Perhaps it was ten years ago when I came across an unusual cranberry sauce recipe in the newspaper. I tweaked it a little bit, and my family loved it. It is sweet and tart with a nice burst of flavor from the spices. It has become a requested item for…
-
-
Healthy Homemade Applesauce
Apples, fresh from the orchard, are one of the blessings in September. I enjoy making applesauce for the grandchildren. Each year I get a little more efficient. Two appliances have simplified the process of making applesauce for me: a crock pot and a victorio strainer. What is a victorio strainer?…
-
Favorite Gluten-free Muffins (and they are easy to make!)
Why are so many people choosing to eat gluten-free? What is the problem with gluten? People with celiac disease experience a change in the intestinal lining as their body tries to digest gluten. Other people have a gluten sensitivity. A number of theories suggest the reason for the increasing number…
-
Pretty Green Globes: Gooseberries for Jam and Pie
Berries have always been valued in my family as a special treat. When I was a kid it was mainly strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. There are so many more. I am developing an appreciation for gooseberries, elderberries and currants. The latter three grow well in my backyard. Gooseberries,…
-
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY and Apricot Bread
For more than 20 years I have participated in Precept Bible studies. I started with the women of Faith Community Church, and have continued for many years with women at Village Church of Barrington. We meet every Tuesday morning, September through May. We have become friends…
-
Sunshine Muffins: Gluten Free
Last weekend I added some apricots to cornmeal muffins. I enjoy creating muffin recipes, a healthy treat for the grandchildren. Muffins are so easy to make. These muffins were moist and tasty–they were a hit on Easter Sunday. Here is the recipe. First prepare the apricots. Simmer one cup…
-
Skillet Corn Bread: A Side Dish for Chili or Soup
On these cold winter days, a bowl of chili is appealing, especially when it is paired with a nice corn bread. Here is a recipe for corn bread with sweet onions that is baked in a skillet—and is gluten free. (If gluten is not a concern you can replace the…
-
A New Season of Life and a Luscious Cup of Coffee
My husband and I are in a new season of life. We are both retired and have supportive roles in our extended family. My mother and brother are in declining health now and require the help of family. We are thrilled to have five of our grandchildren in the area…
-
Pasties and Pickles for a Complete Meal
Over the Christmas holidays my husband I traveled first to Michigan where we spent Christmas with my mother, sister and brother. After a brief interlude at home we drove to a town west of St. Louis, Missouri. We rented a house near Lake Sherwood and all of our children and…
-
Healthy Orange Spice Cookies
My mother grew up on a small Finnish farm in Upper Michigan. At Christmas she would remind us that oranges are a special treat. When she was a girl her family had oranges only on Christmas. As a tradition we always received an orange in our Christmas stocking. When…