Hello

I'm afraid that I've left my poor page here a little abandoned. We've moved to Poland this week and things got a little hectic for a bit. Now that we're settling in, I'm not sure how often I'll post here while we're abroad. But we'll see. In the meantime you can find me at Who Stole the Kishka if you would like to follow along on our Polish journey.
   I will also add that before we left I was on a mission to clear out the fridge and pantry to the best of my ability. If you should happen to have a love affair for Costco's Jalapeno Artichoke Dip like I do, it makes a wonderfully sinful filling for an omelet... If a person were to add some baby spinach leaves and tomato it would be perfect.
   On the front of my cornmeal bag was a recipe for Cornmeal Pancakes and topped with my favorite honey from the Culbertson Meadows, they were the perfect accompaniment for the Jalapeno-Artichoke Omelets. My internet here is loading very slowly, if at all. So please go to Bob's Red Mill's website and I do hope that they have that pancake recipe there as they were fantastic. And they also made fabulous peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. A trick I learned from my grandpa!

All the best,

Tina

Purple Jewels

Beets haven't always been one of my favorite things. Along with horseradish, I just never understood their joy to the palette. Now however, it's an entirely different story and they both rank among my top favorite things.

As it tis the season, following are a couple of my favorite beet recipes.

Grill Out!

Grilling out is one of my favorite ways to celebrate summer and to celebrate the arrival of my parent's visit. This burger recipe is my all-time favorite and I hope that you enjoy it too!

The Poppins Bench and other Life Lessons

This isn't really a project-project, but it turned out pretty cute and Lottie loves it. And there's a moral to the story.

Poached Rhubarb Parfaits

I have a whole new cookbook crush right now.. And because I've been preparing page after page of recipes, Troy doesn't seem to be one bit jealous.

Three Ingredient Wonder

I'm on a mission to make use of what has been sitting around in the pantry. The first step was to take a bit of time to take everything out of the pantry and compile similar items and put them back in an organized manner. I had four, yes four, open bags of barley. Who's in charge of that room? It is clearly not efficient to have multiple packages of stuff, especially opened. But I'm on the road to pantry recovery.

So last night, I cooked up the endings of  a package of barley and a package of spelt. I had no actual mission for them other than knowing if they were cooked and handy, I would do something with them. That all came to light this morning with a super-fast (fastest ever) lunch throw together.

Self-Rising Flour

One of my new favorite discoveries this last year has been self-rising flour. Scratch baking will always yield the best product, the flavor is tremendous and most of all, you know exactly what is going into your recipe. Self-rising flour is pre-leavened and contains salt; not giving the same convenience as a box mix, but will give you a little bit of a head start. May you never have to resort to baking mix again! Following are my three favorite recipes.

Butterfly Footprints

Tuesday May 8th is teacher appreciation day and Lottie loves her teachers! I was so proud of how our card turned out that I thought I would share it with you. I found the idea here - Sweet Butterfly 1st Birthday Party and also be sure to check out the original post - Ess the Mess. It's a beautiful story about a beautiful little girl who's name also happens to be Charlotte, her beautiful birthday and most importantly, the true meaning of spending lifes moments for all they're worth. I guess little Charlottes and butterflies just go together.

Guest Post at One Artsy Mama

Hi! I just wanted to let you know that today, you can find me at One Artsy Mama. Swing by and check out her page, she has great craft and project ideas to work on with the little ones! And while you're there - check out my recipe for Cherry Date Bars. Enjoy and I hope that you also have fun getting to know Amy!

Cherry Date Bars

Ol' Kentucky Home

No matter where my grandparents may plant themselves, they are always surrounded by the most wonderful of friends. For some odd years now, they have made their home in Kentucky and wherever they may be, visiting them is always like home.

Photo: Karla Johnson

Baked Peach Oatmeal

Just a comforting and delicious oatmeal. Should breakfast expect anything more?

100 Things

 Today, I just have some food thoughts on my mind.. First off, the following picture is from last summer when we came across a hot dog truck at the Miller Brewery. The makings of summer perfection, Miller Valley and a hot and snappy hot dog.



Photo: Jessie Sarrazin Photography

Gingham and Giggles

It's almost time to start planning the Easter menu. Which also happens to be my favorite holiday (it has something to do with the whimsy of it all and the basket of chocolate..). There's just something about spring and Easter that renews the soul and really puts a start to the year. The seasonal chill is wearing off, the sun warms the shoulders, birds are chirping and the blades of grass are aromatic. Gingham and giggles.



