A Proverbs 31 Kind of Day

The uncertainty of the last several weeks may have you and your family eating at home more. Perhaps you have gathered around the table more in these last two weeks than you have during the last year. And maybe with the stress of cooking more, you're wanting some new recipes to try. While the days may be uncertain, I am thankful we can find reason to rejoice. With one of my Cherubs at home when he should be at University, completing his junior year, I am thankful to have this time with him. With my other Cherub completing her senior year of high school, I am thankful to have some quality time with her without the distraction of obligations. I am also thankful for the many times a week we place our feet under the table and enjoy good food and great conversations. Conversations filled with laughter that are making many memories to hold tightly. One thing that has happened for me is a return to creative cooking and trying new recipes. With our fruit salad to...

Lately, the Mr. and my girl cherub are having to pick up a little more of the chores around the house. OK -- so maybe all of the chores! Cooking, cleaning, laundry, packing lunches. Everything! Over the weekend, I fell and broke my foot. It didn't sound like it was any big deal with the doctor at the ER, but my Monday follow up visit shed a wee little different light on the situation. So I'm still cooking . . .from the living room. The Mr. says, "ok, what's next?" and I tell him what to do with the recipe. It's been kind of interesting, but everything, so far, has turned out just great! After dinner the other night, he kept asking if there was something he could make. I couldn't think of anything simple, but I dreamed up this little treat that I knew would be easy. This little gem of a treat has me thinking about all the things that can be created with almond bark! The girl cherub made brownie bites for a school project tom...

This is one of those desserts that honestly, I remember my mom making when I was a little kid. I also remember not being especially found of it. Not for any particular reason. But fast-forward a few years. . . ok, a lot . . . and now I like apple crisps. This dessert, though, often gets overlooked. I don't know if it is because it's too "simple." Too "homey." Doesn't "present well." And while all of those might be true, the truth is, apple crisp is a great option to offer your family and friends! Most of the time, you have the ingredients to make the dessert. It's easy enough you can throw it together, and what's even better . . .it's homemade! Like -- who doesn't like THAT! In a time when homemade is a forgotten language, this dessert is sure to please! You know me, what I love about this is the flexibility! Add in some pecans, if you wish. Or maybe some raisins or cranberries. Top...

When we were living in Arizona, we were a young married couple just beginning our family. Actually, it was while we were living in Arizona that our oldest boy cherub was born. OK -- so he's our only boy cherub. Also while we were there, we were involved in a great church. Along with being involved in a great young marrieds Sunday School class. Our class was getting together for something, as we often did, and I was looking for a new recipe. Flipping through a magazine, I saw this ad for sweetened condensed milk. On the side of the ad was this little recipe. It sounded great and sounded easy. I remember the Mr. loving the cookie and so did our friends. After the party, I ripped out the recipe and tucked it away. And haven't seen it since! But I've always remembered the easy cookie with the unique ingredients! Fast forward 20 years, or more, and I have the recipe! So today, before I leave for a Fall Festival at school, I thought I'd whip th...

I can't tell you how many times my girl cherub has asked for cookie ice cream sandwiches. Oh, yes I can . . . what I really mean is I don't want to tell you how many times I've failed at the attempt! The first time she asked, I thought, "Sure!  This can't be hard!" It was for her birthday party and we were having a lot of friends and family to celebrate. After I made the beautiful cookie ice cream sandwiches, I stuck them in the freezer. Only to go back hours later and the ice cream had melted into a puddle on the cookie sheet and re-froze. Yes -- that's what happens when your freezer defrosts itself! For that one, I had to use a spatula and cut the ice-cream into squares and scoop the re-frozen melted ice cream and the frozen cookie onto a plate. Real fun. That failure just made me try again. And again I did! Several times! Until I finally thought, "I will win at this!" Here's what I did: made the coo...

