Cherry season is here, and I take full advantage. I usually buy dozens of pounds from local Amish growers and eat as many as possible while they’re fresh. Once the fresh-eating and jam-making phase winds down, I freeze a large stash so we can enjoy cherries through the year. I always freeze at least twenty … Read more

A.) It’s rainy. B.) It’s chilly. C.) My husband was on a business trip this week, which meant I parented our five boys solo. D.) He didn’t get home from that trip until 1:30 a.m. this morning. E.) I’ve been canning like a madwoman for weeks. F.) I have a hole in my heart from … Read more

With Dude Food Week wrapping up and the Big Game approaching fast, here’s a carefully curated collection of top game-day snacks. Below you’ll find the Foodie with Family favorites followed by fifty standout snack ideas from fellow food bloggers. These selections are all about bold flavors, easy prep, and crowd-pleasing appeal—perfect for a party, potluck, … Read more

It’s hot — ninety degrees in the shade with about eighty percent humidity. My boys, who rarely run around shirtless, have been without shirts for days. The sixteen-year-old still wears one while throwing eight hundred bales of hay, but as soon as he comes inside his shirt ends up in a hay-strewn heap at the … Read more

Last Sunday was one I’ll remember for a long time: two of my boys had their first band practice. I stood in the kitchen listening to them jam, sneaking glances without appearing like an overexcited backstage mom. I took as many quiet photos as I could and fought back tears so they’d know I was … Read more

Falafel, crispy fritters made from chickpeas and Middle Eastern spices, can satisfy both committed vegetarians and devoted meat-eaters. Getting a meat-loving family to try a meatless meal isn’t always easy in my house. My crew truly loves meat—my eldest once joked he’s “ninety-eight percent carnivore.” Still, a few vegetarian dishes have always gone over well. … Read more

Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be zombies. That’s close enough to the tune, right? My oldest is about to turn fifteen and it’s making me a little uneasy. The realization that he’ll be old enough to vote in the next presidential election—and only a year away from driving—sent me into a mild … Read more

Do you ever get invited to last-minute gatherings? Have you heard of Fromage Fort? Do you love cheese? This recipe is for serious cheese lovers. Fromage Fort is the perfect way to use up odds-and-ends from your cheese drawer — a nub of Romano, a hunk of Cheddar, a few tablespoons of crumbled blue, some … Read more

This is a continuation of my Southern New Year’s Foods series. I made an executive decision: I didn’t have photos of the finished greens in time for New Year’s Eve, but I wanted to share the recipe anyway. If I add photos later, I’ll post them here. Happy New Year! Black-eyed peas, collard greens, cornbread—these … Read more

This bacon cheeseburger is built on a perfectly grilled patty topped with smoky bacon jam, smoked cheese, barbecue sauce, crisp lettuce, and crunchy onion rings, all served on a toasted brioche bun. It’s my take on the Triple Smoked from the Caribbean Princess cruise ship. I always appreciate when a familiar dish arrives with a … Read more