• Red Velvet Cookies – a Valentines Must

    Red Velvet Cookies are the perfect sweet treat for Valentines Day… I mean it is just a few days away.  By the way…what are your plans for the sweetest day of the year?  I think these Red Velvet Cookies would be a GREAT option!! Red Velvet Love! I am a big, big red velvet fan.  I just love the hint of chocolate it gives you, but honestly it really is all about the color.  I just love how pretty red velvet is … for reals the deep red just makes me so, so happy.   Speaking of the red color I personally like to use gel coloring.  I feel like…

  • my most favorite sugar cookie

    I have been very blessed to have some amazing grandparents.  All of them made huge impacts on my life but my MeeMaw was the one who had the biggest impact on my cooking.  I make a ton of her recipes but these cookies are my favorite. Worth the wait… The minute we would get to the farm (where she lived) I would go straight to the cookie jar.  The cookie jar would sit on a bakers rack at the entrance of the kitchen.  It was always loaded with tons of these cookies.  It would take us about 12 hours to get there from Texas and every single minute on the way there…

  • Red Velvet for some Valentine’s Day Love!

    Valentines Day is just around the corner and that means it is time to break out all the red velvet recipes and celebrate with the one you love.    These whoopie pies will be a favorite Valentines Day treat for sure!! It’s time for a little whoopie…whoopie pie that is I’m sorry I just can’t resist.  It is just too easy.  Ok…I know enough, lets move on. I love red velvet anything.  Red Velvet cake, red velvet cupcakes and especially red velvet whoopie pies.  Whoopie pies are just about the best invention ever.  They are a perfect cross between a cupcake & a cake that can all be held in your hand.…

  • Gingerbread Cookies

    UPDATE – This Gingerbread Cookie post is from several years ago but I just love the pics, and the memories and everything about it so I just had to repost it.  I also love Gingerbread cookies so there is that too. ************************************************************************ This past weekend I got to watch my niece and nephew for a night and making cookies was on the menu for sure.  Not too long ago I was at World Market and found this great pack of sprinkles that had a little bit of everything from cinnamon dots to metallic sprinkles and everything in between. My little helper is the BEST EVER Anytime I can get my…

  • The Santa Chocolate Chip Cookie

    Cookies are a must make for all the time, but especially during the Holiday Season.  Good thing I know which cookie Santa prefers.   A little bit for Everyone … especially Santa For me a good chocolate chip cookie is a little crispy on the edges, soft in the center and loaded with tons of chocolatey goodness.   My families favorite chocolate chip cookies are these, but let me tell you after they have these cookies they might just change their minds. Not only are these cookies crispy and soft but they are also loaded with tons of yummy.  First I used semi-sweet chocolate chunks and then I threw in…

  • Maple Roasted Pork & Veggies

    Pork Tenderloin is a quick & easy dinner option, and when you marinade it in maple syrup it becomes a perfect cool weather dinner that will warm you right up.   I made this for a family dinner and it was a HUGE hit! First… let’s talk Veggies I wanted to use veggies that were in season & that would go nicely with the maple and apple cider vinegar marinade. Being it is Fall I went with brussels sprouts, apples and onions.  You could use butternut squash, potatoes (sweet or russet), acorn squash, carrots… really the possibilities are endless.  The key is to season them and make sure you cut…

  • Stuffed Honeynut Squash

    Honeynut Squash is my new favorite squash.  Not familiar?  I wasn’t either, until last week.  They are everything you love about butternut only smaller, sweeter, more tender and perfect size for individuals sides.     Honeynut = Cuteness & Yumminess I was walking through Trader Joes looking at the produce and came across these super small butternut squash.  I was intrigued as I had never seen one so small.  Just then an employee walked up and asked if I had ever had a butternut squash and pointed at these adorable little beauties.  Once I said no she began to tell me every reason why I should  She said they cooked…

  • Brisket Chili

    Brisket Chili hands down is my new go to chili… period.  I said it.  I mean it.  I am standing by it. Brisket Chili… your new favorite chili Being a Texas girl I have had my fair share of chili and I have made my fair share as well.  I have made simple ground beef chili, steak chili, chicken chili and now Brisket Chili.  I had heard about this type of chili for years from a  friend of mine, but never made attempted to make it, until now. So why now?  Well I make chili every Halloween for my families Halloween party and this year I wanted to make something…

  • Roasted Cauliflower Mash

    This Roasted Cauliflower Mash has quickly become one of my most favorite sides.  Growing up mashed potatoes were a staple on our table.  My mom loved them and my grandmother loved them so anytime we could have them we would.  Whether they were just the traditional recipe or something a little extra special like these Garlic Mashed Potatoes, it didn’t matter we loved them all and now I love this cauliflower version (trust me I cannot believe I just said that out loud).  Let’s be honest though as we all get older sometimes a lower carb version is the better option… I mean not ALWAYS but sometimes. Roasting is key…

  • Bacon Green Bean Casserole

    Over the years I have come to the conclusion that you are either a fan of green bean casserole or you are not…it’s really that simple.  I have always landed on the not a fan side of this debate but my brother, James, is a HUGE fan and asks for it every holiday…but this year it was time to take it to the next level. Green Bean Casserole like no other  Most of the time my sis-in-laws mom will make it for him, but this time I decided to take on his request but to make it in a way that I (and the other non-lovers) would love as well.…