Start a Tradition

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

Some of my earliest memories of cooking were of making ginormous pans of dressing for us and others. Mama had a certain way of making it and it never changed, she had gotten the recipe from her parents; a recipe that was passed down for generations. The scent of homemade cornbread, sausage, turkey dressing filled our home with an indelible memory stamped deeply in my brain. It seems like the smell enveloped the air, my hair, my clothes and everything in between as it hit me

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

Growing up, it seems like the smell of broccoli rice casserole has always been with me. There wasn’t a Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday that it wasn’t on the table and rated high, right up there with the turkey and dressing or ham and dressing. I was never sure if that stupendous smell was any one of those other dishes baking, as I sneaked a quick oven door opening while mama wasn’t looking. A waft of heaven floated out as I shut it fast, not wanting to risk getting caught.

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.

You know Marilyn , my friend from nursing school and fellow ER nurse that worked with me. Yes, that Marilyn, that totally insanely crazy friend of mine had somehow talked me into taking an art class, convincing me that we could hang our pictures proudly in our homes, people would admire  them when they came to visit, stare  at them fondly.  Marilyn thought she had real promise as an up-and-coming artist, as for me, neither of us held out a glimmer of hope. I couldn’t draw if

Holidays or unexpected popover guests don’t need to be stressful, anxiety-provoking, or expensive. Even if it’s an impromptu Halloween party, a cozy fall evening with friends, or Thanksgiving company that pops by, a few simple touches can make your home feel warm and welcoming. With just a few quick tips and ideas, see what works for your group or family. Keep a few items in a box or area of your home for quick access season to season, and let the good times roll! Holidays  o

Getting your garden ready for fall planting needn’t be a headache or overwhelming. A few simple tips and techniques can help you start a tradition that will give you and your family years of healthy eating and untold joy in the future! Karen's vegetable garden 1. Start a tradition of gardening for Fall & Spring  planting to enjoy year round vegetables, fruits and herbs. Karen's goodies from her garden Keep it simple, mind you, we’re not experts, we’re just sharing what works

Three weeks before the Halloween party or event, send out invitations via mail or text or email: Let guests know if costumes are required Plan Food and Drinks Menus Choose & buy pumpkins that are medium-large. Too large of ones can be difficult to carve. If you wait too long, pumpkins get sold out!  Go together as a family to pick out pumpkins for your fall carving party and start a tradition.  The local pumpkin patch Several days before party , buy inexpensive Trophies with