Maple Pecan Cream Cheese Pound Cake and a #Whole Foods Giveaway

"A perfect dessert for Thanksgiving...Maple Pecan Cream Cheese Pound Cake"







I made Manservant very happy. Not that I don't make him happy often, and maybe it was the fact that I'd been gone so long; in any case... he loved this cake. It's a splurgie kind of cake in the sense that I use real maple syrup on it and in it. Real maple syrup is a treat and so much better than the corn syrup

Cajun Fish with Pecan Butter and Browned Butter

 It has been a lot of years that this recipe has begged to be made. Something about it always sounded so enticing. So luscious. So nutty and rich. I never ate it in N'awlins. In fact, I've never eaten it before last Thursday. But I'm so glad I did. Make it, that is. And so is Manservant for that matter. This dish was just a hunk a hunk of burnin' love! (Don't know where that came from!

Not My Mama's Waldorf Salad

 Apple season is here and for me that means Waldorf salad. Now, this isn't the Waldorf salad that comes from the Waldorf Astoria in the Big Apple! Makes me wonder now how the Big Apple got to be the Big Apple seeing how this salad is so popular. (OK, I just looked it up and it has nothing to do with this salad. It has to do with horses. That's all I'm going to say.)

 It's been around

Charoses (Not as cute as Easter eggs!)

Charoses on Dried Apricot Halves





This week in blogosphere I am seeing a lot of eggs, bunnies and chicks all done in pretty pastel colors. I am also seeing lots of chocolate decorated with my favorite malted milk ball eggs that also come in those pretty pastel hues. I am sorry. Charoses does not look like this. But I can tell you it is most likely much healthier than those malted milk

Royal Thai Cashew Chicken with Stir Fry Veggies

Stir Fried Vegetables




 My
husband informed me that it is a new year. I mean-like I didn’t know. He
informed me that the sugar has to go. I mean really –like I didn’t know. Well
it is always hard to let something you love slip away but I do feel a bit
sluggish. It is time to get back on a path of healthier eating. I’m going to
give it the old one two. Let’s see how hard I punch.

Double Chocolate Mocha Macadamia Bark

Double Chocolate Macadamia Bark




 I am
still here. Another year and the world did not end. It is great to be here and
it is good that the Mayans discovered cocoa otherwise I would not be able to
make this rich, satisfying Double Chocolate Mocha Macadmia Bark. It is the last
thing I made this week before I pack everything up and deliver sweet treats to
my neighbors.



It is the
end of

Magic Cookie Bars - Myth or Reality?

Magic Cookie Bars. Myth or Reality?




I’m not going to lie to you.

I’m
not going to lie to you.

I’ve
been gone for a few months. One month I was out of the country. The other I was
out of my head. With simplistic candor let me say I haven’t been so well.  This will get personal. Some people are a bit squeamish about
personal; so if that’s you skip now to the bottom of this page. Magic

Two Bodacious Appetizers

Manchego Cheese and Dried Fruit Salami




“If more of us valued food and cheer above hoarded gold, it would be a much merrier world.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien





It is already Thursday and I am can’t wait for the weekend. My sister in law is coming to visit and we are heading for the mountains to see my son and have a nonstop talkathon for a few days. Hopefully the weather will be good but if not

Kale Salad with Cherries, Almonds and Feta

I went to the grocery. Exciting, huh? Actually, most of the time, I do enjoy going to the grocery. It must be in my blood as my grandfather and uncle were both grocers. For me shopping is always a bit like a treasure hunt in the quest to discover something new to try. This time I found baby kale leaves. I’ve tried the big ones but these are much easier to use because you just open the

Pecan or Walnut Shortbread Bars

Walnut Shortbread Bars






Just a bite. Make it a sliver. Oh, how I admire those people. I always wonder if they really mean it. I mean usually I really want a giant piece but I try to be polite. After all, I could go back for more. I guess it has to do with self control. Something I’m not particularly good at.  But I try, I promise, I really do try. And of course, some days are better than