Spending a hot summer in the Middle East as an aid worker was not always easy. The desert’s dry heat could feel suffocating, and electricity was often unreliable in the overcrowded town where we stayed. One evening we went to the shopping center for pizza, and I tasted the most refreshing drink I’d ever had: … Read more

In this tutorial you’ll learn how to cover glass Christmas balls with fabric to create timeless farmhouse-style ornaments. These simple fabric-covered baubles soften the look of flashy store-bought decorations and bring a cozy, natural feel to your tree and home. Why You Should Make DIY Fabric Ornament Balls This is a quick, rewarding project with … Read more

Berry Trifle is a rich, creamy no-bake dessert layered with cake and fresh fruit — ideal for summer gatherings, barbecues, and potlucks. With just a few simple ingredients you can assemble a trifle that serves a crowd and keeps well in the refrigerator for a few days. A trifle can go many directions — you … Read more

This Smoked Coca-Cola Turkey Brine recipe uses a sweet, savory Coca-Cola brine to produce a tender, flavorful smoked turkey. If this is your first time brining a turkey with cola, it won’t be your last—the soda adds a subtle sweetness and helps keep the meat moist. I love smoking holiday meals. I made this turkey … Read more

Gooey, delicious Grilled Bacon and Onion Ribeye Steak Sliders with Beer Cheese are dripping with cheesy goodness, smothering tender, juicy ribeye steak in a delicious little slider. Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful fathers out there! Celebrate with a special treat — these Grilled Bacon and Onion Ribeye Steak Sliders with Beer Cheese. Summer … Read more

Avocado garlic aioli is an easy, flavorful sauce made in a food processor from avocado, basil, mayonnaise, garlic, shallots, lemon juice and a touch of sour cream. It began as a lighter way to enjoy avocado on a BLT without making the sandwich overly heavy. After discovering aioli with fries, I was hooked—this avocado garlic … Read more

I found this fantastic Ding Dong Cake recipe on Chocolate, Chocolate and More and immediately wanted to make a gluten-free version. With family visiting last weekend, I used the extra company as an excuse to bake a large, indulgent cake. It. Was. Amazing. A rich, tender chocolate cake filled with a light, smooth cream and … Read more

Hi friends! How was your weekend? Matt and I stayed in DC and enjoyed a relaxing couple of days with beautiful weather and lots of fresh air. On Saturday morning we did one of our favorite running boot-camp workouts. We planned a roughly 3-mile out-and-back route with mini boot-camp stops at mile 1, mile 1.5 … Read more

Layers of buttery biscuits filled with sweet cinnamon-spiced apples — this apple pull-apart bread is an irresistible fall treat perfect for sharing. Apple Fritter Pull-Apart Bread This apple fritter pull-apart bread takes the best parts of a classic apple fritter — warm cinnamon, juicy apples and a sweet glaze — and turns it into a … Read more

Yesterday I wrote about Bountiful Baskets, the co-op I use for buying produce. You can find Part One here. Today I’ll share more details about the actual produce baskets and the participation level that works best for my family. You can choose the participation level that suits you — contribute regularly, occasionally, or try it … Read more