The arrival of October took us a bit by surprise! The days pass so quickly now that we’re back doing school. I’m pleased to report that we are finally getting a break from the extreme heat. We’ve had rain these last couple of days (which we needed desperately). It ushered in cooler temperatures. It’s not quite cool enough that I can open the … [Read more...] about October 2026 Dinner Menu
Keeping the Home
King Ranch Chicken Chili
I typically avoid making soups and chilis during the summer months. However, I made an exception a few weeks ago when I came across a recipe I really wanted to try. I crossed off an item on last month’s menu and, on a day when we hit 108 degrees, I made this chili. Despite the incongruent temperature outside, I’m so glad I did! It was … [Read more...] about King Ranch Chicken Chili
September 2026 Dinner Menu
We spent most of August indoors to avoid the triple-digit heat outdoors. Our weather has been incredibly dry, making it difficult to keep the outdoor plants healthy. Our only rain came with a downburst that we experienced last week. We had sudden, unexpected 70 mph winds, hail, and rain. We had some minor damage, but many families in our … [Read more...] about September 2026 Dinner Menu
August 2026 Dinner Menu
Summer is currently asserting itself aggressively. We’ve had a couple weeks of triple-digit heat. If the forecast is accurate, we’re going to have to drudge through weeks of this. The bright spot for us amidst this heat last month was a visit from my parents. As usual, my girls had so much fun with them. I’m appreciative that my mom helped me … [Read more...] about August 2026 Dinner Menu
July 2026 Dinner Menu
Our temperatures clearly indicate that summer has arrived! We’re pushing 100 degrees each day. Any outdoor activities must happen early in the morning or late in the evening. Though my girls are reviewing a few things this summer, they are on summer vacation and are enjoying their break from school. I’ve purchased our materials for next year … [Read more...] about July 2026 Dinner Menu
Peach Cinnamon French Toast Bake
I love bread pudding, but I’ve noticed that very few people appreciate the dish. I’ve also noticed that many people like French toast bakes/casseroles. There’s a very fine line between bread pudding and French toast casserole. The two are essentially the same thing (a baked dish of bread soaked in an egg-and-dairy mixture topped with a sweet … [Read more...] about Peach Cinnamon French Toast Bake
June 2026 Dinner Menu
We successfully wrapped up our school year at the end of May! Though we will do a few things over the summer, we won’t resume our normal school schedule for a couple of months. The end of this school year marks the completion of elementary school for my eldest child—she’ll begin middle school in the fall! Not much will change for us given we … [Read more...] about June 2026 Dinner Menu
Sweet and Savory Stovetop Beans
Some dishes have unfortunate names. Consider, for example, Frog Eye Salad and Funeral Potatoes. The former isn’t made of eyes, nor is the latter prepared exclusively for funerals. I call this dish “Sweet and Savory Stovetop Beans,” but when I first came across the recipe it was referred to as “Apple Pie Baked Beans.” I absolutely love … [Read more...] about Sweet and Savory Stovetop Beans
