I’m so happy to be able to share this recipe. Yes.  It is an absolutely delicious soup. But this soup has a little story… If you are a quilter from Utah, I’m sure many of you remember and miss Gentler Times. It was one of the most wonderful quilt shops you could imagine- nestled away […]

I am SO excited about this awesome giveaway sponsored by Hungry Jack™ and I think you’ll be excited too!  It’s a Breakfast Celebration Kit that includes yummy Hungry Jack products and $175 Visa gift card! But first I want to talk a little about family traditions.  I’m a believer that having traditions is an important […]

No matter how busy life is, the best weekends are when we take the time to make and enjoy breakfast together. Hopefully we’ve got no better place to be, than at home, where we can relax and spend time as a family. What could be better than a plate of waffles… a chance to talk… […]

I was talking to my mom’s close friend, Norma, last week and she asked if I had ever shared my mom’s buttermilk syrup recipe here on Make it Do.  I did make Buttermilk Syrup for Tasty Kitchen several years ago, but I’ve never shared the recipe here. This might sound a bit dramatic, but you […]

Summer raspberries are in full swing here.  So when deciding on a dessert for a luncheon last week, I wanted fresh berries to be the star. I’ve made fruit pizza before, but these mini versions are my new favorite. The recipe comes from my Great Aunt Evelyn (the same Aunt that shared my favorite dishcloth […]

“One little thing can revive a guy and that is a homemade rhubarb pie Serve it up nice and hot maybe things aren’t as bad as you thought.” ~ A Prairie Home Companion I have a little story to tell about this pie. Growing up, I had a next door neighbor named LaVerne.  She was […]

Have you ever tried Waterless Carrots? If you haven’t, I can’t wait to share, because they are one of my family’s favorite cooked vegetables. I love that Waterless Carrots look and taste nice enough for a Sunday dinner, but easy-peasy enough for a weekday. From start to finish they can be ready in about 15 […]

I’m happy today to be part of the Campbell’s Soup “What’s for lunch?” discussion. Because if you’re a mom, that’s a question you hear just about everyday. Do you ever wonder how much food goes into the garbage at your kid’s school? I shudder to think about it.  You can send broccoli or blueberries in […]

This past Saturday a few friends and I got together to quilt. My husband packed up the kids early and took them to Park City for a day of skiing. I had the house to myself to for a few hours and then an afternoon of whirring sewing machines, good food, inspiration, and best of […]

Yesterday afternoon my girls each invited over a friend to make crayon hearts using this tutorial from Martha Stewart. They were so easy and fun to make.  And once we hung them in the windows, they prettily catch the light. As an after school snack for the kids I made a plate of Valentine Peanut […]

You gotta love sugar cookie bars. They’re all that’s yummy about a sugar cookie with just a fraction of the work. They are a perfect treat to serve for a crowd. This recipe is adapted from the Keeping Up Cookbook. Here’s how to make them: Sugar Cookie Bars 1 cup butter, softened 8 oz. cream […]

Yesterday my girls participated in the 5th Grade Science Fair. It is a joy to have two daughters who share many of my interests…. they love to sew, they love to watch “Jane Eyre” and “Dial M for Murder” with me.  And they also love to bake. So when we were wading through ideas for […]

There’s nothing quite so nice as warm pudding on a cold, winter night. This recipe for Lemon Rice Pudding is one of my favorites.  I love lemon anything.  Plus it is easy to make and relatively healthy. Simple ingredients = Goodness Here’s the recipe: Lemon Rice Pudding 1/2 cup Basmati rice (you can use any […]

I have a little thing for Mason jars.  Beyond their obvious use for canning, I love Mason jars for storing leftovers, dry goods in my pantry, giving soup to a sick friend, and even to store things like clothes pins. They are also the perfect package for a Christmas gift- pretty, useful and best of […]

It’s going to be a busy day as I get ready to host Thanksgiving at our home again this year. I’ve got to finish grocery shopping, clean my home, and make last plans for table settings etc. I’ve also been thinking a lot about Thanksgiving over the past few weeks. Did you know the first […]

Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year.  I love crisp days and crunchy leaves underfoot. Saturday we picked Concord grapes to make grape juice and jelly.  My kids pulled the grapes from the stems to get them ready for the steam juicer.  We ended up with 2 gallons of juice and today […]

For Ben’s birthday this year he requested an ice cream cake.  Since the nearest sore that sells them is a long drive away and since they are expensive to boot, I decided to try and make a cake for Ben. I was hoping he would ask for chocolate cake with mint ice cream… but he […]

The past few days my kids have been out of school for Fall Break.  Last Thursday, on the first day of their break, we took a trip to the zoo. While we were there my son began complaining about a sore throat and headache.  By the time we got home, he headed straight for his […]

Here in Utah, there are few dishes that are more mocked… and secretly loved, than Funeral Potatoes.  I think they had some other name once upon a time, since I doubt anyone creates a dish, then names it anything so Debbie Downer as Funeral Potatoes. When someone dies, it is a tradition that after the […]

