With two daughters -- a pre-teen and a teen -- family time is often in competition with friends time. My husband and I wanted to find a way to let the kids have fun with their friends without always having them out at the movies or the mall. We invented "Friday Friends Night."

Pizzas on parade! This weekend some of my grandkids and I had great fun creating a number of unique and funny faces on mini pizzas for lunch.

If you're looking for the ultimate Halloween party dessert, look no further!  This treat looks incredible but tastes even better. 

Fall is definitely in the air!  Cooler weather, changing leaves, hot cider, fresh apples, and plenty of comfort food...I love every bit of it!  Now that school is in full swing, I have been busier than ever.  Many of the fall activities at our school are underway, so my responsibilities as Vice-President of the PTO and Head Parent for Sydney's 3rd grade class have kept me beyond busy.  Between redesigning the PTO website, planning fundraisers, and getting parties planned for Sydney's classroom (in addition to everything I do as a stay-at-home mom), I don't have much free time.  But who's complaining?  I really do love it!

My experience with maple flavoring is pretty much limited to the maple syrup I douse my pancakes and waffles in. I love it - which explains my husband's quips like, "Would you like a little pancake with your syrup?". But I have always categorized maple as a "breakfast" flavor (or occasionally "brinner" - as we affectionately call breakfast-for-dinner at our house). 

This fall, my sister is studying abroad in Europe. While this is a fabulous opportunity for her, we were very sad that she would be missing much of autumn at home, which includes Thanksgiving - her favorite meal of the entire year.

  This is a question I hear every time one of my sons or their friends stops by our house.  Although I like to tell myself they are there to see me, I know deep down the cookies are the real reason they drop in.  But, if baking is what it takes to encourage those visits, I’m willing to rise to the occasion. 

School is in full swing, and it's nice to bring a treat to share for meetings.  With all the flavors of carrot cake,  Pecan Carrot Cookies are sure to be a hit!