Whining With Wine

Homemade Vanilla Extract

I use a lot of vanilla extract in my baking, so I figured I might as well start making my own. It saves money and it’s very easy. Homemade vanilla extract in a nice looking jar also makes a really cute gift (holiday, hostess, etc.). Buying vanilla beans at the grocery store can be very […]

Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

This creamy butternut squash soup is one I almost always have in stock in the freezer during the fall and winter months. When I make it, I make a huge pot and freeze at least half. It is delicious and so easy to make. Roasting the squash and apples first brings out their natural sweetness. Roasting […]

Cake Pops

I bought Bakerella’s CAKE POPS: Tips, Tricks and Recipes book about 7 years ago and that began my obsession with making cake pops. Mine will never look as good as hers, but I still enjoy making them. They are a hit every time I do, because everyone loves a cake pop! They are bite sized, so […]

Egg Hash Brown Cups

I am a huge fan of making things that freeze well. I’m also a huge fan of using muffin tins to make individually sized portions of foods that are not actually muffins. You can add the vegetables of your choice… the more the better! Load up on vegetables! For 12 muffins: 8-10 eggs 3-4 potatoes […]

Freezer Meals

As a mom of young kids, it’s SO nice having meals in the freezer ready to pull out and thaw for dinner. If you are pregnant, I recommend making and freezing whenever you can so you’ll have plenty of food on hand when the baby comes. When the baby arrives, you aren’t going to feel […]

Rainbow Birthday Party

We had just moved halfway across the country and my daughter’s 3rd birthday was quickly approaching. We decided to have a family birthday party, instead of inviting friends from her new school since we didn’t really know anyone yet. She has always been obsessed with rainbows, so that seemed like a logical birthday party theme. […]

Natural Remedies for Constipation

Constipation Candy I made this recipe from Mommypotamus. I added berries to mine, and made the mistake of not pureeing them first… so mine don’t look as pretty as hers. Go to her site to see better pictures and more detailed instructions. Blend the following ingredients in a food processor or with a handheld mixer: […]

It’s a Girl! My First Baby’s Birth Story

This is my messy, train-of-thought recollection of my daughter’s birth, copied from my journal. “Either I just peed in my pants, or my water broke!” Friday night, twenty-two days before my due date, we went to dinner with friends that are also expecting a baby. We got home from dinner and relaxed on the couch […]

I’m Pregnant!

January 30 I went to my doctor to talk about how long I’ve been off the pill and trying to get pregnant. Considering my endometriosis, we had previously talked about how I shouldn’t waste much time trying and not knowing if it would be something we could do without medical assistance. I’d taken a home […]