Hi Reader, I’ve learned that the safest potluck strategy is to bring something you know you’d be excited to see on the table. A good dip is always safe, meatballs usually disappear quickly, and anything warm and cheesy tends to get plenty of attention. Then all you really have to decide is whether you’re also bringing dessert! Here are some of my favorite things to take to a potluck or any kind of gathering, really. 7 Fall Potluck Ideas My Deconstructed Baked Potato Dip Sweet & Savory...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader- Every year my church kicks off the holiday season with a big dinner, and this year I got pulled into something fun. Instead of the usual soap & candle raffle prizes, I was asked to make edible gifts. (No complaints here.) I’ve been prepping all week, and now I’m deep in packaging mode before Friday. Here’s what’s up for grabs: Slow cooker chili, made & frozen Homemade pancake mix with cinnamon honey butter Sugar cookie dough, prepped & frozen, with sprinkles & cookie cutters...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Happy Sunday! We kicked off the holiday season this afternoon with my cousin’s annual “Favorite Things” party. Everyone brings a favorite thing (this year’s budget was $10-15) and goes home with a pile of everyone else’s. I brought this cute little salt cellar filled with my favorite salt, plus these wipes that I've repurchased several times. If you need a gift idea under $15, steal mine. Now for this week’s dinners. It’s dark by 5:30, and my brain reads that as “pajamas and...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Baked brie is one of those appetizers I could happily find an excuse to make all fall. Add some fruit or a toasted baguette for smearing, and it disappears pretty quickly around here. And once I’m making one appetizer, I usually start thinking about what else should go with it. So here are a few more favorites for your fall apps spread! Easy Fall Appetizers 30-minute Cheesy Garlic Bombs The Easiest Baked Brie Recipe Ever My Go-to Crockpot Meatballs for Fall The Cowboy Dip I Make...
12 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, We made it! I feel so accomplished (and slightly relieved 😮💨) when we make it to the end of Crocktober. If you missed them, you can view ALL 31 recipes and videos for Crocktober on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube (and linked below). This was my third year doing it & I really enjoyed sharing these recipes with you. I hope you've enjoyed making them! The carnitas and chili's queso were the most viewed. Which have you tried? FULL LIST OF CROCKTOBER RECIPES CROCKTOBER 2026 ⬇️...
13 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Happy Sunday! Recipe Inspiration for the Week The cream cheese layer is the reason this coffee cake never makes it to day two. These pumpkin bars made a strict one-dessert guy break his own rule (and his second piece was bigger). One can of Guinness does something to this slow cooker stew that water and broth never could. Nobody agrees on why it’s named after John Wayne, but everybody agrees on seconds of this casserole. Homemade strudel sounds intimidating until you see the...
21 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Happy Fri-yay! (as my girls say) People ask me all the time what I actually use. The stuff I’d rebuy tomorrow if it broke. So I made a list. I started in the kitchen then wandered the rest of the house, because not all my favorite things live in the kitchen. In the Kitchen This slow cooker (obviously) - the fact that it switches itself to WARM after the set cook time, plus the locking lid make it perfect for transport during the holiday season. These storage cubes - I use these to...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, In case you didn’t already know, I really like Halloween food. It’s one of the few times of the year when you can make something cute, creepy, or even a little gross and everyone is completely on board. So this list has a little of both. Cute ghosts, creepy treats, and plenty of things that would be fun to put out before trick-or-treating or for a Halloween movie night. Cute & Creepy Halloween Treats Spooky White Chocolate Mummy Fudge 4-ingredient Ghost Balls ‘Raw Meat’ Rice...
24 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Happy Sunday! We’re 18 days into Crocktober and my slow cooker hasn’t had a single day off (and neither have I 😮💨). So this week I’m giving it a breather and mixing things up. A few dinners to get you through the week, plus a few bakes for a cozy afternoon. For Dinner The chicken pot pie with a shortcut crust Enchiladas smothered in green chile sour cream sauce Brisket without babysitting a smoker all day Stroganoff, but make it meatballs For Something Sweet Soft, chewy oatmeal...
28 days ago • 1 min read