I am a avid dessert eater and would live on desserts if I could but with my diet I’ve tried to quit eating as many desserts as I used to But that is hard because there are hundreds of desserts in the world, but for me there are really only two that can tempt me every single time—an old-fashioned apple pie and a chocolate cream pie with graham cracker crust topped with plenty of Cool Whip. Apple pie has always felt like home to me because as a child my dad would allow us to have a slice for breakfast. Did my mom agree no, but she would just look…

In our home Summer has a way of changing everything about our home, especially our kitchen. Even though during the school year, I don’t have children we often have schedules, routines, and meals planned around activities, and work, and busy evenings. Then summer arrives, and suddenly the rhythm of our days changes. Breakfast might happen later or it might never happen, lunch may be eaten inside or outside or not eaten at all because the kids ie young men are still sleeping, and before you know it, someone is opening the refrigerator asking, “What can I eat?” I have learned that a summer kitchen is not about having a perfect…

For my family Summer has always been a season where the simplest moments seem to become the memories my family talks about the most. It doesn’t always mean taking a big vacation or even doing an expensive activity to make a day special. For my family it is sitting outside in the backyard, sharing snacks, talking with family, and enjoying the extra time together that makes summer feel special. When I started putting together our Summer Gift Guide, I knew wanted to include ideas that were more than just something to buy and wrap. I wanted to focus on gifts that encourage families to slow down, spend time together, and…