A few years ago my husband was on a health kick and we started changing some of our eating habits. After a trip to the public library, he came home with a book, Eating for Life.  Not only was it a guide in how to take care of yourself with the foods you eat, but it also included some great recipes.  One such recipe was Beef and Barley Stew–now one of our favorite fall/winter soups. I had never eaten barley before and was a little hesitant that it would taste too healthy, you know what I mean?  Well, barley is actually really good and has a nice texture when cooked…

A couple weeks ago we were visiting my sister and her husband and decided to go out to dinner to Mellow Mushroom, a favorite pizza joint.  It was pretty busy in there that night, so we ordered some appetizers:  2 different kinds of soft pretzels.  They were good, but I hated having to pull apart a small portion of a big pretzel every time I wanted a little taste.  So, I decided to recreate these, but on a smaller scale.  I present to you homemade soft pretzel bites, 3 different ways:  salted, Parmesan cheese, and cinnamon/sugar. I was shocked at how EASY it is to make soft pretzels!  They do…

My husband just started a new work schedule yesterday, which includes working 10 hour days, and his week begins on Sunday.  It’s going to be an adjustment for our family, but we’re trying to make the most of it and I’m particularly thankful that he isn’t working nights.  In order to make him a bit happier when he came home, I decided to make some of his favorite cookies yesterday: gingersnaps.  Now, I have to be honest with you that I do not like these cookies, never have, probably never will.  But, they are a classic and perfect for the fall. These would be great tied up with a little…

It’s hard to believe the month of October will be over in a little more than a week!  We all know what that means: the holidays are coming fast!  When I walked into Home Depot the other day, the greeter somewhat apologized for the empty space where riding lawn mowers had previously been displayed.  In the same breath, she said, “But come back next week and we’ll have all of our Christmas trees on display.” What!??  Guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but it surprised me. Since the holidays are coming, that means more entertaining for many of us (yay!).  Have you started putting together a list of possible menus for…

Some of you may be wondering what in the world this is, and I’m glad, because you are about to be introduced to one of the best forms of breakfast foods ever.  Okay, so maybe not ever, but these are really good.  My first experience with beignets (which is pronounced, ‘ben-yay’), was at the airport in New Orleans while waiting to get on a flight to Honduras, about 15 years ago.  We couldn’t get enough of them!  Fast forward a few years to my second year of marriage when my husband I discovered a great quick way to make them (that’s what I’ll share below).  Then, when we lived in…

Today I would like to introduce to you my younger sister, Sherri, who blogs over at Life of a Wife.  She is a wonderful sister, daughter, wife, aunt, photographer, cook, and friend.  Just about a month ago she and her husband moved to a town about 2 hours away from us, so I am loving the fact that one of my sisters lives close by.   I love being with both of my sisters and am so thankful for the friendships that God has blessed me with in these two amazing women. Sherri, thanks for guest posting here today!  This recipe looks delicious and I can’t wait to make it…

Yesterday I took a trip to pick up my inlaws from the airport, which is about 2 hours from our house.  I knew we wouldn’t be getting back until right before dinner time, so I needed to have dinner pretty much ready.  So, I did what any other girl would do:  I called my mom to get her tried and true crockpot pork recipe.  I’ve eaten this dish several times at my parents’ home, but never made it myself.  Let me just tell you, when I opened the front door to walk inside yesterday (at about 5PM), the smells coming from the house were AMAZING!  This is a fall recipe…

This series ’31 Days of Fall from the Kitchen’ has been really fun for me to do, as it keeps me on my toes in the kitchen, trying to come up with great fall recipes for you.  However, it’s been a challenge lately, because our weather has gotten back up into the 90’s!  It doesn’t really feel like fall here, so I don’t always feel in the mood to make soup.  Yesterday, however, was rainy, hot and humid, so it was a perfect day for this soup. My friend gave me her recipe the other night, and I knew I was going to love it!  I threw together some homemade…

Butternut Squash is a classic fall produce item.  We actually grew it in our garden this year, but it was somewhat overcrowded by other items, and worms got into most of it.  We did enjoy some roasted butternut squash, though.  Wondering what it looks like? source You’ve probably seen it at the grocery store or Farmer’s Market, and at this time of year the prices are the best.  If you’ve never cooked with this squash variety, I’d encourage you to choose one of the recipes I’ve collected for you.  Enjoy! Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Butternut Squash: Source: cookinglight.com via Lauren on Pinterest Butternut Squash and White Bean Soup: Source:…

Our small group at church is in charge of providing breakfast for Sunday School during the month of October.  It’s been fun to come up with different things to bring each week that will hopefully be devoured by everyone in attendance.  This bread was devoured.  In fact, afterward, I found one of the Deacons finishing off the last bits of one in the kitchen.  Unfortunately, in my rush to get out of the door with my stack of foods, I never took a picture of the finished product.  Sorry!  I do, however, have photos of the process, so you can see what it should look like along the way.  And,…