Latest Posts
-
Bonus Read for 2025
As I’ve said before, I am completing the 50 states in 52 weeks reading challenge for 2025. I wish it were that easy. BUT THE BONUS BOOKS. They’ve been welcome side trips during my journey through the states. These books are set in places other than the USA or are set in states I have already read for the challenge. They’ve been some of the best reading. As I have time, I am trying to get the state reads and the bonus books posted over the next few weeks (before I start the 2026 challenge – more later). The Pumpkin…
-
My Cooking Life – a New Side Dish
Holiday Dressing Muffins On Thanksgiving, my daughter-in-law, Jennifer, made these stuffing muffins as a side for turkey. My husband really liked them, so tonight I am making them with pork chops. One thing to know about this recipe is that you do need to start it the night before. It would be a great thing to do if you meal prep on Sundays. The recipe is from Alton Brown. I used to watch his shows when he was on the Food Network. What You Need: 20 ounces bread-ciabatta, French bread, or a mixture, torn into 1-inch pieces (I used Italian bread from…
-
The Greatest Gravy Ever
The Greatest Gravy Ever At least that’s what Woman’s Day magazine called it in the late 1990s when I started using this recipe. I hate to admit this, but I had a HUGE learning curve when it came to making gravy. That’s pretty embarrassing for a Southern Woman. But I persevered and when I came across this recipe, I found I was on to something good. It’s make ahead. I make it before Thanksgiving and usually freeze half for Christmas. *Note this picture is from the internet. I am making the base for the gravy today and could not find…
-
Holiday Baking Week 2
Okay, so I know. It’s been more than a week. I can get the baking done, but I can get the posting done. LOL This week’s holiday muffin is a sourdough blueberry. This recipe makes a dozen muffins. You can store them in an airtight container for about 3 days or freeze for 3 months. What You Need: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (I use King Arthur.) 1 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup unsalted butter, melted ½ cup sourdough discard ¾ cup sour cream or plain full-fat Greek yogurt (I used low fat Greek yogurt because that’s what I had on hand.) 1 large egg room temperature preferred…
-
It’s beginning to look a lot like…part 3…
Hot Cocoa Mix As I’ve mentioned, I am making gift baskets for my neighbors and good friends. Some of the baskets will have hot cocoa mix and marshmallows in them. Here’s how I made the mix. It’s super easy and affordable. This makes 2 quarts (ish). What You Need: 1 cup + 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Ghirardelli.) 3.5 cups powdered milk (I used Walmart brand.) 3.5 cups of powdered sugar 2 tsp salt (I used fine sea salt.) Sift all ingredients together in a large bowl. Fill quart jars. Instructions for Gifting: To make 10 oz. of…
-
It’s beginning to look a lot like…part 2…
Cranberry Sauce Until the pandemic, I had never done any canning by myself. I had time on my hands then, so I thought I’d try. I first did pickles, which are super easy. Since then, I’ve branched out. For my holiday baskets and for home, I made cranberry sauce. This is the chunky style with a little orange zest mixed in. Our local Aldi had 12 oz bags of cranberries for $0.99 each. I got three because I needed 8 cups. The cranberries that I did not use are going in my simmering potpourri packets mentioned in my previous post. Makes…
-
Read the USA – Hawaii
Moloka’i by Alan Brennert This richly imagined novel, set in Hawai’i more than a century ago, is an extraordinary epic of a little-known time and place—and a deeply moving testament to the resiliency of the human spirit. Rachel Kalama, a spirited seven-year-old Hawaiian girl, dreams of visiting far-off lands like her father, a merchant seaman. Then one day a rose-colored mark appears on her skin, and those dreams are stolen from her. Taken from her home and family, Rachel is sent to Kalaupapa, the quarantined leprosy settlement on the island of Moloka’i. Here her life is supposed to end—but instead…
-
It’s beginning to look a lot like…
Dried Orange Slices This year, as I have often done, I am making some homemade items for good friends and neighbors for Christmas. One of the things I am adding to the baskets is a simmering potpourri. I got my inspiration from shops like this EverGreenWitchery and JadeCreativeWorkshop on Etsy. The packets cost $16 and $10 (respectively) there. I’m a budget girlie, so… I’ve purchased cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise. I will take sprigs from my rosemary plant. But I needed orange slices. They are easy to do and inexpensive. They do, however, take a bit of time.…
-
Read the USA – Georgia
The Floating Girls by Lo Patrick The Floating Girls is stunning southern fiction, a wonderfully atmospheric coming-of-age family drama told from the perspective of a feisty 12-year-old girl―reminiscent of a modern-day Scout Finch―as she unravels the secrets that threaten her entire family. Kay thought she knew everything there was to know about her family and their marsh life. But that was before the new neighbors arrived and her parents became suspects in a murder and a kidnapping. One hot, sticky summer in Bledsoe, Georgia, twelve-year-old Kay Whitaker stumbles across a stilt house in a neighboring marsh and upon Andy Webber,…
-
Holiday Baking Week 1
Each week until Christmas, I’ve decided to bake and freeze at least one thing. I am hoping this will free up time when my family is here. I used this recipe from King Arthur Baking – Chocolate Zucchini Muffins Ingredients 2 large eggs (I like mine room temp for baking.) 1 cup (198g) granulated sugar, plus more for topping (I used Turbinado Sugar for the topping. I like the texture and color better with most muffins.) 1/2 cup (99g) vegetable oil 1 tablespoon (14g) vanilla extract 2 cups (242g to 300g) zucchini, shredded and unpeeled 1 cup (170g) semisweet chocolate chips…