Snacks

As promised, I combined whiskey and popcorn. You’re welcome. Ever since I learned how easy it is to make your own microwave popcorn, I’ve been on a huge popcorn kick. It only seemed natural to make caramel corn as Christmas gifts to give out to family and friends. I made a S’mores version for the kids, and decided on this whiskey version for the adults. Because who doesn’t love whiskey? I originally saw this Bourbon Caramel Popcorn by Use Real Butter and knew I wanted to do … [Read more…]

I love baking homemade goodies for people for Christmas gifts. I know everyone ends up with piles of cookies and chocolates and candies around the holidays…but I can’t help it. I love baking for people! It seems so much more authentic than just buying them more “stuff”. I’m not really sure how I decided popcorn was the theme this year. Maybe it was after I discovered how easy it is to make your own microwave popcorn… I had leftover marshmallows sitting around from the Waldorf … [Read more…]

I think a love of popcorn is a genetic thing. I mean…I haven’t seen any real research done on the topic, but from my own observations it appears to be true. My mom used to chastise my grandmother for eating popcorn for dinner, but I have it on good authority on nights when my dad is out of town for work, now it’s my own mother who is eating popcorn for dinner. Aaaaand it would be a lie if I pretended I haven’t done the same. It pairs perfectly with red wine, I think that means it is a complete … [Read more…]

I have a few confessions to make. First: this is not a Waldorf salad. But that’s what we call it! I did research and tried to find out what this salad’s real name would be, but no luck. So I’m sticking with the name Waldorf. Sorry for the confusion. A true Waldorf salad has a mayonnaise sauce and vegetables. This on the other hand, borders on dessert and uses whipped cream. Because mayo is disgusting (insert judgy emoticon face here). This salad starts out looking healthy, with … [Read more…]

I usually eat my morning oatmeal with a healthy (aka larger than serving size) scoop of granola and it is delicious! I eat it most mornings. But as much as I love overpriced pumpkin flax granola from the store, I decided it was time I start making my own. The recipe is super simple and the ingredients are most items found in the pantry. This recipe is adapted from the Vanilla Almond Granola by Sally’s Baking Addiction. The original recipe calls for coconut oil. Unfortunately, the coconut … [Read more…]

The Giants are in the World Series!! The 3rd time in 5 years!! And I went to Game 4! We sure are spoiled as Giants fans 🙂 So in honor of game 6 tonight (watching the game as I write this and trying to keep the tears from spilling on my keyboard…), I decided to make Cinnamon Sugar Almonds. I know what you’re thinking, “Gee, Kelly, that’s really random.” And you’d be right because Cinnamon Sugar Almonds don’t usually evoke memories and thoughts of baseball; people usually think of a hot … [Read more…]

Confession: I have a huge sweet tooth (shocker, I know). Mostly for chocolate. I rarely ever crave candy or other sweets…but I think on a weekly basis I say something along the lines of “OMG I  need chocolate!” While I have been known to bake brownies at midnight or eat a mug cake for two just for myself, I figured there had to be a better way to get my sweet tooth fix. Last time I was at Trader Joes I discovered their Coconut Bon Bons. Biiiigggg mistake. I like to pretend if I buy … [Read more…]

I don’t know about you but I’m big fan of early Saturday morning Food Network TV, especially The Pioneer Woman and Trisha’s Southern Kitchen. Their food always looks amazing! It might put you on the path to heart problems with the amount of butter used, but I’ll take a plate of whatever they make! I was watching Trisha’s Southern Kitchen a few weeks ago and she made cookie dough pops. I’ve never had cookie dough pops but I love cookie dough so I figured I could make my own version. The best … [Read more…]

Remember that time I showed you how easy it is to make Strawberry Freezer Jam, and that you don’t have to worry about hot water and properly sealed jars? Well…I’m going over to the dark side of real canning today.  But at the end you get chunky salsa, and what could be better than that?! Plus I have about a million tomatoes and Anaheim peppers in my garden, just waiting to be used. Canning sounds intense. It really does. (Or maybe it just does to me?) There really isn’t much too it … [Read more…]

Happy 4th of July!! I often wonder when reading about the American Revolution and the early years of our country (I do this fairly often), what our Founding Fathers would think of America today. Do you think that too or am I just nerding out on history?? Also, as a side-note, one day when I own a house with a backyard and get a dog, preferably a husky or lab, one of the potential names of my future dog is George Washington. I also have the names of my future children picked out and they all … [Read more…]