gifts wrapped in brown paper with red and white string. Tag says 'Made in Santa's Workshop'

Gift Ideas for a Handmade Christmas

by Evin // November 28, 2023 // No Comments

I am making nearly all of my gifts this year and isn’t as crazy as you may imagine. You could knit, sew, paint, or carve your loved ones something special. It doesn’t have to be exactly like something out of... Continue reading →

Homemade jam in jars with labels and dates. This batch is Strawberry-Rhubarb and dated August '21. A small stamp on the label likely signifies the farm or maker. Photo by Max Goncharov

8 Thoughtful [But Not Too Personal] Gifts That Don’t Break Your Budget

by Evin // November 21, 2023 // No Comments

From office gift exchanges to something to bring when going to a holiday party at a friend’s home, there is a necessary place for thoughtful [but not too personal] gifts that don’t break your budget. I mean, you can’t always... Continue reading →

How to Bake Classic Sugar Cookies

by Evin // October 19, 2023 // No Comments

Who doesn’t love the crisp outer edge of a sugar cookie with the subtle sweetness. And from a practical standpoint, Santa needs a midnight snack when he swings by, right? I have many cookie recipes on my blog, so what’s... Continue reading →

homemade peach cobbler with canned fruit

How to Make Peach Cobbler with Canned Fruit

by Evin // September 28, 2023 // No Comments

As autumn’s chill settles in, there’s something comforting about the thought of a warm, fruity dessert filling your home with its sweet aroma. One such delightful treat is peach cobbler, a classic American dessert that has its roots deep in... Continue reading →

Banana Bread Just Like Grandma Makes

by Evin // September 26, 2023 // No Comments

Banana bread has a comforting, homey feel that many people associate with childhood memories or warm, cozy afternoons. It’s a combination of sweet, ripe bananas with spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg creates a delicious and comforting flavor that many... Continue reading →

Tangy & Sweet Homemade Lemon Bars

by Evin // June 6, 2023 // No Comments

Lemon bars are a popular summer treat because they are light, tangy, and refreshing, which makes them perfect for hot weather. The sweet and tart lemon flavor is a classic that many people love, and the creamy texture of the... Continue reading →

Heart shaped sugar cookies for Valentine's Day

Heart-shaped Cookies for Valentine’s Day

by Evin // February 7, 2023 // No Comments

When I was in elementary school, we had a special Valentine’s Day tradition. Each student brought in a shoebox wrapped in decorative paper with a mail slot cut into the top. Then everyone brought little Valentine cards to share with... Continue reading →

A pair of caucasian hands rolling dough to make a pie crust Photo by diliara garifullina

How to Make a Simple Pie Crust

by Evin // December 20, 2022 // No Comments

The comfort of a crisp pie crust and warm gooey filling has a comforting combination. I have previously shared my Snyder Family Pie Crust Recipe, but this post is about how to make a simple pie crust that works for... Continue reading →

Homemade Pumpkin Pie with Cinnamon Crust

Pumpkin & Comfort Food Recipes for Autumn

by Evin // October 29, 2022 // No Comments

With Autumn enveloping us like a favorite woollen cardigan, it is time to cook with pumpkin, spice, and everything nice. Warm and cosy dishes at the table, crisp leaves falling from the golden trees, and a gentle chill in the... Continue reading →

A Cake for All Seasons: Caramelised Pear Upside Down Cake

by Evin // October 18, 2022 // No Comments

Today, I’m sharing a guest post by Holly Taylor, chef and co-founder of Kindling Restaurant in Brighton, with a cake for all seasons, her Caramelised Pear Upside Down Cake. You may fondly recall previous guest posts from the talented chefs of Kindling... Continue reading →

White Chocolate Fudge with Dark Chocolate Crumb

by Evin // June 9, 2022 // No Comments

To celebrate Father’s Day, here’s a special recipe from Kindling Restaurant – their White chocolate fudge with dark chocolate crumb. Created by Chef Holly Taylor, this is Kindling’s signature petit-four, but it also makes an excellent Father’s Day treat. Sweet, creamy and soft... Continue reading →

Cranberry-Orange Scones for Saint Patrick’s Day

by Evin // March 15, 2022 // 2 Comments

I love playing around with scone recipes and even though no result can hold a candle to what can be bought locally. But baking is one of the fun activities my sons and I enjoy, so sometimes scones are just... Continue reading →

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

by Evin // February 15, 2022 // 3 Comments

There is nothing like classic chocolate chip cookies, especially when you can customize this recipe with your favorite nibblets. You can switch out chocolate chip cookies for raisins, candied pineapple, Reeses Pieces, Rolos, Bits of caramel or melty candy, anything!... Continue reading →

American-style Rice Krispie Treats

by Evin // January 25, 2022 // No Comments

Today was an odd sunny, snowy day in Cork so I felt like something special. I enjoyed a mug of hot chocolate for breakfast and then fixed a batch of Rice Krispie Treats for my friend Kate. I’ll admit that... Continue reading →

Apricot Bread & Butter Pudding

by Evin // January 11, 2022 // No Comments

Do you ever try a new food or recipe then feel transported back to a different favorite food? When I made this apricot bread & butter pudding, I was brought back to when my mom or grandma would make me... Continue reading →

Vegan Coconut & Orange Rice Pudding

by Evin // January 4, 2022 // No Comments

The other night, I made too much basmati rice to go with a curry for dinner so I spooned the extra cooked rice into a medium-sized soup pan and improvised this recipe. It turned out wonderfully! I ate some warm that... Continue reading →

Vegan Peach & Apricot Crumble

by Evin // December 23, 2021 // No Comments

There’s no excuse to not enjoy summer’s bounty in autumn or winter, especially with modern canned food options. I made a delicious crumble using things I had on-hand in my cupboard and it’s even dairy-free and vegan. You can cut... Continue reading →

Perfect & Easy Snickerdoodle Cookies

by Evin // December 15, 2021 // No Comments

A classic American favorite and iconic lunchbox treat, the Snickerdoodle cookie has been around for generations and in that time changed little because it was so perfect to begin with! It is one of my all-time favorite cookies and one... Continue reading →