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Perfect Peach Pie
I love pie, it is one of my most favorite desserts. Pies can be sweet or savory, filled with fruit or cream, sometimes they are sweet and savory. They are very versatile and can be altered to the baker’s tastes. Apple pie is easily in my top 3 favorite pies, but this year peach pie has been edging its way to number 1. While I prefer peach pie made with freshly harvested peaches, this recipe is perfect for fresh or frozen peaches. This recipe also has my perfected pie crust. I have been working on this for a LONG time. Pie crust is supposed to be light and flaky. I…
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Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is easily one of my most favorite ways to prepare meat. It is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, and if you have the time for it to cook, it is a super easy hands off way to cook a roast or tenderloin. It takes very little prep time. Sometimes I make a big batch of pulled pork and then use it in a variety of ways. Pulled pork tacos are especially a favorite of my kiddos. However, this recipe topped them all in their books. I made sliders out of the pulled pork, but it is just as tasty by itself with some…
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Homemade Pumpkin Puree
I am a lover of all things decorating with pumpkins this time of year. My favorite ones are the ugly ones, the warty, misshapen, weird pumpkins. I just love the perfect imperfectness of them. Each year, I end up purchasing these outcast pumpkins and squash every time I go to the grocery store. In my area, Sprouts has by far the best ugly pumpkin selection. But when Autumn winds down, what do you do with these extra pumpkins and squash? I hate just throwing them away or composting them. I finally decided to try my hand at making pumpkin puree. And guess what? I should’ve done it years ago. It…
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Pumpkin Molasses Cookies
Molasses cookies are a family favorite. When I announced I was going to make a pumpkin version of them I received quite a few whines and a couple of “why mess with a good thing?” But I was not deterred. I was on a cookie making mission and could not be swayed one way or the other. And boy was I glad I didn’t listen to anyone’s negative comments, because this recipe ended up being another family favorite. They are a little more fluffy than my original molasses cookies, but still just as good. This recipe only uses about half of a pumpkin puree can, so if you need ideas…
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New Project: Grand Opening
It is probably quite obvious that I have been MIA for several…well more than several…months. Unintentional, I assure you. While there are a handful of reasons I took an unscheduled leave, one major one was a new project I’ve been working on. One of my major hobbies behind the scenes is all things planning and journaling. Over the years I have noticed a lack of planner inserts and spreads that include specific nutritional tracking. Most often, I’ve encountered individuals who do track various health things, have to create or draw out their own nutrition inserts for their journals and planners. I decided to jump on this untapped niche. I took…
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Roasted Acorn Squash Soup
Right now I am spending time in Western Idaho with my parents. Autumn is in full force here, the leaves are changing from greens to beautiful yellows, oranges, and reds. The temperature has fallen and we have the heater on. It has been a decade since I spent quality time in an area where Autumn is a real season. Las Vegas Autumn pretty much just means that you have to begin wearing a sweater in the mornings and swim season is over. I have been enjoying this cooler weather and took full advantage of it with this recipe. My parents’ garden was super productive this year and dad ended up…
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A Wrinkle In Time
A Wrinkle In Time has had a special place in my heart for nearly two decades. I first read it in 6th grade and absolutely fell in love with Meg, Calvin, and Charles Wallace. It was the first semi-grown up book I read. Before that I had mainly stuck to chapter books that didn’t have deep and meaningful themes. The American Girl books, Boxcar Children, and all things Judy Blume were my favorites when visiting the library. A Wrinkle In Time introduced me to the Sci-Fi genre and forced me to critically think about the characters and various themes of the book. A Wrinkle In Time begins with Meg Murry,…
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Spicy Tomato Soup
Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches are the quintessential cold, rainy day foods. While heating a can of tomato soup or Spaghetti-os is quick and easy, sometimes something a little more elegant is necessary. While this soup can easily be made from scratch with oven roasted tomatoes, garlic, and onion; on busy weeknights, shortcuts are a must. Using canned fire roasted tomatoes, or marinara can give you very similar flavors and quality and a fraction of the time. Additionally, if you need a vegetarian or vegan version omit the sausage and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. I’ve made this with diced portobello mushrooms instead of sausage as a…
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Dutch Baby Pancakes
Dutch Baby, or commonly known as German Pancakes, have been a staple in my life since I was a tot. It is one several breakfasts my dad would make on the weekends. We’ve always called it Dutch Baby, mostly due to this cookbook… Both of my parents are from Oregon and this cookbook has been a primary go-to all of my life. An aunt gifted me my own copy when I married and started my own family. While this cookbook does have a Dutch Baby recipe, I have formed my own over the years. The Dutch Baby was born in Bismarck, ND and has been called a variety of names…
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Pumpkin Alfredo-One Pot Pasta
I know, I know…it is not the time of year for all things pumpkin. I was cleaning out my pantry and noticed I had a can of pumpkin puree that would expire next month. That’s when this pasta recipe began to percolate deep in my brain. Channeling my inner autumn season, I decided I wanted to do more than many a sweet treat or dessert with this particular can of pumpkin puree. I thought…well, pumpkins are a squash food…and nearly everything tastes better with cheese…so Pumpkin Alfredo was born. Then I wanted to attempt to make it in one single pot. There isn’t anything much more satisfying when dinner is…
