Sweet Tea Cocktail

Refreshing summertime sweet tea cocktail

Refreshing Summertime Sweet Tea Cocktail

There’s something quite nostalgic about a refreshing glass of iced cold sun brewed tea. This easy recipe is sure to bring some extra delight to your next summertime BBQ or backyard gathering. If you don’t have the time to brew your sweet tea by sun, simply use the boiling method for faster results. We will be enjoying this sweet tea cocktail all Holiday weekend long! It’s that good! Read more

Ash Canyon Ranch Family Kitchen

Taking back the table 102

The kitchen is so much more than a place to prepare food. It’s a place we gather to laugh, to gossip, to learn, to share, and to pass on traditions.

I am so grateful to get to share one of those traditions from the Ash Canyon Ranch Family Kitchen.

Meet Logan and Witney, a couple who is just 23 days away from tying the big knot! When we sat down to choose a location to capture their love story through engagement photos, there was only one place they had in mind. Ash Canyon Ranch. Logan’s side of the family has a beautiful ranch tucked away in the desert plains of Southern Arizona. The endless meadow trails take you out into some of Arizona’s most gorgeous landscapes. But no matter how far those trails have taken Logan and Witney, they have led them right back to the Ash Canyon Ranch family kitchen. Where a simple homemade grilled green chili, cheese, and ham sandwich making tradition, has played an extra special role in their love story.

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Crispy Fried Wontons

Crispy fried wontons made at home

Homemade Chicken Wontons

These crispy fried wontons are a family favorite! The best part about this recipe is making them with others. It goes a lot faster when you recruit some helpers. My twelve year old son is now a bit of a wonton wrapping master. In this post, we are sharing the easiest way to wrap/fold your wontons. No matter the wrap, they are always a tasty treat!

make your own fried wontons

perfect crispy fried wontons

I prefer to stuff my wontons with ground chicken, most recipes call for ground pork. You can use any type of ground meat, or for a vegetarian option, you can go with meatless crumbles. I use chicken because I am basically a chicken-atarian. Read more

Rumbi Island Grill

Date night with the kids

Rumbi Island Grill Chandler AZ

It’s not often I get out for dinner with the kids in tow. I know, I know I really should. They deserve a little spoiling here and there. But not too much. Last month, there was a blogger invite to taste test some of the new pork dishes at Rumbi Island Grill in Chandler, AZ. I was a little reluctant to go at first because I do not eat pork and my daughter is also a vegetarian. But once I mentioned it to the boys, there was really no way outta this. And I am so glad we went. As you can see by my children’s awkward faces, we don’t go out much. Or maybe it’s just their affinity for mom taking pictures of them every where we go. (Insert kid eye roll of mothers sarcasm there.) Read more

Wandell Family Kitchen

Taking back the table 101

It’s such an honor to be able to spend time with families that have a strong passion for teaching their kids to cook. (Or in this case, bake!) I had the pleasure of spending one Saturday morning with Katherine Wandell of Katherine Wandell Home Making by Design. She is a wife, mother of three adorable little boys, and author of her own uniquely designed motherhood.

This is my first official “Taking back the table” post. In this series I will introduce you to kitchens around the globe, and the families that fill them with magic. I’ve said it before in previous posts, the kitchen is where my heart is. I believe every kitchen has a story, and every story has an author.

Katherine’s Kitchen Tales

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Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Bisque Soup

Perfect Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Bisque Soup

Scrumptious homemade red pepper and tomato bisque soup you’ll make over and over again!

 

I recently started back up with Produce on Wheels, if you don’t know what that is. It’s a great way to get fresh produce for next to nothing. For a $10 donation you can get up to 60lbs worth of seasonal fruits and vegetables. That’s a lot of produce. As I have used services like Produce on Wheels, I know finding uses or ways to store it all before it goes bad, can be pretty intimidating. So I created this recipe to help you tastefully purpose some of their common veggies available. Read more

Easy Lasagna Bites Appetizer

Easy Lasagna Bites Appetizer

Be the Hostess with the Mostest – Easy Lasagna Bites – Perfect game day appetizer

I honor of Super Bowl LI, here is an easy game day snack. These easy lasagna bites appetizer is always a crowd pleaser. But for the sake of realness, I will not be watching the game. I am one of those wives that casually strolls in to see some of the commercials, but otherwise is browsing my favorite online shops. Reading up on new recipes, or in gulped in a good blog post. Thank you internet for keeping me forever entertained.

