Roasted Beet Hummus

Roasted Beet Hummus

Aug 12, 2018 · 5 Comments

Beet Hummus makes a delicious and healthy snack! Great for tailgating or anytime you want to serve a delicious dip! Gorgeous color and so easy to make!

Healthy Snacks

I had some beets languishing in my crisper drawer and I couldn't decide what to make with them. I could make my Strawberry Beet Smoothie Pops or my Superfood Salad with Beets and Blood Oranges again. They were both delicious and worthy of repeat.

However, with football season starting up, I was also looking for some healthy snacks. Something that we could munch on while we watched football, but still feel good about eating. We love Homemade Hummus, but I wanted to change it up a bit and a Roasted Beet Hummus sounded like just the thing!

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Cat Sleeping Around the House

Aug 10, 2018 · 32 Comments

Just a few photos of our calico cat, Coco, sleeping around the house!

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Calico Cat Sleeping Around the House

As I was looking through my cat photos, trying to decide what to post today, I saw a few of Coco in her many sleeping places around the house. She tends to go through phases of picking one place to sleep in for several days in a row and then moving on to another location.

Do your cats pick locations and then seem to rotate through them?

Her first location is in our living room. As I walked by, I would glance in and see her curled up on the extra dining room chair.

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Apple Streusel Muffins with Maple Glaze

Aug 9, 2018 · 22 Comments

These easy whole grain Apple Streusel Muffins with Maple Glaze will become a family favorite!

The crumb topping is so delicious. Makes a great after school snack!

blue tray with muffins and a vase of flowers with text overlay reading Apple Streusel Muffins with Maple Glaze

Why yes, I did just post muffins last week! Did you see my Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins?

I've made more muffins this month than I made all of last year. Before this, I was all about biscotti, like this Pumpkin Pie Biscotti or this Almond Lavender Biscotti.

But now I've decided I like making muffins. They are easy to make and easy to make healthy!

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Pork Kebabs with Cauliflower Rice

Aug 8, 2018 · 7 Comments

Spicy pork kebabs rest atop an easy and delicious cauliflower rice with roasted tomatoes and onions in this Pork Kebabs with Cauliflower Rice. My favorite way to cook boneless country style ribs.

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Ways to Cook Boneless Country Style Ribs

Whenever I see boneless country style ribs on sale, I don't hesitate to buy them. I love them! They are so versatile. They could easily be used in Shredded Pork Tacos with Pepita Slaw, Lemongrass Pork Skewers, or Grilled Tahini Pork Skewers.

But I think my favorite way is these broiled pork kebabs! I didn't feel like going out to the grill and I had already heated up my oven to roast the cauliflower rice, so using the broiler seemed like a no brainer.

The boneless country style ribs were easy to cut into the perfect size cubes. With a broiler set to high and the kebabs about 6 inches from the heat, they were done in just 10 minutes. Just remember to turn them once at the 5 minute mark!

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Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Aug 8, 2018 · Leave a Comment

A book review of Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton.

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Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Let me begin this review by stating that I rarely read romance novels. I’ve never read anything by Chanel Cleeton and had no idea that was what she wrote. In looking for a little guidance in my reading, I decided to try Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine Bookclub. That being said, I have nothing against romance novels, it’s just been a long time since I’ve ready any. I think of romance novels as having a basic formula, girl meets guy, all kinds of things get in their way, but they eventually fall in love. The end. This book had some of that, but it had so much more.

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Gin and Ginger Ale Cocktail

Aug 8, 2018 · 12 Comments

This Gin and Ginger Ale Cocktail is so refreshing with the double ginger! Ginger ale and ginger liqueur make it especially delicious!

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Easy Gin Cocktails

Liquor of choice? Gin, all the way. Well, except for tequila. Actually I'm fond of a lot of liquors, but gin makes it to the top because of gin and tonics. I love them. They are the perfect cure for a rough day.

I also love ginger and went scrolling the web looking for an easy gin cocktail that might combine my favorite gin with my homemade ginger liqueur.

