Sriracha: What is This Stuff Anyways?

I took it upon myself to do a little more investigating of this ingredient often referred to as "the Rooster". What exactly is it? Where did it come from, and why the crazy fascination?

Sriracha is a type of hot sauce, named after the coastal city of Si Racha, in the Chonburi Province of central Thailand, where it was possibly first produced for dishes served at local seafood restaurants. It is a paste of chili peppers, distilled vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt.

Fried Green Tomatoes: Have you ever?

Everyone can pretty much agree that eating fried foods isn't the healthiest thing for you. There are times when I just have to indulge myself in comfort foods that I grew up on.

Fried green tomatoes are one of those foods. Have you ever had them? Do you love them as much as I do? These tangy little green goddesses of goodness are perfect with a sprinkle of salt, served piping hot.

Cold Weather Skin Survival Tips

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WetSkinMoisturizer #CollectiveBias

Let's face it, if you live in a cold weather area, you already know that winter weather can be cruel to your skin. I live in Michigan, and right around the month of November, I can literally feel the moisture escaping my skin the minute I walk out the front door. That cold wind is whipping at my face and hands.....and it's no joke!

FREE Grocery Store Cell Phone Apps

When I was a bit younger, grocery shopping really didn't seem to bother me all that much. C'Mon, let's face it.....it's a form of shopping.

It seems the older I get, the less time I have to dedicate to roaming up and down grocery store aisles reading every label and comparing prices. Who has time to look through each and every circular hunting down the weeks best bargains? I definitely have adopted the "get in and get er done" attitude.

Easy Banana Muffins

One of my favorite things to do in the cold winter months is to fill my home with the sweet smells of hearty baked goods!

What I don't like to do is throw away perfectly good food, and for some reason, bananas always seem to be at the top of the "throw away" list.

OREO Cheesecake Shots

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SpreadOREOCheer #CollectiveBias

There's no better time of the year than to spread the holiday cheer! 
When an easy recipe comes my way that doesn't take a lot of time or effort, I take advantage of the opportunity to serve it up to my family.

Holiday Re-Mix: Maple Bacon Fudge

2015 was definitely the year that I stepped up my "baking game". I look at baking in a similar way as I do interior design. I see a recipe I love, then I put a special little twist on it to make it my own.

I'm a chocolate lover by nature, and there's no better time of year to incorporate chocolate my addiction into Holiday recipes.  This recipe uses NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE semisweet chocolate chips and peanut butter......a marriage made in heaven in my book. Add in maple bacon, and you have a Holiday re-mix of the Century.  Such a clever twist on a classic fudge recipe!

If you like to bake homemade food items for Christmas gifts, these Maple Bacon Fudge squares will fit perfectly into kraft bags or small boxes to add to festive gift baskets.

My daughter always says "everything's just better with bacon". Judging from how fast these fudge squares disappeared from my kitchen, I'd say she's right!

Holiday Goodie Bags with Hefty

Raise your hand if you are in "full Christmas mode" like me! Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it definitely puts the holiday pressure on. Most of these days I find myself looking at the clock at 9:00 pm wondering where the entire day went.

Holidays with Hallmark: Peppermint Bark Pretzels

Nothing says the holidays are here more than Hallmark! We already know that Hallmark carries such a great variety of Christmas Cards, Gifts, Ornaments and Decorations, but did you know that they also carry specialty teas, soaps and holiday candy?

Made From Scratch Brownies

Ooey, gooey made from scratch brownies anyone?

Who doesn’t love the wafting smell of  baking brownies filling up your house? Did you know that even the faintest smells can trigger memories from years ago?

Thankfully, I have so many wonderful ones of baking & cooking with my Mother as a child. She passed on when I was 15 years old, so I hold onto those pretty tightly.
I’m so happy that my daughter and I can do the same. She just turned 23 years old a few days ago, but never too old to crack eggs with Mom.

Cookie Lollipops, Caramel Apples & S'mores....Oh My!

Nicholas Trio Pedestal Set via Painted Fox

I have always lived in Michigan, and while I prefer warmer temperatures most of the time, I feel very fortunate to live in a State where I can witness the seasons change every few months.  There's just something special about cooler days, bulky warm sweaters and wrapping your hands around a mug of hot cocoa that screams Fall to me.

~Best Ever Fall Apple Crisp~

I knew when my son walked through the door carrying these red treasures from apple picking, that I'd make pretty darn good use of them!

If you live in Michigan, you know that Fall not only is knocking on the front door, but it's come in out of the cold and poured itself a cup of coffee. It's been raining all day with a high temperature of 45 degrees......the perfect day to fire up the oven and get the Apple Crisp party started!

~How to Use Lavender in Your Home~

Farmhouse Mason Jar Basket Set @ Painted Fox Treasures

Hello lavender lover!

I know you love lavender as much as I do, especially this time of year. Its the perfect rustic addition to display in your Fall vignettes, not to mention the scent is OUT OF THIS WORLD!

We were fortunate to have some new landscaping installed this past Spring and I made sure lavender plants were definitely part of that equation. I love the color, the scent, and thankfully its a great bunny repellent! So far so good on the rabbits......they don't care for strong scents so hopefully I stay "in the clear".
Did you know that lavender not only grows in various shades of purple, but in blue, white, red and pink as well? I think I'm going to keep my eyes open for some white lavender to plant next Spring!

~Homemade Sweet Tea~

I might not be from the South, but I know an awesome sweet tea recipe when I taste it!
Who doesn't like sweet tea? Most recipes I have found to either be "too sweet" or the opposite with me reaching for the sugar container.