-
Greek Dinner Night
Okay, so here are my goals: to make healthier food choices for my family, to expose my kids to a wide variety of foods and to limit the amount of food prep I make for a single meal (meaning I am tired of being a short order cook!) Last night I made a Greek themed dinner using pretty much the same ingredients served differently. Orzo. Why had I never thought of serving orzo before? My kids love rice and love noodles even more. A noodle that looks like rice? They loved it!! I actually made the hummus at home but obviously you can get the protein and fiber rich benefits…
-
Cooking for my Kids
My family needs to go through some diet changes and I thought there was room for sharing that journey as well.
-
Lemon & Spinach Hummus
This protein packed kid friendly, vegan & vegetarian friendly snack is super easy to make.
-
Mushroom & Leek Risotto
Creamy and flavorful, risotto is a special dish. It takes a little time and a lot of TLC, so I like to make double to guarantee leftovers!
-
Chicken Pho Soup
I have never attempted this soup before but now that I’ve made it, it’s on our dinner list. Spicy and comforting, this soup is full of flavor and yet clean and light.
-
Grilled Chicken Tacos
-
My Lovely Wife
by Samantha Downing narrated by David Pittuset in Central Florida, present day Book Review 4/5 Romance + Thriller = My Lovely Wife. Uneasiness crept across me from the first chapter. Going into this book blindly, I found it completely intriguing with a twist at the beginning- a “wait, what?” moment. I think Downing did a great job delving into the mind of our unnamed family man, although at times I found it hard to reconcile these loving parents with the storyline. Also, I wanted more from Millicent’s POV. Even though it felt like the book was lacking half the story the ending tied up all loose ends. Overall, Downing does…
-
Cheesecake Brownies
Love cheesecake and brownies? Get two desserts in one with this super easy recipe. We’re bringing boxed brownies to the next level…… Have you tried these? I’d love to hear your feedback!!
-
Long Bright River
Audiobook Review: 3.5/5 Sometimes the greatness of a beat cop narration is it’s instructive, systematic roll out of information. In this way, Ryan delivered; maybe too well. I found the narrative straight, somewhat dry in her hands. Yet, always clear, Ryan’s performance reflects Mickey’s stoic character well. She has the sarcasm inflection down pat, but there’s not much variation with the other characters. The accents are sometimes indistinguishable (Gee sounds a lot like Mrs. Mahon). Overall, still better than listening to yourself sing while walking. Well done; I would consider this audiobook good company. Book Review: 4/5 Two sisters, one small town, and a world between them. Mickey is a…
-
The Giver of Stars Travel
Beattyville, KY The mountains of Kentucky are truly beautiful and humbling. Beattyville is truly a remote area of the state. During the 90 minute drive from the airport to Beattyville, we stayed on thin roads, and passed lots of trees; particularly startling ones that are coated in bright white bark. We passed mountains and valleys and hollers- large sheltered valleys, or “hollow” land in between two mountains. For a stunning look into life in the Kentucky Hollows check out this NPR feature of Shelby Lee Adams photography. He explores the people in Hazard, a place we passed on our drive. The Writers Cabin Lago Linda Hideaway https://lagolinda.com This place was so…
-
Broccoli and Orecchiette Pasta
-
Coffee Flavored Donuts
Is there anything better together than a cup of coffee and a donut? Maybe having both in one gratifying bite. A subtle flavor of coffee lays in deep undertones for this simple yeast donut.
-
The Dutch House
author, Ann Patchett narrator, Tom Hanks setting, Philadelphia Book Rating: 3/5A moving autobiographical fiction novel, The Dutch House focuses on the relationship between two siblings, Danny and Maeve Conroy. This was my very first Ann Patchett novel and I wanted to LOVE it!! It was beautifully written. Ms. Patchett is very definitely talented. I could feel the moods that settled over different scenes. I found myself thinking about parts of this book while doing dishes or rocking my baby to sleep. The lives of Danny and Maeve built a compelling story but I didn’t keep-walking-in-the-rainstorm-because-I-couldn’t-stop-listening ”love” it. (I miss you Crawdads!) Also, I couldn’t attach to the characters which is usually…
-
Lemon Crullers
okay. This was a first for me. I’ve never made crullers, or anything like them. It takes some effort but wow, are they worth it!! Beautiful and bright with lemon undertones, these donuts are delicious. Ingredients 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup water 6 T unsalted butter 1 T sugar 1 t salt 1 t vanilla zest of 1 lemon 1 1/4 cups flour 3 eggs 1-2 egg whites vegetable oil for frying Heat milk, water, butter, sugar, salt, vanilla and zest until boiling. Stir in flour and continue to heat for 2-4 minutes to release excess water. Transfer to mixer and mix on low to cool. Add whole eggs. Add egg…
-
Dumplings
Easy and as old as time (or at least the Middle Ages), dumplings are the perfect addition to make any soup or stew a fulfilling meal. Ingredients 2 cups flour 4 t baking powder 1 t salt 1 cup milk 1/2 t sugar 1 T butter Mix all ingredients together and rest for 5 minutes. Drop by spoonfuls into simmering soup or stew. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
-
Beef and Barley Stew
Warm, hearty and filling, this stew is the perfect comfort food in a bowl. Add dumplings (recipe below) and this becomes next level! I cook mine in the slow cooker. Ingredients 2 lbs stew meat salt & pepper, flour 2 T olive oil 8 cups beef stock 2 cups water 1/2 cup celery, diced 1 onion, diced 5 cloves garlic, minced 1 large potato, shredded 1 cup shredded carrots 1 cup barley 2 onion soup mix packets Toss the cubes of stew meat in flour seasoned with heavy doses of salt and pepper. Sear the meat. Add onion, celery and garlic and sauté until brown and onions are tender. Add…
