US Bakes of America: Cake week guidelines

Original brief: Create a cake modeled on the classic Boston Cream Pie. You must complete the bake in 3 hour, whereupon you will place your cake into the refrigerator for an hour before slicing. Centerpiece brief: Create an impressive decorated cake with at least two tiers. You must use a batter that forms a light …

US Bakes of America: The Big Reveal

I am so excited for this project. As a remembrance of the 400 year anniversary of the Pilgrims setting sail from my hometown Plymouth for what is now known as the United States of America, I had planned on putting this together for last year, but with the global situation, the timing just wasn’t right. …

Thanksgiving Menu 2019

When I plan parties, especially big family dinners, I have a method. Step One: Focus Keeping the party focused helps to make everything flow most naturally. A central theme or specific inspiration helps with honing the focus in. For this year's meal, I was inspired by the multi-course Thanksgiving menu in the White House cookbook …

Bedtime: a family (ad)venture

As a mumma of four, I know bedtime. I know bedtime can be long. I know bedtime can be rough. I know bedtime can be challenging. There is a lot of tension and frustration wrapped up in all of our hearts at bedtime - grown ups as well as kids. Without good sleep, all humans …

Taking requests

This will serve as an "ask me anything" post. I want to springboard from your suggestions so that we can really interact and engage here. I want my content to be relevant and of interest to those of you reading it. Edit: I added the water image because otherwise it looked like the little cartoon …

My new writing spot

Last week, when Fitche climbed out of her cot for the first time, I decided to do a little rework and haul furniture from room to room. I took the nursing chair and footstool out of their room to make space for the trundle bed to pull out, and, in about another 3 or 4 …

Pacific Northwest wild foods

I was looking up what food is in season locally so that I could start thinking about meal planning in the way that I like to. One of the resources I was using said wild mushrooms are at their best right now. I remember the lion's mane in Washington would grow wild. It's a tasty …