At Sweet Paul Magazine, I found a gin and ginger ale cocktail that also included ginger liqueur. Perfect.

Click here to pin this Gin and Ginger Ale Cocktail.

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Apple Pie Panna Cotta

Aug 8, 2018 · 27 Comments

This Apple Pie Panna Cotta is all the flavors of an apple pie without all the work.

It's an easy make-ahead no bake dessert perfect for Thanksgiving!

Tea cup with an apple panna cotta and vintage spoons with text overlay reading Apple Pie Panna Cotta

Easy no bake dessert

When it comes to cooking, I have a few things firmly set in my knowledge base. Things that I can cook without a recipe, without too much thought. Most of them are simple main dishes like soups or pastas and my every day granola.

The only dessert that falls into this category is panna cotta. Probably because it involves no baking.

I'm terrified of dessert baking. So, when I need an easy no bake dessert, panna cottas are at the top of my list.

Like these Vanilla Yogurt Panna Cotta with Honey and Candied Walnuts, Nutella Panna Cotta with Candied Hazelnuts and Chocolate Panna Cotta with Spiced Pepita Brittle.

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Apple Rosemary Whiskey Cocktail

Aug 6, 2018 · 12 Comments

This Apple Rosemary Whiskey Cocktail is like fall in a glass.

This easy fall cocktail makes a whole pitcher, so it's perfect for football parties tailgating, or game day!

If you're looking for an easy Thanksgiving cocktail that everyone will love, here you go!

dark orange cocktail being poured into mason jar with a sprig of rosemary, text overly reading Apple Rosemary Whiskey Cocktail

Fall Cocktails

As we wind down summer, I start to feel my spirit lift. Fall is my season. I love everything about it. Pumpkins. Scarves. Boots. Apples. Cocktails.

Last week was the first football game of the fall season on tv. Not a season game, but some sort of opener game. You can tell I am well versed of the ins and outs of football season.

What I am well versed in is fall cocktails. Football cocktails. Tailgating cocktails. Game day cocktails. While I know some of you prefer to drink beer with football, beer makes me sleepy. Cocktails make me happy.

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Alloy Wine Works Chardonnay 2016

Aug 4, 2018 · 2 Comments

A wine review of Alloy Wine Works Chardonnay 2016.

2016 Alloy Wine Works Chardonnay

2016 Alloy Wine Works Chardonnay, Paso Robles, California. 100% Chardonnay.

They say: This wine is the definition of California Chardonnay. It is bold, medium bodied and rich. There are aromas of zesty citrus with almond, white cake and morning dew. Smells like vanilla, but also very fruity. Hints of leafy green and lime. On the palate notes of floral rose water, vanilla buttercream and key lime pie.

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Random Kitty Cats Outside

Aug 3, 2018 · 38 Comments

Just a few random photos of our kitty cats outside and one inside!

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Patchouli Kitty Outside

We've had a mixed week here. At the beginning of the week and last weekend the temperatures were so comfortable. So comfortable that Patchouli spent the majority of every day outside. She is still doing well with her Seresto flea collar and is so much more relaxed without fleas biting her all the time!

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Whole Wheat Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins

Aug 2, 2018 · 18 Comments

These easy Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins will become a family favorite!

They make great after-school snacks, an easy Halloween treat, or a Thanksgiving dessert option!

A platter with three cranberry pumpkin muffins and a blue jar filled with black-eyed susans.

I have decided that I don't bake nearly enough muffins. They are usually easier than a cake and come with built-in portion control.

I also like that it is pretty easy to make some healthy substitutions with muffins. You definitely can't beat their grab-and-go awesomeness!

So, expect to see lots more easy, healthier muffin recipes on this site. I already have an Apple Strudel one picked out for this weekend!

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Lemon Grilled Chicken Breasts

Jul 29, 2018 · 12 Comments

A simple marinade of lemon juice, olive oil and garlic make these lemon grilled chicken breast full of flavor, but is oh so easy! Perfect for easy weeknight grilling!

