“And shepherds we shall be, for thee, my Lord, for thee…In Nomeni Patri Et Fili Spiritus Sancti” – The Boondock Saints   Traditions, we all have them for holidays, and St Paddy’s Day is no different!  For me, one of those traditions is wearing something green (even though the original color of St. Patrick’s Day was blue).  Green eventually took over as the traditional St. Paddy’s Day color (all the pinching we endured as kids, just enforced it), and, for me, that is still my color of choice for the day.  They say that Catholics wear green, and Irish Protestants wear Orange.  But just know, you are probably still getting pinched if…

Welcome to post Mardi Gras 2019! In all honesty, I had no idea yesterday was Mardi Gras!  The fact that they had a Mardi Gras Celebration in Defuniak Springs, Florida last month, totally threw me off I guess!  I found out early enough in the day at least, that I was still able to put together a meal for the occasion.  Just as in NOLA, Shrimp and Grits seem to be a staple here in South Carolina.  I first had the dish last summer when I was passing through Charleston, S.C.  It was so good, that I had it again a few weeks ago at a local restaurant here in Beaufort,…

The days leading up to Christmas are the best!  I have always loved how festive it feels – and smells!  One of my favorite times to be in the kitchen and baking, is at Christmas.  In addition to the list of cookies I would normally bake, I would always try to pick out a new cookie, or two, to add in to my holiday baking collection.  These cookies, when completed, would then be wrapped in a really festive way, complete with ribbons, bows and ornaments. They are then hand delivered, or mailed, to family and friends.  It is always such a good feeling to be able to do something you…

  With this past Saturday being the first day of Fall, it was time to break out the pumpkin and make something really delicious!  If it wasn’t for the fact that it is still hitting temps of 90 degrees here during the day, I would have also broke out the sweaters, boots, scarves and everything else that makes the transition from the warm days of Summer to the chilly afternoons of Fall, a little easier.  If my seasons could consist of only Summer and Fall, I would be happy!  I love Summer for its long, hot and sunny days.  I love Fall for all of its color, the crisp air, the boots…

Starbucks who??  Actually, I am a fan of a few of their drinks.  This cold brew that we have been making though, not only has it diminished my trips to Starbucks, but, it is sort of like a fairy tale.  From the very beginning, when you first open that bag of coffee beans (or grinds, if you do not have a grinder), the aroma that escapes the bag – it is like it is casting a spell on you as it pulls you in.  And those beans, they must be magic beans, because no other drink (or potion 🙂 ) can do what one sip of coffee can do – completely…

Going to a pot luck, and wondering what you could bring that will be enough for everyone?  Maybe, you are hosting a dinner for a lot of people and just want one simple dish to feed everyone. Or, maybe, you are just looking for something you can make that you can have a little fun with! Paella could be the answer for you.  It is a dish that can be as cheap or expensive as you want to make it.  It can be simple, with minimal ingredients; or you can run with it, and put a little bit of everything and anything in it.  One thing is for sure though, you will have…

When I think of warm weather, I think of the things I love that go with it!  I love being able to go for a nice long run in the morning sun, sitting by the pool (or better yet, in it) with a nice cool drink.  I love all the plants, flowers and gardens that are in bloom.  The days get longer and meals feel simpler and fresher than the yummy comfort foods of Fall and Winter.  Salads make the perfect warm weather meal.  They go together quickly, there is no standing over a hot oven or stove, and the variety of salad is as endless as your imagination! The…

Happy Cinco De Mayo!  The perfect excuse to make guacamole and chips – not that one needs an excuse!  Even if you just want to celebrate the beautiful spring weather with a bar-b-que and all the fixings, you need to include Margarita Guacamole and Chips!  It is an easy, fresh dip, with an adult twist to it that sets it apart from other guacamole!  Besides, who doesn’t love homemade guacamole?  It is so much better than store bought!  And nothing compliments your homemade guacamole like a big bowl of homemade chips!  So take a few minutes to chop and dice, and get ready to celebrate!  ¡Es muy bueno! What you will…

Wait!  Before you stop reading right here, because you hate fruitcake – your mother’s, and everyone else’s, you need to know this is not really a fruitcake!  At least not in the sense of a Christmas time, doorstop, re-gift type of fruitcake.  This is more of a banana bread, meets carrot cake, meets applesauce spice cake, baked in a loaf pan, kind of cake.  The result is nothing short of pure deliciousness, topped with a rich creamy frosting.  One slice of this sweet, moist, delicious bread (cake), and you will be hooked!  So gather up your ingredients, and let’s get baking!   What you will need for the bread: 2…