Macaroni & Cheese: Two Versions

Almost nothing speaks to the nostalgic heart more than macaroni and cheese. Homemade and hot from the oven with a bite of cheddar and perhaps a blush of heat. A rich and creamy sauce folded over and under and into every crevice of every tender noodle. Love dripping with every spoonful.

Buttermilk Pancakes or The Birth of a Family Tradition

It was one of those lazy Saturday mornings growing up. My maternal grandparents had come up for the day and we were enjoying a late breakfast on a sunny, weekend morning. Chairs were pushed slightly back from the table, bellies were patted with satisfaction and my sister and I listened to the low murmur of story-telling with an eagerness that comes with the hunger to be "grown-up." That moment where it's time to clean up but no one wants to hung in the air and a few ignored pancakes lay in the center of the table.

And then, "Thwap!"

A golden pancake hurtled through the air and landed squarely on the side of my dad's face.

Christmas: Caramel Corn

Sometimes it's those little things that tell you that it's Christmas. Like hanging garland across the window, or setting the wise men on the hearth, or suspending the wax-faced angel on top of the freshly cut pine. Those things that bring flashes of memory and steal satisfyingly across your soul, whispering, "Christmas is here."

Raspberry Jam or Ode to My Sister

My family has always been staunchly in the strawberry jam camp. Thick slices of warm, homemade bread are accompanied by a frosty mason jar filled with that crimson goodness. 

However, a few years ago, my sister made a foray into the land of raspberry jam and came back with stained fingers and happy taste buds. My Christmas present that year was two pints of raspberry jam, a string of raffia tied jauntily underneath the rim. I ate them sparingly, saving them for especially delicious treats like fresh bread and oatmeal scones. It was a sad day when I finally spied the bottom of the second jar and tried scraping out the last, few globs. 

Texas Sheet Cake

When I was a kid, family events and church suppers were attended with mom's mac n cheese in one hand and texas sheet cake in the other. These two dishes were easy to make and had a large yield, so they were a favorite for a big event.

A New Chef in the Kitchen: Chocolate Sugar Cookies

I remember walking into the doctor's office this past July, sporting a small baby bump and a nervous smile. I had made an evening appointment so Brad could be there to see our little one and we were excited to find out whether we'd be having a he or a she.

Thanksgiving Together: Honey Wheat Rolls

I was really excited about Thanksgiving this year. So much has happened this year and we are grateful for the amazing blessings that God has given to us.

I was particularly excited about the chance to have our care group over to celebrate the holiday around our table (or a borrowed one from church!) in our new dining room, in our new house. A house that they have prayed about for years, asking God to graciously give it to us.

Apple Crumble

The last few, dog days of summer always seem to be oppressive ones that suck your energy and sap your strength. Even the slightest tasks cause beads of sweat to break out on your forehead and cooking anything becomes border-line torture. I do not enjoy these days.

A Tale of Two Kitchens

It's been the craziest of times around here.

Clean. Pack. Throw away the why-did-I-keep-that?

Up the stairs. Down the stairs. Sit and Breathe.

Close on the house. Goodbye Apartment. Hello New House.

The Death of a Recipe: Cashew Chicken

In high school, my mom started making Cashew Chicken Stirfry. A tantalizing blend of juicy chicken, slightly tender veggies and crunchy cashews are sauteed in a pungent garlic sauce and then generously spooned onto a mound of white rice. I love this recipe. It's quick, easy on a week night and with the meat and veggies all in one pan, I don't feel the need to make a salad. But mostly, I love the sauce.

We've always used Wegmans Garlic Sauce. Even now, when the closest Wegmans is 45 minutes away, I still make a trip every few months to stock up on four or five bottles.

And then I heard the sad news from my mom....they've discontinued the sauce.