Author Archives: ~~Rhonda

Living in a small town, I share my life with my husband Russell (married in 1977), five children (one still at home), and six cats (one indoors, the others outside).

I teach an online class called “The Christmas Notebook” which is about all things holiday prep. The many facets of celebrating Christmas comprises one of my favorite hobbies. Other favorite things include gardening, reading, cooking, and scrapbooking.

mini muffins

March 5, 2010 – 2:22 pm

DD likes poppy seed muffins, and a friend gave me some fresh poppy seeds the other day, so this afternoon I made a batch of mini muffins, using this recipe at Seasaltwithfood. The zest and juice of a fresh lemon make them extra delicious. An easy recipe. Mix the dry ingredients together. Mix the wet […]

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first blossoms of spring

March 3, 2010 – 3:55 pm

The daffodils have buds, and the crocus are opening. Spring is official. What you don’t see is a picture of me smiling, but rest assured…I am! Visit other gardens and their gardeners at Tootsie Time’s Fertilizer Friday. ~~Rhonda 🙂

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tomato, bacon, bean soup

March 1, 2010 – 4:59 pm

DD loves tomato soup, so I tried this recipe for her. Served it with grilled cheese sandwiches made with homemade bread. I basically followed the recipe, but added some basil and celery seed and changed the amounts a bit. Here’s my version. Tomato, Bacon, and Bean Soup 1/4 pound bacon, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced […]

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menu plan monday ~ march 1, 2010

February 28, 2010 – 11:02 pm

This weekend we did some eagle watching on the Mississippi River. We saw quite a few eagles, but the gulls were closer. Here’s the menu for the week. Monday Tomato Soup with White Beans and Bacon Toasted Cheese Sandwiches Tuesday Tacos Wednesday Hamburgers on homemade buns Roasted Green Cabbage Wedges Corn Red Grapes Thursday Rosemary […]

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cheeseburger soup

February 27, 2010 – 10:03 am

I read a quite a few recipes for cheeseburger soup, looking for one that sounded right to me. I chose one for the crock pot. I followed the recipe somewhat, but in the end, I did my own thing. Is that a surprise?? I made the soup on the stove top in an 8 quart […]

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menu plan monday ~ february 22, 2010

February 22, 2010 – 10:11 am

Saturday, we had snow in shady places around the yard. Sunday, the snow was gone. That’s what two days of over 50 weather will do for you. Love it! I made the menu last week, but changed a few things before posting to make it work for what the week actually holds. Monday Cheeseburger Soup […]

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slowly but surely

February 20, 2010 – 6:07 pm

I’m waiting for spring. How about you? It’s coming, but not soon enough for me. The maple trees have been budding for several weeks. Today we had a high of 55* or so. I left the house for the first time in two weeks and took a few pictures around the yard. It looks rather […]

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anadama bread

February 18, 2010 – 5:01 pm

One of my favorite Christmas gifts was the book The Bread Baker’s Apprentice. The first recipe I tried was Anadama Bread. Made with cornmeal, it makes wonderful toast. The bread requires an overnight soaking of the cornmeal which I’ve never done for a bread recipe before. It also asks for 4 oz. light molasses. All […]

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macro monday ~ february 15, 2010

February 17, 2010 – 12:32 pm

The theme for the flickr group Macro Mondays for Monday, February 15, was “heart’s desire.” I used a Valentine card and a chocolate covered strawberry for two photo submissions. Sugar outlines a heart on top a Valentine card. The chocolate covered strawberries were delicious. I took about 30 pictures to get one I liked well […]

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chicken and dumpling soup

February 16, 2010 – 2:36 pm

Chicken soup is one of those recipes you can fudge to your heart’s content. Use what you have, substitute, leave this out, add that. Yesterday I wanted to make chicken and dumpling soup. Instead of following the recipe I found online, I put together my own combo. Near as I can remember, the following is […]

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