While vacationing on the gorgeous north shore of Lake Superior this past week, we ate at a lot of our favorite restaurants and we did some Crock Pot cooking too. We like to do a little of both so I can continue to be creative in the kitchen in a leisurely manner, even while I’m…
Hello, Lovelies! Okay. Before I share the recipe for this AWESOME sandwich, I just have to tell you all some very exciting news. Drumroll….. My blog was viewed by 1 MILLION unique visitors this month (so far) and that number is climbing. The blog has always had a constant, generous flow of visitors, but within…
This spinach dip is ridiculously easy if you make it as directed below. You certainly can make homemade ranch dressing instead of using the dip mix, if you wish. HERE’S a homemade ranch dressing recipe you can use, and HERE’S another one, if that’s the route you want to go. (You’ll have to substitute 3…
We just returned home from a wonderful day celebrating my birthday. We took a little day trip on Wisconsin’s Great River Road, had lunch at a favorite cafe in Pepin, stopped to do a bit of shopping in Stockholm, and hit an antique shop in Bay City. (I brought a few beautiful finds home with…
Have you ever had Special-K Bars? Not to be confused with Scotcharoos… these are totally awesome and, in my opinion, WAY better. The first time I tried them was back in 1991 when my daughter Andie was just a baby. There was a sweet little deli in White Bear Lake which is where we lived…
What a fantastic day we had yesterday. It was overcast, but warm and calm. The perfect sort of lazy day to spend lakeside enjoying a picnic with family, and that’s exactly what we did. It was so fun to talk, eat, sip wine and just relax. The day before, I was busy in the kitchen…
This time of year we love to make special appetizers for our Friday night cocktail hour on the deck. Jeff is usually busy grilling something for dinner while I play in the kitchen. Here’s what I made this past Friday, and they turned out fantastic. If you’re just serving these as an appetizer, as we…
I’m pretty sure most of you have encountered a layered salad, or two, in your lifetime. They’re popular for picnics and church basement potlucks. One thing that always amazes me is how silly it is to put a layered salad in a deep bowl. They’re ridiculously pretty, so I understand that part, but try to…
Are you in the mood for s’mores? This easy dessert is great for when it’s still too chilly outside to make the classic, campfire treat. It’s really chocolaty, ooey gooey and sweet. I had a 1 inch x 1 inch square and that was enough sugar for me. Jeff and Gracie have been happily eating…
Are you ready for the easiest, tastiest BBQ ribs you can make in your oven? You’re in for a treat! This entree was the star of the show at our last gathering. Everyone loved it. These are the super tender, fallin’ off the bone kind of ribs. Country style ribs come boneless and with bones.…