My Personal Favorites from 2023.

I did a personal recap of my personal favorites, just like this one last year as well. For me it is a look back on what I have learned, about myself in the kitchen, how to manage our pantry, our meals and our food budget better. The posts I have chosen are not the most popular, they are the most meaningful for the lesson, the enjoyment or the fun. I invite you to come and take a look...

Our Reader's Top 10 Favorites from 2023!

We have been taking a moment for a look back for a few years now, and usually the list of the Top 10 have a decided theme, and for 2023, it is no different. Come and take a look back at the top 10 Reader's Favorites!

Bananas in Orange Caramel Sauce

Bananas in Orange Caramel Sauce is perfect to make and enjoy any time of the year! Fresh oranges have flooded the market place and green-tipped bananas are never a problem! This is one fruit dessert that will not leave you looking for something else, once you leave the table...

Casey's Blue Cheese Vinaigrette, a restaurant favorite, now made at home.

Casey's Blue Cheese Vinaigrette. The house dressing from a small family-run Italian café in California. Where they served pasta covered with their own fresh homemade red sauce, and always a salad of tossed greens with this salad dressing...

Welcome to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! 12.29.2023

Welcome to another great weekend, and what better way to enjoy it in full than a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and great ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! 

Yes, that's right, older posts are not only encouraged, but appreciated!

Blistered Green Bean Salad with Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette Feta and Chopped Almonds.

Blistered Green Bean Salad with Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette Feta and Chopped Almonds, the perfect springtime salad until the greens hit the market! Come and see how easy this delicious salad is to make!

Ham Bone Soup with White Beans, Sweet Potatoes and Kale

Soup is like a blank canvas! Ham Bone Soup with White Beans Sweet Potatoes and Kale came about cooking with what I had on hand. Sometimes the most delicious recipes come from cooking from the pantry. Like this one!

Black-Eyed Pea and Tomato Salad

Don't give up eating salad in the wintertime. Not when you can make this easy and delicious layered salad ahead of time, then just toss and serve...inspired by Tyler Florence, Black-Eyed Pea, and Tomato Salad. 

Terrific Turkey Soup with Lima Beans and Barley.

Terrific Turkey Soup with Lima Beans and Barley is our favorite after Thanksgiving Christmas any Roast Turkey dinner, soup! It is chock full of all the good things one needs on a cold winter's day. Rich bone broth, lots of veggies, and of course chunks of that delicious turkey from the day before...

Sweet Potato Gratin with Fresh Sage

Sweet Potato Gratin with Fresh Sage is one of those dishes that needs to be in your family's meal plan rotation! It is that good! Sweet potatoes are not only delicious but good for you too. This easy to assemble dish is one you will make again, and again! Sweet potatoes and fresh sage never tasted so good!

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! 12.22.2023

 Welcome to another great weekend, and what better way to enjoy it in full than a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and great ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! 

Yes, that's right, older posts are not only encouraged, but appreciated!

Whole Grain Banana Date Bread, all fruit and no refined sugar.

If you are looking for a loaf of banana bread so healthy you can eat it for breakfast, you have come to the right place! This Whole Grain Banana Date Bread is not only whole grain, but also all fruit-sweetened...

Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette, zesty, just a bit different, and delicious!

Do you love salads for the vegetables or for the delicious salad dressings that bring it all together? I could say it was all the greens, but really for us, it is the dressing...and this one is delicious!

How to make Brown and Serve Bacon, and why you might want to!

We love bacon! My guess is, so do you. While you can buy Brown and Serve Bacon in large or specialty markets, why not make your own? Plus making your own give you the added benefit of clean bacon fat, for your kitchen!

Clams in Chorizo Broth

Looking for something delicious, bold, and just a little bit different? If so, Clams in Chorizo Broth is the answer for an easy-to-make appetizer to share with friends or as a unique main dish for the family!

Honey and Applesauce Cake, a delicious whole grain dessert!

Just because I cook and bake using whole food ingredients, doesn't mean I want to give up dessert! And to make sure I don't have to, I enjoy finding and trying naturally sweetened and whole foods desserts. And I have to tell you, this Honey and Applesauce Cake ticks all the boxes! 

