After a four-month stay in temporary housing after our move across the country last summer, my family has purchased a delightful house where we hope to reside for many years. Through all the house hunting, negotiating, inspecting, repairing, and moving, I’ve realized that many of us invest significant amounts of time and money to obtain … [Read more...] about What Makes a House a Home?
Keeping the Home
Winter 2015 Menu
I know that we’ve entered 2016, but I did not get a chance to share my family’s winter menu last month when we began using it. I’ve detailed my menu planning process previously. In short, at the start of each season I develop a menu that contains four weeks’ worth of meals. We use each of these menus for the three months of its … [Read more...] about Winter 2015 Menu
King Ranch Chicken
In honor of our move to Texas, we had to have King Ranch Chicken—a casserole that embodies the taste of south Texas—on our menu this fall. Though the origins of the dish are debated, most Texans love it. If you give it a try, you’ll understand why it is so popular. Ingredients (Adapted from this recipe.) 4 tablespoons butter 1 medium … [Read more...] about King Ranch Chicken
Christmas Cookie Bucket List
As far as I’m concerned, cookies are an appropriate accompaniment for any holiday. There’s something particularly special about cookies at Christmas, though. Somehow they’re a little sweeter than at other times of the year! When I was a child, one of my favorite Christmas traditions was baking and decorating sugar cookies. When my … [Read more...] about Christmas Cookie Bucket List
The Most Important Things to Consider When Buying a House
Though it is often fun and exciting, house hunting is a very serious endeavor. If you make a good choice, you’ll own a secure, comfortable home that meets the needs of your family. If you make a bad choice, you’ll own a hazardous, uncomfortable home that doesn’t meet the needs of your family. My husband and I have been house hunting … [Read more...] about The Most Important Things to Consider When Buying a House
Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins
I’ve never been a fan of pumpkin pie, but I do often enjoy other baked goods that contain pumpkin. I think it is because I enjoy a hint of pumpkin flavor, but not the in-your-face pumpkin flavor that characterizes pumpkin pie. This fall I’m enjoying subtle pumpkin flavor in these Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins. Ingredients 2 1/2 cups flour (I … [Read more...] about Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins
Baked Chicken “Fried” Steak
Chicken fried steak is an incredibly tasty comfort food. Unfortunately, it’s not particularly healthy. Tasty and healthy don’t have to be mutually exclusive, so I tried a recipe for a baked version. The result was so good that I’ve added the recipe to my collection of favorites! Ingredients (Adapted from this recipe.) 6 beef eye of … [Read more...] about Baked Chicken “Fried” Steak
Penne Festival
It has been years since I’ve eaten at a Johnny Carino’s Italian Restaurant, but I recall there being a number of incredibly tasty items on the menu. I’ve recreated a few of these at home, including the Grilled Chicken Bowtie Festival. As you’ll see here, I use penne pasta instead of bowtie pasta, but the taste is still … [Read more...] about Penne Festival