Cranberries are usually thought to be "holiday" food. Served mostly as cranberry salad . . . or "jellied" cranberry sauce. Now, I'm not knocking either of those, as my family does love cranberry sauce and salad. But truthfully, cranberries are delicious, although slightly tart and does go better with sugar. If you are like me, during the holiday months, when cranberries are plentiful, you stock your freezer. That way, you have these red-jeweled fruits ready to use anytime during the year. I've recently made this recipe to serve and it was most wonderful. While I do think this would be a nice dessert or brunch salad during chilly winter months. You could easily serve it anytime of the year; especially if you have cranberries in your freezer! This is a simple recipe from Southern Living.  Sometimes "simple" and "Southern Living" do not fit into the same sentence.  But here, it does! Cranberry and Cream Dessert 1 1...

To try to explain the mach speed we are running right now would be futile! There is something everyday . . . and we're trying to cram in great activities before my boy cherub heads off to his first year of college. There's more about that later, but ultimately, it is such a fun time of life! Tonight, we are heading over to my mom's house to have dinner. To make it easier on her, I offered to bring a picnic supper, which would hopefully make it easier on me. I'm not too certain that I was successful with that part! However, when I asked the cherubs and the Mr. what they would like for dessert, it was clear they had forgotten that time was not readily available! You should have heard their suggestions! Needless to say, I made a mental note of what sounded good to them, and went out on my own! Since we are deep in the heat of summer, I opted for light and fruit. There are rare times that my family thinks fruit is a "dessert." Toni...

We're going old school! Your mom might have called these magic cookie bars, or seven layer bars, or hello dolly bars. Regardless of what they were called, who doesn't remember these treats from your childhood? Honestly!  This was one thing my mom could . . .and would . . . whip up in a hurry! These treats are easy to make and even easier to eat! Originally, these were called magic cookie bars and the recipe was rolled out by the Eagle Brand Milk Company. Today, though, there are so many variations and possibilities, that it's crazy. But the basic of the recipe is still the starting point. And that's exactly where I started! But!  I didn't end up there, because I add a little treat of my own! While I was in the kitchen making this little dessert for dinner tonight, my girl cherub was doing school and she asked what I was making. I told her. "Have you ever made those before?" she asked. Yeah . . .but not in a long time. Like...

My boy cherub has loved oatmeal cookies since the time he could say, "cick-koo." And as a little guy, I knew exactly what he was saying when he asked! Not much has changed as he's grown . . . and oatmeal cookie is still a great treat to him. This week, he has been asking for dessert. Well, he and the girl cherub both! But I haven't made anything. Not because I didn't want to. But we were in and out so much this week, and we were all going to be gone this weekend, that I didn't think it was necessary to bake this week. But here it is, Sunday afternoon, and the weather is perfect, and the house is quiet, so I decided to make the cherubs happy and bake! I'm not really certain that I've made an oatmeal cookie since we've been gluten free, which has been about 2 1/2 years, so it's about time I get a good recipe! This one, I do think, is a keeper. If you're not gluten free . . . but you've kept reading...

We are finally all home, together again, as a family! My boy cherub lived in DC this Summer and was a Page in the U.S. Senate. My girl cherub and I spent time at different camps and on mission trips. The Mr. did a little bit of everything, including a smidge of travel for work. So it's been awhile since we've all been together, under "our" roof. Now that we're back together . . . I really like it! Since my boy cherub was away, I have spent time making him some of his favorites. After his first "home cooked" meal, I made this for dessert. On a whim, we added vanilla ice cream to it; and just like that . . . A new dessert was made! We were kind of sad when we ran out of the fruit mixture! Ok, not really! But we did say we'd need to make this again! I like that it was super easy! Fruit and Cream 1 regular can of sliced peaches, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 regular can of pears, cut into bite-sized pieces 2 bananas, s...

