“The clock on the mantlepiece chimed, very softly and precisely, five times. A tug hooted from the river. A sudden breeze brought the sharp tang of a bonfire in at the window. The jigsaw was almost complete…And Mrs. Miniver, with a little sigh of contentment, rang for tea.” ~Jan Struther (Mrs. Miniver) This is a…
Decadence!
Writing Under the Oaks~Artisan Cheese & Crackers for One
by Melissa • • 0 Comments
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” ~William Wordsworth The sun was shining bright through the canopy of oak trees when I took my notebook and a pile of magazines out to the deck yesterday afternoon. I also brought my sparkle pen which was a gift from my friend Tracy…it ‘bedazzles’ my hand…
robin’s cornbread
by Melissa • • 5 Comments
My sister in law, Robin, makes the very best corn bread on the planet. It’s sweet and moist and could almost be classified as corn cake. The sweetness goes perfectly with a spicy chili or red beans and rice. ~Robin’s Corn Bread ~ 2 cups milk or buttermilk 2 Tablespoons butter, melted 1 teaspoon salt…
dynamite chili in a bread bowl
by Melissa • • 3 Comments
Looking for a chili recipe that’s spicy but not TOO spicy? This one is so delicious it will knock your socks off. Use canned chili beans (NOT kidney beans) for this recipe. For the bread bowls, simply hollow out some firm on the outside, soft on the inside Kaiser rolls and you’re in business! ~Dynamite…
Leisa’s Veggie Pizza Extraordinaire
by Melissa • • 2 Comments
This is a recipe I make as an appetizer all year long. A friend of mine requested it, so I decided to post it. Use your favorite veggies! Enjoy! Ingredients 1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (1 ounce) package Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (dry) 2…
In My Kitchen~Potato Latkes
by Melissa • • 6 Comments
One of our favorite autumn treats. Last night while the mister was grilling fresh salmon, I was making up a batch of latkes… Potatoes are the epitome of comfort food, don’t you think? The recipe I use is from Nancy Willard’s book, Cracked Corn & Snow Ice Cream. It’s simple and perfect. Try it and…
Gifts From the Garden
by Melissa • • 0 Comments
“Plants cry their gratitude for the sun in green joy.” ~Astrid Alauda Another gorgeous autumn day! The sun didn’t join us until later in the afternoon, which was okay because my friend Nancy and I were busy making magic in her kitchen. We talked and talked while we cleaned and cored bushels of apples… plunged…
house warming ~ little luxuries for autumn
by Melissa • • 12 Comments
~Make cider floats! Pour real apple orchard cider over cinnamon ice cream ~Harvest grapevines and make homemade wreaths for Christmas gifts…here’s a new twist on this idea. homemade grapevine wreath ~Go to a grape stomp or participate in a grape harvest at a local vineyard. ~Host a harvest party: plan a hayride, have a campfire,…
Baked Oatmeal with Apples & Sausage
by Melissa • • 2 Comments
“You have to eat oatmeal or you’ll dry up. Anybody knows that.” ~Kay Thompson Delicious baked oatmeal sweetened with applesauce and brown sugar. This breakfast treat can be served with apples and sausage (see recipe below) or a healthier ‘every day’ version that I like is to serve it with is vanilla yogurt, berries and…
Sugar & Spice Honey Butter
by Melissa • • 17 Comments
This is a delicious, cinnamony-sweet butter spread for toast, scones, muffins, popovers…whatever! You may want to add jars of this yummy treat to your Holiday gift baskets. I like to use my Red Wing pottery beater jar to make this spread. This little jar is also nice for making salad dressings, beating eggs, and even…