Meat-a-balls? You know, like Tony in Lady and the Tramp, “Hey, Joe! Butch-a, he say he wants-a two spaghetti speciale, heavy on the meat-a-ball” Isn’t puppy love sweet? Maybe you’re looking to impress a special someone (or potential special someone) and don’t have Tony’s special spaghetti and meatballs to do it for you, or maybe you just want to bring life to the flickering flame that lies between you and your significant other; spaghetti and meatballs, a tall... more

I would like to go back to Friday and do this weekend over again. It was far too short. I did, however, manage to get some work done, the grocery shopping completed and keep my house relatively clean. I also attended a baby shower and filled out the paperwork for our new car (new to us) because the old one is no more. I was so happy just to have the grocery shopping done, my menu had to kind of come together despite all the things I’d meant to get and didn’t because of the little... more

What this shortcake lacks is fresh, cut strawberries. Because they’re in the sauce, people. It makes it easy to bring places and to make ahead. Plus, I made strawberry malts with the sauce later. Rave reviews from my dad, the king of the strawberry malt. When we were growing up, the only time we ever stopped for ice cream was on the way to the cabin. We would find a Dairy Queen or other ice cream shop and stop. All the kids were allowed a single ice cream cone or Dilly Bar, and my dad... more

Followers of this blog know that when it comes to fish, salmon is the family favorite.  It is readily available, affordable when purchased in bulk, and quite versatile as evidenced here, here and here.  We do salmon many different ways and they’re all quite tasty, but in my opinion, this method takes the cake. Smoked salmon.  The words get the kids running towards the table no matter what time it is.  We like it with bagels and cream cheese for breakfast, mixed with mayo for a lunchtime... more

In the car again, on the way back from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Our trip started cold and rainy, but the weather turned around for the last 36 hours. The clouds left and we were able to see the sun set over the lakes and then rise the next morning over the palisade on Clearwater Lake. The kids saw waterfalls without getting eaten alive by mosquitoes today: a successful way to end our long weekend in the woods. I will say that after all the heavy meat and carb camping-fare, a fish fry at... more

In the car today, telling you about cheesecake on my laptop. We’re on our way to the Boundary Waters, although I wish we were already there. Or at least to Duluth. Duluth is where this trip starts to get exciting. There’s a lake to look at. Trees. Rock faces scattered about. None of that has to do with cheesecake. Admittedly, we were late leaving, and at least a portion of our lateness is due to the fact that I was getting pictures ready for this post instead of packing. I wanted... more

I made my first cheesecake when I was 15. My grandma always made cheesecake for Sunday dinner. She would keep it hidden in the guest bedroom or downstairs on the coffee table, but I knew it was there, thick and baked, topped with cherries (always cherries) and with a perfect graham cracker crust. Waiting until everyone had their fill of noodles and gravy, roast and jello mold. When she passed away, I needed that cheesecake, in part because I was longing to hear her call me Schatzi or Schätzchen... more