Holiday: Valentine’s Day

soft sour cream sugar cookies

As Valentine’s Day approaches I’m busy in the kitchen cooking and baking up some of our favorite treats so I can share the recipes with you. These soft, puffy, delicious sugar cookies are awesome for any holiday, but I especially like to make them for Valentine’s Day. They remind me of an heirloom recipe we…

scenes from the past couple weeks

A Valentine’s Day celebration ~ a date day with the hubby: this movie and a favorite wine bar.. later: pajamas, pink champagne, roses, chocolate, and the Breakfast Club on DVD while we munched our favorite pizza…This winter I’ve been reading an eclectic mix of books. I’m thoroughly enjoying a reread of the Little House Books,…

gracie’s ultimate fudge brownies

Grace made some of the best brownies I’ve ever had. They’re perfectly fudgy without being too wet or gooey like other fudge brownies I’ve encountered. Enjoy with a tall glass of milk or a scoop of ice cream. Yummy! ~ preheat oven to 350 degrees F. ~ 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (Grace used “Enjoy…

love goddess strawberry spinach salad + chocolate vinaigrette

Are you ready for another Valentine treat? This one is especially delicious as well as colorful and healthy. It’s makes a wonderful beginning to a candle lit dinner and sets the stage for romance. The vinaigrette is slightly spicy and surprisingly the perfect accompaniment to the other flavors and textures in this simple, elegant salad.…

clam brandade + parmesan & truffle

Sometimes romance comes in the form of comfort food, wouldn’t you agree? Warm, cheesy, potatoey, comfort food with just a hint of seafood and black truffle oil essence. This gets really decadent when you enjoy it on a slice of freshly baked baguette. When accompanied by a glass of  good white wine (I adore Sauvignon…

{just like ritz carlton’s} maui macadamia nut waffles with coconut syrup

Happy Valentine’s week, Lovelies! We’re kicking off our annual “Week of Valentine Treats” with one of our favorite romantic breakfasts. Jeff and I enjoyed waffles just like these while vising Maui, Hawaii. Every morning The Terrace Restaurant, at The Ritz Carlton Kapalua, served this amazing breakfast spread…. gorgeous, buttery caramel rolls, plump, fresh sausage, smoked…

baked chicken fajitas

This was such a fun, delicious and easy meal to make for our Valentine celebration this year. We were all decked out in our comfiest jammies under quilts in the living room while watching movies on demand and munching baked fajitas! Thank you, Cozycakes Cottage, for the inspiration. These exceeded my expectations! I was a…

gracie’s easy three ingredient nutella milkshakes

Here’s a new creation by my daughter Gracie. She’s a master at taking a few simple ingredients and making a yummy masterpiece. Some examples of her work would include: Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups with Marinara Dipping Sauce, Red Velvet Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches, Alphabet Veggie Soup, Fresh Fruit Dessert Pizza on a Homemade Butter Cookie Crust,…

scenes from the past couple weeks

curious kittens taking baking lessons… flaky sweet rolls for a cozy breakfast on a snowy morning… and French press Rose Espresso from my friends Dan and Judy over at Coffee on the Porch in Camden Maine (thanks, friends!)… sleepy kittens and comfy quilts… a delicious out to lunch date of char grilled strip steak and…

paper doily heart garland

A Week of Valentine Treats ~ Day Seven Conversation Hearts Paper Doily Garland Happy Valentine’s Day, Lovelies! I am popping in to share this treat with you before we head to the market to get the ingredients for our lunch and Valentine’s Day celebration. I have to apologize for not sharing the full 7 treats…