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How to make Squash Harvest Bread
Have you ever gone into your favorite cafe and seen squash harvest bread on the menu? It seems to be a staple on the cafe menus here in the Pacific Northwest. This is my take on squash harvest bread and I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I do. This is a large recipe – it makes two full size loaves of bread (or one full size, two minis + ten muffins!) so feel free to cut this recipe in half if you won’t be sharing it with family, friends, or neighbors. Ingredients: Step One: Roast your butternut squash at 350 degrees for 45 minutes in a 9 x…
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Build Your Own Sticky Rice Bowl
This is a great go to recipe for large groups and for those that have dietary restrictions – this sticky rice bowl can easily be vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free. It also allows you to be flexible on toppings and sauces – mix and match! Choose a rice base, if you want meat or vegetarian, several toppings, and at least one sauce. Serves 6. Ingredients Enjoy!
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How to Make Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting
I recently perfected my homemade lavender cream cheese frosting – it is simply delicious on a sugar cookie and it is very easy and quick to make. Topping each cookie with an edible flower is a nice touch that make these sugar cookies extra special. This recipe makes enough frosting for 3 dozen cookies. Ingredients: Step One: Put the butter and cream cheese in a large glass bowl – if it is not room temperature then pop it in the microwave for 45-60 seconds. Using an electric mixer, blend the butter and cream cheese together. Step Two: Add the vanilla, culinary lavender, and 2 cups of the powdered sugar to…
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Fast & Fresh: Cherry Tomato, Basil, Pine Nut & Parmesan Angel Hair Pasta
In the summer I love to make super simple dinners for my family – my days are usually very full with work, outdoor chores, and endless walks for our two rescue pups. I’ve been perfecting this recipe and I am thrilled to share it with all of you. Serves 4. Note: Double or triple the recipe for an easy dinner party dish and serve with garlic parmesan bread and a large Caesar salad. Ingredients: Step One: Start your pot of boiling water for the angel hair pasta. While it comes to a boil, clean and quarter your cherry tomatoes. Step Two: In a small frying pan on medium heat add…
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Farm Fresh to Favorite Recipes: Strawberries
Suyematsu strawberries are a sought after crop on Bainbridge Island. With a limited supply this year I consider myself lucky to have gotten a box to make my homemade strawberry jam! The Farm Visit: Bainbridge Island Farms, also known as Suyematsu Farm is one of the oldest, largest, and continually operated farms in our county with over 100,000 pounds of produce grown each year. We’ve been going to this farm for a few years now to purchase strawberries, pick raspberries, and purchase other produce. Buying Strawberries: There is no u-pick option for strawberries at the farm so you need to pay close attention when flats are for sale. This information…
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How to Make my Favorite Lemon Arugula Salad with Honey Goat Cheese
This is my signature salad – it pairs well with so many meals and it is super simple to make. Every time I serve this salad I am asked for the recipe so I finally decided to measure out all of the ingredients so I could share it on this site. Serves 6. Ingredients: Step One: Cut the rind off of the lemons, then cut the lemons into quarters and dice into small sections. Put the diced lemons into a small bowl. Toss the rind but make sure any lemon juice on the cutting board is put into the small bowl with the diced lemons – the more juice the…
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Grief Support Group: My 8 Week Journey
For the past 8 weeks I have been participating in a small in-person grief support group. Through a combination of sharing stories, deep listening and grief education, we were encouraged to honor our grief and to find continued meaning in our lives. Each week was different – some weeks easier than others but it was an opportunity to share, be vulnerable, and learn how move forward. Week One: Learning & Listening – We all briefly shared who we were there to honor by lighting a candle in their name. The simple act of creating a warm glowing light brought a feeling of peace and safety to the room. This lesson was primarily listening –…
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The Best Oatmeal Chocolate Chip & Sea Salt Cookies
In our family these are known as Four In One cookies and this is my Grammie Ellen’s recipe. I’ve been enjoying these cookies for as long as I can remember and they are my Papa John’s absolute favorite! I’ve made a few slight tweaks to the original recipe and I think these will soon become a staple in your household too! If I am making this for my family (there are only 3 of us) I make a half batch. Full batch: 24 cookies, Half batch: 12 cookies. Enjoy! Ingredients: Step One: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Step Two: Add the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar together in…
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New Beginnings under the Cherry Blossoms
Every March I travel to Washington D.C. for work and it was an annual tradition for my Mom and I to meet in the city several days in advance of my meetings. We enjoyed exploring museums, monuments, galleries, and trying new restaurants while logging many miles of walking each day. This year I went to Washington D.C. for the first time since my Mom passed away. I knew this trip would bring up tender emotions and a yearning for her presence, but it would also bring memories to mind that I have not thought of in some time. While stepping onto the Metro platform for the first time I was…
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How to make Cinnamon Apple Turnovers with Glaze
I recently shared how to make jam turnovers with glaze but I tried a new version I just have to share! I use a fresh apple to make my Mom’s favorite cinnamon apples and then tuck the soft apple mixture into the turnovers. Oh so delicious! Makes 6. Ingredients: Step One: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Step Two: Roll out the thawed sheet of puff pastry on a large sheet of parchment paper with a rolling pin. This will make your puff pastry nice and thin. Using a knife cut the puff pastry into 6 equal rectangles. Step Three: In a small non-stick pan on medium heat add the…
