The last four days I’ve baked approximately 435 dozen cookies. I do NOT exaggerate. Ever. Last weekend, while baking a mountain of cookies, I suddenly craved cinnamon sugar pull-apart bread. Like, the kind of craving where you need it immediately. It’s December — everything feels festive: Christmas lights, candles, butter, sugar, snow and, for some … Read more

What did you get up to this weekend? Tell me—I want to know. Here’s what I did this weekend: I had a meltdown when I discovered some sort of creepy insect building a nest or cocoon under my husband’s garage door. I absolutely loathe bugs. I accidentally dropped my iPhone into a vat of buttercream. … Read more

This kale Caesar salad is a lighter, healthier take on the classic. It combines tender kale with red leaf lettuce, homemade ciabatta croutons, shaved Parmesan and a bright, mayo-free Caesar vinaigrette. My oldest daughter, Haileigh, LOVES Caesar salad. She always wants the ingredients on hand so she can toss together a small salad after school … Read more

I’ve decided every day deserves a cherry on top. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever get tired of rainbow sprinkles. The delight they bring is embarrassingly real. Is it strange to love sprinkles at 63? Maybe — but I’ll probably still be into them. Right now this pie makes me want to blast a favorite … Read more

Put leftover turkey to excellent use with this earthy, comforting Homemade Turkey Wild Rice Soup. Fresh vegetables and herbs, cooked wild rice and shredded turkey come together in a creamy, luxurious broth — perfect for a cold, blustery day. I look forward to the day after Thanksgiving mostly for the leftovers. A plate of turkey … Read more

It’s here — the crispy orzo pot you’ve been waiting for. This spring-ready dish combines tender orzo, tangy artichoke hearts, bright lemon, creamy goat cheese and a shower of crunchy prosciutto for an irresistible mix of flavors and textures. If you like artichokes, this one’s for you — they play beautifully with lemon and goat … Read more

You GUYS! For Meatless Monday, try these quick and easy Lentil Sloppy Joes. If you like lentils, you’ll love this vegetarian take on the classic meaty sloppy joe. It’s simple to make and full of comforting, saucy flavor. As a kid — and still now — I adored a messy sloppy joe: a soft bun … Read more

As summer heats up, I can’t seem to stop turning on the oven. It’s typical of me to be stubborn: I’ll buy $100 of groceries and cram everything into five plastic bags that rip in the parking lot, scattering my haul across the pavement rather than using a cart. Or I’ll try to carry a … Read more

It’s Friday eve—time to treat yourself to a mug of drunken homemade apple cider. Homemade apple cider is a small labor of love: mostly hands-off but requiring plenty of simmering and patience. The reward is worth it—you’ll be more excited for a cup of this than you expected. I’ve shared my affection for cider before, … Read more

Skip the boxed mixes and make your own Homemade Funfetti Cake Mix in minutes. With just a handful of pantry ingredients you can prepare a bright, tender cake mix that’s perfect to use immediately or store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. This homemade mix yields a classic vanilla-style cake dotted with colorful … Read more