• Easy Creme Brulee

    I won’t make you listen to any more stories about my rough week.  If you remember from a recent post, my daughter starts 1st grade tomorrow.  And since I don’t have a time machine or (apparently) the ability to will time to slow down, I have put on my best happy face and hopefully hold back tears until I’m out of the school parking lot. OK, one more story.   But technically, this isn’t a story, it’s really just information that you need to know…

  • Cream Cheese Lemon Bars

    I have been eyeing* this recipe on Pinterest for a couple of months now.  I think it called to me because it reminds me of a bakery-type lemon bar, which I love.  Well, I usually love them.  I don’t like the ones that taste like egg yolk.  Have you had those before?  Ugh.  They almost give lemon bars a bad name, but if you have a really good one, you’ll forever be in search of another really good one.  Or maybe that’s just me… So,…

  • Pumpkin Kisses Muffins

    I’ve had an extra box of spice cake mix in my pantry since last winter.  I used it to make pumpkin cake balls, and it’s just been staring at me, taking up space since then.  I had a vague recollection of a Pinterest recipe floating around the inter-webs that claimed to be the best ever pumpkin muffins, using just cake mix and pumpkin puree.  So, I thought today would be a great time to try it out! Of course, a two-ingredient recipe wouldn’t cut it…

  • Cherry Almond Sour Cream Cake

    Today has been a bit traumatic for me. I cleaned out the sippy-cup drawer.  I threw them all away.  My nearly-four-year-old has stopped using them, so into the trash they went.

  • Lemon Pudding Cake

     Now that St. Patrick’s Day is behind us, I feel like spring is in full swing.  The warmer-than-normal winter has our yard turning green, our daffodils blooming and our trees budding a few weeks ahead of schedule.  This time of year I want to be outside with my hands in the dirt – planing, pruning and trying my best to remove all signs of winter.  And while I spent a good part of my weekend outside, I think you all know me well enough by…

  • Butterfinger Cheesecake

    This post has been sponsored by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ReinventSweet #CollectiveBias I might be a wee-bit obsessed.  With cheesecake, of all things. Which, actually is a GOOOOOD thing, but really, why can’t I be obsessed with Kale?  Or Flax Seed?  Or Chickpeas?  (I don’t know – those are the first three healthy-like things that popped into my cheesecake-obsessed head.) This cheesecake, you guys – it’s awesome.  It’s easy.  It goes together in no time, and you can change it…

  • Stout Cake with Irish Cream Frosting

    As a food blogger, I feel like – when it comes to all things culinary – I’m pretty much up to date with all of the trends.  I spend a lot of time browsing food blogs, foodie websites, and have more food magazines in my mailbox every month than anything else. So, when I saw {this post} from I Am Baker a several months ago, I was completely stunned.  It was one of those “Why didn’t I think of that???” moments.  I’ve been putting roses on…

  • Homemade Pizza Sauce

    I know, it’s almost too good to be true.  Karen, from The Art of Doing Stuff, graciously agreed to guest post for us here today!  If you’ve never been to her site, you must drop everything and go for a visit.  She does it ALL.  I’ve been following Karen for a long time now, and I have to say that her blog is among my first stops every morning.  But the best part?  She has CHICKENS!  And, she got her chickens at the same time…

  • Baby Shower Cupcakes

    I’m making cupcakes tomorrow for my dear sister-in-law, who’s hosting a baby shower on Friday night.  I still haven’t decided what I want to make yet, so tonight I thought I’d play around with some fondant and try to get some good ideas.  Instead, I came up with these. I also discovered that fondant and I don’t play well together.  I think I’m going to need a lot more practice before I am good enough to make anything fancy.  Plus, I totally hate the taste…

  • Out and About: Wine and Sunflowers

    I am fortunate to live with a quick drive of two local gems:  Holy-Field Winery & Vineyard and Grinter’s Sunflower Farm.  Since we have the first week of school behind us now, and since the sunflowers are in their prime this week, a visit to our local winery and sunflower field were definitely in order. Holy-Field Winery & Vineyard is an award-winning Kansas winery.  They grow about ten different varieties of grapes, and offer about 18 different wines – from semi-sweet to dry.  It’s a…

  • Butternut Squash & Potato Gratin

    I am a Thanksgiving traditionalist.  I want the same dishes on my Thanksgiving table, year after year.  And for me, it’s not even about the turkey – it’s about the sides.  Mashed potatoes, gravy, homemade noodles, dressing (not stuffing), homemade rolls, sweet potatoes, real cranberries, my Grandma’s salad, green bean casserole and, if we have time, scalloped corn. I know there are tons of fabulous recipes out there and amazing Thanksgiving dishes that would make a great addition to my table, but dang it, our…

  • Hot Chocolate Cake with Homemade Marshmallows

    So, my daughter’s 7th birthday is next week.  First of all, it’s really just not possible that she’s turning seven years old.  Not possible.  Second of all, this means that I have a big family party looming on the horizon. That means my house has to be cleaned.  It also means I need to plan a menu, figure out decorations and – oh yeah – do all that cooking and baking without undoing all of the cleaning and planning.