Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #367

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! 

We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, craft and upcycling ideas in the line up. Along with thrifting treasures and great family friendly articles also being shared today. I can guarantee that, you will be pleasantly surprised, with all the good stuff you are about to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. And while you are here to visit, I hope you have brought along some ideas of your own to share!

 

Please offer some wild and open areas on your property. For Homestead Sunday #9

Welcome to Homestead Sunday, where we share what we have learned, what we do on a regular basis, and what projects we are building, rebuilding or working on. Who are we? We are a three generation family living on six acres in South Eastern Texas. 

And while we have only been in Texas a short time, we have had the homestead mentality and lifestyle for quite a few years. Starting out with our time living in Montana. And, although we are not experts in any way, I hope that what we share with you with this series is helpful, as well as inspirational for you and your own homestead journey. Or even with your own home and yard in the suburbs. Because to homestead is an much an action as it is a lifestyle.

Classic Pear and Chocolate Chia Pudding

Pears and chocolate come together deliciously in this easy to make Classic Pear and Chocolate Chia Pudding. Perfect to stir up in the morning and enjoy for dessert after dinner that same evening! While chia puddings are usually made individually we like a dessert where everyone can dish up their own portion. Plus this stores easily in the fridge....

Everyday Pesto!

This recipe for Everyday Pesto is one of the easiest things you will ever make in your in your kitchen! Put the ingredients into a food processor, pulse to combine and chop, then buzz to a chunky sauce. And in just a few minutes time, you have a beautiful green pesto that goes on and in, just about everything! 

Whole Wheat Self-Rising Flour, the best pantry mix to keep on hand!

Whole Wheat Self-Rising Flour is an easy-to-make pantry mix you will want to keep around! There are countless ways to use this mix, from simple biscuits to a rich pan of Nutella Brownies...and it is so easy to make. Meaning Whole Wheat Self-Rising Flour will save you loads of time in the kitchen!

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot 06.27.2025

Welcome to another great weekend! 

And what better way to enjoy it, in full, than with 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 good ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! Yes, let's all show some love for those great posts resting in the archives, until you share them again.

Mark Bittman's Black Bean and Mango Salad

Black Bean and Mango Salad! Who knew a can of beans and a piece of fruit could result in such an enjoyable salad? Seriously, you must make this salad! It ticks all the boxes, delicious, easy to make and perfect for that mango you bought and now needs to be enjoyed...

Fruit and Nut Brownie Bread, whole wheat and fruit sweetened

My hubby loves chocolate whether it is, candy, cookies, or ice cream! When it is time to bake but time is short, this Fruit and Nut Brownie Bread is the one to bake. A loaf of rich fruity, chocolate-y quick bread, to slice and serve as needed. With a texture that will remind you of cake brownies. The chocolate lover in your family, will thank you! 

 

Fresh Oregano and Garlic Scape Pesto, enjoy it now, and freeze some for winter enjoyment!

Do you know about garlic scapes? The scape is the green shoot growing above the ground that will be trimmed off, sending all the plant energy back to the in ground garlic bulb. And when they hit the market, you must get some, before they are gone! As soon as you see them, you will want to make this Fresh Oregano and Garlic Scape Pesto...

How to Prepare A Lacinato Kale Tossed Salad, easy prep with delicious results.

I have become a fan of Lacinato Kale in my salad bowl. For me, a salad with a bit of "chew" as well as enough structure to hold onto the dressing is my favorite choice in salad greens. You will probably find a few other names for this type of kale such as Dinosaur Kale, and Tucson Kale. My local market offers it as Tucson Kale. 

Cinnamon Flats, a cinnamon infused sugar cookie

Cinnamon Flats, a tender cinnamon flavored cookie you will want to bake and enjoy the year round! While they are delicious, you really must start with the Cinnamon Extract...

Pork Steaks Braised in Milk, a dinner idea!

Cooking almost every meal we eat, is my usual kitchen style. Often requiring a bit of creative license to use what we have and keep on hand in the pantry. When eating dinner, my husband will often turn to me and say, "are you going to blog this?” That is how a dinner idea came to be...not always a recipe, but too good, not to share. 

Today we have Pork Steaks Braised in Milk. 

French Lentil Salad, the delicious taste of springtime, anytime!

French Lentil Salad is a taste of springtime! Yes you read that right, this lentil salad with fresh vegetables and a light vinaigrette is light, delicious and the perfect salad to make right now!

Whole Wheat Carrot Chia Bread

Whole Wheat Carrot Chia Bread, is so easy even your favorite little kitchen helper, can have a helping hand in the making! Start this delicious loaf in the ABM, and finish in the oven, if desired!

Chunky Fruit Vinaigrette, cook with what you have!

