Sunday holds a lot of tradition and special meaning in our home: worship, rest, family time, good food, and PIE! Sunday is PIE DAY at our house. I’m not exactly sure how it came about, but pie just seems right for Sundays. I guess because pie is special and so are Sundays, so naturally they should go together. We don’t have pie every Sunday, but most. We have our favorites that stay in a regular pie rotation, but then I like to try new recipes too. This summer I’ve tried two new pie recipes that were really good: Peach Pie and Lemon Mascarpone Cream Pie! We have had outrageously delicious peaches this year! They are so good to peel and eat just as they are, but I have been holding out ... Read more
Mustard Baked Chicken
Today I have an easy recipe for a baked chicken that is quick enough for a weeknight, but special enough for Sunday lunch: Mustard Baked Chicken. Mustard Baked Chicken This recipe is from Southern Living magazine, and I can’t even tell you how long I’ve had it. It’s an oldie but goodie. -1 (4 lb) whole chicken -1 Tbsp. paprika -1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard -1 tsp. salt -1 tsp. pepper -2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce -1 Tbsp. olive oil Remove giblets and neck and rinse the chicken in cold water; pat dry. Place chicken in a large zip-top plastic bag. Stir together paprika and next 5 ingredients until we’ll blended; rub over chicken, coating evenly. Seal and chill at least 30 minutes or up to 8 ... Read more
Summer Supper Menu for the Ladies
A couple of weeks ago, my girls and I enjoyed a fun reason to get together with some moms and daughters and grandmothers in our home. A dear friend of mine is a Noonday ambassador, and so we hosted a trunk show with a light summer supper. Since it was just us girls for the evening, I decided on a menu of what we like to call lady food! You know, the salads, crackers, veggies, dips, and fruits kind of meal? I’ve learned to eliminate some fuss by making some of the foods and purchasing the rest premade. There were two supper recipes I really wanted to make—Tomato Pesto Tart and Pimiento Cheese—so I made those and purchased chicken salad and spinach artichoke dip from Costco. I also added a ... Read more
Summer Snacking
I’m popping in for just a minute today to share our new favorite snack: Ranch Snack Mix, adapted from Taste of Home! This is the easiest thing in the world to mix up, and has been perfect for snacking at home, pool, or lake. One batch makes SO much that I can put half in the freezer for another occasion (or two!). Then I have it ready for a surprise guest, to give as a gift, or to take to a party when I don’t want to go empty-handed. Ranch Snack Mix 1 (12-oz) package mini pretzels 2 (6-oz) packages plain bugles 1 (10-oz) can salted cashews (can substitute peanuts for a cheaper option) 1 (6-oz) package cheddar fish-shaped crackers 2 envelopes ranch mix 3/4 cup canola oil (vegetable oil is ... Read more
Colonial 4th of July Table
I’d like to wish everyone an early Happy Independence Day, and naturally I’m going to say it with a table setting! This is a table I quickly put together last 4th of July. We had some neighbor friends walking over for fireworks that evening, and since we were grilling hamburgers for ourselves, we asked them to come early and join us for dinner. The plan was to eat outside on the patio, but the heat and humidity were crazy high that day, so we decided to enjoy the meal inside and go out after sunset to watch the fireworks. With a change in plans, I started pulling anything from my cabinets that was red, white, or blue. Before I knew it, we had a very patriotic vibe going on in the dining ... Read more
Just Peachy! A Peach-Inspired Table and Dessert
My girls know me well, and always pick out such thoughtful gifts for me for special occasions. I’m one blessed mama! For Mother’s Day, they went shopping together at my favorite store—Home Goods! My oldest daughter bought me the wonderful rolling cooler bag you saw in my “Savvy Finds and Summer Faves” post. It gets used weekly, and has been a total game changer for lake and pool! Country Girl gave me this lovely tablecloth with an all-over peach pattern. It’s perfect for summer dining! Given my love for peaches, and for my daughter, I’m very excited about this tablecloth. I’m just loving it with my green dishes! It’s versatility lends itself to a fancy-schmancy Sunday lunch setting, or a ... Read more
Rosemary Pork Chops with Cherry Vinaigrette (Easy!)
Summertime cooking for me is inspired by two things: the grill and seasonal produce! I’m over-the-top delighted to have cherries, peaches, blueberries, melons, squash, okra, tomatoes, corn, and many more fresh garden treasures back in my life this summer! Our good friends have been gifting us melons and veggies from their glorious garden, and our local fruit farms have kept us in wonderful supply of peaches and blueberries. Cherries are finally back at the grocery store and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Last week I purchased a bag of cherries for the first time this season! In my book this called for a little celebratory meal, so I tried a new recipe for Rosemary Pork Chops with Cherry ... Read more
Creamy Orange Pecan Chicken
Happy Monday, friends! I tried a new chicken recipe yesterday and really liked how it turned out, so I thought I’d share it with you today. It’s Creamy Orange Pecan Chicken and it’s goooood! I’d been saving this recipe for a Sunday meal because it’s a creamy dish and I try to avoid cooking creamy and buttery sauces during the week. I thought we might be pretty late eating lunch since I had not done anything with the chicken before church, but this recipe actually came together very easily once we got home. There was not much to it at all. Creamy Orange Pecan Chicken Ingredients: 2 good sized chicken breast (or 3 smaller ones) salt and pepper 3 Tbsp. Butter 1 1/2 cups whipping cream 2 ... Read more