Today is a happy day—I can officially say that my garden is in full bloom! It’s always a wonderful surprise when I see little green shoots emerge from the prior year! I’ve mentioned before that my garden is equally as special to me as my most cherished and time-honored recipes. So, I am thrilled to invite you all into my …
It’s time for another reader request topic: French baking recipes! Oh, I just love this subject. French baking sounds fancy, but in reality, is very simple. What makes it special is using the proper techniques combined with high-quality ingredients. The recipe I have chosen to share is perhaps the simplest cookie of all. It is humble in shape and color, …
Along with ham, Easter baskets, and perfectly pressed pastel outfits is the Easter egg. Dyeing eggs and Easter egg hunts are traditional ways that many celebrate Easter today. All of us here appreciate a little history of time-honored traditions, so when I started doing more research to share with you, I was delighted! Easter eggs and Easter egg hunts are …
I saw a reader request for easy recipes, and I am all about a quick yet delicious meal. I loved the idea of a simple menu for when you have friends or family stopping by briefly, and you want to serve them a delightful lunch! Luckily, my friend Paula Deen was delighted to share some of her favorite recipes from …
Now that it is officially spring, it’s time for another topic request! Not only did you all give me wonderful ideas when we did this a few months ago, but your feedback also opened the door for more conversations among the community we have through this blog. The moments I love most are when I get to connect with you …
Today is National Pound Cake Day! Well, at my house, it is every day! That is Neal’s absolute favorite cake—especially hot out of the oven. I had a sweet older lady make a “real pound cake” for me (as she called it), and she said her method was the only way to make a true pound cake. Trust me, it …
It is often the simplest of gestures that let people know you care. Hospitality trays might sound elevated and fancy, but the truth is, they could not be any easier to put together! Create this special experience for your guests just one time, and you’ll never turn back after seeing how surprised and delighted they are. Having one of these trays …
Layer cakes are absolutely essential to Southern culture. It is completely acceptable and quite common, actually, for more than one layer cake to appear on dessert tables at holiday gatherings, baby showers, church suppers…you get the idea! One of the more discrete Southern classics is the distinctive Lane Cake. Also referred to as Prize Cake or Alabama Lane Cake, this …
Chocolate on Valentine’s Day is a tradition that we all enjoy, but where does it come from? I did a little digging, and it turns out, this fabulous tradition originated in my favorite place on earth—England! By the 1840s, Valentine’s Day as a time to celebrate romantic love was widely adopted by most of the English-speaking world. Prim Victorians embraced …
Valentine’s Day really does just make me smile! It’s the first bit of brightness and celebration after an often long and dreary January—what a breath of fresh air! This day is celebrated in many ways other than romance. Some families have delightful Valentine’s traditions, and now, “Galantine” celebrations seem to be the thing to do! Which honestly, makes so much …