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Easy Weeknight Grilling

A lot of people associate grilling with the weekend. It's a leisure activity that stretches over a warm sunny afternoon. It doesn't have to be. With this Lemon-Grilled Chicken Breasts - you can have a wonderful grilled dinner any night of the week! This is hardly a recipe, you simply marinate the chicken in one of the simplest marinades ever and it comes out so tender and moist and flavorful, you'll be amazed!

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Cats and Placemats

Jul 27, 2018 · 36 Comments

Cats on Placemats!

I have been in the habit of leaving our placemats out on the dining room table. One less thing that I have to do before I serve dinner. Only one problem. Someone has decided that the placemats are quite comfy. Comfy kitty placemats mean lots of kitty cat hair. It's hard enough keeping cat hair out of the food in this house without trying to serve dinner on what essentially become a kitty cat bed.

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Scalloped Zucchini Salad

Jul 26, 2018 · 21 Comments

This fresh Scalloped Zucchini Salad is so easy, healthy, pretty to look at and tastes delicious! The perfect way to use up an abundance of zucchini!

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Zucchini Recipes

The other day I found myself with the need to use up some zucchini. Been there, done that, right?! I had already bought a rotisserie chicken, so I just needed to add a few side dishes. It was a bazillion degrees outside, so cooking or turning on the oven just didn't feel like an option.

Then I remember a Carpaccio of Raw Zucchini that I had made back in 2009. Sometimes my memory amazes me. Other times not so much. But this time, it was spot on. A nice raw zucchini salad would be perfect!

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Blackberry Ginger Fizz

Jul 23, 2018 · 18 Comments

If you love Ginger Beer Cocktails, Fruit Cocktails or Mint Cocktails, then you are going to love this Blackberry Ginger Fizz! It is refreshing and fruity and goes down so easy!

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Ginger Beer Cocktails

Ginger beer cocktails are my favorite. It makes a great mixer and I use it in place of tonic water for a lot of cocktails. I love the flavor of ginger, the slight bit of heat that you get. I love the bubbles. Because sparkling cocktails always feel like a party, don't they?

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Grilled Chicken with Corn and Black Bean Salsa

Jul 22, 2018 · 23 Comments

Smokey grilled chicken breasts and a flavorful corn and black bean salsa are topped with a creamy cilantro yogurt dressing in this easy and healthy Grilled Chicken with Corn and Black Bean Salsa.

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Healthy Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken breasts are perfect for healthy grilled chicken recipes, but you need to kick them up a notch. This recipe, my friends, kicks them up several notches.

There are not going to be enough adjectives for me to use to describe how good this was. How much we loved it. We stopped several times while eating it with murmurs of, "This is so good!" or "We need to make this again!"

This was such a simple dinner, where the sum is so much greater than the parts. Chicken breasts are tossed in smokey paprika spice mixture. They are quickly grilled, along with a some corn on the cob and even the romaine lettuce is grilled. The corn is sliced off the cob and mixed with onions, black beans and tomatoes. A quick dressing, one that I am going to put on every single thing I make, is just a simple mixture of yogurt, lime juice and cilantro.

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#collection Wines by Gia Coppola #thirsty

Jul 21, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Another from the Coppola Wines! The weekend wine review is for #collections wines by Gia Coppola #thirsty - a 2016 red blend.

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#collection wines by Gia Coppola #thirsty Red Blend 2016

#collection Wines by Gia Coppola #thirsty Red Blend 2016. Coppola Wines. From Wine Awesomeness. They say: 50% Cabernet Franc, 25% Syrah, 23% Petite Sirah, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine maker: Corey Black. Alcohol: 13%. On the nose: Green peppers and jalapeño seeds, lots of bell pepper and dark red cherries. On the palate: medium body, medium acidity, easy drinking with low tannins. This red blend tastes like eating juicy red plums, while dancing through a wet Oregon forest. Lots of dark, plummy jam with a pleasant minerality. An easy drinking summer red.

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Moody Coco

Jul 20, 2018 · 34 Comments

Photographing cats in low light with the lovely Coco kitty as my model.

