In late August, my husband and I took a road trip to beautiful West Virginia for a long weekend. This is something that had been on my wish list for a while. Our daughter visited the New River Gorge area in Fayetteville, W.V. a few times and knew we would love it, so on her suggestion we decided to go. I was surprised to learn that it's not that far away - only about a 4-hour drive from our home Continue Reading
RECIPE: Easy honey baked chicken
We eat a lot of chicken at my house. It's a wonderful source of protein, it's affordable, and there are endless ways to prepare it. Here's a super simple recipe that's become one of my go-to's when I want a hot, delicious meal without spending much time in the kitchen. This recipe works for any cut of chicken, whether bone-in, boneless or skinless. My favorite way to prepare it, Continue Reading
RECIPE: Easy moist, delicious cornbread (regular + gluten free)
Making cornbread is a much-loved tradition in kitchens across the United States, especially in the south and southwest. Cornbread has its origins in Native American cuisine. It was also popular during the Civil War because it could be made inexpensively. While everyone knows cornbread is a delicious addition to any meal, surprisingly it also has some redeeming qualities in terms of nutrition. Continue Reading
Easy DIY: How to make your own vanilla extract
Homemade vanilla extract is a perfect DIY holiday gift, and very easy to make. It's only two ingredients! Even if you don't need it for gifts, there are several good reasons for making your own vanilla extract: Homemade vanilla extract costs much less than most store-bought non-artificial varieties It has a long (virtually indefinite) shelf life It's simple to make There are no Continue Reading
PHOTO TOUR: A fun, active weekend in Wilmington, NC and the beach
In July, I enjoyed a fun weekend getaway to the beautiful historic port city of Wilmington, North Carolina with my daughter, Kerrie. She's a newlywed with a busy career and new home, and I'm always juggling responsibilities as well, so times like these are indeed precious. We decided to take a little road trip to the coast, about a three hour drive from our homes in central NC. The primary goal Continue Reading
RECIPE: Juicy, delicious stovetop grilled pork
Pork is a lean, healthy meat that is low in fat and high in protein. Here's a recipe for something I make regularly and we really enjoy. These delicious pork chops are grilled the easy way - on the stove. No need to fire up the grill! Marinating the pork chops ahead of time makes them especially tasty and tender, and the grilling technique really brings out the wonderful flavor. I like to Continue Reading