Smoked Jalapeno Poppers

These Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Jalapeno Poppers are made on the Traeger Pellet Smoker and have the best flavor!

Slow Cooker Sausage and Navy Bean Soup

I always have dried beans in my pantry. We love them. They are healthy, inexpensive, and they taste great. And today I whipped up a batch of Slow Cooker Sausage and Navy Bean Soup because there is a whisper of fall in the air.

Best Flat Top Smash Burgers with Grilled Onions

These are the best Flat Top Smash Burgers with Grilled Onions!

Traeger Smoked Bacon

Traeger Smoked Bacon tastes amazing and couldn’t be easier! If you have a pellet grill, you have to try this easy pellet smoker bacon recipe!

Potato Soup with Bacon

Potato Soup with Bacon

This Potato Soup with Bacon is rich, creamy, and delicious!

Crock Pot Braised Short Ribs with Cauliflower Rice Pilaf

These Crock Pot Braised Short Ribs with Cauliflower Rice Pilaf are an easy and delicious dinner idea. Try it in the Instant Pot, too!

The Saliva Monologues

Love is tricky. Even from its infancy, it is held together by emotions make you want to put your tongue in someone else’s mouth, and how can anything that inspires…

butternut squash beef stew

Crock Pot Butternut Squash Beef Stew

This delicious Crock Pot Butternut Squash Beef Stew is hearty, healthy, and easy to make!

Encouraging Reluctant Readers

Reading is a struggle for many kids, and our job as parents is to help them learn to enjoy books. Being comfortable with words and books is an important aspect of life, and these tips will help your reluctant reader learn to enjoy it!

Instant Pot or Crockpot Mexican Shredded Beef is perfect for busy families! It is spicy enough to keep the adults happy but not too spicy for most kids. It is easy to prepare and cooks quickly in the pressure cooker or all day in the slow cooker, and is great in burrito bowls, in tacos, on a bun, or on top of a salad!

Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Beef

Instant Pot or Crockpot Mexican Shredded Beef is perfect for busy families! It is spicy enough to keep the adults happy but not too spicy for most kids. It is easy to prepare and cooks quickly in the pressure cooker or all day in the slow cooker, and is great in burrito bowls, in tacos, on a bun, or on top of a salad!

A little bit sweet and a little bit spicy, this Crock Pot Korean Shredded Pork is perfect in a rice bowl, in a tortilla, or on a bun!

Crock Pot Korean Shredded Pork

A little bit sweet and a little bit spicy, this Crock Pot Korean Shredded Pork is perfect in a rice bowl, in a tortilla, or on a bun!

Instant Pot Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup

If you like stuffed bell peppers, you have to try this Instant Pot Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup recipe! It has the delicious taste of the traditional dish, but in a quick and easy Instapot soup version!

Save time and calories with this easy and delicious Unstuffed Egg Roll recipe! Serve it on its own in a bowl, over rice, or with noodles for a quick dinner idea!

Egg Roll Skillet

Save time and calories with this easy and delicious Egg Roll Skillet recipe! Serve it on its own in a bowl, over rice, or with noodles for a quick dinner idea!

Crock Pot Herb Garlic Parmesan Potatoes

Crockpot Herb Garlic Parmesan Potatoes are a beautiful and EASY side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas! Garlicky and buttery, this quick side dish will make your house smell amazing and compliment any meal!

Mother’s Day Muffins with Mom

This morning I happily shared my 3rd grade daughter’s corn muffin and my 5th grade son’s blueberry muffin at Muffins with Mom even though I really wanted a coffeecake muffin, because the muffins were huge and we certainly didn’t need three.

That’s what moms do.

Dr. Seuss Party

I love Dr. Seuss. I love the way he paired absurdity with deep thought, and I love the way the cadence of his writing reads like a song. I appreciate…

Hands

Recently my family went out to dinner. It was a “no one wants to cook” kind of night, and we ended up at  Wood and Tap, a chain-type place with…

40 is 40

My friend Tara can plan a celebration like no one else, and her very own 40th birthday was no exception, so I’m thrilled that she agreed to share her day…

Instant Pot Pork Recipes

Do you have an Instant Pot? I finally jumped on the pressure cooker train a few months ago, and am finally to the point where I’m not afraid of blowing…

Air Fryer Whole Roasted Chicken

You guys, I’m in love with this Air Fryer Whole Roasted Chicken. I shouldn’t be surprised; I love rotisserie chicken. If I swing by the grocery store after work, there…

Crock Pot Apple Cobbler

I don’t make many desserts in my slow cooker, but when I do, there’s a good chance that dessert is going to be Crock Pot Apple Cobbler.  My family loves…

Top 15 Middle Grade Gift Books

My kids love to read. They bring books everywhere, and they frequently get busted for sneaking books late at night, hours after they should be asleep. My fifth grade son’s…

Moist coffee cake muffins with crumbly streusel topping is the perfect breakfast!

Coffee Cake Muffins

I love coffee so much, I start thinking about my morning cup of coffee before I go to bed at night. I get up early so I can enjoy the…

A Ten-Point Guide for Buying Blind Bags for Your Kids

Have your kids recently become obsessed with blind bags? Me too. Have you considered just dumping the cash you’ve spent on these mystery toy items directly into the toilet while…

Bake It Happen on Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

I’ve said the phrase “Fucking cancer” too many times to count. Just this month I screamed it when my friend Matt lost both parents within a year, I whisper it…

Halloween Poppers

I’m always on the lookout for crafts that are low cost and low effort, and these easy Halloween poppers are easy on the pocketbook and are simple enough for the…

This Crock Pot Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs is incredibly easy and a low carb alternative to traditional spaghetti and meatball recipes!