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Photographing Cats

I was walking through the house getting ready to go upstairs and take a shower, when I noticed Coco sitting on the dining room table. There was soft evening light coming in through the dining room window.

I quickly grabbed my camera. I love how the light reflected off of her white fur, but then dropped away to darkness on the other side. I wish that I could have removed the newspaper on the table behind her, but then I wouldn't have been able to get the shot.

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Thai Beef Steak Tacos

Jul 19, 2018 · 18 Comments

Combine Thai flavors with Mexican tacos and you get Thai Beef Steak Tacos with Lime Cilantro Slaw. Easy and low calorie tacos that everyone loves!

Plate of beef tacos with text overlay reading Thai Beef Steak Tacos with Lime Cilantro Slaw

Low Calorie Tacos

I remember when tacos to me meant ground beef seasoned with a packet of taco seasoning, a little lettuce, a few bits of tomatoes, lots of cheese and sour cream. That was it.

Now, there is a world of tacos. Fish tacos, chorizo tacos and even shrimp tacos.

The best part? It's so easy to make them low calorie. Since I turned 60 and my metabolism apparently retired early, I've been watching calories. I know it's old school, but I'm old school. No paleo, keto or whole 30 for me.

The secret to these tacos? A little meat, lots of healthy slaw and whole wheat tortillas. No cheese. No sour cream. With all the flavors you don't miss them at all!

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Lavender Infused Gin

Jul 16, 2018 · 25 Comments

Lavender Infused Gin! A fabulous way to add a little floral note to your cocktails! If you're looking for Christmas Gift Ideas, this makes a lovely gift!

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Lavender Recipes!

Do you grow lavender? I love it, it's probably one of the most versatile herbs that I grow. First of all, it's gorgeous. I love the soft lavender blossoms as they sway in the breeze. They release their gentle fragrance. I would grow it for looks alone. But it turns out, I love using the lavender for cooking - Lavender Almond Biscotti anyone? And now, I love using it for alcohol! Alas, if you don't grow your own lavender, you can easily get some - Organic Culinary Lavender.

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Water Bath Canning Simply Good Dill Pickles

Jul 15, 2018 · 45 Comments

Water bath canning dill pickles is easy! These dill pickles get a little heat from the peppers and are The Best Dill Pickles I have ever eaten!

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Canning Dill Pickles is Easy!

I have made lots of pickles. Lots of quick pickles. For some reason, though I had never water bath canned dill pickles! It turns out that water bath canning is easy!

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Seresto Flea Collars for Cats

Jul 13, 2018 · 27 Comments

After trying every cat flea treatment we could find, we tried Seresto Flea Collars for Cats. Fleas started dying on the very first day!

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Cat Flea Treatments

As if summer wasn't bad enough with all the heat, there's fleas. Fleas, fleas and more fleas. What's almost worse than the fleas is trying to find a flea treatment that doesn't leave you covered in scratches from your very angry cat and that actually kills the fleas.

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Adding an Accent Color to Your Capsule Wardrobe

Jul 11, 2018 · 7 Comments

In my How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe Series, this week I talk about adding an accent color to your capsule wardrobe. Simple colors with classic pieces make this minimalist style so easy to put together.

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How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe

If you are new to my series, I have put together a series of posts on How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe. You can find the steps here: Step One (the closet purge), Step Two (choosing your neutrals) and Step Three (choosing your accent color.)

This week in building a capsule wardrobe is all about adding the accent color to your capsule wardrobe

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Strawberry Frosé (Frozen Rosé)

Jul 9, 2018 · 14 Comments

This Strawberry Frosé (Frozen Rosé) is the perfect summer cocktail! It's pretty, easy to make, tastes delicious and everyone loves it! Strawberries and Campari make it even better!

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Strawberry Frosé (Frozen Rosé)

I know what you're thinking... Frozen Rosé?! That's so 2016. Yes, it is. It was also so 2017. And guess what? I'm making it so 2018. I love it! It's easy to make, pretty to look at tastes amazingly delicious and refreshing. Check back next year when I make it so 2019. I am a creature of habit.

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