Cabbage Salsa, crunchy delicious and perfect with tortilla chips!

This is not your usual tomato-based salsa, no this is crispy, delicious Cabbage Salsa and it is perfect with tortilla chips! If you thought salsas were just made with tomatoes, take a look right here at this tasty treat!

Dutch Potatoes, potatoes so good they are practically a meal on their own!

If you are looking for a dish of mashed potatoes that actually makes the meal, look no further! Dutch Potatoes will knock your socks off because they are creamy, full of additional vegetables, and finished off with sauteed onions and smoked Gouda cheese... 

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot 12.15.2023

Welcome to another great weekend, and what better way to enjoy it in full than a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and great ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! 

Yes, that's right, older posts are not only encouraged, but appreciated!

Prunes Poached in Red Wine and Cinnamon.

Prunes Poached in Red Wine and Cinnamon, seriously? Yes! And it is so good, we call it dessert! Come and take a look...don't let the term prune, stop you...

Salmon Cakes with Bacon

Salmon Cakes with Bacon are so delicious! You would never believe that a can of salmon from your pantry could be turned into such a delicious dinner, but it can, and I will share with you how to do it! Salmon Cakes with Bacon, these cakes should be on your dinner table...

Moroccan Carrot Salad

Moroccan Carrot Salad another delicious non-lettuce salad to enjoy. With good quality organic carrots available year-round making this salad is so easy! Feel free to adjust the spices listed to satisfy your own tastes. 

Downspout Noise Mufflers, quiet the rain for better sleep.

Downspout Noise Mufflers just might help you sleep a little better at night. While you can not stop the rain, you can do something about the noise in those downspouts! From the DIY Homemade Household side of the blog!

Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #291!

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, ideas, articles and printable lists and planners being shared at SSPS #291! Because I can guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised, at all the good stuff you are going to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. 

 

One Pan Pork Chops and Scalloped Potatoes

One Pan Pork Chops and Scalloped Potatoes, just like Mom made.....food doesn't get much better than this! Food made with love served with love and loved by all who enjoy time around your table. That's a pan of One Pan Pork Chops and Scalloped Potatoes!

Brown Sugar Sour Cream Banana Bread, soft and tender like cake!

This is not just another loaf of banana bread! Brown Sugar Sour Cream Banana Bread is moist from the sour cream and richly flavored from the brown sugar. More a cake than bread, and one the whole family will love! Got bananas stacking up? Brown Sugar Sour Cream Banana Bread, is just the recipe you need...

Eggplant Stacks, A Jimmy Carter Family Recipe.

When you see a chubby shiny eggplant, think of this recipe! While eggplant is one of those vegetables I am learning to enjoy, I knew right away when I first read this recipe I would enjoy it, and I do each time it is made!

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! 12.08.2023

 Welcome to another great weekend, and what better way to enjoy it in full than a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and great ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! 

Yes, that's right, older posts are not only encouraged, but appreciated!

Easy to make Shredded Beef, perfectly tender and delicious every time!

This tender shredded beef is perfect for tacos, burritos, BBQ beef sandwiches, and dinner bowls of all kinds! Make your own tender shredded beef with this easy (and adaptable) Instant Pot recipe...for Easy to make Shredded Beef. 

Pear and Cranberry Crumble

Late winter and early spring still call out for dessert! Make this delicious Pear and Cranberry Crumble from pantry ingredients. Perfect anytime, while we wait for the fresh crops of spring! Canned pears never tasted so good!

Super Simple "Easy Clean" Spray Cleaner

It turns out, we are all busy. The solution? I keep a bottle of this Super Simple "Easy Clean" Spray Cleaner handy, a couple of sprays, and a quick wipe down, and you will have a clean and ready work surface, once again! From the DIY Homemade Household side of the blog!

Slow Cooker Apple Crisp, with a surprising ingredient!

Slow Cooker Apple Crisp! Not the most exciting name for a dessert, is it? But this is one recipe you will want to try! Why? Because not only is this Slow Cooker Apple Crisp delicious, it has a surprising ingredient that really makes the flavor! 

Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #290!