I have no idea where the month of May has gone! But here it is, the week of planning for what will be done on Memorial Day! My cherubs have finished with their school and this is a big accomplishment, as this was their first year of attending a "virtual academy" through the school they attended in Dallas. I've spent the last eleven years "preparing" for my cherubs to be home for the summer. I always took their last week of school and sorted through their closet. Straightened out the drawers. Grocery shopped for "at home" lunches. And did any last minute planning before school would be let out for the summer. But since these cherubs have been doing their education from the comforts of our office, my routine was a wee bit off this year! It has actually been a great year for all of us and I've loved the opportunity for them to educate at home.  Now that summer break is officially here, we've been enjoying a more relaxed ...

My boy cherub saw this recipe on T.V. while we were staying in a hotel not too long ago. He begged me to make it. It's not hard, but there are a few "special" ingredients. When you look at the title, the word "Cannoli" conjures up a taste. That's what the frosting is like . . .cannoli filling. That's why I didn't want to make any substitutions to the ingredients. I wanted it to taste like cannoli. That's one thing my boy cherub misses since being gluten free. He dreams of eating great cannoli. Well, truth be known, he dreams of eating Krispy Kreme donuts, a honey butter chicken biscuit from Whataburger, and the cinnamon rolls I used to make. For mother's day, my girl cherub choose the entrée and my boy cherub choose the dessert. For me to make. But whatever . . . that's what moms do! This is seriously good! It's seriously easy too! Which only contributes to the good factor! Cannoli Cake 1 15-16oz...

Seriously!  My cherubs ask, "What's for dessert?"  every night! I have created a monster! Sometimes I give the look like, "Why are you asking me that?" And I point to the pack of gum on the counter! Other times I will say, "Do NOT ask what's for dessert, or there won't be any dessert!" And then I surprise them with a cake! I wish we didn't want a little dessert after dinner, but we do. I'm trying to accept it . . . embrace it  . .  . enjoy it! The Mr. and the cherubs are wanting me to perfect gluten free pie crusts. But right now, there isn't the time to wrestle with that task. So this week, while really wanting to make a pie, but not wanting to be defeated, I looked at different ingredients in the pantry and refrigerator and came up with this cake. It was super easy and the Mr. and the cherubs really liked it! This is not a "counter" cake, as the frosting will need to stay refrigerated....

It's turned nice and fallish around here and we have enjoyed the perfect days! We have opened the windows. We have watched the deer come into the clearing on our land. We have started searching for our favorite fall recipes. My sweet girl cherub got the notion to make peanut butter bars. Since it was Halloween evening, and we needed a little treat, we grabbed the ingredients and made these delicious bars! These are great because they require no baking and they're quick! If you like Reese's, then you're going to love these!  I say, "so long" to buying those peanut butter cups; these are a classic snack treat! Peanut Butter Bars 1 /4 cup butter, melted 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy) 1 1/4 cups confectioners sugar 4 full-size Hershey chocolate bars, melted (or 1 cup melted chocolate chips) To the melted butter, add the brown sugar and peanut butter and stir until well co...

I'm tired of unpacking. I'm tired of heat.  I'm dreaming of Fall. I drive down the street and there are beautiful pumpkins at the garden centers. Gorgeous pots of mums line the drives. I'm beginning to think about Fall food . . . And I have the air conditioner on! Something is wrong with this picture! I want to wake up and throw the windows open and have a long sleeve shirt on. I want the days to warm to the perfect temperature. And I want to be able to sit with the family around the uncluttered table to a great bounty of fall food. But that's not happening right now. As I'm dreadfully unpacking yet another box, I had the idea of a "crustless apple pie." One reason for this is I have no time to make a pie right now. Another reason for this thinking is back to line #4 -- I'm dreaming of fall food. Apple pie is Fall! The third reason for this idea is being gluten free; I haven't attempted a gluten free pie cr...