This time of year the days are crisp and cool just like apples being harvested here in Alpine. Have you ever walked through an apple orchard in the fall?  I did last week.  It smelled like ripe apples.  The light was soft and the air was so peaceful, I thought this is what my heaven […]

I’ve wanted to share this recipe for a long time, but it seems like every time I make Apple Crisp I take to a party or luncheon, I come home with an empty baking dish.  The final photo eludes me. Yesterday several friends and I got together for an afternoon of zipper pouch making.  My […]

My tomato plants are in full swing and despite planting 14 plants, we are eating them as fast as they ripen. I love the days when my husband is able to come home for lunch and we make either BLT’s or bruschetta- depending on our mood and the bread I have on hand. Here’s how […]

A few months ago I was at the store buying watermelons for a teacher luncheon. I was tap, tap, tapping away on the melons when I saw another mom from my PTA watching me. She said, “Can I give you some advice?” “Sure.”  I said. “The best melons need to ripen on the vine before […]

Our family eats “in” most of the time.  It’s a great way to save money and eat healthy.  The thing is, I LOVE good food. Even though we eat in, we still like to eat interesting. A few months back, when Mission asked whether I would like to be part of their Eat Interesting Contest, […]

I really love cheese and goat cheese best of all. Bread and fry goat cheese and serve it warm in a salad and I think I’ve died and gone to heaven. It’s an elegant, special salad, perfect for guests, but could not be easier to make. me + fried goat cheese medallions = true love […]

Earlier this week, I made batches and batches of caramel corn with my mom.  That evening my husband walked in the door expectantly.  “I’ve been thinking about caramel popcorn all day, where’s ours?” Doh!  I didn’t make any extra for my family. So yesterday, since I am a total sucker, or really since I love […]

I’ve had so many people ask for this recipe lately, I knew I needed to share it on Make it Do. Have you ever had this dip before?  It’s not a recipe that I’ve ever thought to share before since it’s just on the back of the Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix.  But apparently there are […]

Yes, I’m sharing another lemon recipe. I can’t help myself.  Happy, yellow, optimistic, delicious and tart: lemons are definitely one of my favorite things. Add strawberries and whipped cream to a wonderful lemon cake, and I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.  Around here, it’s popular to serve Angel Food cake with strawberries and […]

This week has been our Spring Break and we had planned a wonderful camping trip to Goblin Valley in Southern Utah. The weather had other plans.  A large storm, spanning the whole state showed up in the weather forecast on the day we were supposed to leave and showed rain/snow through the weekend. Being in […]

Years ago my sister-in-law (who is also one of my favorite people in the whole world) brought this amazing Chilled Rice and Artichoke Salad to our family picnic. It was unusual, sophisticated in it’s flavor and delicious.  I am so glad I found my way over to her to beg ask for the recipe. When […]

I love that citrus comes on in the middle of Winter here.   The day can be cold and grey… and all you need to do is peel a clementine and it’s like a little ray of sunshine. I love to make citrus treats this time of year and these orange rolls are perhaps the most […]

It’s been a wild week around our house so we’re all looking forward to a fun, relaxing weekend and can’t wait to watch the big game this Sunday.  I’m pretty sure I’ll  be watching with one eye on the game and the other on my sewing project. There’s four things I really love about the […]

First of all, for the random winner of Tanya Whelan’s beautiful book Sew What You Love: The Easiest, Prettiest Projects Ever Congratulations Enid!  Send me an email with your mailing address so we can get your book sent out to you. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

About a month or so ago I received an email from a new reader of Make it Do.  After reading, she realized that she knew my mom and had even taken a quilt class from her long ago. The reason for her email was that my Mom had made lunch for the quilt class.  She […]

It seems like it should be December 15th, but two empty spots on our Advent say different.  Ready or not, Christmas is here. I’m good though…  I’m deliberately choosing NOT to worry about what I didn’t get done. Instead I’m trying to enjoy these last few days before Christmas is here…. like drinking a cup […]

Yeah!  It’s another $50 Visa Gift Card today sponsored by Betty Crocker as part of Better Homes and Garden’s Dinner Ideas Tonight.  But first, I can’t wait to share this recipe with you all. All is right with the world when my family can gather for dinner on a cold Winter evening to enjoy a […]

I mentioned the other day that I’ve been baking with my Mom, sister and two sister-in-laws this month… Here is my sister putting gingersnaps onto cooling racks.  Hi Brooke!  I love baking and being with my sister more than words. Gingersnaps dipped in white chocolate…  that’s about 50 dozen cookies right there. As soon as […]

I’m so happy to be able to giveaway a $50 Visa Gift Card today sponsored by Betty Crocker as part of Better Homes and Garden’s Dinner Ideas Tonight. But first dinner and the giveaway for dessert…. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – […]

Today is not just Cyber Monday, it’s Green Gift Monday too.  I’m so happy to be joining the good folks at the Nature Conservancy to celebrate Green Gift Monday by making some green gifts for some of my favorite friends. I’m making Chocolate Fudge Sauce to give in Mason Jars. Oh, how I love Mason […]

