Setting up a Halloween scene inside your home -- on the mantel or on a countertop -- might seem daunting. But with a few tricks and inexpensive treats, the kids can help out in creating a display that's fun to look at and gets everyone in the spirit.

And you've still got two weeks to enjoy some spooky fun... which is also now when you'll start finding some discounts on Halloween crafts, creations and decorations at big box stores,… Read More

While I've always regarded Sunday suppers as a prime time to put more effort and verve into a great meal, sometimes the end-of-the-week blues catch up to you, and cooking in the kitchen on Sunday may not sound all that alluring. Still, making the meal a tad special can still be an easy feat -- particularly with the handy Crock-Pot and microwave.

In another great use of the Crock-Pot, here's a meal that jazzes up a couple of weeknight staples -- a turkey breast and… Read More

Sandwiched into the Fall of back-to-school, football and soccer, and chants of "Hooray for Halloween," we do enjoy hearty helpings of soups and stews around here. And, strangely enough it seems, the closer those meals can be in hue -- be it orange or black -- to the official colors of Halloween, then the more popular they're likely to be... particularly with the announcement at the beginning of your meal that "Tonight, we thought we'd start thinking about and planning… Read More

Now that the Back-to-School season is upon us, I feel that's a shout-out for a perfect opportunity to bring up the wonders of the Crock-Pot®, and its time-saving, tasty conveniences. On any given day, the Crock Pot lets you calmly and completely plan a home-cooked meal and leaves you plenty of energy to deal with mapping out new school schedules, activities, back-to-school shopping, and playdates with new friends.

While you might find several simple recipes that are quickly assembled… Read More

I think that it's important to make supper just for Lori and I sometimes. On these nights, we'll feed the kids, and then eat later. And often, the kids enjoy the leftovers from the meal the next day. When I cook just for the two of us, I do try to make it more special, and don't have to be as concerned with making sure it's totally kid-friendly.

Recently, I took acorn squash (one of Lori's favorites), and came… Read More

There's a new term going around, "locavore," and if you are one, that means that you'll only eat food that's been produced in the 100 mile radius from where you live. Unless you live on a farm, or have a particularly huge garden, that might be a tricky feat. But thankfully, there have also been a proliferation of farmer's markets lately. In fact, I read this morning that they've more than doubled in U.S. communities in the past few years.
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