The Blog

Who wants to turn on the oven when you want a fabulous summer dessert? These easy no-bakes are so light and delicious and they come together in a jiffy. Instead of the oven, you put them in the fridge or the freezer. And the flavor and ingredient options are endless. Here are recipe links to two I made: Pina Colada … Read More

While hiking down Unaka Mtn last weekend, I got the inspiration for this month’s Daytime Tri-Cities segment: Trail Bars and Energy Bites. I love spending time in the woods, hiking the AT, and enjoying the beauty of creation. But all that up and down with a pack on your back burns up some calories. Why settle for ho-hum boring when … Read More

We can buy strawberries all year ’round, but it’s always special when your local strawberries are in season. Here are a few “berry good” ways to enjoy the strawberry bounty. Strawberry Sauce In a saucepan, combine 3 cups hulled and sliced or chopped strawberries 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon (or more to taste) lemon juice (fresh or bottled) Heat until … Read More

For bread lovers, it doesn’t get much better than a delicious loaf of hand-crafted sourdough bread. The open moist structure, complex tangy flavor, and chewy crust is a combination that makes bakers’ mouths water. This is not the bread to make if you’re in a hurry. The most important ingredient in sourdough is TIME. But if you have the time, … Read More

I’m going retro with this one, using an old favorite out of Mom’s well-worn handmade cookbook. Here’s the recipe, as she typed it: Yes, that’s right: MAYONNAISE cake. Who would have thought that substituting mayo (or salad dressing like Miracle Whip) for the eggs and oil would create a moist and delicious cake? But it does. You might want to … Read More

Give your loves a sweet start to Valentine’s Day with these simple and tasty breakfast ideas. Overnight French Toast with Strawberries and Cream Cheese A great way to simplify your breakfast is by putting this together the night before. You can use different kinds of bread and fruits, but I followed the recipe link here.

Going to that last-minute New Year’s Eve party and don’t know what to bring? Want to bring something special but don’t have much time? Puff Pastry is easy to use, gives you lots of options, and doesn’t take much time or effort. Here are some puff pastry procedures to follow and a few easy peasy options. While you can make … Read More

So much of our precious memories of the Holiday season center around the tastes and aromas coming out of the heart of the home: the kitchen. And the people that created those memories for us hold a special place in our hearts as well. For those, like me, who are missing loved ones this Holiday season, I pray you have … Read More

Here’s a collection of silly snacks that are frightfully good for the littles in your life. From Boo-Berry Scream Cheese Dip to hot dog spiders, kids will love creating and eating these quick and easy treats.

This time of year, I always look for fresh inspiration to enjoy the flavors of my favorite season. And this one ticks all the boxes: moist spice cake, roasted apple filling, rich caramel, and cream cheese frosting, topped with a sprinkling of toasted pecans. The cake recipe comes from The Whimsical Bakehouse, which I highly recommend as a source of … Read More