Ahhhhh………vacation! Brian and I flew out to the Bay Area, California for 5 days of much needed R&R. It’s one of our favorite places to spend time, full of so much energy and uniqueness. For the first two nights we headed north to an off the grid house near Boonville, (which is literally in the […]
July 31, 2013
From a young age I loved playing around in the kitchen, usually helping my mom stir the Duncan Hines brownie mix, lick the spoon, and end up with chocolate smears on my lips and chubby cheeks. But as a pretty independent six year old, I was no longer happy just being part of the baking […]

June 18, 2013
Nothing says spring more than when that first stalk of rhubarb, protected by its huge lily pad like leaves, is plucked from the ground. That moment took so long to come in Minnesota this year. Winter was relentless, as evident by the snowfall we experienced all the way through the end of April and highs […]

Tags: Rhubarb
June 1, 2013
this … Whether it be a beautiful blog, the tip from the lady who only grows heirloom tomatoes at the farmer’s market, the glossy Bon Appétit’s strewn across the coffee table, or a tattered cookbook with lemon icing remnants — food inspiration comes from so many different and exciting sources. There just doesn’t seem to […]

May 21, 2013
“You little devil.” I muttered under my breath as I nicked the glossy, white coating of a hard-boiled egg I was in the midst of peeling. I’m not sure how deviled eggs got their name – I’m sure I could google that! – but I think it’s pretty fitting considering they can really irritate me […]

April 9, 2013
this … What is it about the smell of a quick bread baking, whether it be banana, pumpkin spice, or this lovely blueberry version that seems to make everything in the world right? And each time you open the oven door to check how it’s coming along, you’re hit with sweet fruit, and then thoughts […]

March 11, 2013
Healthy Shamrock Shake made with greek yogurt, avocado, spinach and pure mint extract. this … If you’re anything like me, once the chocolate decadence of Valentine’s Day passes your sweet tooth moves on to those bright green McDonald’s Shamrock shakes. Smooth, minty, and always with the maraschino cherry on top. They’re good, so good you […]

March 5, 2013
this … Brussels sprouts – you love or you hate ’em. If you’re in the hater category, I am 98.9% confident that I can change your mind with these. Roasted brussels sprouts are toasted in a hot oven until they’re irresistibly crispy, then drizzled with a tahini sauce that’s now a staple in our refrigerator. […]

January 13, 2013
One of my favorite breakfasts in the summer is Greek yogurt or oatmeal topped with sun kissed, ripe berries of all kinds – so juicy that they seem to bleed onto the stark whiteness of the yogurt. Because the berry season is very short in Minnesota I consistently eat berries until I’m worried my teeth […]

December 31, 2012
this … Peppermint patties…..so underrated. I confess, when I think of my favorites, I tend to lean towards more chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel centric delights. After being invited to a family christmas cookie swap, I decided I wanted to make something unique, something unexpected. I happened to be drinking some mint hot cocoa as […]

Tags: Chocolate
December 17, 2012
These award winning bars from my dear friend Kelli Abrahamian will blow you away with a very unique combination of flavors only one of the most creative, free flowing, heartfelt, and excellent bakers I know could come up with. Kelli moved back to California in July after living in Minnesota for 20 years and I sure […]

December 2, 2012
Where has this fall gone? To think that Thanksgiving week is upon us baffles me. I’m not complaining though, as the classic dishes that inspire the season are some of my favorites. Sage and rosemary, cranberries, squash, turkey, roasted root vegetables, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, pumpkin…..comfort food at its best. And then there’s the wine. […]

November 19, 2012