Holidays

This year we excitedly celebrate America’s 250th anniversary! As we gather in homes, concerts, picnics and fireworks displays, we are all reminded that this year is very special; for two and a half centuries, Americans have had triumph, challenges, and yet we have persevered. With hope and gratitude, we remember our founders and honor the service of millions of people who have preserved our freedoms through their hard work, sacrifice, and commitment to the common good. The 25

Grilled Ribeye Steak with Mashed Potatoes Recipe Father’s Day is a very special occasion to honor our fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures who have guided, supported, and loved their families through the years. Across America, families gather around backyard grills, dining room tables, lakeside cabins, and favorite restaurants to celebrate the men who have helped shape their lives. While we may give gifts, our fathers will tell us that spending time together

Our High Tea at Home Menu: ~Classic Rotisserie Chicken Salad ~Cucumber and Chive Tea Sandwiches ~Orange Cranberry Scones ~Salmon and Dill Bruschetta ~Lemon and Cream Trifle ~Applewood Smoked Ham and Havarti Ciabatta ~Triple Chocolate buttercream Cupcakes ~Pecan Bars ~Madeleines ~Mini Palmiers Teas: Blueberry Lavender Butterfly Pea Flower English Breakfast Constant Comment Black Tea Tangerine Hibiscus Earl Grey Decaffeinated Black Tea Decaf PG Tips London Tea Finalizing our

~Classic Rotisserie Chicken Salad √ ~Cucumber and Chive Tea Sandwiches √ ~Salmon and Dill on Crisp Toast Rounds (Crostini) √ ~Orange Cranberry Scones √ ~Lemon and Cream Trifle ~Applewood Smoked Ham and Havarti Ciabatta Continuing our Series on Teatime at Home: Simple Elegance, the feature this week are Smoked Salmon Crostini, which have been made by my family, in one form or another, forever. You can use a baguette and put olive oil and toast it lightly, which is supergood

Easter, for as long as I can remember, has been something we anticipated for weeks to arrive with the first hint of spring. Growing up in the South, the air was still cool, but you could feel summer waiting just around the corner. Our home would slowly transform as plans were made, menus discussed, and small traditions carefully carried out. Fresh flowers always found their way to the table, nothing overly fancy, but always arranged beautifully. We usually picked hydrangeas f

Valentine’s Day is about doing something that you adore and making a moment in time, then sharing it with those that matter most to you. Food has always done that better than words alone. A shared meal is especially endearing, whether it’s made as a surprise or prepared together for that special occasion and served enthusiastically. This dinner was designed to feel meaningful and unfussy, the kind of meal that invites conversation and remains long after the plates are cleared

A smooth and scrumptious margarita with fresh lime and homemade simple syrup and a little Cointreau twist. Don’t expect a drop to be left, there never is! Simple Syrup: ½ cup sugar ½ cup water Margarita: 1-ounce Cointreau 1 or 2-ounces tequila 1-ounce fresh lime juice 1-ounce simple syrup Rim: 2 Teaspoons kosher salt 1 Teaspoon lime juice Directions: 1. Simmer sugar and water until dissolved; cool completely. 2. Shake Cointreau, tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup with ice

Few treats are as timeless and indulgent as fresh strawberries dipped in rich, glossy chocolate. With their stems left on, these berries are easy to dip, elegant to serve, and perfect for special occasions, celebrations, or sharing with family and friends. The contrast of juicy, slightly tart strawberries and smooth gourmet chocolate creates a dessert that is both luxurious and nostalgic. Our family is wild about these simple berries dipped in milk chocolate or semi-sweet cho

New Year’s resolutions have long been meaningful traditions, offering time to pause, reflect, and look ahead. With the blog being developed these past few months, we’ve considered where we’ve been and where we hope to go, with a desire for growth, balance, and purpose. I’ve had so much fun working with our team, writing, gardening and cooking, which have dominated time. My favorite pics: Some of my resolutions concern health and choices I make every day. Like many people, I a

It seems like New Year’s Eve has always been with us, and it kind of has, at least since the 1800’s, where Americans gathered and celebrated, often influenced by European traditions of partying and merrymaking. By 1907, Americans welcomed and anticipated fireworks and feasts on the eve of the new year, and the resulting New York Times Square Waterford crystal LED ball drop in Manhattan has become a mainstay that we enjoy to this day. By the late 19 th century, drinking cham

