Usually, after school, we have a tight schedule. The kids have a snack and get to work on music lessons/homework/practice/whatever else is going on that afternoon. But every once in a while (usually on Fridays), it’s good to be The Fun Mom. The Non-Nagging Mom. The Homework Skipping Hot Chocolate Embellishing Mom. So we recently […]
Stovetop Spiced Apple Cider Recipe
Oh, goodness, I do love apple cider. It’s just so…fallish. And winterish. And when you make it on the stove it makes your entire house smell HEAVENLY, it really does. In a house where people still argue with me over showering and try to re-wear dirty clothes, good smells are not taken for granted. So […]
Banana Chai Smoothie
How to esplain the banana chai smoothie? I’m a smoothie girl, but in general I’m a 3-ingredient fruity, yogurty, juicy kind of smoothie girl (unless, of course, you can put some chocolate in it. Then I’m that kind of smoothie girl.) But I’m not a complicated, spice-putting kind of smoothie girl. Until now, I mean. Until. Now. […]
Kale Smoothie (for people who hate kale)
I don’t diet. I try not to go too overboard, and I try to eat foods I can pronounce but I don’t weigh or measure anything (including myself. So there.) A few years ago, when my husband and I both realized I need my Alone Time or I get cranky and scare him a little, […]
How to Make Sweetened Cranberries
Why are cranberry recipes only for fall and winter? Is it tradition? Is that when they’re harvested? Are we afraid that if we have cranberries all the year long, by the time Thanksgiving comes around we’ll be burned out and just want some applesauce instead? Because, really, cranberries are pretty astounding. They’re one of the […]
The Best Recipes of 2015
Ohhhh, goodness! I know everyone says it, but I can’t believe it’s a new year already. Wow, that was fast. Did you go somewhere fabulous for New Year’s? I went to a friend’s, and just as I was bemoaning having to put on pants, she texted and reminded me it was a pajama party. Hallelujah […]
Cozy Drinks for Chilly Days
Is the weather where you are frightful? Here in Colorado, it’s downright terrifying right now. We had a snow day today (so actually inside my house was probably more terrifying). And on days like today — I like to drink. Not that kind of drinking (although after Hour 2 of our Snow Day, I wouldn’t rule it out…). Warm […]
Cranberry Cocktail: Festive Cranberry Sparklers
I’m not sure if it’s obvious, but I’ve got a thing for fall and winter drinks. Cozy, hot drinks in mugs, meant to be sipped in fuzzy jammies and giant socks. Sparkly, elegant drinks for holiday parties and New Year’s toasts and Christmas dinners. Spiced drinks, winter fruity drinks, minty drinks — I love ’em all. […]
Cranberry Cider
You hear all about cranberry cocktails and sparkling cranberry drinks this time of year (confession: I might be working on one myself to share soon). But you know what you rarely hear about? Cranberry cider. You should, though. I don’t know how apples cornered the market on hot cider, because the humble cranberry is quite tasty […]
How to Make the World’s Best Hot Chocolate
This is my family’s hot chocolate recipe. We have it when the weather gets chilly. We have it when we’re looking for a little something sweet along with breakfast. We have it when we visit my parents’ cabin, where my mom taught each of the kids to make it so that she can get up […]