Happy New Week! I’m excited about this week’s plans. I’m especially looking forward to trying my first slow cooker pot roast and creating a simple fairy garden for the backyard. I never would have considered a fairy garden before, but after seeing so many ideas on Pinterest I had to try one. The young woman … Read more

Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade is the Old West–themed shooting gallery in Frontierland at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Aim at nearly 100 targets in a family-friendly, interactive arcade experience. Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade recreates the atmosphere of a frontier town—think Tombstone, Arizona—while offering a fun, retro-style game for guests of many ages. The attraction places visitors behind replica .54-caliber … Read more

An easy, reliable recipe for lemon poppy seed muffins — perfect for busy mornings or a bright afternoon snack. Lemon poppy seed muffins are a timeless breakfast classic. I bake a lot of morning foods, and muffins are a favorite because you can make a batch on the weekend and enjoy fresh-tasting breakfasts all week. … Read more

Print Gravy Smothered Cube Steaks in Slow Cooker Course Crockpot, Main Course, Main Dish, Slow Cooker Cuisine American Author Catherine’s Plates Equipment large skillet measuring spoons & cups narrow dish (like a pie plate) whisk 6 quart crockpot non-stick cooking spray large cutting board & sharp knife Ingredients 4-6 cube steaks 1 cup all-purpose flour … Read more

The classic hamburger is an American staple and a favorite at any cookout. Whether you prefer a trendy smash burger, a butter burger, or the smoked steakhouse-style burger described here, a well-made burger is hard to beat. This smoked steakhouse burger takes the familiar format up a notch by adding clean hickory smoke and thoughtful … Read more

The nights are getting cooler and the leaves are beginning to fall — autumn is almost here. For parents of young children, autumn brings cozy outdoor moments, leaf-pile jumping, Halloween costume planning, and family football time. It’s also a perfect season to share creative projects with your little ones. Doing simple autumn crafts with your … Read more

Updated May 2020 – It’s been eight years since this was first published, and my approach has only gotten simpler. Everything I recommend for cleaning the house is gathered in this cabinet: the recipes, ingredients, tools and techniques I use daily. Rather than a stylized set-up, I’m showing my real cleaning cabinet—slightly tidier than usual … Read more

This classic stuffing is made from simple, high-quality ingredients like artisan bread and fresh herbs, with only a few minutes of prep. It’s a comforting, flavorful side that works perfectly for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any cozy meal. Stuffing often gets overlooked, but it deserves a spotlight. Spoonfuls of buttery, herby stuffing soaked in savory broth … Read more

For Christmas my family gifted me a jar of pistachio butter. It was much sweeter than other nut butters — almost too sweet to enjoy straight from the jar — so I decided to use it as an ingredient. The result: pistachio butter cookies. They turned out so well I’ll be buying another jar. Texture … Read more

Sri Lankan Style Chicken Curry Meal Prep This Sri Lankan chicken curry is rich, aromatic and perfect for meal prep. The recipe below is scaled to make five even portions and is adapted from the original Sri Lankan chicken curry to suit meal-prep containers. It’s straightforward to prepare and stores well for weekly meals. Sri … Read more