A recipe to make your own homemade Irish cream using Irish whiskey, coffee, chocolate, and of course, cream. A delightful toast to the New Year. So we head towards the close of another year on the Gregorian calendar. The end of the year and the beginning of a new one always seems like a good time to become that introspective person reflecting on life and its purpose, the meaning of it all, why we exist, and where we are headed, to reorient our personal path, make difficult choices or changes, and... more

Make your own homemade Italian soda with fresh pear syrup and top it all off with cardamom cream. My house is full. There are four small bodies that fill it daily with their voices, loud and fun, quiet and contemplative. They fill it with their clothes, hastily thrown in the corner, discarded in the middle of the living room floor, mountains of cloth smelling of the grass and dirt where they spent their day. Their toys spring up from the rug as if their seeds were planted there and they are spontaneously... more

How to make your own pompelmocello (or grapefruit limoncello) using seasonal grapefruits and Everclear. Start now, drink later. I’ve left you waiting unintentionally. My intentions were to come back and tell you a story or two, share a recipe and even a fun something I have been sitting on (tomorrow). Good intentions don’t get you very far, though. Forgiveness will. So, here I am asking you for a bit of forgiveness in my absence, as it’s now time to celebrate. The book is tucked... more

Honey-sweetened lemongrass soda brings a delightful zip to any party, especially when it’s a baby shower for a few Peas and Their Pod. Soft fuzzy skin and sweet-smelling heads. Tiny little fingers that grasp on tightly when you place your finger in their palm. They way they curl into themselves, looking so vulnerable and Even the little cries that come from newborns sound so different than the demanding cries they start emitting just a few months later. It’s no secret that I have a soft... more

Summer is here. Cool off and take refuge from the sun with some homemade ginger ale, perfect for sitting by the pool, with rum as a cocktail or with dinner on the patio. (Note to self: finish patio construction.) Most days, my mornings are hectic. I get up to the sound of Ole’s alarm going off. I push him until he gets up, and then I sit in bed thinking about how responsible it would be of me to get up with him and start my day. Instead, I try to savor the low spot in the middle of our... more

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner, and with the weather warming, it’s the perfect time to take out the grill for fish tacos and make yourself a margarita. On our block, we joke with the neighbors that once the snow falls, we don’t see anybody for five months. People park their cars in the garage in an attempt to keep warm and stay dry and only poke their heads outside to get the mail or shovel the walk. Fortunately, every spring we emerge and get reacquainted with our friends... more

Smoothies are a great meal choice when you’re on the go. Choose fresh and frozen ingredients, and just a few minutes in the blender gives you a healthy, portable breakfast. Enter to win a Magic Bullet To-Go for further ease of smoothie prep by leaving a comment with your favorite smoothie recipe. Keep reading for more details. I am guilty of skipping breakfast on a regular basis. While I feed my kids a healthy meal, I sometimes stop short of actually preparing something for myself, usually... more