An Iconic Coffee Cake

One ritual, so to speak, that I really enjoyed when we visited relatives in Germany, was their afternoon kaffeeklatsch. What’s a kaffeeklatsch? Basically, a mid-day gathering for comaraderie over cups of coffee and sweet bakery items.  Now you don’t have to remind me how busy we all are during the holidays, but it seems to me carving a little time out in the afternoon for … Continue reading An Iconic Coffee Cake

Make Granola using an Ancient, yet “Trendy” Technique

Fermenting is popular these days, and a lot of what we call “functional foods” – foods good for you sans any other additions to them, like yogurt, a Biblical staple, is one of the items in this fun granola recipe. Matt Swaim, Sacred Heart Radio/Sonrise Morning Show and I chatted about these foods today and I shared what he says is a “real unusual” technique. … Continue reading Make Granola using an Ancient, yet “Trendy” Technique

Blueberry Boy Bait and Caramel Chocolate Fondue for Valentine’s Day

Yesterday I went to the grocery with a list. All resolve left me when I spied a display of fresh, huge, beautiful blueberries in the produce section. Not on my list, but on sale!  Impulse buying? Yes, and no regrets. Especially on a snowy day with thoughts of a warm fire, a piece of fresh baked blueberry coffee cake accompanied by a mug of steaming … Continue reading Blueberry Boy Bait and Caramel Chocolate Fondue for Valentine’s Day

Bramble Berry and Blueberry Jams

Keeping promises. I’m doing just that today by sharing recipes for bramble berry jams, aka red raspberry, black raspberry and blackberry.  I have a patch of black raspberries in the garden, plus some wild ones growing on the hillside nestled in with the wild blackberries.  Why jam and not jelly? I’d need a lot more berries than I have to make jelly, since you have … Continue reading Bramble Berry and Blueberry Jams

Flax – Ancient Biblical Seed and Gluten, Grain Free Granola Bars (No baking required!)

FLAX An important seed mentioned in the Bible in Proverbs. “She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands”. What are flaxseeds?   Flaxseeds, sometimes called linseeds, are small, brown, tan or golden-colored seeds. In fact, linseed or “flax seed” are different names for the same seed. Flaxseeds are a great source of dietary fiber, minerals, plant protein and one of the best … Continue reading Flax – Ancient Biblical Seed and Gluten, Grain Free Granola Bars (No baking required!)

Terrarium Mary Garden and Frittata with Herbs for Mom

Before I begin, I just found a lot of super information about plants for terrariums on The Spruce site – https://www.thespruce.com/great-terrarium-plants-847877 so check this out, too! Mary Gardens were started during medieval times and were usually gardens that were enclosed, often in monasteries.  I have always felt that an herb garden needs a statue of Mary, even before I had ever heard about Mary Gardens. … Continue reading Terrarium Mary Garden and Frittata with Herbs for Mom

Hot Cross Buns and Quick Cherry Coffee Cake

This week on the Sonrise Morning Show I chatted with Matt Swaim about eggs and their significance in the Bible, especially during Easter. The 2 recipes, one for hot cross buns and the other for a quick cherry coffee cake are family favorites, and good baking projects while we’re all sheltering in place. I hope each of you celebrate these holy days and remember, it’s … Continue reading Hot Cross Buns and Quick Cherry Coffee Cake

Streusel Coffee Cake, Deviled Eggs for Easter

As I write this column, we are still sheltering in place. And thinking about Easter. Maybe you are, too. Instead of our annual Easter brunch and egg hunt, we’ll be celebrating on a smaller scale.  Yet there’s still much to feel blessed about. Just take a walk outside. Check out the beautiful wild violets and blooming forsythia. (They both make lovely jellies.) Trees are bursting … Continue reading Streusel Coffee Cake, Deviled Eggs for Easter

An Ancient Biblical Nut, Pistachios Star in Granola Bars and Maple Granola

I love talking to Matt Swaim each week on the Sunrise Morning Show, Sacred Heart Radio about Bible foods and herbs. Check out his blog – it never fails to give me a chuckle, while educating me, as well. Today we talked about pistachios. Here’s a bit of trivia, along with 2 of the best recipes for granola (yes, another granola, but so simple) and … Continue reading An Ancient Biblical Nut, Pistachios Star in Granola Bars and Maple Granola