Christmas Feasting

It is so nice to be in my own (humble) home for Christmas this year, as much as we miss our extended family.  I must admit that it has been a real pleasure to plan my own menu for Christmas dinner for the first time in my 29 years and 4 years of marriage.
Sarah and [...]

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there is nothing like … home

For Christmas, Mike purchased me this wall hanging which I had selected from a catalogue. It has a delightful quote by Jane Austen: How simple and true! We returned from our journeys 8 days ago now, and it is so nice to be back in our own home. We are just beginning to [...]

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Need Dinner Inspiration?

I have updated my long-neglected recipe blog with some healthy dishes that have all been recently tested in the Vendsel kitchen and have my Yum Yum stamp of approval.
On the menu:

Turkey-Sausage Kebabs
Farfalle Bolognese
Mandarin Salmon Wraps
Tuna, Sun-Dried Tomato, and White-Bean Salad
Turkey and Zesty Slaw Wrap
Super Versatile Quiche, a.k.a. Alton Brown’s “Refrigerator Pie”
10 Minute Tortellini

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hello, beauty

Is there anything more perfect than a peony in full bloom?

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Spring Cleaning

Spring has definitely arrived in Philadelphia, and that always puts me in the mood to clean. My closet was in dire need of attention. It was time to sort and toss, launder the winter sweaters and store them away, put warmer clothes to the back and pull out the spring and summer wear. That translated [...]

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New Needlework Finish

Most of you know that one of my favorite hobbies for relaxation and creativity is needlework, specifically cross stitch. I wanted to share this new finish with you, which I think captures well the spirit of our semester. The verse reads: “Coffee by the candle’s light warms a heart into the night.”

I finished it on [...]

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Healthy Cookin’

If you read my recipe blog, Yum Yum for the Tum Tum, you may be wondering when in the world I would update it again. So sorry - last month was super busy. I did do a lot of cooking in December, and found some new favorites I hope to archive on Yum Yum, such [...]

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Must Try Coffee Beans

My new favorite foodie spot is Trader Joe’s. (New to me, since we didn’t have these in Texas). I am here to shamelessly advertise their “Wintry Blend” coffee. We picked up a can of these beans and have been loving them. Here’s a description:

“We’ve blended whole coffee beans from a variety of exotic locales like [...]

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Salmon Chowder

We usually purchase a big 3-4 pound salmon fillet at Sam’s. We cut in thirds and freeze portions of it. This is a good way to use up what’s frozen. Karyn, you asked for the recipe. Here you go, courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens! It couldn’t be easier. Note: I doubled this on Sunday.
8 [...]

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