Rhubarb Almond Cake My rhubarb will soon pop up from its winter hibernation. I love the bright splash of color it adds to the garden this time of year. Growing rhubarb is not a difficult task so it's great for beginning gardeners. It's one of those low maintenance, high yield plants that makes you look like you know what you're doing. Last year it was more like an ornamental shrub in our raised beds, though. I didn't use it in one single, solitary recipe for some reason! I'm determined to change that this year. And this recipe is a great place to start (Strawberry Rhubarb Pie is a good place to go next). It caught my eye as I was flipping Keep Reading
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (recipe)
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies This cookie recipe is near and dear to my heart because it comes from my grandma's recipe box. I'm always amazed at the strong connection between taste and smell and memory. It seriously fascinates me; I had six tabs open in my browser at once reading about it. These vivid memories are connected to emotions more than information. They recall a feeling, time, or a location. So cool. The smell of a box of crayons takes me back to the first day of school. The taste of my mom's meatloaf reminds me of breaks home from college. One bite of these cookies and I am at my aunt's house on Christmas Eve, surrounded by warmth and Keep Reading
Homemade Gingerbread Cookies
Homemade Gingerbread Cookies Christmas is just days away, and I have been cranking out all kinds of holiday treats from my kitchen (in January I will be cranking out miles in the gym to pay for it). This year, I strategically waited until my Mother-in-law arrived in town because she washes dishes like nobody's business. This is a big deal because I don't have a dishwasher in my kitchen (and I love my MIL, of course). I will happily keep the house stocked with baked goods as long as I don't have to do the dishes afterward. It's a nice trade-off, if you ask me. This is one of my favorite roll & cut Christmas cookie recipes. When I say roll Keep Reading
The Best Gingersnap Cookies (recipe)
Gingersnap Cookies My mother-in-law has been visiting for the past two weeks from a very rainy, cold Alaska. She enjoyed each and every crisp morning and warm afternoon, the smells and sights of the slowly changing leaves. It made me stop and soak up these dry days and sunny skies even more, to slow down and appreciate the gift of fall. I know the rain is coming. I know I am going to be Googling "dry destinations" in January. I know boots are about to become the footwear of choice. But good grief, we are spoiled in September and October in the Pacific NW. Fall is my happy place, and I am going to tuck this one away in my mind for a quick retreat Keep Reading
Chocolate Acorn Cookies (a fun edible craft for kids!)
How to make Acorn Cookies "Go anywhere today?" My husband asked me about ten minutes after walking through the door from work. "Um... does the mailbox count?" was my lame reply. I was actually proud of myself for making it that far. Since Saturday, I have been fighting the current Crud going around. Unfortunately, sick days aren't really covered in the Mom Contract. I keep looking for a clause, but nope. Nothing. I think the general rule is that Moms just aren't supposed to get sick in the first place. Alas, here I am. Leaving the house under protest. Blowing my nose constantly. Sleeping whenever possible. Feeding and clothing my children only Keep Reading
Pumpkin Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe)
Pumpkin Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting Last week my 5-year old son announced we should make a pumpkin cake. Not one to argue about such things, I started looking at recipes. A bunch of them were 2 or 3 layer jobs or had ingredient lists a mile long. Way more involved than I was interested in tackling on a Tuesday afternoon. Then I found this recipe from Bon Appetit and knew it was the perfect fit. Basic ingredients, simple steps, and we were eating cake about an hour after we started. Now that's my idea of a good time. The cake is dense without being heavy and moist without being greasy (So many pumpkin recipes start with 1 cup of Keep Reading
How to make pumpkin puree
I'm pretty sure I could live in a perpetual season of Autumn and be perfectly content. The crisp days and rainy nights, the bright colors and cozy flavors. I am crazy about all of it. While driving home yesterday, I stopped abruptly on the side of the road twice in the span of ten minutes. Each time, my five year-old daughter hollered from the backseat, "Did you forget something, Mama?" Why yes, I did. I forgot about that beautiful row of bright red trees and that farm stand that has perfect pumpkins for two bucks each. We turned the car around and drove back for a phone full of pictures and a trunk full of pumpkins. My kids accept this as normal Keep Reading
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