Birthday Cupcakes Test Batch

With 2 birthdays right around the corner, I took an impromptu BBQ invitation as an opportunity to make a test batch.  My first run at from scratch cupcakes and frosting.  The consensus...super yum!

Even the little boy, who usually only eats the frosting, ate the whole thing; cake and frosting.

cupcake recipe HERE

frosting recipe HERE

mint and raspberries from my garden

Cheddar Sage Biscuits

 This week, I accidentally bought 2 containers of sage.  I was making this squash soup, and somehow bought sage at 2 different stores.  I didn't want it to go to waste, so I thought I'd try my hand at some biscuits.

I used a basic cheese biscuit recipe and added the chopped sage to the butter to help bring out some of the flavor.  

2 cups white flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 stick unsalted butter-melted

1 cup milk

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar

chopped fresh sage

Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add the butter/sage, milk and cheese and mix until just combined. Drop by spoonful onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake at 425F for 15 minutes. 

Butter, cheese, fresh herbs....what could possibly be yummier.

There will be more of these in our future.  Basil parmasan.  Rosemary gruyere. 

What will you put in yours?

Peppermint Marshmallows

I have always wanted to try making homemade marshmallows.  So this year, as a gift for all the teachers at my kids' preschool, I decided to pack up some peppermint marshmallows with cocoa.

I used this recipe.

They are very easy to make and are really yummy in a cup of cocoa.

I swirled in some red food coloring just after pouring the mix into the pan.

I may have gone a little overboard on my packaging, but it was so fun!

Fluffy, minty, yumminess.  These chocolate marshmallows are next. 

What a Hoot

I made these cute owl cupcakes for an annual Halloween bash at a good friend's house.  There are a lot of owl cupcake ideas out there, but these were by far the easiest.  I followed these instructions. 

I can't help but smile every time I look at them.  Easy, cute and delicious. 

Maple Almond Granola

A few years back I started making this granola as a holiday gift for friends and family. It was received with so much enthusiasm that I decided to make it our annual thing. This year, the kids were old enough to help out and I discovered that not only is this easy to make, fairly healthy and super tasty, but the kids can help too! An added bonus. Here's what I do, but the truth is, you can tailor this to your taste. If you don't like coconut, take it out and add walnuts or raisins instead. The possibilities are endless!


5 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup pepitas (hulled pumkin seeds)


combine the above ingredients in a large bowl, then in another bowl (or cup), combine:

1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup water


pour over the oat mixture and stir until evenly moistened.

spray a large roasting pan with cooking spray and add oat mixture.

bake at 275F for 45 minutes, remove from oven and stir, then bake another 45 minutes until crisp and golden brown.

If you are going to add raisins or other dried fruit, wait until it's done cooking and add it at the end. Cool completely and store.


Pack it up, add a cute gift tag, and you've got a nice homemade gift for friends and family!