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Scalloped potatoes have always been a favorite dish of mine. My mom prepared them only for special occasions. As I grew up, I was lucky to be able to purchase the boxed version and enjoy them whenever I wanted. Now that I'm older and a bit more selective, I make my own from scratch. Scalloped potatoes have their roots in 19th-century America, where "scalloping" meant baking in overlapping layers, reminiscent of a scallop shell's edges. French influences, like gratin dauphinoi

I'll be the first to confess that I had never encountered Apple Crisp until I relocated to Minnesota. In my household growing up, apples were used for cooking or baking mainly in apple pie or applesauce. I am quite certain my daughter loves apple crisp just as much as anyone else does; in fact, I believe she has made more of them than I ever have. Recently, I ended up with a surplus of apples that were not being eaten, and I decided I should use them before they spoiled, so I

I frequently use ACV (apple cider vinegar) in recipes, for cleaning, and in healing mixtures. If you have priced it out recently, its expensive and many may not be able to afford it, which is a shame, it has so many amazing properties and uses. I've been intending to make my own ACV for a while, but it hasn't been a priority. I considered it earlier this season while making apple pies for the neighbor and even when I anticipated harvesting from my own trees. Despite having ma

A friend inquired a few weeks back if I had any effective advice for removing dried, black Sharpie permanent marker from her son's rather pricey dress shirt. I asked which methods and products she had already tried. She mentioned consulting Google for suggestions and, if I recall correctly, she used Dawn dish detergent and alcohol. I mentioned to her that it was a good beginning, and she managed to significantly lighten the stain. However, it remained quite visible, making t

I'm not sure about you, but I absolutely adore a cute snowman. My friend sent me a picture of an adorable "Dollar Tree" snowman and dared me to make one myself. I dedicated an entire Saturday going from store to store to gather all the necessary parts. I managed to find most of them at the Dollar Tree, but the mittens and hat were nowhere to be found. This is a simple project that is almost self-directed. Some hot glue, E6000 glue, and you are ready to build a snowman. Here

This recipe is quite adaptable; it's perfect for game day or a rainy day. Whenever you crave something warm and satisfying, this is a great option to turn to. It's simple to prepare using refrigerator pizza dough, or you can do what I do and use a pantry package. The ingredients you choose to fill it with are also flexible. If you want something lighter on meat, consider just ham and cheese, or go all out with a taco stromboli. The possibilities are endless. Ingredients : 1 p

Monday mornings often feel more chaotic compared to other mornings. This is likely because it's the start of the work week, and I'm attempting to settle back into a routine after a leisurely weekend. Breakfast tends to be a struggle for me most mornings, typically delaying me by about 15 minutes, which can determine whether I arrive early, on time, or even late to work. This weekend, I chose to get a head start by preparing my breakfasts for the entire week in advance. Egg Fr

I adore bagels, in nearly every flavor. My top choice is the "Everything" bagel. It's well-known that grocery store prices have increased, yet the quantity and quality haven't improved with these higher costs. In July 2023, I paid $1.98 for 5 everything bagels, but today the same brand is priced at $2.43. After calculating the cost of the Great Value plain Greek Yogurt, flour, baking powder, everything seasoning, and milk, I found that making this batch of 8 bagels cost me le

My family ADORES cheesecake. Whether it's the traditional baked version or the simple no-bake kind, it doesn't matter to them. They enjoy...

This recipe has been around longer than I have. My mom used to prepare it for me during my childhood. My own children also grew up...

I understand that this dish has been popular for a long time. It seems to be more commonly served in the fall and winter than at other...

As a child, I remember my mom making this instant tea known to me as Russian Friendship tea. I had forgotten how delicious it was. The...

My best friend doesn't drink coffee. Over the years, I've pondered how our friendship works, but her other qualities more than make up...

It seems to me that while anyone can make a meatloaf, not everyone can make a "good meatloaf." There are two women I know or knew who...

It was a year or two ago when I was first introduced to Cranberry Wild Rice Bread. My best friend and I had gone "up north" to do some...

I think "comfort food" was defined with biscuits and gravy. I guess because of my southern heritage, I just always ate biscuits & gravy....

I used to feel quite intimidated by the thought of cooking wild rice. It seemed challenging and extremely time-consuming. Admittedly, I...

The weather in Minnesota is lovely at the moment. The sun is shining, but the temperatures are cooler. I enjoy this type of weather for...

Have you ever been watching videos and suddenly come across a classic commercial from your childhood that brings back treasured memories?...

It's clear that fall has arrived in Central Minnesota. Last night, the temperature plummeted by around 40 degrees in just a few hours....