I’ve had at least three friends ask about gravy this week.  Yesterday when I got an email from a blogging friend’s husband,  I decided the gravy question must be the question of the week. Gravy has got to be one of my favorite parts of the Thanksgiving meal.  I generously drown not only my turkey […]

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I’m sure there are more than a few of you out there getting ready to bake pie this week.  I have 30 people for dinner this year and I have been debating which pies to make and how many of each. My list looks like this right now: […]

We all have those favorite dishes that mean Thanksgiving to us.  It’s those dishes that Mom or Grandma always made.  This Broccoli Casserole was always part of our Thanksgiving Feast growing up.  While I always loved this broccoli dish, it was never the star of our Thanksgiving meal.  It always played a supporting role to […]

This month I am planning on sharing a few more of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes. I am not a huge fan of appetizers for Thanksgiving, since I like saving my calories for the turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans…. etc. etc. and PIE. But these stuffed mushrooms are more than worth breaking my no appetizer […]

I am not going to go so far as to call this recipe a “Light” Broccoli Cheese Soup… it is a cheese soup after all. Besides, my mom told me if I called it light, she wouldn’t want to try the recipe. Since this recipe started out calling for a WHOLE cube of butter and […]

I am so excited to welcome AmberLee here today.  Her blog, The Giver’s Log is both inspirational, beautiful and one of my best resources for gift ideas.  Today she is sharing how to make one of my all time favorite treats: caramel dipped apples.  AmberLee knows a thing or two about making delicious sweets.  She […]

I had carrot cake for breakfast this morning.  It was a guilty happy start to my day.  I’ve been trying to cut out sugar so I can loose a little weight.   But carrot cake, come on!  My will power just isn’t that strong. When I was a little girl I often asked for carrot […]

Yes, things are a bit peppery around our house this time of year.  I’m trying to use up our harvest of peppers.  I wish I could take credit for growing these GORGEOUS Anaheim Peppers.  They came from a friend’s in-law’s garden.  Wait is that too many possessives?  Where is my 7th grade English teacher when […]

I’m a guest on Pioneer Woman’s Tasty Kitchen today making amazing, SPICY and delicious Candied Jalapenos.  If you like a little spice in your life, I’m warning you, you might just get addicted. Be sure to click over to Tasty Kitchen Blog to see the step by step process. Happy Friday everyone!  I’m planning on […]

My garden is overflowing right now.  I could eat and eat.  And I do. I like to see what comes out of the garden and then decide what I will make for lunch or dinner. Yesterday I picked lots of plum tomatoes and some beautiful green and jalapeno peppers (which I didn’t get a picture […]

First for the $25 Visa Gift Card Winner.  I LOVED reading about all the smells you love.  It’s amazing how powerful our sense of smell and memory is.  They say the best things in life are free, and when you take time to really smell the loveliness of simple things, I believe that is true. […]

I am guest posting today on Pioneer Woman’s Tasty Kitchen Blog. Several weeks ago, my mom joined me in the kitchen for a day of making pies. At the end of the day we had fresh peach pies and a tutorial to show for our work. If you ever feel daunted by the prospect of […]

I’ve shared this recipe before, but this pie so wonderful and since peaches are starting to come on, I just had to share it again. Mom’s Fresh Peach Pie 1 cup Water 1 cup Sugar 4 heaping Tbsp. Corn Starch Yellow Food Coloring ¼ cup fresh Lemon Juice Pinch of Salt ¼ cup Butter (1/2 […]

There’s a wonderful restaurant not too far from where I live called Rumbi Island Grill.  I love their Voodoo Salad, but what I really crave when I go there is Sweet Potato Fries.  They come piping hot in a large cone.  If my husband and I go there for dinner, I hog the fries.  I […]

In the summer heat when I can hardly bear to turn on the oven, nothing makes me happier than a good salad for dinner. This salad is out of this world good, easy enough for dinner tonight and lovely enough to serve for company.  Serve it with grilled fish or chicken and you’ve got a […]

See that delicious plate of Snicker Doodle cookies? My son said they were the best cookies I ever made. Except that I didn’t make them.  Doh! My girls did. They measured.  They cracked eggs.  They mixed and scooped and rolled.  They even put the cookie sheets in the oven- VERY cautiously. The cookies were for […]

Here is something fun in anticipation of the warm summer days to come, and the kids who will be out of school soon.  Lemon Coolers are a quick and easy treat. They are so easy, you can make them on a hot and drowsy summer afternoon. They are so fun and pretty, make them for […]

The end of the school year is one of the busiest times of the year.  I’ve been on the go so much this week I feel like I’m on a sprint.  It’s one fun activity or project after another.  Today I’m off to Pioneer Day at the park with the 3rd grade.  I’ve got gunny […]

My mom has made “scones” my whole life.  If you ask any of my siblings what favorite foods they think of when they think of mom and scones will be high on the list. They are family tradition that brings back many warm memories.  Even today, Nan still makes her famous scones that are a […]