My mama made Turkey Gravy like she was a pro, and I guess she was, having made it since she was a young girl, taking great pride in it, something we were eternally thankful for. Believe or not, gravy can be one of the trickiest things to pull off, and it plays such a pivotal part of the meal. The stock is glorious, but can be difficult to find turkey necks, legs, or parts before Thanksgiving or Christmas, but once you capture them, run home and start cooking, there’s others l

Deviled eggs have always been part of our holiday table, they’re that irresistible appetizer you can grab on the go with your hands before anyone is the wiser. The bacon topper is that bit of crunch and allure that makes the whole crowd gravitate to that plate of smoky goodness. Be it Easter brunch, a Christmas spread, or a gathering in between, these creamy little bites always seem to bring smiles and familiar comfort. The moment the eggs are halved, and the centers are scoo

Ah, the glorious Christmas sugar cookies, ones that we’ve made in my family for the past three decades. Now, these aren’t just any sugar cookies, these have that deeply satisfying, rich creamy butter struck through them, that warm, smoky taste of vanilla, and fine granulated sugar with a touch of lemon zest on the inside. The outside is even better, the real secret lies here, that’s what takes it over the top. It’s that scrumptious icing that puts this little jewel in a class

The wedge salad is a beauty in a lane all by itself. Our family has eaten it for eons and one of us usually asks for it; they’re having a hankering that nothing else will satisfy. Its distinctive promise is that it isn’t like almost any other salad, it’s unique and one-of-a-kind. After all, lettuce is the main star and is lovely, full of fiber and low in calories, and has the honor of being one of the most consumed vegetables in the world, mostly due to being chock full of vi

My childhood revolved around picking out, decorating and adoring our Christmas tree. There were live ones that drew all of us kids to the living room, aluminum ones with a color wheel, flocked snow-covered ones, and artificial ones. The best were the live. We’d race there and sit under the tree, savoring that clean, fresh pine smell that made us quiver with anticipation of what was to come. Pretty soon we had a pen and paper, drawing up our Christmas list. Over the years ther

A beautiful live Christmas tree has a quality that fills a room the moment it arrives. Its full, gorgeous presence, a standout in any setting. The needles are deep green with a slight sheen that catches the light, or like the silvery hue of the Fraser fir. The needles feel pliable, not brittle, and stay attached. The tree has a sturdy, straight trunk, giving it a strong, fresh appearance as if it was freshly cut. The fragrance is unbelievably aromatic and the very best thing

Miss Edna's Lemon Apple Pie My little brother Donnie and I loved to go to the Café our parents owned. It was about half a mile from our house, it was the original Alta Loma Café, along Highway 6 in Alta Loma, Texas. Mama or daddy took us and picked us up from there multiple times a day. As we grew up, we often walked to and from or rode our bikes. A daily hot luncheon was served five days a week, good solid southern dishes were on the menu which was written on a hard plastic

When it gets close to Thanksgiving, or Christmas or Easter, there must be some secret smell in the air. Be it the crispness of fall, winter or spring, our family has its antenna up for the beginning of holiday grub. We always start talking about appetizers, main courses, and all things sweet. Menu planning commences and everybody is quick to get their dubs in for something they’re having a hankering for. When I grew up and started planning recipes, one of the first items in

It’s that time of year; Thanksgiving’s just days away and I’ve settled into planning what we’re doing this year for our dinner. I know the house is decorated and just how the Thanksgiving table will look . It’s just past my birthday and I’m still dreaming about the delectable chocolate cake with mouthwatering buttercream, thinking we might have that again, but the kids all shut that down. Nada, Thanksgiving is for pies and gooey bars. We have deserts and appetizers out the k

Every year, we have a Fall Costume Contest & Pumpkin Carving Halloween Party. Here, please come to ours with us. It's informal, fun and everybody gets creative about what they want to come dressed as and what their carved pumpkin at the end of the night should look like. We ordered from The Original Mexican Café in Galveston and made some dishes of our own. We often do this combo for parties, cook some and order food delivered to the house, that way it’s not overwhelming.