Blog
Fall Home Thanksgiving Decor
W E L C O M E F R I E N D S We are absolutely loving the bright Fall days here at our place! Look what I "cooked up" this week to share with you, my Fall Home Thanksgiving Decor. (more…)
Fruited Steel-cut Oatmeal
Top of the mornin' to ya! My busy mornings are so much better when I plan ahead. If clothes are laid out, bags and lunches are packed, and breakfast is ready, early mornings are manageable. Actually they are better than that. It makes such a difference in the feeling in our home and with each…
White Chocolate Apple-Pecan Blondies
It's excitingly eerie and getting dark around here! {A prickly PIRATE and his first mate, WOODY} With frighteningly fun trick-or-treaters ringing our doorbell.... a cackling witch has her candles lit and pumpkins carved and she's cast a wicked spell! A potion of poison apples, chopped white chocolate, and toasty…
Idaho Potato Bugs
EEK! It's a Thug... Trick or Treat...it's a Idaho Potato Bug! (more…)
Sourdough Pancakes
Are you loving Fall, well, here's one of our favorite recipes and it's on the house! Our little granddaughter was born in Arizona a week ago, so this past week we soaked up one more week of summer weather. We returned to Idaho yesterday and were so excited to see the autumn leaves in our own…
Chicken and Rice Casserole
There's an old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they are hatched." Well, last week two new little chicks arrived in our nest! Our newest, handsome, red-headed, grandson, Grant was born Monday 10-10-11. and another sweet, beautiful, little granddaughter, Charlotte arrived Thursday, 10-13-11. Born just days apart, both…
Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
I'm married to a man who is passionate about fresh fruit and ice cream, and Chewy Oatmeal Cookies. His mom was famous for her root beer floats, served in her signature green goblets. I don't remember a dessert that she ever baked, or a time when her freezer wasn't filled with the best vanilla ice cream…
Cheesy Chicken Spinach Artichoke Soup
Welcome to my party friends! This happens to be my best "POT-LUCK" ever and I'd love to dish a bowl of Cheesy Chicken Spinach Artichoke Soup out of my new copper pot for you. (more…)
Grilled Jack Cheese Applesauce Sandwiches
Are you ready for Fall apples and a nip in the air? We are around here, Grilled Jack Cheese Applesauce Sandwiches, showcase, sourdough bread, apples, cheese, and a little squeeze! The first thing we did this last Spring was plant fruit trees, three apples in particular. Saturday we harvested about a dozen apples from our little…
Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Chews
Happy Fall everybody! I hope you are ready for some awesome Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Chews, the best cookie bar I've had in a long time, seriously so good! These bars are perfect for football tailgating, Fall picnics and holiday parties. I know it's surprisingly the first day of Fall, it sure feels like…
Chicken Apple Curry Salad
Can you believe it's August already? Chicken Apple Curry Salad Are you asking yourself,"Where has summer gone?" We headed to the beach a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed an amazing family reunion in Oceanside, California. After lots of sand, surf, and way too much sun, I must admit I have lost track of time! …
DIY Hummingbird and Oriole Nectar
One of the great joys of summertime is birdwatching. Sweet bird nectar, if you make it, feathered friends will come, providing wonder in your garden. 5 from 1 reviews DIY Hummingbird and Oriole Nectar Print If you are a bird-watcher, bring flocks to your garden and save all kinds of money by your…
Fig Nectarine Crumble
Look what came in my co-op basket this week, you got it, a big bunch of figs! Fig Nectarine Crumble In Shakespeare's time if you cared less about something, you "didn't give a fig!" They are coming on right now and I've never been a fan, sorry Mom. Growing up in Southern…
Chicken Tacos with Garlicky Mexican Greens
Good grief, I feel like I'm trying not to get CHOPPED from my own kitchen! I joined a food co-op and picked up my first basket of fruits and veggies last Saturday afternoon. There's no question, it's a good value, but I wasn't sure if it was the right fit for me. I received a…
Red Velvet Oreo Cookie Milk Shake
We're another year older USA.... time to shake, rattle and roll! I've got a frosty, crunchy,Red Velvet Oreo Cookie Milk Shake for you today, surely worthy of a great celebration.... but first, along with Uncle Sam, look who's had a birthday. Our little Sam just turned one! He's red, white and in blue, all-American through…
Chili-Rubbed Grilled Pork Tenderloin
It's all about heat and the thrill of the grill around here in July! Can you believe we'll be celebrating our country's birthday next Monday? Along with throwing traditional hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill Chili-Rubbed Grilled Pork Tenderloin will heat up your 4th of July barbeque. It pairs well with all of…
Bird’s Nest Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Spring salads make me sing! Bird's Nest Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette My grandfather owned a produce business, supplying L.A. businesses for years. I was raised by a mom who knew what to do with anything fresh. I grew up loving fruits and veggies. I gravitate to salads made with fresh herbs, artichoke hearts, fresh berries,…
Peace, Love & Party Tips!
Planning a Summer Barbeque Dinner Party? I'm ready to throw a party. How about you? Here are some great tips from the Reluctant Entertainer 1. Get your outdoor entertaining space cleaned and ready for summer. 2. Set the date and time; invite the guests. 3. Plan the menu, choosing recipes that you can make…
Maple Nut Pear Oatmeal Scones
It's been 3 whirlwind weeks friends. Thanks for all of the well wishes and warm emails for me and my guy. He is recovering from surgery and I'm still trying to get my life in order. That been said, you all deserve a treat out there, and I've got one, Maple Nut Pear Oatmeal Scones,…
Top 5 Hits
Each Wednesday I spotlight some of the highlights I see from all of you. Enjoy this weeks Top 5 Hits! Novice quilter, Eleni, created this oh so lovely Dresden @ Sew Happiness. The colors and quilting make me happy. I'm sure her mom was delighted too, Happy Mother's Day mom. I'm loving these…
We're Alison and Renée, and we're so glad you've joined us! Our kitchens are our happy place, where we're whipping up memories. Get comfy and check things out. We hope you find inspiring dishes and ways to better your life. Feeling optimistic, trying new things and sharing with those we love brings joy in all we do. It's time to cook, create and celebrate. CHEERS! 
