Oh yes. Not-Quite-Scotcheroos I decided to call these “Not-Quite-Scotcheroos” because they’re like Scotcheroos, but not quite. Not very original, but there you have it. Why aren’t they scotcheroos? Reason #1 – I can’t find butterscotch… Read More Recipe: “Not-Quite-Scotcheroos”
I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen again. Sometimes it goes badly, but this time it went well. Really, really well. I made up a batch of these Oatmeal Banana Loaves using some applesauce, chia seeds, and honey. They’re made without eggs and they’re gluten-free. They’re also delicious. Not too sweet and with just a little… Read More Oatmeal Banana Applesauce Loaves with Chia Seeds and Honey
I was in the mood for cookies earlier this week. Unfortunately, I hadn’t counted on cookies when I did our 2 week meal plan and shop, so the usual cookies that I’d make were out of the picture as most of the ingredients for them were either unavailable or earmarked for something else. What to… Read More Applesauce Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
This recipe is definitely up there in my top 5 favorite salads: “Avocado, Corn, Tomato, and Red Onion Salad with Lime Dressing”. I can never seem to make enough of this dish. It’s always – poof – gone within 24 hours. Chris will even eat it for breakfast. Why do I like it so much? … Read More Avocado, Corn, Tomato, and Red Onion Salad with Lime Dressing // One of My Faves
I’m still enjoying having access to a full, complete kitchen once again. My cooking and baking senses have gone into overdrive, and Chris and Joe (and lets face it, me as well) are reaping the rewards. This is a photo of two meals that I made recently. The first is the one in the background… Read More Good Eats (and cookie dough that this pregnant woman can safely eat!)
I’m enjoying being back in a proper kitchen. One with a decent amount of supplies, cooking utensils, a full-sized oven and stove, and a freezer that will fit more than an ice cube tray. It’s also nice to be back in New Zealand with familiar ingredients, familiar brands, and my usual recipes. Yes, flour is… Read More It’s nice to have a real kitchen once again.
I was packing Joe’s gear for our swim lessons on Monday morning when I realized, “Hmm… there’s nothing here that’s great to take for a snack.” Joe’s lessons are at 9:30am, which is prime morning tea time. I’ve found that if I wait to give him a snack after lessons, he’s grouchy and not as… Read More Oatmeal Applesauce Mini Muffins (egg-free, dairy-free, refined sugar free)
Last night was night #3 of feeling like we were back to the newborn stage with Joseph. Up at least every 2 hours? Of course. There was no sleep for me till after 2am this morning, and then he was up at 6:30am. Sigh. And yawn. I’m ready for his fever and congestion to vacate… Read More Early Mornings and Make-Ahead Individual Oatmeal Servings
Thank you to everyone who expressed their sympathy regarding my grandmother. I learned today that she passed away very peacefully. She was holding my grandfather’s hand and simply stopped breathing. I’m glad that he was by her side. Joe is still feeling pretty crook. His temperature has remained fairly steady at 40C/104F. And I discovered… Read More Thanks, and Enchiladas
