Top 3 Recipe Posts of 2017

 

 

2017 was not a year where I posted a lot of recipes. Between moving out of our house and into a temporary condo where I didn't cook a lot, and the actual move and the time it took to get settled, cooking and baking were not a priority. But, things have settled a bit and should be a little more back to normal in 2018. I look forward to trying a lot of new recipes and taking some pretty photos to share.

The top 3 recipe posts were read and shared a record number of times and as usual, were both sweet and savory. I tend to make a lot of soups and are my favorite kind of new recipe to try. Soup is just a healthy way to include a serving of protein, carbs and veggies in perfect portion control (my diabetes mantra). The baked oatmeal was a new version of many I have made over the years (I love it), but with a Florida twist. And, speaking of a Florida twist, shrimp recipes are a new go to, especially with bold flavors like these foil packets.

 

Shrimp Boil in Foil Packets

 

Unstuffed Cabbage Soup

 

Pineapple Coconut Baked Oatmeal

 

Happy New Year to all!

 

Christmas in Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a Christmas we had. It was a whirlwind of family and friends and I wish I had taken more photos, especially since I only have one side of our family celebrations documented, but I think that just proves how much fun we were having.

It was a totally different Christmas for us without having our house, but we did the best we could to keep as many traditions alive as possible, while staying in a small apartment style hotel. Our extended family traditions remained and we had a lovely brunch at my sister's home on Christmas Eve, an equally lovely lunch on Christmas Day hosted by my sister in law and a late night stop to meet more of Megan's fiance's family in anticipation of the wedding. We continued the week with a cousin's game night at Dave and Buster's and a fun pub dinner with some good friends.

The Michigan weather greeted us with a vengeance when we arrived and made us remember why we chose to move to Florida. Snowy roads on Christmas Eve had us slip sliding as we travelled around metro Detroit and the bitter cold temperatures had us bundled up in the boots, coats and gloves we had not touched in a while. It was -2 the morning we left Detroit and we arrived home to 74 degrees. Quite a change in a few hours. But, it was beautiful to have a white Christmas.

It meant everything to be there with our daughters and extended family and while Florida is home now, Michigan will always be our home at Christmas time.

Have a wonderful weekend and the happiest of New Years.

 

Sweet Potato Dog Biscuits

 

 

 

3 days until Christmas and I have a really easy last minute idea if you give the pets in your family gifts too. And, you can make these special treats for very little cost - I only had to purchase the baby food.

Since I'm not baking cookies this year, I needed to fulfill a Christmas ritual by turning on the Christmas music, pouring some coffee and spending some time in my kitchen feeling festive. These dog treats were the perfect compromise and I was even able to pull out one of my Christmas cookie cutters. You can use any sized cookie cutter and I went with a medium sized reindeer to work for both the small and large dogs in our family. When cool, you can pack these up in clear bags, add some festive ribbon and make both the pets and their owners happy with what is under the tree.

Merry Christmas!

 

Sweet Potato Dog Biscuits

Mix together 3.5 ounces of sweet potato baby food, 1/4 cup oatmeal, 1 T honey and 3/4 cup flour. Turn out onto a floured surface, kneed until a non sticky ball forms. Roll out to desired thickness (about 1/4 inch) and cut with cookie cutter dipped in flour. Keep rolling and cutting until dough is used up. Place on baking sheet, brush top of biscuit with beaten egg and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool on wire rack. The cookie cutter I used made 12 medium biscuits.