A few weeks ago I did a guest post over at Skip to My Lou.  Since it’s officially Teacher Appreciation week, I thought it would be fun to publish it here on Make it Do just for you. Teacher Appreciation is the perfect chance to say “Thank You!” to our favorite teachers, librarians, and school […]

Have you ever made an English Trifle? I haven’t either. This lovely treat is is my husband’s creation.  It’s a bit of a Mother’s Day tradition for him to whip up a Trifle, since I love it and so does his mom. My husband lived in England before we were married.  He learned to love […]

Last week I cooked and cooked. I made an amazing Grilled Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Reduction for Pioneer Woman’s Tasty Kitchen Blog.  It was the first time I’d ever tried lettuce on the grill and I am happy to report that it not only was easy, but it was crazy delicious. The other crazy delicious […]

I said on Monday that I am really trying to focus on the little things.  One of the things I know I will remember in years to come is teaching my kids to sew, garden and cook, of course.  While I haven’t had much luck getting my son interested in sewing- yes, I’ve tried.  Cooking […]

Everyone has a favorite smoothie recipe.  Some smoothies are a lot of work, this one is super quick and easy. Now that strawberries are inexpensive and sweet at the grocery store, this is a favorite quick breakfast treat or fast after school snacks, before we are off to soccer practice or gymnastics. Add a 16 […]

I blame it all on February. It’s February’s fault I made Lemon Drop Cookies yesterday.  Winter is getting a bit old… and I’m craving things that are bright and cheery… be it fabric or food. This lovely little cookie starts with a bowl of lemon drop candies, but it doesn’t stop there.  It also has […]

Do you know the muffin man? The muffin man? The muffin man. Yes.  My kids watched Shrek this past weekend.  Why do you ask? Today I’m making and eating and writing about muffins.  Yum. This is a perfect recipe this time of year… when citrus is inexpensive and delicious.  Today I made orange muffins (because […]

While digging through old recipes last month I came across this recipe for Sweetheart Mints.  It comes from an old friend, Laurie, who gave me the recipe at my Kitchen Wedding Shower. It is the perfect recipe for a Valentine treat. Sweetheart Mints 2 Tablespoons softened butter 2 Tablespoons shortening 6 Tablespoons warm water 5 […]

Whether you are serving a crowd this Super Bowl Sunday or just your family, you can balance out the nachos and wings by serving a few vegetables. With this dip in tow, your guests will actually want to eat them! This dip is NOT gourmet or fancy in anyway, but every time I serve it […]

Welcome February. You’re just in time.  January was starting to look a little too smoggy and grey. Just in time for February, I’m sharing one of my all time favorite cookie recipes. Craisin Oatmeal Cookies.  They are sweet, but not too sweet, buttery, and best of all chewy and delicious. They have Craisins instead of […]

The kids are out of school today… that means they woke up this morning, went straight to the family room and put on a movie. That also means they wanted homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Sorry kids, not this morning.  I want something faster, cleaner, and easier. OH BOY WAFFLES! It doesn’t get much easier […]

My dad is the man in the kitchen. This recipe is his creation and it’s so darn good I’ve eaten it for leftovers for the last three days.  Now that I’ve licked the bowl clean, I’m thinking of making another batch. OK.  That might be too much of a good thing.  Maybe. Years ago my […]

Are you looking for a sweet and easy treat for giving (or eating) this season? Here’s a fun idea for you that comes from my lovely sister-in-law Jen: Yes, I know.  They are store bought cookies.  But they aren’t going to stay plain old Oreos, even if they are mint.  (You can use regular Oreos, […]

I spoke with a friend of mine yesterday who is hosting her husband’s family for Thanksgiving this year.  They are flying in from the east coast.  She was a little stressed out because she had  hosted Thanksgiving for the first time last year and the turkey was a little lack luster. We’ve hosted Thanksgiving for […]

Green Beans Crimini Mushrooms Bacon Shallots Perfection I love Thanksgiving more than words.  Many years, this year included, we are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our home. I’ve hosted Thanksgiving dinner enough times to learn a trick or two.  It’s been lots of trial and error, but I’ve figured out the timing of our meal, what […]

The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found. -Calvin Trillin This soup might also be called, “Anything You Have Left in the Refrigerator Soup.”  But that doesn’t mean it tastes like an afterthought.  In fact, it’s downright […]

There is only one time of year I love to bake these cookies…. Because they just wouldn’t taste this wonderful any other time of year. The leaves have to be turning. There has to be a chill in the air.  Make them on day like that, and you won’t believe how good they are. Harvest […]

A recipe like lasagne is never completely quick to make.  But this recipe cuts a few corners, and makes up as fast as any.  Plus, our family always has enough leftovers to eat it again another night.  It’s one of my old standby recipes when I’m taking dinner to a family with children.  I don’t […]

I love to cook when I have time to relax and enjoy the process of cooking.  But busy weeknights can be challenging for me. Slowly I’ve been adding some quick and easy meals to my recipe box, things I can make with very little time on my hands.  I think of them as “short cut […]

