Celebrating milestones with friends is a gift. Celebrating with a girls’ getaway weekend is priceless.
Destination: Scottsdale. We were pretty much guaranteed great weather, terrific food and lots of laughs. Landing a few suites was a total bonus. We had booked a couple of regular rooms, but once we checked in, let’s just say there was a “plumbing issue” in the block of rooms we had, and the hotel had no choice but to move us. Continue Reading →
If you made a New Year Resolution this year {there’s a 55% chance you did} there’s a 1-in-3 chance that your resolve didn’t last past January. Often, that’s because the goals aren’t clear or measurable, or there’s no strategy for getting there. I have something that might help – even at the risk of you thinking me “nerdy.” {I’ll get to the Sweet Potato-Poblano Soup in a sec’.} Continue Reading →
I’ve got a secret weapon up my sleeve for Valentine’s Day, and yes, it’s chocolate… If you’re looking for a dessert to serve for a special dinner, and you want it to be deliciously different, look no further than these decadent and delicious Boca Negra Chocolate Chipotle Cakes. Continue Reading →
Sunday night dinners with my sister and her kids are a fun tradition for us, though they’re less frequent now that Niece is off to college {she’s a Nebraska Cornhusker like me!} and Nephew is in high school. Continue Reading →
How’s that healthy-eating New Year’s Resolution going for you? If you’re like most people who make one, there’s a 29% chance that it’s faded into a distant memory already. I don’t know about you, but the hardest part of trying to eat healthy is finding snacks that don’t “break the bank” calorie or carb-wise. I crave something with CRUNCH. Enter Pear Chips – and Sweet Potato Chips, and Kale Chips and yes, Banana Chips. Continue Reading →
One of the things that makes family meals fun is getting everybody involved. Husband and I have my sister’s family over for Sunday dinners whenever our schedules cooperate, and most often, it’s a hands-on affair. Sometimes we make our own pizzas, and recently, we tackled homemade ravioli. On “Asian Night”, I might be getting ingredients together for Pad Thai, while I assign the assembly of Vegetable Pot Stickers to my niece and nephew. Continue Reading →
Husband and I are debating whether we start our annual “cleanse” BEFORE our upcoming vacation {you know, gotta fit into the shorts and the swimsuit} or after {since we usually over-indulge on made-to-order guacamole and decadent Mexican food}. Either way, I’ve got a few of these yummy Lemony Slice & Bakes left, and a few days to enjoy them. Continue Reading →
There are roughly 50 weeks and 8 days until I get to have this dinner again. That is, of course, unless someone makes it FOR me. Chiles en Nogada is hands-down my favorite meal, and one I make once a year for a very special dinner with my best girlfriends. Is it difficult? No! Does it take time? Yes, and lots of it. But trust me, your efforts will be rewarded and your taste buds will thank you.
I was first introduced to this dish in Scottsdale about 20 years ago. Husband had all-day meetings and client dinners so I was on my own most of the time. Believe me, that wasn’t a hardship. It meant that I could spend a lazy afternoon reading by the pool, then try out new {to me} restaurants and dishes, without having to do the “corporate wife” thing. Continue Reading →
It was nearing lunch time as I was putting this giveaway together, and decided to try Amy Grant’s Chicken Salad. Super easy, and very tasty, it’s just one of the 5 recipes from Amy and husband Vince Gill included in “Bless This Table” – the book that Raisin & Fig is giving away this week. I stumbled across this cookbook recently, and had to have a copy. I love the premise: Continue Reading →
I’ve just unloaded groceries, and they consist of record amounts of butter, yeast, flour and sugar. I’m getting ready for my annual marathon baking session, which, depending on how ambitious I am, will yield 16-24 Cinnamon Twist Coffee Cakes for delivery to neighbors and friends.
If you love spending time in the kitchen, do you always have a “soundtrack” going? I do! Especially during these “marathon” sessions… Right now I’ve got a strange, but great mix of Christmas music – Michael Bublé, Chris Tomlin, Dean Martin, Willie Nelson & Kelly Clarkson, just to name a few. Continue Reading →
I'm glad you stopped by ... pull up a stool, grab your favorite beverage, and let's make something delicious!