Miss Everly - Watch and Wait
Photo: Jessie Sarrazin

Reuben Panini & Fried Pickles

I'd hate to get pinched by a leprechaun for not partaking in the fun of being Irish for a day... If you happen to have leftover brisket, here's an idea for you.

Lucky Charm Bars

So they're not really Irish fare, but is it really St. Patrick's day without Lucky Charms?

Simple & Sinful

Last week I went out to a new restaurant in town with some friends. When it came time for dessert, I was everly tempted by the Creme Fraiche Chocolate Cake with Sour Cream Ice Cream. But, when no one else at the table would give in, I was left to make my own version of Sour Cream Ice Cream as it had me most curious.

Moroccan Chicken Salad

This recipe makes use of items remaining from last week. Although it may seem a bit repetitive, it is so nice to be able to make use of ingredients already on hand. And, it's a whole new twist on them, so they don't even seem familiar to what we enjoyed last week.

Fruited Pecan Baked Oatmeal

Oh, how I wish you could smell my kitchen. The delightfulness of baking apples and toasting pecans.. When it was time to sit down to breakfast, I was almost sure we were going to be enjoying apple pie.

Bistro Cut Chicken

It seems like every where I turn the last couple of weeks, someone is preparing chicken this way. Also note, I coined this name myself because I find it to be fitting and jazzy - so if you're having a glass of wine with the girls and you mention bistro-cut chicken - don't hold it against them if they have no idea what you're talking about..

What's the Plan, Stan?

Tell me that I'm not the only person that has the moments of "Wow! This week was amazing! I'm going to put this effort into every week." And then before you know it, the next week comes and then another and suddenly it's, hey self, remember that one time when you had everything so well put together? Well, I hate it when that happens.

Double Take Greens

For ever now, I have been wanting to make a pot of Split Pea Soup, it's one of my favorites. Well, I finally got that accomplished. And why haven't I been making it all winter, I asked myself. Or soup in general. It was so easy and the leftovers made packing lunch easy peasy.. And Monday night, I also made a pot of chili, so all week we had either soup or chili to choose from - yummalicious! And then because my new breakfast smoothie recipe is also so fantastic, I'll share that with you too!

Monster Cookies

The best cookies ever.

Coconut Braised Baby Bok Choy

Vegetables. That's what I wanted for dinner tonight was just a big plate of vegetables. Tonight's dinner was quick, fresh and so very flavorful. A curry seasoned chicken breast would be perfect to go along side this dish, but I wanted effortless and on the table now. The chicken will have to wait until another day.

Apple Waffles

I started to make up a batch of waffles and by the time I was done, this is what we ended up with. With a double dose of apples and a dash of cinnamon, they are a lovely comfort on a chilly morning.

Farewell Granola

The day is arriving that little Lottie is moving to a classroom of older kids. The teachers that she's had throughout her young days have had such a marvelous impact on her and she loves them so much, that I thought it would be nice to make them a farewell gift from her as she moves all the way across the hallway.

Honey-Bean Brownies

Yep, yep, yep.. Honey-Bean Brownies.. Now why in the world would that ever be? Well, sometimes, a gal just needs to indulge, but instead of guilt, why not feel like your fueling yourself with a bite or two of pure chocolate energy. Following we'll begin with an interview with the brownie...

It's not delivery...

I just found it in the fridge! Today's pizza throw together is now on my list of must-repeats. And as luck would have it, all that I had to do was stand in front of the fridge and grab all the odds and ends that I could gather. And then kick the door shut with my foot, cause my hands were too full to manage..

Sunday Night Magic

I had another one of those evenings with the hope that a little work now could make for an easy week. First, I prepared a pot of oatmeal, so that breakfast would be on hand in the mornings. Second, a pot of Olde World pilaf (in the bulk bin at the grocery store - it's an amazing mix of rices, lentils, split peas, black-eye peas, etc.) cooked with carrot, onion, fresh rosemary and a drizzle of olive oil for an on-hand lunch or dinner side throughout the week. And thirdly, some cute little mini pizzas for little Lou.

Currant Cookies

These cookies are one of my favorite. I discovered them on the back of the Zante currant box several years ago. The recipe is no longer printed on the box, but that doesn't mean that these cookies have lost one bit of vougue, in fact, it's just made them even more of a treasure.

A Family Affair

I've always been a daddy's girl, which should be no surprise beings he's a pretty fantastic guy. And now that his newest hobbies have landed him in the kitchen, he's upped the ante! We still spent a little bit of time in the shop together over Christmas, little Lou and I helped hold down some bolts and overall just kept an eye on things, quality control.. But now that I get to move my quality control responsibilities into the kitchen, well, he's never been cooler!