Birthday Parties & Summer Writing!

With two daughter's having birthday's in the summer, I've been busy planning parties. Ever since I can remember I've wanted to give my kids a birthday party that makes them feel (extra) special. It's the little things I do that seems to help them remember what they mean to me. Especially around their birthday.
Sophia and I baked sugar cookies together yesterday and rolled them into the shape of a pony. We are making them as party favors to give out at her pony party at our house this weekend. I decided to have a pony visit to give her and her friends a ride around the yard.
As for summer writing, I've been working on "Sweeter by the Beach". This past week Ive written the prologue and the first chapter called; "The Limoncello Girls".
With the kids out of school it's definitely slow going, but the way I see it, at least I'm making progress. And enjoying my kids while having a bit of a break from my busy teaching schedule.
My daughter Bella has developed a passion for photography and took this fun photo of our pony shaped cookies. You can find my recipe for "Nana's no Fail Sugar Cookie" in "Meet me in my Cape Cod Kitchen".
Link to purchase book below.

The e-book version of Meet Me in My Cape Cod Kitchen now available!

Greetings!

  I'm excited to share that I finally figured out (through trial and error) how to convert my recipe book to an e-book format and make available to you here.
You're now able to order an updated copy of "Meet Me in My Cape Cod Kitchen".You can purchase a hard copy at Maiden Voyage in Mashpee Commons.
 And you can read about where my love for baking began and have access to some of my very special and favorite recipes like "Summer Vegetable Tart", "Fabulous Carrot Cake" or "Dreamy Island Cookies".

Happy Baking!

Meet Me in My Cape Cod Kitchen

Option 1$2.99 USD Option 2$2.99 USD Option 3$2.99 USD

Chicken Ceasar Salad Wraps, Sunset Cruise & Shrimp Cocktail!

I submitted the most recent article I wrote this week. It's about food ideas you can bring to the beach.

 It will be out for the July 4th supplement. I wrote a lot about keeping food dry and fresh while spending time on the sand and water. And I included a few fun and fancy food ideas like making a bunch of fresh Chicken Caesar salad wraps and even shrimp cocktail for a trip to the beach.

It was fun to hear back from the editor who said she not only loved reading the story but also made the Chicken Caesar salad wraps herself. She said they came out really good. I suggested she make sure she uses the large tortilla's and to wrap them first in foil and then seal in Ziploc bags so they'll stay fresher longer.

As for the Sunset Cruise, I went to a fundraiser last weekend to raise money for new uniforms for the Falmouth Football team with a bunch of friends. It was a fun time. It's always fun to laugh and be a little silly with a group of girlfriends.

 It turned out to be a really perfect night for a cruise around the harbor and the sunset was gorgeous! I donated a recipe book with a bunch of baker's tools that I put together in a gift basket for the event. Although I realized I never got to see who won the basket in the raffle. I hope whoever it was has fun trying out all the recipes.

I took the picture above while out on the cruise. It's a view of the Nobska Lighthouse in Woods Hole.

Meet Me in My Cape Cod Kitchen

Option 1$2.99 USD Option 2$2.99 USD Option 3$2.99 USD

Recipe for a Rainy Day!

There's not much you can do about it when it rains. But sometimes, it's disappointing when your expecting to do something fun outdoors. There's a lot of people in town for celebrating Falmouth High School Graduation and different weddings that are scheduled this weekend.

 My sister is heading down tomorrow for my daughter's dance recital and we planned to go to the beach for a day. There's nothing like a sunny warm day at the beach, but what can you do? Like I told her, I'm hopeful the sun will return soon.

My students are taking their finals next week and I wanted to share a picture I snapped (above) of a ship heading out through the canal since I won't be up on Campus for awhile after my grading is done.

I'm home for the afternoon and I'm going to make two tasty dishes: Chicken & Sour Cream Enchilada's with a Tomatillo Sauce and Pecan & Maple Cookies. I've made the Enchilada's a hundred times. It's a favorite around our house.

And I'm sharing the recipe I'm trying below for Pecan & Maple Cookies. It's super easy and I love the combination of maple with pecans. In case you are sitting at home too and looking for something to do give these simple cookies a try.

And if you're in town look for Gail Blakely's Food Column in Friday's Enterprise. I shared my experience with cooking on my new Grill and chatted with her about making Pizza's!

Pecan & Maple Cookies


1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped + additional pecan halves to top cookie
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten
3/4 cup self-rising flour

1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2) Place the butter, maple syrup, and sugar in a bowl and beat together with a wooden spoon until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk. Sift over the flour and chopped pecans. Mix until the dough becomes stiff.
3) Place balls of dough onto the cookie sheets and top with a reserved pecan half, pressing down gently.
4) Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.