A couple of friends and I got together yesterday with some bottles of booze and had a great time. We sloshed a little vodka, rum, and bourbon into bottles with vanilla beans and made our own Vanilla Extract.

My hubby the auction freak (buys...

I think I will make my own caramel next time, but for speed, this works well.

My mother-in-law’s favorite “Company’s coming dinner” was German Hot Potato Salad and Roast Beef served with a green side salad. Jacque loved baconÂprobably since it was rationed or hard to come by during World War II. When she died at age 83,...

Modified from Martha Stewart’s Recipe:

I have tried about 12 batches of macaroons and this is by far my favorite. It is not too sweet, it is light and airy, it tastes of coconut and not just sugar. Give it a dip in semi-sweet chocolate, and it is over the moon. I am so proud.

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[caption id=“attachment_171” align=“alignleft” width=“640” caption=“Freshly Spanked Tuna”][/caption]

Nothing is quite as quick as fresh fish. I happen to love sushi, so of course I love this tuna. You can check out my favourite online fishmonger...

New York Steaks

I use a cast iron skillet and heat it on the stovetop. Turn the oven on to 400 degrees and let it warm up.Â

Rinse the steaks in water and dry on a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper - lots. Coat the bottom of the skillet...

Wait until my sisters read this, it is bound to bring back memories for them.ÂÂSince there were 9 kids, andÂlittle money, much of ourÂChristmas was baked, crafted andÂhome sewn.ÂÂÂI remember one year mom was particularly stressed not to have...

My daughter needed a pot luck item for a Thankgiving dinner tonight with about 19 friends. She loves sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed them, roasted in a 400 degree oven on a cookie sheet. I find that about 3 sweet potatoes will fit per cookie...

I didn’t eat much coleslaw asÂa kid, just didn’t. But upon getting married, my mother-in-law Jacque loved coleslaw.Â

Her coleslaw was the creamy style without the red cabbage, but right before serving, she would add peanuts, toss and serve.Â

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Split Pea Soup. You either love it or hate it. My daughter and husband love it, my oldest son hates peas! I think itÂis comfort food at its best. Jacque, husband’s mom made split pea soup. It has become a regular on the menu here at Sandy’s...