I Wonder if this has happened to you. You purchase ingredients for a recipe and when you go to use them, they are now too overripe to be used, yikes? Since I enjoy the creative challenge of cooking with what I have, that overripe piece of fruit became a delicious vinaigrette! Come and take a look at our Chunky Fruit Vinaigrette...

Welcome to The Senior Salon Pit Stop #366

 Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! 

We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, craft and upcycling ideas in the line up. Along with thrifting treasures and great family friendly articles also being shared today. I can guarantee that, you will be pleasantly surprised, with all the good stuff you are about to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. And while you are here to visit, I hope you have brought along some ideas of your own to share!

 

Tagine of Chicken and Olives, another delicious Instant Pot meal.

Looking for something a bit different, the whole family will enjoy? If so, you will want to make this Tagine of Chicken and Olives, a delicious old-world flavor in a quick-to-fix pressure cooker (Instant Pot!) meal...

Naturally Fermented Pickles,

We have been on a pickle journey this week with so many cucumbers coming off the vines! Yesterday was sweet slices, but today we are making Naturally Fermented Pickles, and my only question is, why did I wait so long? Because, WOW this is my favorite pickle ever!

Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta

Laurie Colwin's Broccoli Sauce for Pasta is the perfect side dish for just about any main dish you serve it with! Fortunately, with frozen broccoli available year-round, this delicious offering will be a regular go-to. Let's see now, broccoli along with pasta, and a sprinkle of cheese, who could ask for more?

Toffee and Walnut Oatmeal Cookies, another convenient freezer dough to enjoy.

Toffee and Walnut Oatmeal Cookies, fresh from the oven! Is this even possible on those busy days we all seem to have? Yes with homemade cookie dough in the freezer. Just mix, portion out, wrap and freeze. The easy way, homemade way to have cookies on demand! 

Family Favorite Macaroni Salad

Family Favorite Macaroni Salad. This one is a keeper. Delicious as-is, it is also a snap to adapt and change it up with additional ingredients to make a new salad each time it is served!

Curry Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs.

Curry Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs, a delicious chicken entrée that is easy on the cook, and ready to eat in only 45 minutes. Exactly the recipe you need when you need to get dinner on the table fast, because everyone is hungry and so are you!

Vegetable Bouillon Concentrate

Looking for more ways to add more flavor to your home-cooked meals? You have come to the right place, take a peek at our recipe for Homemade Vegetable Bouillon Paste...with a quick buzz in the food processor, you can up the flavor in your meals!

Grandma's Two Day Sweet Pickle Slices, no canning required!

If you and your family are fans of sweet pickles, you will love this easy recipe for Grandma's Two Day Sweet Pickle Slices. Crunchy and delicious these sweet pickle slices require NO canning! Yep, no canning, but all the old fashioned flavor you are looking for...

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot 06.20.2025

Welcome to another great weekend! 

And what better way to enjoy it, in full, than with 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 good ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! Yes, let's all show some love for those great posts resting in the archives, until you share them again.

Chunky Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars!

Chunky Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars are easy to make, and so delicious. Who doesn't love peanut butter and chocolate together? I especially enjoy making these when I have lots to do, but I still get a request for something sweet (meaning chocolate) from my husband! Because, like I said easy....

Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, so easy you can make it last minute!

Now is the time to get your homemade salad dressing skills up to date! With spring flowers and gardens starting everywhere, salads will be on the table more often. This Honey Mustard Vinaigrette is one that you will enjoy time and time again...

Savory Tomato Feta and Basil Pie!

I wanted to call this delicious recipe Summer Pie, but I didn't for one very important reason. Summer here is different than summer there, so I felt it was best to say that this is tomato season pie! And as soon as large vine ripened tomatoes are in your garden or marketplace, it is time to make Savory Tomato Feta and Basil Pie. 

Pan Fried Chicken with Broccoli Brown Rice, a dinner idea!

Cooking almost every meal we eat, is my usual kitchen style. Often requiring a bit of creative license to use what we have on hand in the pantry. When eating dinner, my husband will often turn to me and say, "are you going to blog this?” That is how a dinner idea came to be...not always a recipe, but too good, not to share.

Today we have Pan Fried Chicken with Broccoli Brown Rice. 

Cold Cucumber Soup, refreshing and quite delicious!

Cold Cucumber Soup is not something I had on my list to make, until I found the monster sized cucumbers in the garden! Looking around for cucumber recipes was interesting, there are so many different recipes to consider. And I have to be perfectly honest, I was not sure of this one! But I am very glad I made it, and so will you...

Celery Root Carrot and Apple Slaw

Celery Root Carrot and Apple Slaw is easy and delicious! We love this salad because it is delicious, and putting more vegetables on the table is always a good thing. This just might become a new family favorite. 

Peaches and Cream Chia Pudding

Peaches and Cream Chia Pudding, simple, delicious and made from basic ingredients already stocked in your pantry. Need a quick and healthy dessert? Take a look right here...why not feed the family healthy?

