Butternut Braid Bread After 2 years of home schooling my young kids, it finally hit me. We actually have to be home sometimes to do this school thing well. So, since September, we've cut back on our commitments to bump up our time at home. It's been (mostly) good. In addition to more reading, writing, and arithmetic, there have been other bonuses, as well. For example, it's forced me to stay on top of the laundry pile. I try to always show up for class wearing clean yoga pants (and holding a strong cup of coffee). Since we're home anyway, I've also been baking and making more of our food from scratch again. I can't remember the last time I bought Keep Reading
Pumpkin spice scones (Starbucks Copycat)
Pumpkin Spice Scones (Starbucks Copycat) Back in the old days, when my husband and I were DINKS (Dual Income No Kids, if you didn't know the lingo), Starbucks was part of my regular work routine. Tall latte, pumpkin scone. I'd fork over four bucks + change and happily be on my way. The old days had some serious perks. These days, my work uniform involves yoga pants (workout optional) and hooded sweatshirts (kid stains probable). Any coffee shop that doesn't have a drive-thru option is dead to me. Now I can make a good cup of coffee without setting foot outside my house. But man, it was hard to quit those pumpkin scones (which is unfortunate, as Keep Reading
Double chocolate zucchini muffins
Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins After visiting my sister last week, she handed each of my kids one of these chocolate muffins as we headed out the door. Walking down the sidewalk, with two silent, chocolate-faced kids, I was waiting to hear their opinion. When we got to the car and the last crumbs disappeared, my son shouted at the top of his lungs, "Deee-licious cupcakes!" And the six-going-on-sixteen-year-old voice said, "Mom, these are the best ever." The zucchini continue to stack up around our house so I didn't waste any time whipping up a batch of these Double Chocolate Muffins, using the same recipe from King Arthur flour. The mini food Keep Reading
Vegetarian frittata (seasonal vegetable recipe)
Vegetarian Frittata Recipe I had never made a frittata until I met my friend Elizabeth seven years ago. It seemed like every time I stopped by her house, she was pulling a skillet loaded with eggs and vegetables out of the oven. We'd stand around her kitchen talking, taking piping hot bites of whatever the special was that day, while our children ran wild around the house. She was onto something good. Frittatas are Italian-style omelets, a healthy, filling crustless quiche that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. I find myself going back to this kind of cooking quite a bit lately. Just good honest food, created from a combination Keep Reading
Cream Scones
Cream Scones I love scones. Despite their hoity-toity, high tea image, scones are a simple addition to any breakfast, brunch, or dessert menu. I served these cream scones for breakfast this morning and plan on using them as a base for strawberry shortcake later in the week. The recipe makes 16 smaller scones, which is great, because they are not exactly low in fat. I don't know about you, but I always feel better eating food in smaller portions. Even if I end up eating twice as many, it always feels like fewer calories. Despite their sometimes dry, tough reputation, scones are light, buttery, and down right delicious when made correctly. The key Keep Reading
Blueberry French Toast Bake (perfect for fresh blueberries!)
Blueberry French Toast Bake I hit the blueberry fields again this morning, walking away with five hot, tired kids (It's okay. They were ours.) and four bowls of fresh, sweet blueberries. I decided that some of today's blueberries would be tomorrow's French toast. Only I couldn't wait until tomorrow. So we ate this French toast for dinner tonight. It was delicious and would make a great addition to any brunch or breakfast... or dinner menu. This recipe comes from our church cookbook, submitted by two great cooks in our congregation (I made a few minor changes). It quickly became a favorite, making regular appearances at many brunches & potlucks. Keep Reading
Huevos Rancheros recipe (Rancher’s Eggs)
Huevos Rancheros (Rancher's Eggs) For the past four months, my calendar has had Huevos Rancheros! scribbled across June 13th. This type of behavior no longer phases my husband. I have started circling these random inspirations so he doesn't get confused when trying to figure out what's we're doing on any given Thursday night. I wanted to share this recipe with you the second I ate it, but forced myself to wait until the week before Father's Day because my dad introduced me to this perfect dish. Now understand, my dad is not the master-chef type. He is more of an avoid-the-kitchen-unless-he-is-forced-to-fend-for-himself type. He is totally capable Keep Reading