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The Apple Orchard

The weekend after my big test my family and I took off for a local apple orchard. My wife was excited to finally reclaim her husband (at least temporarily) from the trials and tribulations of what has become the “testing semester.” Our son is so young that he doesn’t really get excited about something that is going to happen but rather about what is happening. Needless to say he was very happy to be spending some quality time outdoors with his parents. We arrived fairly early on but soon found that lots of people were out and about grabbing breakfast … Continue reading →

September is Apple Orchard Time!

September is a great month to visit the apple orchard. How I love the smell of autumn in the air and the crinkling of the leaves as I walk through the apple orchard with my kids. After a fun afternoon of picking the best apples we head over to feed the goats in the barn. Then we are off to get some fresh apple cider and donuts to finish off the day. It’s a very relaxing and stress free experience we all enjoy. Spending this stress free time together is healthy and brings us closer together. Memories of children who … Continue reading →

Last-Minute Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

You may have finished your Thanksgiving grocery shopping days ago, but there are many home cooks who are still scrambling to piece together their Turkey Day feast. I know because I just drove past a parking lot full of them outside our local market. (Hard-core shoppers and it’s not even Black Friday yet.) Regardless, it just goes to show that there are some people out there who have yet to finalize their Thanksgiving menu yet. If you are still searching for the perfect dessert to share on this day of giving thanks, then consider the simple pumpkin creations listed below: … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Recipes: Vegetables

As much as your children would rather you forget them all together, vegetables are a vital part of a traditional Thanksgiving spread. While my brother’s tot will happily munch on carrots sticks (drowned in Ranch dressing) as though he were part rabbit, my preschooler needs to be bribed to take even a nibble of the crunchy orange vegetable. This is why our family meals such as Thanksgiving must include a variety of veggie dishes. The first one I’m sharing with you is the only carrot recipe my daughter will eat. Once you scan the ingredients you’ll see why. The second … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Recipes: Gourmet Appetizers

What time do you eat Thanksgiving dinner? Some families dine as early as 2 p.m. while others wait to break bread at the traditional dinner hour. If your family waits until after the Turkey Day football games are over before digging into your Thanksgiving spread, you aren’t alone. I’ve spent many Thanksgivings with families who wait until late evening to eat their holiday feasts. In most cases it’s planned that way because it takes that long for guests to get their appetites back after chowing down on tasty appetizers. The following recipes are not your average chip and dip, mini-meatball … Continue reading →

Not Your Mama’s Thanksgiving Recipes

Back in my previous life as a TV journalist, I had the opportunity to cook with local “celebrity” chefs when they appeared on our morning show. I actually did more eating than cooking, but I learned some culinary tricks just the same. The holidays always included a steady stream of cooking segments featuring proud pro chefs whipping up unique dishes. The following is a sample of some of the recipes I saved from those segments. They’re nothing like my mom served us on Turkey Day, but boy were they popular with our studio crew. THANKSGIVING GRAVY Ingredients: 1 can cream … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Recipes: Super Stuffing and Sensational Sweet Potatoes

There’s one in every family–the one must-have dish that makes a Thanksgiving meal complete. For some it’s Aunt Kay’s Pumpkin Pecan Pie, for others it’s grandma’s Extra Creamy Mashed Potatoes or mom’s to-die-for Turkey Gravy. In our family it’s my dad’s Cornbread Stuffing and my great aunt’s Orange Sweet Potatoes with Cookie Crumble Topping. If you are looking to add to your family favorites this year, consider trying the following recipes: ORANGE SWEET POTATOES WITH COOKIE CRUMBLE TOPPING Ingredients: 6 large sweet potatoes 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar Fresh orange juice 1 cup sweet … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Recipes: Unique Salads

In our family the person who has the least amount of cooking experience makes the salad on Thanksgiving. Well, that was our tradition until my brother married a woman, who practically lives on greens. My sister-in-law, who is by no means a slouch when it comes to cooking, is now in charge of providing salads to our family feasts… and I for one couldn’t be happier. Toss out your perception of what a salad should consist of and try these hearty and healthy alternatives this Thanksgiving: BERRYLICIOUS MIXED GREEN SALAD Ingredients: 2 cups mixed field greens 3 cups romaine Red … Continue reading →

More Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Recipes

If you are hosting a house full of people on Thanksgiving the last thing you want to deal with is a gaggle of whiny children complaining about having to eat dishes they don’t like. The solution: Prepare a couple of kid-friendly recipes that you know your little ones will give thanks for having. The first recipe is a classic kid-friendly dish-—Macaroni and Cheese. The other recipe features marshmallows, Cool Whip and fresh cranberries in a sweet, fluffy dish that is proven crowd pleaser. I guarantee your young guests won’t be the only ones gobbling it up on Turkey Day. CLASSIC … Continue reading →

Low-Fat Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Feast

Believe it or not there are some Americans who don’t believe in stuffing themselves with buffet’s worth of calories on Thanksgiving. I don’t happen to be one of them. However, I am related to a very svelte sister-in-law who eats her entire Turkey Day meal from a single salad bowl. Whereas, this is not a practice I personally embrace, I certainly understand the method behind her madness. When you are hosting a house full of people with differing tastes and eating habits, it’s nearly impossible to please everyone. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to offer a few dishes that appeal … Continue reading →