The Ways of Her Home

Embracing the homeward call

Grinch Sundaes!

Our family loves ice cream! So naturally ice cream must be worked into any holiday or special occasion here at the house. One night last week we watched our favorite old Grinch movie with bowls of Grinch Ice Cream Sundaes! In a large bowl, mix a softened carton of vanilla ice cream with 1 teaspoon of mint extract and enough green food coloring gel to reach the perfect Grinch green. Stir until all ingredients are combined well. Pour back into the carton and refreeze. Serve scoops of Grinch ice cream with sprinkle candy hearts, whipped cream, and cherries! Isn’t that a happy little sundae! You know, maybe if the Grinch had worked a little more ice cream into his diet, he wouldn’t have been ... Read more

Christmas Pound Cakes

Happy Tuesday and Merry Christmas! I've been sharing some of my favorite recipes for Christmas cooking, and today I'm moving on to Christmas baking with two pound cake recipes that are suitable for any holiday gatherings and gifting. The first pound cake is one my dear friend, Missy, developed herself, having taken her favorite elements from various Christmas pound cake recipes to create one of the best cakes I think I've ever put in my mouth! The tangy burst of orange and cranberry combined with creamy morsels of white chocolate, under a blanket of buttery cream cheese icing make this cake fantastically festive in both appearance and taste. I baked her recipe for the first time last ... Read more

Smoked Salmon Spread

Smoked Salmon Spread is a tasty appetizer I like to sit out as guests are arriving when we hosts Christmas parties. I also take this to the Christmas supper my mother-in-law hosts on Christmas night where we all bring party foods (we eat Christmas lunch at my mom's). I love this stuff! It's great year around, but I find myself mostly making it during the holidays. Smoked Salmon Spread This recipe is from Ina Garten. I purchase my smoked salmon from Costco, and usually double this recipe so we have plenty left to snack on for a few days after Christmas. Ingredients: 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cup sour cream 1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 Tbsp. minced fresh dill 1 ... Read more

Major Domo’s Favorite Pie

If you're planning to entertain this Christmas season and need an elegant entree for an evening meal, today's recipe is one that is sure to dazzle your dinner guests! A structure consisting of puff pastry, creamed potatoes, prime rib, and sauted vegetables, with drizzles of demi glace sauce and Aioli, Major Domo's Favorite Pie is a sophisticated, yet robust meal. Our family first enjoyed Major Domo's Favorite Pie at Cinderella's Castle in Disney World. It is exceptional in flavor and presentation! It is also fairly expensive and time-consuming (although completely worth it) to prepare. I've followed the real recipe for a few very special occasions, as pictured in this post from a Christmas ... Read more

Holiday Brussels Sprouts

Hello, again! I’m posting Christmas recipes this week, and today I’d like to share one of my (and my kids’, believe it or not!) favorite holiday vegetables: Brussels Sprouts! Brussels sprouts used to get such a bad rap, but that’s simply not the case anymore. Up until a few years ago, the only option our grocers offered was frozen. Now that fresh sprouts are stocked in most food markets, they have definitely taken on a new reputation for being a tasty little leafy green! For a weeknight meal, I just roast the sprouts on a baking sheet with salt, pepper, and olive oil for a healthy side dish. They are delicious just like this! But for special occasions, I jazz them up with a few extra ... Read more

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Merry Christmas season, my friends! Christmas is in full swing here at the house, with Christmas movies, parties, shopping, wrapping, cooking, and baking going full throttle! I have so many posts I'd like to share this month, and since cooking and baking are two of my favorite aspects of any holiday, I'll start off with some recipe posts. Twice-Baked Potato Casserole is a perfect potato dish for any special occasion or holiday year round, and can be served alongside just about any meat. A friend gave me this recipe over twenty years ago when we were in the young marrieds group together at church. She served it at a couples' shower with pork tenderloin, and before the night ended, I was ... Read more

Creamy Chicken Chili

This is about the easiest crockpot meal you can put together! I love a crockpot recipe that does not require any precooking, chopping, or other prep besides popping open some cans and a pack of meat and dropping it all in the pot. This one fits the bill! Creamy Chicken Chili Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 can corn, with liquid 1 can Rotel, with liquid 1 package ranch dressing mix 1 tsp cumin 1 Tbsp chili powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 8-oz light cream cheese Place the chicken in the bottom of the crockpot. Pour in the can of corn (with liquid), Rotel (with liquid), and rinsed black beans. Add in the ranch mix and other seasonings, and stir. Place cream ... Read more

Thanksgiving (Leftover) Soup

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! If you have leftover turkey, I've got the recipe for your weekend! I just call this soup "Thanksgiving Soup" because it has all the flavors of Thanksgiving in a soup and makes excellent use of leftover turkey.   Thanksgiving Soup ***** -Cook 1 box long grain and wild rice according to box directions; set aside. -Heat 1 Tbsp. butter in a pan. -Saute the following ingredients until golden: 1 yellow onion, chopped 1 cup celery, chopped 1 cup carrot, chopped 1 cup sliced mushrooms (fresh are best, but I have a can in the pantry I'll be using this weekend) 1 tsp. dried basil  & 1 tsp. dried chopped rosemary -Add in 2 cups diced ... Read more