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If the last few years have taught me anything, it’s that time has a way of slipping by—quietly, quickly, and without apology. After the COVID pandemic, I realized that our family, like so many others, was struggling to find moments to gather, to slow down, and to truly connect. Our daughters were grown, our schedules were full, and despite the best intentions, weeks could pass before we found ourselves around the same table. So I decided to do what my great-grandmother and gr

Getting dinner on the table every night can feel like a race against time. Between work, school, activities, and household chores, many families struggle to find the time and energy to cook healthy meals. Meal prepping offers a practical solution that saves time, reduces stress, and ensures your family eats well throughout the week. This post will guide you through simple meal prep strategies and share easy recipes designed for busy families. Whether you are new to meal prepp

Some recipes are more than just food—they’re love, comfort, and tradition all mixed into one bowl. This chicken salad is exactly that. It’s my mother-in-law Maureen’s absolute favorite, and I make it for her at least twice a month. Without fail, she’s always happy to spot it tucked into her weekly food supply. That’s how you know a recipe is a keeper. While other family members prefer my smoother chicken salad version (where I pulse the chicken and celery in a food processor

If you’re looking for a bright, fresh, and crowd-pleasing dish, this Rainbow Pasta Salad checks all the boxes. Packed with crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and a zesty homemade dressing, it’s perfect for meal prep, potlucks, picnics, or an easy side dish that pairs well with just about anything. Best of all, it tastes even better after it’s had time to chill, making it ideal to prepare ahead of time. Keep 8 oz, 16 oz, and 32 oz, deli plastic containers on hand for meal prep stor

Second Sunday is our monthly chance to entice our kids back home for a delicious meal. I learned this tactic from the amazing women in my family. I try to rotate everyone’s favorite recipes—this month’s feature is for my husband, Curtis. He absolutely loves lasagna (and the leftovers).   Our meals are ready to go at 1:00 p.m.—just in case someone wants to attend church beforehand.   Menu Homestyle-Baked Lasagna Roasted Multi-Colored Carrots Italian Salad Breadsticks “The Cake

Some recipes are more than dessert—they’re memories, celebrations, and love baked into a pie crust. This Family Famous Chocolate Pie  is one of those recipes. It’s rich, silky, and crowned with a fluffy meringue, just like my grandmother used to make. My grandmother was famous  for this pie. It was the dessert everyone hoped would appear at family gatherings, and it became a birthday tradition for my dad—requested every single year. She originally made it using a chocolate pa

If you love the bold flavors of your favorite takeout but want something fresher (and faster) at home, this Cashew Chicken  is about to become a weeknight favorite. It’s savory, slightly sweet, a little spicy, and packed with crisp-tender vegetables and crunchy cashews. Best of all, it comes together in one skillet—no delivery fee required. This recipe strikes the perfect balance of protein, veggies, and sauce, making it ideal for busy evenings or casual entertaining. Serve i

A Creamy, Can't-Stop-Eating Dish Ingredients 4 cups shredded cooked chicken 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup 1 cup sour cream 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese ½ cup sliced green onions ½ cup slivered almonds 10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (6 for casserole, 4 for topping) Several dashes hot sauce (such as Tabasco®), to taste ½ teaspoon Nature’s Seasoning 1½ sleeves buttery crackers (such as Ritz®), crushed ½ cup butter, melted Dried parsley, for garnish Directions Pre

A Cozy, Traditional Comfort Dish Egg Noodle Bake Ingredients 8 ounces wide egg noodles 1 tablespoon butter 1 ¼ pounds lean ground beef 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon oregano ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon garlic powder 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce 1 cup cottage cheese 1 cup sour cream 1 cup chopped green onions 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese Directions Cook egg noodles in boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain, toss with butter, and set aside. P

A creamy twist on a classic soup. If you love the bold flavors of Mexican street corn—smoky spices, bright lime, and creamy richness—this Mexican Street Corn Soup  is about to become a new favorite. It’s warm, hearty, and packed with comforting ingredients, yet brightened with citrus and fresh cilantro. Best of all, it comes together easily with rotisserie chicken and pantry staples, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. This soup is rich without being h