Crock Pot Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs

Sometimes I need a quick and healthy recipe that can be thrown together quick. I mean, super quick. This Crock Pot Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs recipe fits the bill, and…

What are Totchos you ask? Totchos are nachos made with tater tots! Skillet Totchos are fun, versatile, and delicious!

Skillet Totchos

I love my cast iron skillet. I love how it sears meat, and I love how it caramelizes onions. I love that I can put it in the oven, and…

These Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff Meatballs are easy to throw together, and they taste fantastic! If you're looking for an easy dinner idea, my family loves this meatball recipe!

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff Meatballs

I love meatballs, and my husband loves beef stroganoff, so everyone is happy when I whip up this Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff Meatballs recipe. I especially like that I can…

This Grilled Basil Parmesan Shrimp recipe is a quick and delicious meal to serve guests, is great at a BBQ, and makes a super-easy, throw together appetizer!

Grilled Basil Parmesan Shrimp

I’m going to share one of my secret-weapon, all-time favorite dishes with you (sssh). Why do I love this Grilled Basil Parmesan Shrimp recipe so much? Because it’s a quick and delicious meal to…

Hilarious memes about kids and chores.

Funny Memes About Kids and Chores

  Some people may say I’m lazy, and some people would be right about that. I’ve always been this way, which is great for my blood pressure and my temperament,…

Healthy 4th of July Food

Summer vacation has just started, and while my kids have been enjoying more chips, hot dogs, and ice cream than they get most of the year, we’ve also been taking…

Father’s Day

Father’s Day is complicated for those who don’t have dads, for those who have fathers who have repeatedly disappointed them, and for people like me, whose fathers have died. Despite…

Whip up dinner in no time with this easy Crockpot Chicken Ranch Tacos recipe! Your family will love how it tastes, and you'll love how quick and easy it is to prepare.

Crock Pot Chicken Ranch Tacos

Whip up dinner in no time with this easy Crockpot Chicken Ranch Tacos recipe! Your family will love how it tastes, and you’ll love how quick and easy it is to prepare.

Easy to make and incredibly versatile, this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish recipe for potlucks, bbqs, and parties!

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

On the weekends, I like to have something in the refrigerator for my husband to grill. He works late most weeknights, and rarely gets to eat dinner with us, but…

These Buzzed Cherry Bombs are perfect for Memorial Day or the 4th of July and only contain four ingredients!

Buzzed Cherry Bombs

My friend Erin made these Buzzed Cherry Bombs last year, and they were so good, I didn’t even mind that she tricked me into helping her make like five thousand…

Crock Pot Greek Stuffed Chicken

  I knew I was going to like this Crock Pot Greek Stuffed Chicken recipe. I mean, what’s not to like? It’s pretty, it’s healthy, and I love all of…

Crock Pot Madras Lentils

My seven-year-old daughter is a pretty healthy eater. She’s crazy about vegetables and she likes lean protein. I mean, she loves candy and chips and all of the other garbage…

Easy and adorable, these Valentine Dipped Wafers are perfect for kids to make for Valentine's Day!

Valentine Dipped Wafers

Until a few years ago, I didn’t particularly like Valentine’s Day. I didn’t appreciate being told to show affection in the form of underwhelming greeting cards, dining at crowded restaurants,…

Parties and holidays are made simple with these delicious Crockpot Appetizers!

Crock Pot Appetizers

I’ve spent the past two weeks celebrating the holidays with family, and it is no exaggeration to say that a slow cooker was used almost every single day. Crock Pots…

Crock Pot Braised Beef Ragu

You know how, despite your best efforts, you get stuck in ruts? For me, mealtime planning can become the ruttiest of ruts, and before I realize it, we’ve eaten spaghetti,…

This Crockpot Nutella Hot Chocolate will knock your socks off! Perfect for Christmas, holiday parties, or just a chilly day, this slow cooker drink will be a hit!

Crock Pot Nutella Hot Chocolate

Every once in a while, I question my parenting abilities. Like last Saturday when I discovered my kids had never tried Nutella. What kind of mother was I to keep…

I love these Crockpot Black Beans! I put a poached egg on top for breakfast, eat them with a dollop of sour cream for lunch, and pair them with rice, chicken, or tortillas for dinner!

Crock Pot Black Beans

I’m a huge fan of black beans. I love black bean soup, I love black beans in burritos, and I happily eat them on their own or topped with a…

This Crockpot Turkey Chili is easy, versatile, and delicious!

Crock Pot Turkey Chili

There are certain meals that I crave when the seasons change, and chili falls solidly in my autumn go-to dishes. It’s hearty, it’s perfect for eating while watching football, and it’s…

Easy and delicious Crockpot Sandwiches and Wraps the entire family will love!

Crock Pot Sandwiches and Wraps

I love sandwiches. I love subs and melts and burgers. I love sliders and dips and Reubens. I also love pretty much anything wrapped in a tortilla or pita bread,…

The Thing About the First Day of School

I like to think I’m levelheaded, so it always takes me by surprise when my emotions take over my better judgement. From commercials that make me cry to seemingly normal…

These Grilled Summer Vegetables make a beautifully delicious and healthy side dish for any meal!

Grilled Summer Vegetables

My ode to summer grilling continues with this delicious side dish of marinated summer vegetables that pairs wonderfully with just about any protein you have on the grill. I’m always…

This North Carolina BBQ Pork Chops recipe is a quick, easy, and healthy dinner idea you'll love!

North Carolina BBQ Pork Chops

I love my grill this time of year.  I love it on hot days when my non-air conditioned house is an oven. I love it when I get home late…

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders

These Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders are as moist and delicious as they look!

Crock Pot Orange Marmalade Meatballs

Let me tell you a little story about Crock Pot Orange Marmalade Meatballs. A while back, my kids got a four pound jar of orange marmalade in the mail. It…