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, ideas, articles and printable lists and planners being shared at SSPS #290! Because I can guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised, at all the good stuff you are going to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. 

 

Chicken Legs and Bacon Sauerkraut.

Easy and delicious Chicken Legs and Bacon Sauerkraut is also bold and the perfect recipe to use this frugal cut of the bird!

Blueberry Breakfast Cheesecake

With friends and family on the way for  morning celebration, this Blueberry Breakfast Cheesecake is perfect for a weekend breakfast or brunch. Not too sweet, easy to put together, and purely delicious! And while (so far!) it has only been made with blueberries in this house, your choice of berries is open!

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot 12.01.2023

 Welcome to another great weekend, and what better way to enjoy it in full than a visit to Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot! What makes this link-up special is that we encourage you to link up not only your current posts and great ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! Yes, that's right, older posts are encouraged!

Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon, Sour Cream, Pickled Red Onions and Capers

Are you looking for a delicious brunch recipe to spoil family and friends with? Good because, Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon, Sour Cream, Pickled Red Onions, and Capers are exactly what you are looking for! And yes, you are right, that is a long name (but really really delicious!)!

Shaved Zucchini with Feta and Parmesan Cheese

Zucchini is one of those crops now being grown year-round in hoop houses, which is perfect for having fresh zucchini available until your own garden crop comes in! And Shaved Zucchini with Feta and Parmesan Cheese is a delicious way to use some of that zucchini! 

Three Ingredient Pineapple Thai Chicken.

Have a busy kitchen? Do you like recipes that will adapt to slow cooking or oven baking? Us too, so that was the inspiration behind Three Ingredient Pineapple Thai Chicken!

Carrot Raisin Banana Bread, whole wheat and no refined sugar

Carrot Raisin Banana Bread is a delicious whole-wheat quick bread with no refined sugar. Made with whole food ingredients, it is also 100% delicious! Which is the most important part, because if it doesn't taste good, no one will eat it...

Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #289.

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, ideas, articles and printable lists and planners being shared at SSPS #289! Because I can guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised, at all the good stuff you are going to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. 

 

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili with Charred Beef

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili with Charred Beef is a favorite around here! It is not only delicious but spiced just right, not too hot, and not too boring! Perfect for anytime you want delicious food, made fresh, and served with love...

Homemade Dish Soap, that works!

Who wants to make your own simple yet effective Homemade Dish Soap, raise your hand! As it turns out, I do. And, if you do as well, come and take a look at how easy this is to make and use.

Parsley Garlic and Almond Pesto

Are you and your family and pesto fans? If so, you will love this easy and delicious parsley and almond pesto. Parsley Garlic and Almond Pesto is the perfect wintertime pesto to make and enjoy! But we make it year round...

Quick and Easy Sugar Cookies, whole wheat delicious!

This little batch of Quick and Easy Sugar Cookies solves all your dessert needs! Why? Because they are just right on their own or alongside a dish of fresh fruit for a quick and healthy dessert. 

Roasted Root Vegetables, a slow cooker recipe

Root vegetables are the answer to the sparse variety at the market in early spring and again in late fall. And these Roasted Root Vegetables come together easily, cook without supervision, and taste delicious!

Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Apple Salad with Pecans. Fresh, crunchy, delicious!

Are you looking for more delicious non-lettuce salads to enjoy? While a lettuce-based salad is always enjoyable, other vegetables make great salads as well. Plus having a variety of non-lettuce salad recipes to enjoy means that a salad is just a few moments away!

Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #288.

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, ideas, articles and printable lists and planners being shared at SSPS #288! Because I can guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised, at all the good stuff you are going to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. 

Banana Cream Bread Pudding

What is your favorite way to use up the extra ripe bananas that seem to gather in the fruit bowl? Today I tried something new, Banana Cream Bread Pudding...another easy-to-make creamy bread pudding to enjoy!

Whole Wheat Ricotta Gnocchi, easy make ahead and freeze!

Make dinner time a family affair with Whole Wheat Ricotta Gnocchi. The whole food family favorite that everyone will want to help make, and love to eat! Looking for a new Meatless Monday favorite? Whole Wheat Ricotta Gnocchi to the rescue!