There’s something extra special about a homemade gift—especially one that turns into warm, bakery-style muffins fresh from the oven. This White Chocolate Chunk Muffin Mix  is layered beautifully in a jar and makes a thoughtful present for holidays, hostess gifts, or “just because” moments. With rich cocoa, creamy white chocolate, and simple pantry staples, this mix delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Use 1 quarter wide-mouth jars for easy assembly. Gift from the heart In

There’s something magical about giving a homemade gift—especially one that’s as versatile, personal, and downright delicious as homemade vanilla extract . If you’ve never made your own before, you’re in for a treat. It’s one of the easiest kitchen DIY projects, and yet the final product feels luxurious, fragrant, and special enough to give to your favorite bakers, cooks, and coffee lovers. With just two ingredients—vodka and vanilla beans —you can create bottles of rich, arom

If there’s one recipe that signals the start of the holiday season in my kitchen, it’s this big-batch, buttery, irresistibly crunchy Homemade Chex Mix . I’ve been making it for years, and every time I pull those roasting pans out of the oven, the smell alone brings people into the kitchen like a magnet. This is not a small recipe. This is the “feed a crowd, fill some tins, and still have a stash for yourself”  size—and that’s exactly why I love it. With plenty of cereals, nut

If you’re looking for a recipe that practically cooks itself and  leaves you with several delicious, ready-to-grab meals, this Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Potatoes  is about to become a favorite. It’s a twist on a social media classic, but with a few upgrades that make it even faster, easier, and more flavorful—exactly what busy weeks call for. Instead of starting with raw chicken, I use the fully cooked Chicken Breast Bites from Sam’s Club . Not only does this cut down on the

Some weekends call for recipes that are big on comfort but light on effort—the kind of meal that fills the house with warmth while you check off a few chores, curl up on the couch, or just enjoy a slow, easy day. That’s exactly why I love this Hearty Hamburger Soup , my own version of what many call “Lazy Day Soup.” This is the recipe I reach for when I want something dependable, flavorful, and satisfying without spending my entire afternoon in the kitchen. It uses ingredient

Some desserts come and go, trending for a moment before disappearing into recipe boxes. But a Pineapple Upside Down Cake ? That’s a classic that never loses its magic. For my family, this cake has been a constant—a sweet, sticky slice of nostalgia that brings everyone to the kitchen the moment they smell it baking. This recipe comes straight from my grandmother’s kitchen, a place where simple ingredients turned into unforgettable memories. I can still picture her flipping the

Some recipes never go out of style—and No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies  are one of them. If you grew up with these fudgy, peanut-buttery gems cooling on wax paper across the kitchen counter, this recipe will take you right back. And if you’ve never made them before, prepare to fall in love with the easiest cookie you’ll ever whip up. Why You’ll Love These Cookies No baking needed —just boil, mix, and scoop One pot = easy cleanup Simple pantry ingredients Chewy, chocolatey,

If you love comforting pasta dishes that come together with minimal effort, this Boursin Gnocchi Bake  is about to become your new weeknight favorite. It’s warm, creamy, flavorful, and requires almost no prep. With the richness of Boursin cheese, the brightness of cherry tomatoes, and the convenience of shelf-stable gnocchi, this dish hits all the right notes. Even better? It bakes entirely in one dish—no boiling water required. Why You’ll Love This Recipe One-pan convenience

If you’re looking for a weeknight dinner that’s hearty, colorful, and full of Tex-Mex flavor—but still packed with veggies—these Mexican-Style Zucchini Boats  are about to become a new favorite. They take all the goodness of a taco skillet and tuck it into tender roasted zucchini, creating a dish that’s both wholesome and deeply satisfying. Even better? It’s a fun way to switch up your routine and get in an extra serving of vegetables without sacrificing any flavor. Whether y

Some recipes just feel like home, and this Chicken and Rice Casserole is one of them. It’s cozy, creamy, irresistibly cheesy, and the kind of dish that magically disappears at potlucks and family gatherings. It’s also one of my favorite ways to use rotisserie chicken—easy, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights. This is one of my favorite food fairy dishes. It is comfort food at its best. This treat was shared with a co-work on the occasion of her birthday! This casserole