OK, not really an “Ode”…  because I vaguely remember an Ode having things like a strophe…  or something like that…  (sincerest apologies to my beloved Humanities teacher Miss Lees) Tasty Kitchen! I’ve been wanting to write a little tribute for a while now. Do you use it and love it?  Have you ever heard of […]

A recipe this easy should not be this good.  But it is. Peaches are in season here in Utah, and that means I’m in heaven.  I love to eat them raw.  And I love peaches for dessert. Peach Pie is my favorite.  If you’ve never tried the recipe I shared for Fresh Peach Pie, please […]

Since we just got back from camping over the Labor Day weekend. (My labor day actually started today… with a messy house and a GIANT pile of campfire smelling, very dirty laundry.) And since my Night Owl bag will be in the pattern shop tomorrow… I thought it would be fun to share our favorite […]

My husband’s grandmother Eva was an avid canner.  One of the family favorites was her famous “Mustard Pickle.”  It was a staple at the Sunday afternoon dinner table, where it was always served with a pot roast or ham.  It was especially loved for those Sunday night sandwiches made with leftover dinner rolls. Have you […]

Peanut butter bars are the perfect thing to serve at a party or picnic.  Or if you are like me… just because on a Thursday night.  They are easy to make and a little addicting. Lip Smackin’ Peanut Butter Bars 3/4 cup butter 3/4 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup peanut butter 2 […]

Every once in a while, when I am at the grocery store, buying food for a impromtu picnic or a last minute “let’s have dinner up the canyon,” I’ll succumb to the impulse to buy a tub of store-bought macaroni salad. This decision in invariably follow later with regret, once I taste a spoonful.  It […]

Green Chile Egg Casserole is a big crowd pleaser.  It’s the perfect dish to serve when you have guests for breakfast or brunch. I absolutely love this dish.  It makes me happy to smell it cooking.  It makes me even happier to eat it.  And here’s a big surprise, picky eaters and kids love it […]

It’s 100 degrees outside today. I want to sit in the swing in the shade and drink lemonade.  And read a book.  And do nothing. There is only one thing better than that idea.  It’s sitting in the swing drinking Becky’s Lovely Mint Lemonade Slush. On a hot day, it is divine. I might not […]

Is it just me, or are blueberries especially delicious this year? I can’t get enough of them. One of my favorite ways to eat blueberries… other than straight from the bowl on the kitchen counter… is Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins. Can I just say- I love Ina. Ina Garten’s (better known as the Barefoot Contessa) […]

The 4th of July means many delicious foods… and right near the top of my list is baked beans. Are baked beans an American thing?  Probably not… I know I ate some sort of baked beans with my breakfast several times while I was traveling in England. But my baked beans make you think more […]

The boys went out to shoot trap with their buddies last night. Since it was just us girls hanging out at home, I made a special dessert that the three of us love. Crepes are one of our favorite treats, and they are quick and easy, too. Most days we love to eat crepes sprinkled […]

Chicken Salad Sandwich is a picnic classic… one that I love. My favorite recipe is not your typical Chicken Salad however… this recipe is lighter and fresher.  And of course it’s packed with flavor. Just a word of warning to the foodies out there… this recipe contains Miracle Whip.  And while it’s not my usual […]

Last night’s dinner was “whistle sound…” pitch perfect (if you’ve ever seen the Fantastic Mr. Fox you’ll know what the cuss I’m talking about…. sorry, I couldn’t help myself, we just watched that flick with the kids last night… and I laughed… hard.) Well, along with the movie, we also made homemade pizza and Pioneer […]

Well, I’m driving to Disneyland as we speak, but lucky for me, some mighty talented ladies have kindly consented to fill in for me while I’m away.  And you are all in for a treat. Here to kick start my vacation is Kami from no biggie.   If you’ve never dropped by her blog, you […]

Does anyone really know what the heck Cinco de Mayo is? Well I do… now… I just Googled it a few minutes ago.  But other than celebrating the Mexican victory against the French in 1862, Cinco de Mayo has always been the perfect excuse to eat great Mexican food.  And oh, how I love great […]

A great way to cut back on your grocery bill is to add “Peasant Food” recipes to your menu. Peasant food is typically very inexpensive to make, and is often quite healthy.  Most peasant food includes lots of vegetables and grains along with smaller amounts of meat.  Some favorite foods are stews and soups, pasties […]

Yes, I am still alive.  Cleaning might have done me in!  But I’m back… and I’ve got pie with me. Last week one of my dearest friends had a new, sweet little baby boy.  And yesterday I made her dinner along with one of her favorite desserts- Banana Cream Pie. Here in Utah, the Lion […]

There’s nothing quite so good as freshly made muffins in the morning. But most mornings are too hectic to make muffins from scratch. Cold cereal anyone? Not if you have bran muffin batter waiting for you in the refrigerator.  Spoon it into a tin and pop them into the oven, and before everyone is done […]

