There’s something special about wrapping a brand-new baby in an heirloom baby quilt that holds a little piece of the people who came before them. Over the past year, I’ve had the joy of making four baby quilts for the newest members of our family, plus the very first one that started it all. Cooper,...
There’s something about October that makes me want to put my slow cooker to work. The days are shorter, the air is cooler, and there’s nothing better than coming home to a dinner that’s basically made itself. So this month, I’m joining in on Crocktober — trying a new slow cooker recipe each week and...
Every August, I start craving just a hint of fall—not pumpkins on the porch, but little touches that make home feel cozy again. This year’s birthday luncheon for my son and brother-in-law became the perfect excuse to welcome the season with warm colors, comfort food, and a table that hinted at autumn without rushing summer...
Serves: 5–6Bake: 350°F for 40–45 minutes Fruit filling 2 pounds firm, ripe peaches, about 6–8 1 cup fresh blueberries 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice ½ cup granulated sugar ¼ cup all-purpose flour Crumble topping 1 cup all-purpose flour ⅓ cup granulated sugar ¼ cup lightly packed brown sugar ½ teaspoon...
This easy black bean salsa is fresh, colorful, and always a crowd-pleaser. It takes just a few minutes to make and works perfectly as an appetizer with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos, grilled chicken, or salads. Ingredients Instructions 1. Pour the salsa into a medium serving bowl. 2. Add the drained and...
One of my favorite things about creating is that inspiration can come from anywhere. This time, it came from TikTok. My daughter-in-law sent me a first birthday photo board she found on TikTok and asked if we could make one for Hudson’s first birthday. Of course, the answer was yes. But I started thinking about...
I went to a French-inspired cooking class at Sur la Table in downtown Chicago with my friend, Chris — and we made the most delicious desserts. I had so much fun that I came home and made two of them on my own this week. The standout? Lemon Poppy Seed Madeleines. I have a thing...
Six grands in the family. Many different ages. Lots of personalities. And zero bags of jelly beans. (The jelly beans were hard to give up!) This year’s Easter baskets were all about making it personal — starting with affordable Aldi baskets and filling them with things the grands will actually use, wear, and remember. A...
This easy crockpot Italian beef recipe came from my sister Colby. It’s one of those simple meals that takes just a few ingredients and turns into something everyone loves. The chuck roast cooks in the crockpot with ranch seasoning, Italian dressing mix, beer, and giardiniera until it’s tender and easy to shred. Pile the beef...
If you’ve ever picked up Mariano’s (fancy local grocery) cranberry orange walnut loaf cake from the bakery case and thought, I need to learn how to make this at home, this recipe is for you. This is not the quick bread version you’ll find on their website. This is the richer, dessert-style loaf cake you...