Every time I mention that I make my own refried beans, I get comments and emails asking for the recipe.  Well, there really isn’t a recipe, but if you want the method to my madness to try own your own, here it is! I started making refried beans at about the same time I did [...]

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day… and everything in between.  There are some super special celebrations coming up, and what would a party be without good food?!  Here are some of our favorites if you need last-minute ideas for yummy eats.  Enjoy! Appetizers Layered Shrimp Spread Stuffed Jalapenos Wrapped in Bacon [...]

The only thing better than a chocolate covered pretzel is a chocolate covered pretzel wrapped in caramel!  I dig the salty/sweet/crunchy combination, and they make an easy “no bake” homemade gift. Here’s how we make this fun holiday treat. Caramel-Wrapped, Chocolate-Covered Pretzels Start with a package of pretzel rods and a package of caramel apple [...]

This No-Fail Peanut Butter Cocoa Fudge is the only fudge I’ve ever made.  Why mess with perfection, right?    Seriously, though, if you’ve had trouble with fudge in the past, try this!  It takes all of 10 minutes to make.  And gosh, peanut butter and cocoa… how can that be wrong in any way? Have [...]

Huge thanks to my friend Lynn for this guest post and recipe!  I’m not even sure when it was that I ate my first black bean, but I bet it wasn’t more than 10 years ago.  We were a meat and potatoes family growing up, and it was only my adult loves of frugality and [...]