Grab a Jar of Jam, Marinade and Grill Sauce!

Grab a Jar of Jam, Marinade and Grill Sauce because grilling season is always close at hand! Or for all of us living in warm climates, it seems we grill the year round! A sauce like this one, (easy, frugal and delicious!) easily becomes a favorite. 

Welcome to the Senior Salon Pit Stop #365

Welcome! The Senior Salon Pit Stop is now open! 

We invite you to come and take a look at all the wonderful recipes, craft and upcycling ideas in the line up. Along with thrifting treasures and great family friendly articles also being shared today. I can guarantee that, you will be pleasantly surprised, with all the good stuff you are about to find…so I invite you to come and take a look. And while you are here to visit, I hope you have brought along some ideas of your own to share!

 

Braised Cucumbers in Cream, from Julia Child

What do you do when perfect timing between the kitchen and the garden do not line up?  One day that cucumber is a bit too small to pick and the next day it is a small monster on the vine! Yep, so easy to happen here in East Texas and a very hot day...enter Braised Cucumbers in Cream, from Julia Child. 

Crust Lovers Fruit Cobbler, light buttery and delicious!

If you are looking for a fruit dessert as delicious as pie, you have found it! Crust Lovers Fruit Cobbler is all about the crust! Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the fruit, but if that crusty topping wasn't there, this would only be a pan of baked fruit...which would change the whole direction of the recipe! 

Quick and Easy Marinara Sauce

If you are looking for a Quick and Easy Marinara Sauce, from your own kitchen to take the place of jarred sauce from the grocery store,  look no further. And this easy recipe is made in your slow cooker, freeing you to get on to the other things needing done!

Tuscan Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Oregano

Sometimes we find the best recipes in the last place we would ever expect to find one! Such is the story of Tuscan Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Oregano...come and take a look.

Watermelon with Mint and Feta, one of the best tastes of summer!

Watermelon with Mint and Feta! One of the best tasting, most refreshing bowls of fruit you will ever enjoy...Don't let the combination of ingredients concern you in any way, they go together as perfectly as the ocean and a sandy beach. 

BBQ Chicken Salad for Sandwiches

Our easy method for making BBQ Chicken Salad for Sandwiches. Easy, delicious, and no additional pans to wash! It really is a bonus meal to enjoy. Not the usual chicken salad, but you will love this one, with or without chips on the side!

Crunchy Tangy Jicama Waldorf Salad

Are you looking for a new salad to enjoy and offer more delicious and good for you vegetables into your meal plans? If so, give this Crunchy Tangy Jicama Waldorf Salad a try. Only six ingredients and about 5 minutes time, and you have a crunchy and tasty salad to enjoy!

Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot 06.13.2025

Welcome to another great weekend! 

And what better way to enjoy it, in full, than with 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 good ideas, but also the great stuff in your archives! Yes, let's all show some love for those great posts resting in the archives, until you share them again.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie!

In about five minutes you can have this Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie in the oven, it is that easy. Serve when still a tiny bit warm, adding a touch of whipped cream or a tiny scoop of ice cream and you have just made every chocolate chip cookie lover very, very happy!

Pepper Thyme Chicken over Polenta with Bitter Greens, from Laurie Colwin

Pepper Thyme Chicken over Polenta with Bitter Greens, from Laurie Colwin. Don't let this delicious platter of chicken fool you, there is nothing complicated about this dish! 

Homemade Bay Leaf Seasoning

Do you love the flavor of Bay Leaves in your recipes? Learn how to make Penzy's Bay Leaf Seasoning! One of the most versatile seasonings to keep on hand in your kitchen! And one, you will love for the flavor and the convenience. 

Gouda Cheese Spread

I have made Gouda Cheese Spread many times through the years and it is perfect to have on hand, safely tucked away in the fridge. Your family will love it as well, but it was seriously time for some new photos! Why? Because this delicious cheese spread is too good to pass by...

Easy to Use Seed Vault, keeps garden seeds fresh and at your fingertips!

Another gardening project from the DIY Homemade Household side of life! This Easy to make Seed Vault. This will help you keep your garden seeds fresh and at your fingertips!

How to make Radish Top Pesto, bold and delicious!

Spring crop radishes are hitting the markets right about now! But I urge you to keep those beautiful green tops. Because after you have enjoyed the radishes, make a batch of this delicious Radish Top Pesto, and enjoy a fresh taste for many months to come!

Individual Blueberry Cakes

These little Individual Blueberry Cakes are so good! They are also very easy to whip up at a moment's notice, but I will tell you right now. My husband has requested that from now on, I double the recipe...

Graham Cracker Muffins with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Butter.

Did you love graham crackers as a kid? If so these muffins are perfect for you and everyone else! Especially guests for breakfast. For some reason, I don't bake a lot of muffins ordinarily. But anytime there are guests at the table, muffins go in the oven!