Last Christmas we spent a week away. It was a wonderful gift! We did very little while we were gone. We played games and watched moves. We made ourselves get ready and leave the condo 3 times during our 8 days. We weren't gone very long on those excursions . . . . we were rather content in the condo watching moves and playing games! One day, the Mr. made reservations at a restaurant on the campus of  The College of the Ozarks. On a side note, this college is founded on amazing principles.  If you have time, you ought to take a look!   https://www.cofo.edu/ College of the Ozarks, Keeter Center Image from the internet We had a great lunch and we even ordered dessert. Two reasons: We were on vacation; when on vacation we can do whatever we want. They had a gluten free option. When you eat gluten free, it is always exciting to go to a restaurant and have "normal" options! We ordered the chocolate someth...

It is so simple, and often overlooked. But honestly, I love pudding. Seriously! Good , no, Great pudding is awesome! I really only like the boxed stuff in recipes. Just to make a dessert of boxed pudding isn't really appealing to me. But make homemade pudding, count me in! One reason why I like pudding is that most of the time I have the ingredients on hand. Especially for vanilla pudding. The ingredients are pure and simple. If it's been awhile since you've had "great" pudding, try this soon! I might just make a believer out of you! Vanilla Pudding 2 1/2 cups milk, divided pinch of salt 1/2 cup sugar 3 TBSP cornstarch 2 egg yolks, beaten 1 tsp. vanilla 1 TBSP butter Place 2 cups milk and salt in a saucepan. Sprinkle sugar and pinch of salt on milk and do not stir; heat over medium-high. Quickly combine cornstarch with remaining 1/2  milk; add egg yolks and mix well. When milk comes to a full boil, remove saucepan from the heat...

The Mr. loves hummingbird cake. He always requests it for Easter and for his birthday. Since we have become gluten free, I've been avoiding this cake. In my mind, if I'm going to make this cake, I want it like it is supposed to be. But with gluten free, things aren't always like that! Sometimes gluten free baked goods are drier. Or gritty. Or disappointing. That's truth! The Mr.'s birthday was this week and when asked what he wanted for our traditional "birthday dinner," he picked two things that I've been avoiding since we've been gluten free! I'm gonna kill him! Silly me, tackled both! Here's my take-away! If there's enough time between the gluten version and the gluten-free version, your mind forgets what it is "supposed" to taste like, and then the gluten free version is very satisfying! 14 months is a good amount of time to wait!! There are lots of gluten free versions of hummingbird cake...

Oh my, it's been awhile! One might think that I have forgotten to feed the Mr. and the Cherubs! While I haven't forgotten, I certainly haven't had the time to cook as I normally do. I'm currently getting to do what I also love . . . and that's fulfill a long-term subbing position. It is extremely rewarding. However, when I do these, I have to put something to the back-burner. Like cooking . . . and other household work. For example:  it's mid-March and I just took down my Winter decor. Notice I didn't say, "Christmas." "Christmas" -- as in tree, Santa, and presents, went away in January. "Winter," on the other had -- as in snowmen, evergreen, and pine cones stay through . . . well . . .Winter! Thankfully, Spring decor doesn't take nearly as long to put out! Unless you are like me and you re-do the look. I really try not to do that, because it doesn't come natural or easy for me. ...

Our trip to the New England states this Fall seems forever ago. Forrrrr-evah! While we were in Vermont, we went to Dartmouth College and King Arthur Flour Company. I'm not really sure which I liked better . . . but if my boy cherub decided to go to Dartmouth, I would NOT be disappointed! Those two amazing institutions are just minutes away from each other. M.I.N.U.T.E.S! As we were shopping, a sweet sales clerk recommended the almond cookies they had just replenished. She said they were her favorite, ever! We bought our one package to take with us. We were sad. We wished we had bought more packages. Because we loved them! One reason we love them is that it's something different. Don't get me wrong, I love chocolate chip cookies. And peanut butter cookies. And oatmeal cookies too. But this one . . . .it's different and I like different! If you're an almond lover, then give this a try. They're wonderful! Almond Cooki...