• Pumpkin Pound Cake

    So, let me preface this by saying that I miss ya’ll!  Life has been insane around here lately, and I haven’t had time to be in the kitchen, or even much time at all to chat with everyone on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and via e-mail.  My work schedule has changed, so getting the family into a new routine has been taking its toll on me this week.  Thank you all for asking about me and for all of the notes looking for new recipes!…

  • A Playroom Makeover: Part 3 – The Reveal!

    I can’t believe we are FINALLY done with the playroom!   It’s been months of work – squeezing in an hour or two here and there after work, a few hours on the weekends.   Yes, we could have paid someone to come in and just do it all for us, but we honestly do enjoy doing it ourselves – the end result always makes it worth it.  There’s really nothing better than that sense of accomplishment after finishing a big project. If you want…

  • Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

    So, this isn’t really a food recipe, but it’s super hot outside, and I had four pounds of lemons in a pretty bowl on my kitchen counter. (Am I the only one who decorates with lemons? They’re my favorite centerpiece and kitchen decor item.) And, since I recently discovered my Grandma’s old juicer I figured a big pitcher of fresh-squeezed lemonade was in order. It REALLY hit the spot after a few hours of working in our gardens. I’m a lemon-person anyway (obviously, hence the…

  • Tortilla Pinwheels

    Oh, Tuesday after Labor Day.  I have a serious love-hate thing going with you right now. Our summer was magnificent.  The weather was just about perfect ALL summer.  Our grass never did turn that icky late-summer brown color, it’s still a gorgeous bright green.  We sat on the porch almost every evening and just enjoyed the weather while the kids played.  I was fortunate to be able to work from home this summer, so I got a lot of quality time with my kids.  The…

  • Caramel Pecan Brownies

    Chocolate.  Caramel.  Pecans.   Oh, yes.  See how they look all gooey and fudgy?  That’s because they ARE gooey and fudgy.  Don’t make these unless you have a large glass of cold milk nearby…you’ll need it.  These are one of those treats that make you talk with your mouth full – you know, when you take a bite of something amazing and you automatically forget all about manners and mumble a garbled, “oh my gawd,” or “oh, wow…”  Or is that just me?  It’s probably just…

  • Biscoff Truffle Brownies

    Three awesome things happened yesterday.  One, I got up at 7:30am (which is like sleeping in around here) and made some cinnamon rolls.  Then, I took A NAP.  Like, a NAP.  On the couch.  In the middle of the morning. And my husband took care of the girls and I slept, and it was FAN-tastic.  I felt well-rested for the first time in months.  Or years.  Nearly eight years, to be precise. Secondly, I bought a new cake stand and I’m kind of in love…

  • Out and About: Road Trip to Omaha

    This past week was a fun one for my little family.  We opted for a stay-cation this year, and spent the week pretty close to home.  We took our girls to Worlds of Fun, our local amusement park one day, spent a day lounging around and doing not much of anything, and then spent a couple of days road-tripping it.  Destination:  Omaha. Omaha is just about a 3-hour drive from our home near Kansas City, so it really made an ideal, quick road trip.  Since…

  • Dark Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

    During the winter months, I turn into a pantry-hoarder.  I tend to over-stock my pantry on trips to the grocery store, buying one or two of every possible pantry staple, so I always have everything I need for all of my baking whims.  Then, when I use something, I just replace it and I can make it through the entire winter without having to run out for ingredients when I decide to bake. It’s great, for a while.  But then, I end up with way…

  • White Chocolate & Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

    I just looked over the top of my laptop at my husband, who’s sitting on the couch next to me, and said “I don’t have any wittiness for my blog post.”  He just looked at me funny. You guys don’t care about wittiness, do you?  You care about cupcakes.  I knew it.  You’re just using me. See?  No wittiness.  I’m not even sure I’m spelling that right.  Wittiness?  Witty-ness?  Wittyness?  My spell checker likes wittiness, so we’ll go with it. Have you ever said a…

  • A Family Birthday Party

    My oldest daughter turned seven years old yesterday.  I realize that every year, I find myself lamenting that it’s just not possible that another birthday has come and gone, but it really does amaze me just how quickly time flies.

  • Spiced White Wine Bundt Cake

    Yup.  Another bundt cake. I have to confess, I’m a little bit obsessed with the bundt cake lately.  I think it’s because they’re way easy.  There are no layers, no lug-out-the-KitchenAid frostings, no fuss. And right now, I’m all about no-fuss. What is it about this time of year?  It’s SOOOOO busy.  The end of the school year, dance recitals, Easter, birthdays, graduations, weddings, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. ETC. SO busy. And truth be told, all I want to do right now is be…

  • Erin’s favorite recipes from 2012

    As we say goodbye to 2012, it’s fun to reflect on everything that happened during the year.  My family had a wonderful year full of blessings.  We celebrated my parent’s 35th wedding anniversary in May.  We traveled to the beach with our extended family, filling up three beach houses.  My oldest daughter completed Kindergarten and started 1st grade.  We coached T-ball, we celebrated 1st birthdays for my niece and nephew, and found out my brother and sister are expecting again.  We attended dance recitals, hosted…