Lately, instead of wanting beef stew or shepherd’s pie, I’ve been craving lighter foods like strawberries, grilled fish or chicken, asparagus… Does that mean Spring is on it’s way?  Please say it’s so. Last night’s dinner fit that bill perfectly.  I totally ignored my windows shaking from the chilling winds and the rain and sleet […]

I love pasta salads.  But I have one problem with them.  Many recipes wind up tasting really bland. So when I come across a pasta salad with lots of wonderful flavor it goes right into my favorites list. I love this salad even more because I love Greek flavors.  I got this recipe from a […]

I haven’t been feeling well, and I really wanted some comfort food for dinner last night. Homemade bread sticks and easy tomato soup were just what the doctor ordered. These bread sticks are so quick and easy, you only need a fork to mix them.  And Lily, who is 7, loved to help me roll […]

Do you struggle to find the perfect gift for the men in your life? Well, everybody knows, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. My husband’s grandmother, Eva died several years back at the age of 92.  Up until that time, she was the official pie maker in the family.  Her apple […]

Don’t you love when the door bell rings and it’s a friend on the doorstep with treats?  Yesterday, as I was busy cooking a dinner for the teachers at our school, my door bell rang.  And much to my delight it was a friend sharing her delicious homemade Cinnamon Caramels. They were so fun and […]

Yes, I did restrain myself… barely.  I had only one cookie today.  I was making them to give away… and somebody needed to make sure they were edible… right?  And when they are warm out of the oven… you would have to have more self control than me to not have at least one.  Since […]

It’s soup season and one of my favorites is Clam Chowder.  There’s only one problem.  It’s not exactly diet friendly.  With as much as whole cube of butter and heavy cream or half and half, most clam chowder recipes are packed with fat and calories. My version comes from a friend in Connecticut.  And while […]

Since I lived off of chocolate over the holidays, I am turning over a new leaf with some healthy snacks around the house. The kids need them too… after school snacks.   Here’s a few we’ve all enjoyed lately: Edamame:  I love edamame when they serve it in a restaurant.  But I’d never thought about buying […]

This month I am trying to hard to loose weight and get in shape.  (Ask me how it’s going in a week or two, when I hopefully won’t need Advil for my sore muscles anymore.)  Yep, I’m exercising…  and trying to eat right.  The only trouble is, I’ve have never been good at depriving myself.  […]

“Waste Not, Want Not” That is what ham bone and beans is all about. I love recipes that have a “make it do” quality… when the results are delicious.  Ham Bone and Beans is one of those recipes.  I love it.  It’s not pretty, but it’s delicious and it’s good old comfort food. And it […]

Here are two treats that are so quick and easy you are going to love making them for your New Year’s Celebration… or game night or any other party.  They are also so yummy your family and guests will love them too.  They might even think you were slaving in the kitchen for hours!  And […]

Grazing.  That’s what I would call it.  Rarely is our home filled with so many delicious… mostly high calorie, delectable foods.  And I have been eating little bites here and there round the clock since Christmas.  I figure my New Year’s resolutions to get in shape will kick in soon.  But for now I am […]

Nothing says December like a plate of Ginger Snap Cookies.  They look and smell divine.  When they are cooking… your home is filled with the most wonderful smells of cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Here’s my favorite recipe: Calli’s Ginger Snaps 4 ½ cups sifted flour 4 tsp.  baking soda 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. ginger […]

Here’s a quick and easy gift idea for neighbors or co-workers.  It’s Orange Glazed Poppy Seed Bread.  I received this bread as a gift from a co-worker about 10 years ago… and looooved it.  I think I actually begged for the recipe.  I’ve been making this bread every Holiday season since. Here’s the recipe: Orange […]

I’ve never been a fan of Cranberry Sauce.  That red jelly stuff from a can… (my sincere apologies if you like it.)  No thank you… Cranberry Sauce has never been my cup of tea. That is, until I tried my Mother-in-Law’s homemade sauce. And despite my prejudice, it was love at first taste. Nowadays it […]

One of the things that really seems to daunt home cooks is making homemade rolls.  But many recipes are actually quite easy, and there is nothing quite so good as hot rolls right out of the oven. This recipe for crescent rolls has been a staple at my family’s Thanksgiving table for many years.  They […]

It doesn’t get any better than this.  Especially if you love Pecan Pie and chocolate, like I do. My Mom went in search for a recipe for Chocolate Pecan Pie after a trip to New Orleans.  Somewhere along the way my parents had the most delicious Chocolate Pecan Pie at a restaurant (she can’t remember […]

My Mom learned to bake her pie crusts 40 years ago.  Her mother had passed away and my Mom needed to step up and take over the tradition of hosting Thanksgiving dinner for her family of 7 brothers. My Mom was lucky enough to have a neighbor who was kind of like a local Julia […]

During the Holidays, I love gifts that either make my life easier or are a fun activity for my family.  Today’s Make it Do gift idea does both. Several months ago the fabulously talented Bakerella had a post about cookies in a jar- Cowgirl Cookies.  And my first thought was what a perfect gift for […]

