The Blog

It’s finally fall, y’all! Can I hear an “Amen”? I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t sure our record-breaking summer days would ever fade into crisp mornings and clear blue skies. Now that we are no longer baking under a heat dome, turning on the oven doesn’t seem out of place, as the leaves are hinting at the colors …

Most Americans are not familiar with this meringue disc covered in whipped cream and fresh fruit. But folks in Australia and New Zealand love this light, fruity dessert named after a ballerina. And if you try, you will, too. The traditional form is a large circle that is cut into pieces to serve, but I think it’s great fun to …

July is the peak of the summer garden season, so here are some ways to enjoy your garden goodies. First, here’s a dish I’ll call a Summer Bowl, featuring whatever seasonal favorites you like, both fresh and cooked. Served cold, it’s a one-dish meal that’s also a perfect side for summer potlucks. That’s when I first made it, as a …

Back in 1976, when I was still in single digits and America’s Bicentennial was in full swing, I gave no thought to where I would be when our nation turned 250. There have been lots of ups and downs over the last 50 years, for both me and our nation. But Hope still shines brightly for us all, from sea …

Here’s a free download of the cookbook I’ve used for years to teach hundreds of kids baking skills. It’s a great way to keep those young minds and busy hands occupied. As a former homeschooler, I see this time off from the classroom as an opportunity for hands-on learning. The summer is also the perfect time for introducing them to …

If you haven’t heard of the viral Dubai Chocolate craze before, you have now. And I think you’ll start seeing Dubai chocolate flavors popping up in grocery store aisles, too. Let me give you the backstory, and at the end, I’ll share some ideas for enjoying these international flavors at home. In 2021, a chocolatier in Dubai had a pregnancy …

Before I share about this unique but tasty treat, here’s the back story: Recently, I went on a very special trip to Europe, in part to honor the memory of my late husband, Jeff. I wanted to revisit some friends and places that meant something to both of us, and make new memories as well. One daughter and her husband …

Recently, I took the trip of a lifetime: a Holy Land pilgrimage, along with a small group from my local church. Words cannot describe the feeling of walking in the footsteps of Jesus, whether we were at the Sea of Galilee, the Shepherd’s Fields in Bethlehem, the Garden of Gethsemane, or the streets of Old Jerusalem. The Middle Eastern cuisine …

This post isn’t as much a recipe as a process. The beauty of soup is that it can be made from whatever you have on hand. That’s what I did a month ago, when I had friends over for a holiday gathering. I was running behind and threw together a chicken veggie soup in about 15 minutes. I had so …

“Biscotti” means “twice-baked” in Italian, and these delightful, crispy cookies are meant to be enjoyed by dipping them in your favorite beverage. Whether you choose hot cocoa, coffee, tea, or vin santo as the Italians do, this treat is the perfect way to take a peaceful pause. These are not hard to make but do take a little time. But …