I consider myself to be an expert at dish washing. I have lived without a dishwasher for 6 years. Now, I’m not saying I wouldn’t love to have a dishwasher–because I would. I WOULD LOVE ONE. (And have my eye on a few….another post for another day…) I figure it would save me on average […]

Caramel Topped Flan  Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan Ingredients: For the Caramel: 1/3 cup sugar3 tbsp watersquirt of fresh lemon juice For the Flan: 1-1/2 cups heavy cream1-1/4 cups whole milk3 large eggs2 large egg yolks1/2 cup sugar1 tsp pure vanilla extract Instructions: Center a rack in the oven and preheat […]

Looks like I was a day early to celebrate Pecan Day! But, it’s not too late for International Waffle Day! I think I know what’s for lunch— Who am I kidding? Do I really need an excuse to eat waffles for lunch? (Waffles shown bathed in a delicious Buttered Cider Sauce.)

Please allow me to introduce my 27th birthday cake–The Coconut Passion Fruit Cake. It is one of my best creations yet, if I do say so myself… Please note that this makes a lot of cake! The recipe can be halved and baked in two 8″ by 2″ round cake pans. Coconut Cake with Passion […]

Maybe you want to spend a little more money than $10 on a gift. Here’s a few more ideas– (Sorry, but it’s gonna be a lot of Anthropologie stuff again. I just love that place!) Vintage Spice Tins, $14.95 at Victorian Trading Co. Any of the pot holders from Anthropologie (shown in Farm Fresh) Botanical […]

I like small gifts under $10. They are a great way to say Thank You or Happy Birthday, and make great gifts to take as housewarming or hostess gifts. Or even just as a token of friendship. Small gifts for the kitchen are my favorite kind. Kitchen Hand Soap is fabulous. I like this Kitchen […]

One of my very favorite store bought ice cream flavors is Tin Roof Sundae. I love to mine out the chocolate covered peanuts. For quite awhile I have been wanting to recreate it at home. And over the weekend, I did. Also, I thought– “This would be a really great ice cream to give someone […]

I’m one of those gals who really appreciates a practical, non-romantic gift. No lie. New dish towels? Fabulous, thank you! I needed some new ones. A new blender or vacuum? Even better. That’s just the way I am. Practicality over romance. But this year? This year is different–I still did practical, but with a little […]

Note: Make sure to use large enough cake pans for this. I use 8″ round pans that are 3″ high. 9″ are the preferred. Coconut Cakefrom Martha Stewart Living magazinemakes one 9″ layer cake Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, at room temperature, plus more for pans3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for […]

My birthday on Thursday. And it just so happens that the 21st and the 22nd are the birthdays of two of my very favorite people in the world. (One of my best friends and my beloved youngest sister.) So, this week we will be talking about birthdays– *Gift ideas for someone who likes to cook […]