There are some recipes that just say Autumn.  And Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread is one of those.  This recipe is so good, it might even be better than Great Harvest’s bread, and it costs a fraction to make it at home!  The only problem with making it, is that I want to eat way too […]

My husband doesn’t venture into the kitchen often.  But when he does, the results are always delicious.  I wish I could get him in the kitchen more. Every Halloween half our neighborhood turns up before Trick or Treating for a bowl of his World Famous Chili and a some of my homemade bread sticks. So […]

It’s raining outside.  The clouds are hanging low over the autumn patch-worked mountain behind my home and it is beautiful.  On a day like this, nothing sounds better than soup. One of my favorite recipes is so easy you can throw it together in less than 30 minutes. After a long day, that’s just what […]

Talk of joy: there may be things better than beef stew and baked potatoes and home-made bread—there may be.  –David Grayson Amen to that!  There are few things better than the smell of baking bread… or a thick slice of warm bread right out of the oven with a little dab of butter. Making bread […]

This week I made dinner for the teachers at our school.  Our menu was Italian, but I figured they’d forgive me for flying farther north for the dessert.  I served the shortbread with a brown butter pecan glaze on top. These cookies are some of the yummiest shortbread cookies around.  I love them.  The recipe […]

Last year I canned salsa for the first time.  I didn’t have a good recipe, so I looked online.  There were hundreds of recipes to choose from and  I felt a bit daunted.  My husband loves salsa and is very picky about what he likes.  He likes it flavorful and spicy (me too, though not […]

Last week I shared how I bottle my tomatoes.  And I’ve been thinking it might be fun to share one of my favorite recipes that uses one of those bottles. Saturday we visited the Farmer’s Market in Murray, Utah.  I love the Murray Market because it’s mostly farmers with great produce and not much else.  […]

I only started canning tomatoes several years ago.  I had planted more tomatoes than we could eat that year, and I hated to see them go to waste.  And I have a lot of Winter recipes that ask for canned tomatoes.  Canning my tomatoes is a great way to save money, and have really delicious […]

Can we just stop time for a minute?  I love this time of year.  All I want to do is eat.  I love the delicious foods coming out of my garden.  I love the Farmer’s Market.  I can’t seem to get enough corn on the cob, blackberries, raspberries, peaches, apples and tomatoes.   Oh the tomatoes… […]

The best way to can peaches is with a friend. Every year my dear friend Kate and I get together to can peaches and then wonderful applesauce later in the Fall.   And in the case of canning, two is definitely better than one.  We have so much fun together that it hardly even seems like […]

I read somewhere that red currant jelly is the “Caviar of Jellies.”  The famous Bar-le-Duc (red currant jam) from the Lorraine region of France sells for $40 a bottle, making it one of the most expensive jams in the world.  The red currants used in Bar-Le-Duc are hand-seeded with a goose quill by woman called […]

The long awaited peach season is upon us here in my hometown of Alpine.  And according to Rachel at S & R Fruit it’s going to be a bumper year.  My general philosophy is “Eat as much as I can and bottle the rest.” In keeping with this idea, I made Fresh Peach Pie this […]

Yesterday I made Chokecherry Syrup from the wild chokecherries we picked earlier in the week.  Making fruit syrups is easy as can be, and the taste is divine. It’s also a wonderful way to “Make it Do.”  In the case of these Chokecherries… the fruit was free.  I have a lot of canning jars… both […]

At Lily’s request I made Peanut Butter Cup cookies for the first day of school.  This meant an extra trip to the grocery store for Peanut Butter Cups… but these cookies are a favorite of all three of my kids and I wanted to make something special for the first day of school. I was […]

What do you do with delicious summer raspberries?  (Other than eating them like candy right out of the paper carton.) This week I dropped by one of my favorite fruit growers, Rachel at S & R Fruit in Alpine, Utah.  Every year I buy my peaches, apples and raspberries from S & R for my […]

I love buttermilk pancakes. As a child I loved Bisquick pancakes, and I didn’t like syrup, put a pat of butter on and I was good to go.  I’m so glad I’ve grown up. Now days I’d much prefer a good homemade buttermilk pancake.  They don’t take long to make, just a few minutes longer […]

Do you have zucchini’s coming out of your ears, like me?  Are you wondering what ever possessed you to plant it?  Do you think zucchini might just be the key to solving the world’s hunger problems? When you plant zucchini, one thing is for sure, you are going to be blessed with an abundant crop. […]

I am so happy for my brother Josh who is getting married in September.  I love Jen, my sister-in-law to be.  We are in the throws of wedding planning and finding many ways to “Make it Do” a beautiful wedding without breaking the bank. To save money… and to make sure they are wonderful, we […]

Have you ever been to a restaurant, had something wonderful and thought “I wish I could make this at home?”  Last month Nan and Pop (my Mom and Dad) took us out to dinner after Lily and Emma’s dance concert.  We went to California Pizza Kitchen.  My Mom and Dad shared Chicken Milanese.  As we […]

