baking

Brown Butter Slow-Rise Soft Pretzels

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brown butter slow-rise soft pretzels

Many, many years ago, in a land far, far away, there was a young art student named Christina.

The world was brand new back then and the possibilities, endless.  And everyday, lugging an enormous black portfolio almost as big as she, young Christina would head to day-long art classes to paint dead fish.

And although, after many, long, balmy hours left unrefrigerated, the fish would inevitably spill their guts (literally) — and give her the driest of heaves — it was still something to see. Continue reading →

Best Chunky No-Stir Wild Blueberry Almond Granola

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best chunky no-stir wild blueberry almond granola 3

My eyebrows are evil.

Okay, okay, maybe not exactly evil, but unless regularly kept in line, always look like they’re up to no good.

It really is all the left one’s fault.  That one’s what people call the “bad crowd”.  The one on the right got involved with it from the very start and it’s been bad news ever since.

All by itself, Rightie just looks a bit too serious for its own good but together, they look like they’re about to take over the ship (that ship being me). Continue reading →

Cast-Iron Cornbread with Salted Molasses Butter

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cast iron cornbread with salted molasses butter 3

With the holidays now in full swing, I’ve found myself getting sentimental.

Now, I am a sensitive creature by nature and commercials have (and still do) make me cry.

But this time of the year, the emotion-meter is even higher than usual.

Perhaps it’s the Christmas carols making their way to my ear in every store, or the Christmas lights twinkling everywhere I go, but it all finds me thinking of family. Continue reading →

Quick Maple Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Cream Cheese Glaze

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Ah, fall.

The very word conjures up visions of fallen leaves in glorious color.

Cozy fires crackling in the fireplace.

Fluffy, puffy comforters.

Best-ever sleeping weather.

And … colds.

Yup, it’s official.  I’m sick.  And not just me, but poor Christopher too.  And his mom back in Minnesota. Continue reading →

Christina’s Ultimate Double-Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pecans

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I love you guys.  I really do.

I love that you stop by during your busy days to read what I write, look at the pictures I take, and leave some love for me to find.

Like benevolent fairies that put the Tooth Fairy to shame, you take time out of your own lives to touch a big part of mine, and for that I thank you.

There was a time not so long ago, where I wondered if anyone read my blog, when four out of the five hits I received in a day were my own. Continue reading →

Best-Ever Baked Doughnuts

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Life’s little successes.

Life is all about celebrating them — the little yet huge milestones in life that most often pass unnoticed without a single “woot!”

We often think that successes are all massive ones, like when we:

  • Find “The One”
  • Get That Promotion
  • Buy That Dream House

But it’s the little successes that add up to a whole tanker-full and that often matter the most.

Let me elaborate. Continue reading →

Best-Ever Way To Make Bacon

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I know I’m not alone when I say, “I love bacon”.  I heart it.  I really, really heart it.

“Breakfast for dinner” is also a near, dear-to-my heart personal motto of mine.  Why have dinner when you can have breakfast?  Why have lunch when you can have breakfast for lunch?  It even turns out, that it just so ended up, that I even married a Bacon (the best, very sweetest kind).  The Universe got it.

I think you get the idea.

What I have never hearted though are the third-degree burns I always get when making bacon in a pan.  Sweet Mother Mercy, dodging bacon grease is not something I need on my list of “To Do” in the kitchen.  Not-to-mention (okay, I just did), the constant flipping and tending to — then, the messy clean-up. Continue reading →