Regardless of weather or season, pumpkin bread and muffins are an annual staple in the household. A personal favorite recipe (see above photo, via King Arthur Flour) combines pumpkin with whole wheat flour, bananas, and a coarse sugar coating. And of course, adding chocolate chips for extra delight. But what happens when you flip through … Continue reading Pumpkin Patch
We recently treated our mom to a belated Mother's Day lunch at the Hotel Vandivort's restaurant, The Order. I've been bragging about their DIY bloody mary bar, and hot tamale, it was fun. Our server brought us a large glass of ice and Tito's, the rim salted to perfection. We took our glasses to the … Continue reading Bloody Mary!
Living in the midwest affords us plenty of farm-fresh fare. This year, my family re-joined a CSA (community-supported agriculture) at Millsap Farms. We belonged a few years ago, and it was such an amazing experience. Each week we'd receive a box of fruits & vegetables. To offset the cost, we'd work the farm a few … Continue reading Easy Bruschetta
If you've been following along, you know we love to entertain. Part of the fun is menu crafting, deciding what to make from scratch, what to collaborate on with the grocery store, and what to just unpackage and put on a pretty plate. Last week Stephanie hosted a Bunco party for some friends, and because … Continue reading Not even Semi-Homemade
There was a period of time where we made a lot of whoopie...pies. (har har) They're just SO tasty, and fun to make. And with such a variety of flavors, the options are endless! (Trust me...we've tried to make them all.) The best still, though, are the classic version. A chocolate cake-ish sandwich, with marshmallow … Continue reading Makin’ Whoopie (Pies)
One summer evening, I joined a friend for an outdoor Shakespeare on the Park. It was a beautiful night, they were performing A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the lawn was packed. My friend had already set up chairs and blankets and as I arrived, she handed me an insulated tumbler. Ah, thanks, I'm so thirsty! … Continue reading Wine to Go Go
Just when you think you've figured out your signature cocktail (gimlets for Stephanie, French 76 for Nicole), along comes a potent kick in the pants in the form of refreshment on a hot summer day...or mild Missouri spring... OF COURSE we're talking about a Paloma! This simple cocktail of blanco tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit … Continue reading Three Cheers to the Paloma
Despite us growing up in the south, we are not sweet tea fans, or really even iced tea fans. Classic iced tea, at least. Thai Iced Tea...well, that's a different category of wonderful deliciousness altogether. The best Thai Iced Teas are sweeter than sweet and a creamy orange tone. Our local thai restaurant makes a … Continue reading Sweet Tea Treat
The weather here in Southwest Missouri has been cold, drizzly, and not very spring-like. So for Easter Sunday this year, we decided to have a French-inspired indoor picnic. French wine, cheeses, a charcuterie board, home-made baguettes...the whole works. Of course, we ate at the dining table, so rather than a picnic, I guess it was … Continue reading Indoor Picnic
What to 'shake' up your cocktail game? Try the Lychee Martini, recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart. Lychees are Asian tree fruits, with red dinosaur-like skin and a subtle grape-like taste and texture. And they make AMAZING cocktail ingredients! We drank these all winter long, despite them being a summer fruit. With access to international markets … Continue reading Cheers! The Lychee Martini
Bubbly in a Teacup 