One of the best ways I have found to “Make it Do” is to plan my meals a week at time.  I am amazed at how much money I save just by planning ahead.  A good idea is to plan on the day your grocery store ads come out.  Mine come in the mail on […]

Last Summer, my family had a Sugar Cookie Bake-Off.  There were five entries and some darn good cookies.  Since my mom was making the recipe I use (and borrowed from her) I went looking online for a 5 star rated sugar cookie recipe… and after lots of looking I found a really good recipe. But […]

This weekend the kids and I made Salt Water Taffy.  It was a practice run for the 4th of July, when pulling taffy will be one of the activities for all of the kids.  I figured I better work out the kinks before I make it for a crowd.  It was so much fun we […]

Nothing cools you off better than a Popsicles.  And with today’s temperatures getting into the 90’s for the first time this year… we all could use a little ice cold refreshment. Popsicles are not expensive… unless you want to feed the kids something healthy.  For a while I bought Dreyer’s Fruit Pops.  But they are […]

Mr. Tucker dropped by today.  We always look forward to his visits because he sells the most delicious fruits and vegetables right out of the back of his truck. I hardly recognized him, because he had a new truck.  He said his old one finally died with over 300,000 miles.  Dang, I love old trucks. […]

Wait a minute… did I just say “Make it Do” and Steak in the same sentence?  Isn’t that an oxymoron?  Steak is expensive… even when you are making it at home.  But Dad’s love steak… it’s a Father’s Day tradition, right. I have good news.  There is always a way to “Make it Do”… and […]

Here is my weekend project.  When I saw that egg beater fabric I knew it needed to become an apron.  And the trim fabric was so fun, it reminded me of some kind of food… like donuts or eggs (do those remotely look the same?)  As I sewed this apron, I decided to give it […]

Nothing is better than finding meals that can pull double duty, like pulled pork… cook once, eat twice!  The pork I am cooking today will be used to make Pulled Pork Sandwiches tonight and Cafe Rio style pork tacos tomorrow. Pulled Pork is definitely a Make it Do kind of meal.  It’s inexpensive and easy […]

I just can’t seem to get enough of my favorite salad.  Favorite for today that is… It is a spring lettuce mix with strawberries, spicy pecans, and shaved Gorgonzola cheese.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  It is one of those salads where the flavors come together so perfectly… it’s unique and delicious. […]

I used to have a bit of an obsession with the Normandie Cafe in Holladay, Utah.  I love their french onion soup, crusty french bread, and best of all their Mint Brownies. But then I learned how to make the best Mint Brownies… and oh la la.  There goes my waist line!  I only make […]

Giving gifts on a budget can bring out the best in your creativity.  This year I have have been the hospitality chairperson for my local elementary school PTA.  The job included giving birthday gifts once a month to the staff and teachers.  Our budget was $100 for about 75 people.  But what thoughtful gift can […]

I used to buy asparagus whenever I felt like eating it.  But learning to “Make it Do” has meant learning to shop and eat differently.  It took me I while, but I finally figured out that fruits and vegetables bought in season not only saves money, but they also taste so much better.  I just […]

My kids made me promise to make Cinnamon Rolls over Spring Break… And I finally did make them, on the very last day.  That’s what you call procrastination. Don’t get me wrong… I really love these Cinnamon Rolls- they smell so good baking and they taste even better, and in the end, I actually enjoy […]

The weather is still not cooperating with our Spring Break Plans.  With all the snow, we are feeling sorry for the “poor little birds who are out in the cold!”  So today we made pine cone bird feeders and Summer Suet, just perfect for our feathered friends. Making pine cone bird feeders is a great […]

After a day at the zoo, what’s better than going out for pizza and a movie?  It might be making really delicious pizza at home, renting a great movie for a $1 at Redbox… and popping popcorn topped with fresh-grated parmesan cheese. Spending $15 dollars for a fun night in instead of $75 going out […]

Are you looking for an Easter Brunch menu that won’t break the bank?  (But still look like you splurged.)  A ham on Easter is the traditional choice.  But they can be expensive, especially if you are like me, and like really good ham.  Why not serve an Elegant Chicken Salad on Croissants?  Add a green […]

Last night’s dinner was Marinated Grilled Chicken, Roasted Finger Potatoes, and Roasted Asparagus with Pinenuts.  It was delicious.   Lucky for me we had both potatoes and asparagus left over.  Just what I needed for a fast and hearty breakfast Frittata.  Well, it guess it doesn’t always have to be luck, I could PLAN ahead and […]

Yesterday, was spent at my friend and neighbor’s home.  Cherie’s is not only one of my dearest friends, but she’s also an awesome baker (I swear that’s not the reason I love her!)  She and her mother, Marilynn, bake their delicious rolls to sell to neighbors and friends. Then they send every bit of the […]

I just love the idea of Banana Bread.  You take something you’d normally throw out and voila, you turn it into a delicious treat.  At our home, an old banana rarely tossed out.  And when you have a Banana Bread recipe as good as mine, you’ll be tempted to buy extra bananas and hope they […]