As a foodie, regardless of loving football or not, I always want to keep the people happy with easy, tasty snacks. I can be a bit of a procrastinator, and was able to throw this simple treat together quickly. So that’s a WIN for me too! Read more

17 Ways to stay sane in the New Year

17 Ways to Stay sane and confident in 2017

Going into a new year is either really exciting or really tough. Let’s be honest, how many of us actually get through or stick to our New Years Resolutions? By a show of hands… anyone? Hey, its ok, I’m right there with you. Last year I took an entirely different approach to my New Year. And it worked, I came out of 2016 feeling like (for the first time in a long time) a winner!

Today I am going to share with you some simple changes and challenges that helped me get through another rapid year of flying time. Because the older we get the faster time races past you. These may be things you are already doing, or do every once in awhile, but by making them a little more frequent you can stay sane and even improve your confidence in 2017. Being that we are at the ’17 mark, I am sharing exactly 17 things to stay sane and confident this new year! Read more

DIY Holiday Leather Projects

Handmade leather labels and other simple leather projects

Handmade Holiday crafts using scrap leather

What I love most about the Holidays is my renewed sense of craftiness. Every year I try and create unique handmade gifts. This past few years have had me strapped to my computer a little more than I’d like to admit, and I didn’t have a lot of time to make things. Running a photography business during the Holiday season is insane. (The good kind of insane of course!) When racking my brain this year on what I can do that is both simple and unique, my idea basically fell into my lap. While cleaning out my craft room, some scrap leather fell out of a box. My initial thought was “what the heck am I going to do with this leather?”… Read more

National Sandwich Month

National Sandwich Month Roundup

National Sandwich Month Roundup

I am gladly welcoming August for two reasons, its national sandwich month, and my kids are heading back to school soon! Double YES! And I really love getting creative with what to pack in my kids lunch boxes. So I’ve rounded up 8 great sandwiches from dinner to dessert. If you have a great sandwich recipe leave the link and I’ll add it to the list!

Fried Eggplant Sandwich

B Hansen Studios

Fried Eggplant Sandwich
This savory fried eggplant sandwich is both satisfying and filling. A roasted pepper and garlic spread bring the eggplant to life in this mouth watering recipe. A perfect way to celebrate National Sandwich month and impress your family and friends.

Crock Pot Sloppy Joes 600x900

Rose Bakes

Crockpot Sloppy Joes
This recipe for easy and delicious Crock Pot Sloppy Joes is a family favorite. Better than anything from a can!

Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies (2)

That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies
Outrageously decadent, these Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies are filled with a dreamy chocolate ganache!

Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies 600x900

Whole Food | Real Families

Homemade Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich
Head back to your childhood with this Homemade Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich. This version is just a little healthier and without the plastic wrapper!

grilled caprese sandwich-3

Kristine in between

Grilled Caprese Sandwich
This tasty grilled caprese sandwich is perfect lunch or dinner. It’s quick to prepare and is ready in just minutes. It’s warm, filling, and full of gooey mozzarella cheese!

Gluten Free Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese with Strawberry Hot Sauce and Arugula hero

Fearless Dining

Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Arugula and Strawberry Hot Sauce
Ooey gooey, this pepper jack grilled cheese sandwich with arugula and strawberry hot sauce is packed full of flavor. What better way to celebrate National Sandwich Day?

chicken-salad-marshall-fields1 Creative Culinary

Creative Culinary

Marshall Field’s Chicken Salad Sandwich
My version of a classic sandwich from an iconic Chicago Department Store. Roasted chicken is combined with dried cranberries and nuts in a mayo and sour cream dressing and it’s all topped with crisp bacon. Perfect for National Sandwich Day!

Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches Pin

Amee’s Savory Dish

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
These buffalo chicken sandwiches are full of amazing flavor and cook while you go about your day! This simple and tasty weeknight dinner is perfect for busy families.